Windows 10 6715b

[Eric10]

I have an old Compaq 6715b laptop running Windows 7 can it be made to run Windows 10 ?

[Haggis33]

I had the same problem when I tried a new install of windows 10, however then I clean installed Windows 8.1 full version from scratch, then upgraded via Microsoft Update to windows 10. This worked fine but the maximum screen resolution was not available (1680x1220) due to Windows using a basic display driver. It was however very useable and fairly quick with 4gb Ram. (HP are not supporting Windows 10 with this graphics adapter)

I am very happy with the results. Hope this helps anyone with the same 6715b machine.

[SGI4]

How to install Windows 10 on HP6715b or other computers with the Ati Radeon X1200 or X1250 display adapter?

Windows 10 will give a Not compatible message when you have this adapter in your computer/notebook.

It is however possible to install the Windows 7 driver  (signed) and use it up to 1920x1080 on an external display.

The procedure is similar for Windows 8.1

The computer will work fine, I did not see display problems except one:  upon startup or wake-up from sleep/hibernation you may sometimes see a black screen with only the mouse pointer visible. The best you can do is wait about a minute (do not touch mouse or keys as this will delay the time-out) until the pointer disappears (some flicker may be visible) then tap a key or move the mouse and your logon screen will appear. 

The other thing you have to do on the HP6715b is go in to the configuration and in devices disable the Biometric device. This one causes irregular sounds.

How to proceed?

(this is taken form a Dutch system, the names may not be exactly the same)

1. Download in the Microsoft Windows 10 website the version of Windows 10 you need and put it on a DVD or USB stick with the Media creation tool

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

2. Download the ATI driver 8.593.100 (in HP driver cab SP46004) or the same one from your supplier. You can also use the legacy driver on the AMD/ATI website but if you want to use the ATI CCC it gets a bit more complicated – Google for more info.

3. Unpack the driver but don not install, take a note where you put it

4. Uninstall the current ATI display driver so that Windows goes back to the Basic Display Adapter, possibly with a lower resolution. (right click on the desktop, choose Display settings, choose advanced, chose properties of the display adapter, choose the tab drivers and choose “delete driver”)

5. Restart system and check that the driver is now the Basic Display Adapter

6. Install Windows 10 from the DVD or USB and give it the time to do its work and load the updates.

7. Restart system to make sure the updates are installed

8. Do not use the normal driver / setup.exe procedure.
Install the ATI driver by right click on the desktop, choose display settings, choose advanced, choose properties of the display adapter, choose the tab drivers and choose “update driver”, choose to look for the driver in de folder you used in step 3 and press enter.
Windows will find the driver files and install them.

9. Go back and now select Display, in display settings uncheck “hide settings that your display may not be able to use” This makes sure you can set the adapter for higher resolutions.

10. Restart

11.  Right click on the desktop, choose Display settings and go to advanced, go to the tab adapter and click on show all modi, select the best resolution for your display.   Done!

To be clear: the computer will work fine, I did not see display problems except one:  upon startup or wake-up from sleep/hibernation you may sometimes see a black screen with only the mouse pointer visible. The best you can do is wait about a minute (do not touch mouse or keys as this will delay the time-out) until the pointer disappears (some flicker may be visible) then tap a key or move the mouse and your logon screen will appear.