Which HP drivers needed with new HDD & fresh W7 install?

[steve210]

The HDD on my HP Pro 3400 MT is failing and I intend to replace it. I will install a fresh, OEM Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit on the new HDD.

<NOTE: I purchased this 3400 used from a refurbisher on eBay, who had installed a refurbisher version of Windows 7. I have no original media from HP>

I have found the driver downloads page for my model. But some of the drivers are obviously not needed (no video card in my machine for example). I don't know  if the drivers included in Windows 7 are adequate, or whether some of the HP drivers might be better than generic drivers in W7.

My questions:

(1) Which of the available original HP drivers will I need to make this installation work optimally?

(2) Can I install Windows first then visit the HP driver download page? Or should I download drivers to a USB drive in advance of the Windows installation?

Thank you in advance....

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

I think the answer is yes.

First I would use Belarc Advisor and print out all the Software Keys/Licences it can find and network settings etc.

Then I would try this....

and make a DVD/USB to Repair/Rebuild/Recover/Re-Install from.

Then I would add HP_Drvrs as best you can via this place....

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-pro-3400-microtower-pc/5160137

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pro-3400-microtower-pc/5160137

X:\>dir
Volume in drive X is Recovery

02/04/2019 00:31 128 autorun.inf
02/04/2019 00:57  DIR  boot
02/04/2019 00:18 409,654 bootmgr
02/04/2019 00:31 1,509,688 bootmgr.efi
02/04/2019 00:57DIR efi

09/08/2018 16:55  DIR HP_Drvrs

02/04/2019 00:31 73,904 setup.exe

23/05/2019 11:47  DIR sources

02/04/2019 00:57  DIR support

4 File(s) 1,993,374 bytes

5 Dir(s) 1,129,336,832 bytes free

[steve210]

@Lil_Boy_Blue I appreciate the effort that you invested in your reply. Thank you.

But my questions were not really answered. Additionally, the proposal to use Belarc Advisor and heidoc would add significantly to my learning curve. While those methods are no doubt fine, and perhaps generally accepted here, they are not the methods that I have experience with. I will look into both of those resources in the future as time permits. I  have briefly scanned both sites and I do see the value there.

But..... for this installation I am going to simply purchase a (hopefully) genuine Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64-bit DVD with license key. This is the simplest approach for me. I have done this before with W2K and WXP and no problems. It is what I know and what I feel comfortable doing. I am capable of reinstalling all of my applications after Windows is installed on the new drive.

My question was not, is not, how do I get Windows installed.

My questions, to all readers here,  is....which HP drivers originally delivered with my machine and tailored specifically to my machine's hardware, would be important for me to download from HP support?

Here is the complete (long) list of original HP drivers available for my machine (including at least some that do not match my installed hardware)

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pro-3400-microtower-pc/5160137/model/5160138

My questions again:

(1) which of these drivers do I REALLY need?  (i.e. would be better than generic Windows drivers)

(2) Can I visit the drivers download page AFTER W7 is installed on my new drive, OR do I need to download drivers in advance of the OS installation?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

" I purchased this 3400 used from a refurbisher on eBay,"

They would, apart from yourself, be the best people to ask as the hardware inside may not be as built by HP.

[steve210]

This machine is 100% stock. Please stop derailing my inquiry here by steering the thread off topic.

[steve210]

PLEASE...someone who is willing and able to answer the questions that I am asking. I need to know about DRIVERS. Nothing more.

Here is a brief summary of my situation: My bone stock HP Pro 3400 MT has a failing hard drive. I will install a new HDD of similar specs to the original, and I will install Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, same as original. I am able to do those things and do not seek assistance in those areas.

I LOVE my HP machine and have been using HP computers for decades, Brio, Vectra, dx2000, and now this 3400. This is the first time I have come to these forums for help.

I am seeking assistance with DRIVERS for my machine. I am aware that Windows comes with a large set of generic drivers. What I need help with is in understanding whether there are any of the original HP drivers for my machine that would be superior to the generic drivers in Windows 7.

I have located the drivers download page for my machine. But the list of drivers available is long and (to me) confusing. Surely I won't truly need all of those drivers.

If someone could please guide me on which of the original HP drivers would be important for me to use, it would be greatly appreciated. Are any of the original HP drivers superior to the generic drivers in Windows 7? Are any of the original HP drivers absolutely necessary?

Thanks in advance...