want to run Win8.1

[Kunder]

I have a HP Pavilion Gaming 15-AK202NR. It comes with Windows 10.  I want to run Windows 8.1. I've recently done this with another HP15 model successfully ( HP 15-f387wm).

My biggest concern was if  Win8.1 would even run on a Skylake processor. Well, it does. Now I need a comparable machine that runs 8.1, that I can use the drivers from. nVidia driver isn't a problem, Realtek wireless, not a problem. HD530 graphics, not a problem, but some of the others are. I'm trying to totally build this O/S from scratch.

Thank You in advance.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

What are the other drivers that are a problem?

Audio:  Accept the agreement.  Download and install the 2nd driver on the list.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=24&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownT...

Ethernet:  Download, unzip and run the setup application from the W8.1 driver at the link below...

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=7&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTy...

SD Card reader:   Download, unzip and run the setup application from the 1st file listed at the link below...

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=15&PFid=25&Level=4&Conn=3&DownT...

Touchpad/Mouse: 

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp81501-82000/sp81891.exe

For any other device that still needs a driver, please post the hardware ID's for those devices.

Use this guide for how to find the hardware ID for a device.

https://www.howtogeek.com/193798/how-to-find-drivers-for-unknown-devices-in-the-device-manager/

[Kunder]

Yes, thank you VERY much.

I figured it out but didn't have the time to post a "never mind". However, I'll hang on to the links you've posted, to make the job easier in the future if needed. BTW, the other drivers I was having issues with, were various chipset drivers. I'm a REAL stickler for proper chipset drivers, probably moreso than most, but I DID manage to find them.

I now have a fully  functional HP Gaming 15 laptop on Windows 8.1!

It is actually faster than WinX on this machine, my older games now work, it no longer "de-activates" my legally owned Office 2013, I don't have to worry about SecuROM, or the constant update interruptions.

Now, I'll replace the 1948 Chevy dump truck, slow hard drive, with the 960gb SSD I possess.

16gb/matching Corsair ram that I have, maybe 32gb in the future. HP says "No, it won't work", but the CPU, Bus, and chipset says it will. I'll make it work, and properly, I might add.

Once again, thank you very much for your help.

Kunder.

[Kunder]

This is the FIRST HP I've ever kept for myself. It sounds better than the MSI I recently sold, it's simpler, it's quieter, and I like the green color scheme.

Although, it doesn't have the GeForce 1060 that my MSI had, none of the games I enjoy, require that much horsepower, thus the GTX950m /4gbVRAM is more than adequate for my needs.

My wife has always had good fortune with her HP15 platform computers, although the older ones have the build quality of a Yugo, they never, or seldom ever failed to function. Budget models or not, they work, and work reliably.

Thought I'd give one a try...... I like it. Needs a better HDD, an O/S change, and more ram, otherwise, a GREAT computer, on a solid platform. 🙂

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Happy upgrading!

[Kunder]

A very special shout out to Paul_Tikkanen!!!

You have been very helpful to me during the short time I've been haunting this board, and with the number of posts you have, apparently, everyone else, too.

I appreciate your dedication, and willingness to share your knowledge!

When I grow up, I want to be just like Paul_Tikkanen! 😄

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[Kunder]

Well, I'm mostly finished with my HP Gaming 15 laptop. I did not install the M2. I felt it was pointless.

I'm waiting for 32gb/RAM to arrive.

This computer came equipped with an i7 6700hq Skylake, nVidia GTX 950m Graphics processor w/4gb/VRAM, Windows 10 home, 8gb/RAM, and a Pokey  Joe, 5400rpm 1tb/WD Blue HDD, and an optical drive.

Now?

Windows 8.1Pro.

16gb/Micronics, 1.35v RAM. It didn't like the Corsair ram.

Now has a 960gb, SanDisk Ultra II SSD, and a 1tb HGST 7200RPM SATA 3 HDD in the optical bay.

It's no longer even CLOSE to the same machine! Awesome. 🙂 FTW!!

I'd like to thank all of you, who helped me with this. 🙂

After doing a bit of research, I've come to the conclusion that there weren't too many of these machines made, and almost none, floating around.

That's a shame, the potential for one of these is phenominal.

IF the opportunity presents itself, I'll be picking up more of these, if I can find them, and if the price is right. I paid $400USD for it, NIB!

What a deal I got!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Enjoy your souped-up PC!