Windows 10 issues

[IsmaeleBnb]

Hi all

I've upgraded to windows 10 from windows 7 since the release, but only now I'm finding some issues (I didn't notice this before because I couldn't use it much lately)

- Switching between graphic cards, intel and radeon, sometimes it doesn't seem to change. Before the screen used to go blanck for a few seconds during the switching, but now it doesn't. Moreover, when unplugging the charger it showed a window asking whether to switch the graphic card or not.

- My pc allowed to manage the beats audio with a specific software, but now I can't find it.

- The microphone doesn't seem to work anymore, even though the drivers seems to be updated and the hardware seems to be working, unless it would have notified me. Also, it doesn't work even with the headphones.

- Even though I formatted it several times, recently too, it's really slow in turning it on, almost 1:40 minutes to reach the log in screen. I don't know if it's because the pc is old or what.

Thanks in advance for the help

[WAWood]

@IsmaeleBnb

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!

Sorry, but I don't have very good news for you ...

The problem you're up against is that Microsoft only supplies drivers with the most basic functionality, and what you really need for FULL functionality is the specialized drivers written for the specific hardware found in your HP PC -- and unfortunately, there are no HP Win10 drivers for your PC. HP only guarantees Win10 compatibility for machines made after August, 2013. HP is no longer producing drivers for the older machines.

This means that your PC is most likely NEVER going to be fully functional under Win10 because the drivers it needs for full functionality simply do not exist!

In addition, we are seeing indications that with each MS major update of Win10, more and more of the older Win7 Upgraded PCs are exhibiting new problems.  MS is already pushing out updates that will prevent new PCs that have been backfitted with Win7 and Win8 from doing Updates anymore.  Perhaps they're doing something similare to the older Win7 PCs now.

[IsmaeleBnb]

Hi

Thanks for replying.

So, in your opinion, it would be better to downgrade to win7 or to keep win10?

And if so, do you think it would resolve the issues? And without being able to update win7, there could be problems with apps, like with winxp?

And if I keep win10, there's nothing I can do for the microphone at least?

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@IsmaeleBnb

First, you will probably NOT be able to Downgrade to Win7.  The Win10 Upgrade is know to corrupt the Recovery partition stored there by the OEM that built the original machine. This pretty much guarantees that no HP Recovery is going to work: http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Video-Display-and-Touch/HP-Recovery-Manager-Blocked-After-Windo...

This means that RESET no longer works on your laptop due to your doing the Win10 Upgrade.

To actually restore your PC to its original condition, you need something known as HP Recovery Media. (more on this below)

Second, it will fix the video problem because the HP Win7 drivers work properly with switchable graphics -- which you have in your PC.  If the Mic worked properly in Win7, then it will work againk, also.

Third, it's certainly POSSIBLE that eventually, MS will push out a drive update that will fix the Mic problem in Win10, but that is simply hoping for the best.  As long as you keep using Win10, you are going to encounter more and more problems like this.

HP Recovery Media is a set of DVDs and a CD, or USB stick, that will erase the hard drive (removing all data, settings, and applications, reinstall the original OS, drivers, and some HP Utilities. In some cases, you may be able to order a USB stick instead of disks. You have to order these from HP; they can not be downloaded.

You can look online for Recovery Media starting with the linked paged: http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers

Once there, input your Product name or number. On your Software and Drivers Download page, select your Operating System and and Version. Click "Update". If HP Recovery Media is available for your machine, down near the bottom of the page, you will see an entry for Order Recovery Media-CD/DVD/USB. Click the "+" symbol to expand that entry and click on Order Media for details.

Or, if you prefer, you can do the same by contacting HP Customer Service:

If you live in the US or Canada, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/phone-assist.html#section1

If you live elsewhere, contact information is on this page: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

NOTE: After you get through, stay on the line until you are finally able to talk to some one -- it can take a while!

If you have trouble finding a phone number, then try: 1 (800) 474-6836

If HP no longer provides Recovery Media for your model, a couple of other sites you can check are: http://www.computersurgeons.com/ and http://www.restoredisks.com/

Before using the media, read through this: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

Good Luck

[IsmaeleBnb]

Thanks again.

Luckily I made the recovery DVDs when I bought the pc, so it should be ok. 

I edited the previous reply asking if downgrading to win7 would mean I could have problems with programs, since I won't be able to update it, like it happened with winxp

Anyway, I'll check the links you sent me, thank you again