Installing Windows 7 on HP Pavilion 15-e056sl,possible or not?

[MaxTower]

hello

I bought this laptop,expecting W8 on it...

It was an ex-display from a shop ...the problem is that I found a w7 starter version installed...

I assumed they changed the BIOS to install w7 starter and ,clearly they could't install w7 home or pro

(otherwise why install w7 starter instead of w7 pro?)

Summing up,my questions are:

can I do a clean installation of w7 on this laptop?

how?resetting to factory settings?

Alternative solutions?

Thank you for your help

[lasvegaswireman]

Here are the original factory specs for your HP Pavilion 15-e056sl Notebook Computer. According the the specs, this model shipped from the factory with Windows 8 64-bit installed. Here is the  HP Pavilion 15-e056sl Notebook PC Drivers page for your computer. It appears HP is only providing Windows 8 and 8.1 driver support for this model.

1)  Can I do a clean installation of w7 on this laptop? YES, you can do a clean install of Windows 7 on this computer. Please see Windows 8 Dowgrade Issue for an overview of how to install Windows 7 on an HP computer originally shipped with Windows 8. 

2)  Resetting to factory settings? Depending on what partitions are on the hard drive, you may be able to return the computer to a factory like state. If there is an "HP Recovery" partition or something similar, you may be able to mark that partition as ACTIVE using the Windows Disk Management console and reboot the computer. This should start the HP Recovery process, if everything works as it should. If there is no "HP Recovery" partition or the above doesn't work, please contact HP in your country / region via the HP Worldwide Support Portal to check on the availability of HP Recovery Discs for your computer.

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

Please click the white KUDOS star to show your appreciation

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That model is not supported by HP for Windows 7. 

There is no guarantee you can get W7 to work, and if you want to take the chance, you will need to install W7 x64 where there may be a better chance of finding drivers.

Since someone tried a botched attempt to install W7 Starter, most likely the W8 recovery manager won't work.

Here are the steps to recover the notebook to factory settings.  If they don't work, then read the second link to see if you can still make a set of recovery disks or recovery flash drive from the recovery partition.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03489643

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03481733

If none of that works, you would have to contact HP for the country you live in at the link below, and see if you can order W8 recovery disks for that model.

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

No doubt you got the notebook at a bargain because someone messed it up and couldn't fix it, sold it to the shop for cheap, and moved on.

Their loss is your gain.

Regarding trying to install W7 x64 (Home Premium, Pro). I think we can give it an honest effort, and I think you can be successful.

Based on the hardware in your notebook, here are my recommendations.

1. Install the W7 version of your choice.

2. These drivers will install the smbus and usb 3 controllers:

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdDetails/?sp4ts.oid=5359417&sp...

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdDetails/?sp4ts.oid=5359417&sp...

This driver, I was told, will install the graphics.

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS035454

This driver will install the audio.  Accept the agreement, download and install the second file on the list.

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

Then use all of the rest of the drivers and software from the same model you got the usb drivers from.

DO NOT USE ANY BIOS OR FIRMWARE DOWNLOADS FROM THIS LINK

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdHome/?sp4ts.oid=5359417&spf_p... - Chipset

For the webcam, I do not think you need any drivers, just this software.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-123546-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en...

If you get stuck finding a driver, please click on the device and post the hardware ID.

If you do not know where to find that info, please read the guide at the link below.

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-Hardware-ID

[MaxTower]

update:

we're at a critical point,gentlemen 😞

I triedto install windows 8 64 bit and the installation doesn't start...it says the system only

accepts 32 bit softwares!!!!

I'm scared the bios has serious damages...

any ideas?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

You have to boot from the W8 disk.

You cannot install/run a 64 bit operating system installation disk from the 32 bit OS desktop.

[MaxTower]

nothing

impossible to boot from w8 dvd

and if I disable legacy ,impossible to boot....

What do u think it will happen if I select load setup defaults from bios?

One of my friends thinks the bios is flipped,because a 64bit cpu must boot with a 64bit operative system dvd..

I don't know what to think... 😞

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I don't know what to think either.

I guess you can try setting the BIOS to its defaults.

[MaxTower]

hello mr Paul

finally I installed w7 pro on this notebook and I'm really satisfied:many thanks!!!:smileyhappy:

last remaining issues:

1) PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_780B&SUBSYS_1982103C&REV_16 ( system bus controller),tried to download from HP support,but I can't downloadand the amd driver downloader doesn't work

 2)less important:should I update my bios? 

3)less important : USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8187&REV_0100 (alfa awus036h wireless adapter)I found it is impossible to install on my notebook,tried many drivers and softwares...maybe it is not compatible..patience!

I Hope you can help,at least with issue n 1

 Many many thanks again Best Regards

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

For the PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_780B, you need to download and install the amd chipset driver from the link below.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows 7 - 64

For the USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8187&REV_0100, try this driver:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=21&PFid=40&Level=5&Conn=4&DownT...

Why do you need a usb wireless adapter for your notebook, may I ask?

I see no need to update the BIOS and unless the BIOS download says it can be run on W7, you definitely should not update the BIOS.

[MaxTower]

hi there!!

no more yellow triangle 🙂 🙂 🙂

I couldn't install the wireless adapter,(already tried those drivers..I got others from alfa site but the device doesn't work

properly well:I need it because I haven't connection signal in my room)

Who cares??I'll buy a range extender...  🙂

I'm really grateful,if you want to spend some days in Italy you'll be my guest.