New HP Pavilion and Vista Problems?

Question

HP Pavilion dv9930us

I've decided to either downgrade my Pavilion to XP or upgrade it to Windows 7. I've tried both ways, and all I encounter is trouble.

Trying XP:

When I attempted this technique, the Windows Setup process delivers me a message informing me that Windows cannot locate a hard disk drive in my computer. After several Google searches, I found two solutions and attempted them both.

1. Access the BIOS and configure the hard disk from "SATA" to "Raid Autodetect/ATA".
2. Install Windows XP

After more reading, I have found that this has been successful for many people. However, when I access my BIOS on the computer, there is not an option to perform this task.

The next solution that I found via Google results was to use a program known as Nlite. I have never heard of this program before, but apparently, it creates a copy of the Windows XP install disc, while adding the drivers needed for the PC. I followed an online guide to do so - making sure I use the correct drivers for my PC - and the end result was the same as before, "Windows could not find any hard disk drives installed on your comptuer" - back to square one.

After searching Google meticulously, I was unable to find any more solutions to my issue, however the two solutions I have listed above show much success for other users.


Trying Windows 7:

I was able to successfully upgrade the computer to Windows 7, but ran into several driver issues. Again, I referred to my friend, Google for answers. I came across several articles and websites/forums that express many people in my position - unable to upgrade the HP Pavilion dv9000 to Windows 7. One article in particular expressed several hate posts and complaints about people now abandoning HP because of their headaches with this issue. Apparently, HP does not support upgrading the Pavilion dv9000 series to Windows 7.

Now, I am left with a machine running Windows 7, in need of alot of drivers.

What I am in need of then is any solution to help direct me to a stable system.

How can I either:

> Get drivers for an HP Pavilion dv9930us running Windows 7
> Install Windows XP on an HP Pavilion dv9930

PS. I've received many answers already instructing me to restore my system to factory defaults. If Vista did not give me so many issues, I would consider this; however, "Windows decided the program 'so-and-so' needed to close" is not my favorite message in the world, and Vista delivers this to me too much.

Answer 1

1. did u do a clean install (XP or 7)? If not - first mistake.



2. The reason it doesn't find a hard drive is because XP does not have drivers for the SATA drive. Those have to be entered at the F6 prompt to install additional drivers. If u have a real HP XP disk, they will be on there. Otherwise u need the drivers on a floppy - assuming of course u have a floppy drive.



3. Vista drivers will mostly function on W7 - Some Vista drivers can/have been optimized for W7 but they should work as is until u can find updated ones.



------- download all the latest Vista drivers from HP

--------do a CLEAN install of W7

--------install the network driver, connect to the net and ask it to update/install other drivers from the net. If it doesn't find any use the Vista one if it does not have any. If it isn't showing a "!" don't worry about it.

Answer 2

XP: Question: have you used these drivers?

32-bit Intel® RST Driver Files for F6 Install

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=18860&lang=eng



nLite way:

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/02/08/how-to-integrate-floppy-sata-raid-driver-into-windows-xp-cd/



Windows 7:

find out what drivers are used on other OS versions (ie. Vista) and try searching part manufacturer's (not HP's) websites, ie. Broadcom, Realtek for network drivers; Realtek for audio etc.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=2093&lc=en&cc=za&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3747258#N649

Answer 3

WAIT I GOT IT. its asking for drivers like the ones for web cam for example. try to look under C/Windows.Old



good luck. and google the drivers for your laptop.

Answer 4

first reinstall vista and all updates and sp2 then turn off your anti-virus an firewall then you can upgrade to windows7