Windows 7 install on HP Spectre x360 15-ch011dx (drivers)

[ManfredJensen]

I'm attempting a clean install of Windows 7 on an HP Spectre x360 15-ch011dx. I'm almost there after 2 weeks of hunting & pecking at drivers but there are 4 devices that are standing in my way. Under Device Manager > Properties > Details tab for each, here are their hardware IDs

1. ACPI\USBC000

2. PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2526&SUBSYS_00148086&REV_29

3. USB\VID_8087&PID_0025&REV_0002

4. (Touch screen - doesn't show up)

I gather #1 is the USB-C port, #2 is the Network/wifi adapter, #3 is Bluetooth, and #4 is the touch screen. I've spent a lot of time following the posts of users "Spectrefan2qe" and "Jakehero" who managed to succeed with the exception of the elusive touchscreen driver which no one has ever found.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/GUIDE-How-to-Install-Windows-7-...

However, their solutions of the above drivers aren't working for me, I guess because my machine is a 15-ch011dx, not an Ae0xx. I've tried so many different drivers from so many different sources, here, the vendor, 3rd party vendors, that I can't even remember what I've tried. If anyone can point me to a verified driver for any of these, that would really help me pass this brick wall. If I eventually get things working I'll post exact instructions on how I did it. It's a nightmare, for sure.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The parts list for your notebook indicates that it comes with an Intel 9260AV Wi-Fi adapter.

HP PartSurfer

Here is a discussion where jonhoh found a way to get that card to work with W7, but you are probably going to have to find the older driver versions he posted because when you click on the links, they are now the latest versions.

Intel Wifi AC 9260 driver fir Win7 x32 x64 - Windows 7 Forums (sevenforums.com)

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to help you with the other issues.

The last W7 BT driver was for the 8265AC Wi-Fi adapter and I couldn't find any similar posts like the one above to install the BT driver.

[ManfredJensen]

Thanks Paul, the Wifi adapter is the most critical one right now. Jonhoh's solution made sense so I gave it a try editing the .inf file. Unfortunately it still refuses to install, and maybe that's because of what you said, the linked drivers are the latest versions. It's also a bit discouraging that nobody else in the thread could get it to work, but it's a tricky procedure. I'll try an archive search for an earlier driver ~2018 and hope that works.

I'm so close, after digging up 15 drivers for the other devices, it's really just 2 more to go (I can live without Bluetooth & touch screen).

The HP PartSurfer page helps a lot... Less shooting in the dark. I'll post back with my results hopefully soon!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Your only other option would probably be to downgrade the Wi-Fi card to the Intel 8265AC which I doubt that you would want to do.

I see that they have W7 Wi-Fi and BT drivers for that card, or you could try modifying those to see if you can get the Intel9260 to work.

Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265

[ManfredJensen]

Hi Paul, thanks again... at this point I think that's the only solution, replacing it with an 8265. I dug deeper on the sevenforums link you provided and found a follow-up thread where Jonhoh said it won't work. Googling 'Intel AC 9260 Windows 7 driver' turns up more frustrated & angry souls whose consensus is that it's impossible unless Intel writes a new driver. In at least one case, someone said they requested it directly from Intel but were told no dice.

Therefore I'm choosing your solution, to buy an AC 8265. Looks like I can grab one for around $10 on the used market, and that's definitely worth it if it saves me any further stress & frustration!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime. 

Glad to have been of assistance. 

Please post back and let us know if the Intel 8265AC WiFi adapter worked.

Make sure that you get the non-vPro version of the card.