What Drivers Do I Need?

[Kaileyelise]

Hiya! I've just installed Windows onto a new hard drive and I'm now in the process of installing drivers. 

http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-beats-special-edition-15-p000-notebook-pc/6936229... this is my exact laptop.

My question is, out of all these drivers, which do I really need to install?

So far I have the network driver, audio drivers, touchpad driver, and a graphics driver.

Thanks! x

[lasvegaswireman]

1) If you used the HP Recovery Media you created when you first setup your computer, there should be no need to install any drivers as the computer will be return to a factory like state.

2) If you used a generic Windows installation disc, please indicate which version of Windows you installed.

3) Typically, you need the following;

Chipset Driver

USB 3.0 Driver

Graphics Driver

Audio Driver

TouchPad Driver

CardReader Driver

LAN Driver

WLAN Driver

Bluetooth Driver

Depending on the version of Windows, you may need more or less drivers.

You can post the Windows Device Manager's "Hardware Ids" (just the text) for all remaining missing or unknown devices, as shown in the example below, and we can point you to the exact drivers;

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Please click the White KUDOS "Thumbs Up" to show your appreciation

[Kaileyelise]

I have Windows 8.1 64-bit, and I installed it using a USB actually.

What hardware ID's should I post? When I open device manager and look under network adapters there's four different ones.

EDIT:  I've been using a program called driver talent to help me out. It shows all of the drivers I have installed now.

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

The Hardware ID's you should be posting are the ones that are for the devices that are listed as missing or unknown on your computer. My example is exactly that, an example. It merely shows how to find the Hardware ID's,,, not that you need the ID's from the Network adapter category. Typically, the unknown or missing devices will be listed with a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in the middle.

Again, if you created and used the HP Recovery Media, there would be no need to install drivers as this would have return the computer to a factory like state. Using generic Windows installation media, as it appears you have done, doesn't install any drivers or software that is provided by HP for your computer.

As for the drivers needed for a generic Windows install...

These are newer than what you have installed.

AMD Graphics Driver

Realtek HD Audio, Check "Accept", click "Next", then click "Global" on the 2nd row (64bits Vista, Windows7, Windows8, Windows8.1, Windows10 Driver only)

Realtek Card Reader, Click "Global" on the 1st row (Card reader driver for XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1,Win10)

Realtek PCIe FE Driver,  Click "Global" on the 3rd row (Win8, Win8.1 and Server 2012 Auto Installation Program)

Appears you are missing this.

HP Wireless Button Driver

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Please click the White KUDOS "Thumbs Up" to show your appreciation

[Kaileyelise]

Ah okay, thanks a lot!