Pavilion dm4t-2100 Entertainment PC lost HD partition and recovery DVDs not installing OS

[YJK]

My appoligies. Yes, the LAN driver (54121)  I downloaded from your link worked !

It was Ethernet controller that I updated, not one of the Unknowns.  The other one (53680) didn't work, but now I'm on the internet, I'm searching for updated drivers thru the internet - hopefully I get all the questions marks for the drivers removed eventually.

So, it looks like you found other versions of the drivers (different from the HP ones)? I don't understand why, but I just need something that works. 

Thank you so much!

[YJK]

Hi, I appreciate the tips you shared.  Although I just got my Ethernet working thanks to IT_Winsec and others, I feel your links would be handy.  I'm in the middle of updating all the incorrectly installed drivers (it's slow to search for the internet).  I'll ask you if I need any help.  

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

[YJK]

i found letting the computer search for the internet and update drivers may not always be a good idea....

I tried to update the graphics driver since I only get 102x768 with the builtin driver - "Radeon HD 6470M".  The computer installed "Intel HD Graphics Family" display adapter and my screen has gone bad after a restart (looking like lost tv signal with diagonal lines, etc.).  So, I rebooted in safe mode and disabled it to return to the previous state.  

Any tip to find and install a proper graphics driver?  Look into the links Paul_Tikkanen provided?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

For notebooks with the switchable graphics, you can only use the AMD graphics driver on the HP support page for your model as it is a custom made driver that installs both the AMD and Intel GPU's.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54122.exe

Never allow Windows update to install an updated graphics driver for that platform.

[YJK]

Thanks for the info and links.

However, after installing the wifi driver and display driver, I found the same distorted screen.  I rebooted it in safe mode to disable whatever newly installed, but got hung while loading files in command prompt. 

I restarted it again and it is going thru "Failure configuring Windows updates. Reverting changes.... ".  This is second try (first time, it just turned it off itself). 

I thought I almost got it back...

* Update *

After 4 attemps (I dont' know why), it finally booted in safe mode, I deleted the Intel HD Graphics driver (which was disabled eariler, but reactivated for some reason) and got it back, but it complans that AMD graphics driver is missing.  

At least, the wife now works now.

* 2nd Update *

It seems that sp54122 installs the Inel HD Graphics driver causing the creeen problem.  I cannot get rid of AMD Graphics Driver missing warning even after I deleted it from the Device Manager. And, the resolution max is 1024x768.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If your notebook has the AMD/Intel switchable graphics, and the display driver I posted didn't install both GPU's, then I'm thinking the AMD GPU has overheated, and is no good anymore. 

A fairly common issue that happens over time.

It will not let you install the graphics driver.

The AMD/Intel driver I posted should have worked perfectly fine if both GPUs were OK.

[YJK]

Thank you for the info.

When it installed by ATI - Catalyst Install Manager, I get an error message "Failed to load detection driver".

What does this mean? 

Moreover, I see two display adapters in the Device Manager:

   Intel HD Graphics Family

   Radeon HD 6470M

since the Intel driver is causing the problem and it's ok if I remove it, why can't I just use Radeoon driver to get higher resolutions than VGA?  Do I need both to have a working display? 

Sorry for my ignorance, but I'm learning....

[YJK]

Another thing I didn't mention is that, "PCI Device" is also not correctly installed under Other devices.  Would this affect the problem I'm experiencing? Or, it has nothing to do with the display adapters?

Thanks for the answer in advance. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

No need to apologize.  We all have to start somewhere, and it is fun to learn new things.

If you see those two adapters listed in the device manager and they report that they are working properly, unfortunately, I have no idea why the graphics isn't working fine--other than the possiblilty of the AMD GPU having a hardware issue--unless the Intel driver that was installed, is the one from the Windows Update, and not from the AMD/Intel switchable graphics driver I posted.

If you uninstall the Intel graphics adapter, the graphics won't work anyway, and you will still not be able to change the screen resolution.

The PCI device has nothing to do with the graphics problem.  You just need the Realtek card reader driver for that.

This package contains the driver that enables the Realtek Card Reader in supported notebook models that are running a supported operating system. The card reader enables users to read from or write to supported removable storage cards, which are typically used in digital cameras, digital music players, and cellular phones.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54169.exe

If it were me, I would go back to square one, reinstall W7 x64 again.

Then install the Intel chipset installation driver first, restart the PC.

This package contains the Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver for supported notebook models and operating systems. This utility enables the operating system to show the correct name for the installed Intel hardware in the Microsoft Windows Device Manager.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54125.exe

Then install the AMD/Intel graphics driver I posted, restart the PC, and see if the graphics works normally this time.

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54122.exe

Then don't let Windows Update install the Intel graphics driver.  You can right click on the update, select hide update and never be bothered with it again.

If the graphics still doesn't work right after doing a clean install of Windows, and installing just those two drivers first, then you can pretty much rest assured that the AMD GPU has failed, and it would be time for a new notebook.

I wouldn't throw good money after bad trying to replace the motherboard.