Looking for Windows XP Driver for Presario CQ60-216DX

I just bought a Compaq Presario CQ60-216DX laptop, which came with Vista installed and I need to downgrade to Windows XP (for work purposes). I can't seem to find a Windows XP driver for this model and am waiting to downgrade until I know if I need one / if there is one. So, my questions are:

1) Is there a Windows XP driver for the Presario CQ60-216DX laptop?
2) If the answer to question 1 is no, is there a comparable driver to use?

Thanks in advance!

 

If your feeling frisky below is my directions to put XP on the G50-104NR, which appears to use similar hardware to your laptop, I dont make any promises that you won't run into issues following these directions, but I'll be happy to help you if you do.

*EDIT* don't do this if you're not computer proficient and don't do it if you don't have a backup computer and a USB drive or something to move files to the laptop if you need a different driver for any of these items.

For the tweakers out there, WinXP does appear to work on this notebook, though it takes some finagling, first follow the instructions in this thread to nlite the intel southbridge chipset drivers into a winxp disk, you MUST do this for it to work:
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1275908
after that you'll need this wireless driver:
http://download2.dvd-driver.cz/atheros/drivers/ar5xxx/xp32-7.6.0.239-whql.zip
If you want the light and wireless on off switch to work correctly you'll need to do this, it does work without it but the button doesnt seem to work reliably and the light doesn't work at all:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=160430015&blogID=359788250

And for some reason the "text mode startup" portion of XP setup doesn't display, but eventually it reads and reads from the cd and finally boots into the main setup asking you what you want to do.

Once windows starts install the chipset INFs and reboot:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/dow...tol.exe&DwnldId=16023&ProductID=2991&lang=eng

You need the MS-UAA driver here, the sources I read said to install it BEFORE any of the audio stuff, which as it turns out is true unless you want to have to uninstall all the audio and reinstall this driver, so do it first right after the intel chipset driver above again reboot when its done:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33501-34000/sp33867.exe

At this point I hit windows update and got the lan, touchpad, audio and modem drivers from there automatically

Last biggie is the Intel Video driver and HDMI audio driver, for some stupid reason the .exe version is missing the INF for the HDMI so use the ZIP developer version below:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/dow...437.zip&DwnldId=17179&ProductID=2991&lang=eng

 

I too am in serious need of this help. Unfortunately, ALL of the links in the above post have been scr*wed badly. Could you try again, or else email me the original post with proper links? Please.
Thanks.

 

My bad I forgot slickdeals truncates the links, they should work now.

 

A big "Thank You" to Big Mike. I have XP installed, and I'm now installing drivers.

 

Awesome, I've been contemplating "XP-ifying" notebooks for people as a money maker. I figure there's people around my town that hate vista but can't figure out how to XP their notebooks since its getting harder to do all the time. I've done 3 in the last 6 months myself. Glad that info helped.

 

Would this method work for the CQ60-214DX? Just curious.

 

I can't make promises but based on the hardware it should be very similar, if you follow the first steps you should have no problem getting XP up and running, if you run into drivers that don't work from this list you can give us the device IDs from the details tab in device manager and I'm sure we can track down something that will work.

 

thanks big mike, since all you guys had pretty good success, I'll have to do this right in order for it to happen. like using a legit Win Xp instead of a backup right? It's like super cheap now anyways. but thanks again ill post results.

 

I'd suggest holding off on activation until you've got everything up and running and you're sure it works right, but I didn't have any issues with any of the ones I've done (well any issues that couldn't be fixed or lived with anyways). Drop us another line if you get it going or need more help.

 

It would sure be nice to know how the OP is doing once he got those drivers installed. I want to do the same with my 214DX. HP pointed me to this page
which does a pretty good job of frightening me. I've done the downgrade on an older Presario C501NR, but that one was really designed for XP anyway

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c01092639

In another communication I was given this list of XP drivers for a 216DX, which should be the same for the 214. I have these ready to go but am hesitatant about investing a lot of time in it if it is doomed to fail, as HP indicates

Geoffrey : Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33501-34000/sp33867.exe
Geoffrey : After installing the UAA driver reboot the notebook nad install the audio driver from the following link:
Geoffrey : Conexant High Definition Audio Driver:
Geoffrey : http://techiesspot.com/filez/Connexant Smart221.zip
Geoffrey : Follow the below steps to install the driver correctly:
Geoffrey : 1. Click on Start and select Run. Now type devmgmt.msc and press enter.
2. Right click on "Audio device on High Definition Audio Bus" and click Update driver.
3. Select not at this time, click on next and Select "Install from a list or specific location".
4. Click Next. Then select "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install"

Geoffrey : 5. Click Next and then select "Sound, video and game controller" from the list.
6. Click Next and then click Have Disk.
7. Click Browse, Choose the location where you have saved the extracted folder.
8. Open the folder and choose the .inf file listed.
9. Ignore any errors you receive and proceed with the installation.
Geoffrey : Similarly install Modem Drivers form the link below:
Geoffrey : Conexant HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP Driver:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp33501-34000/sp33839.exe
Geoffrey : Installing this driver may result in an error. But continue with the following steps to get the Modem driver installed
correctly.

Geoffrey : 1. Click on Start and select Run. Now type devmgmt.msc and press enter.
2. Right click on "Modem device on High Definition Audio Bus" and click Update driver.
3. Select "Not at this time", click on next and Select "Install from a list or specific location"
Geoffrey : 4. Click Next. Then select "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install"
5. Click Next and then select "Modem" from the list.
6. Click Next and then click Have Disk.
Geoffrey : 7. Click Browse C:\swsetup\sp33839 folder and select the .inf file and click open and Continue with the onscreen
instructions.
Geoffrey : HP Quick Launch Buttons:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp39001-39500/sp39425.exe
Geoffrey : Cyberlink YouCam Webcam Software:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp37501-38000/sp37849.exe
Geoffrey : Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp34001-34500/sp34152.exe
Geoffrey : Intel PRO/Wireless Drivers :
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp34001-34500/sp34489.exe
Geoffrey : Support Software for HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp34501-35000/sp34842.exe
Geoffrey : Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family Graphics Driver:
Geoffrey : http://downloadmirror.intel.com/16944/a08/win2k_xp14363.exe
Geoffrey :
NOTE: The URL above will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP does nt control and is not responsible for information
outside of the HP Web site.
Geoffrey : or

NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GE Graphics Driver :
Geoffrey : http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/nForce/18.11/nforce_winxp_18.11_english_whql.exe
Geoffrey :
NOTE: The URL above will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP does nt control and is not responsible for information
outside of the HP Web site.
Geoffrey : Intel Chipset Installation Utility for ICH9:
Geoffrey : http://downloadmirror.intel.com/16023/a08/infinst_autol.exe
Geoffrey : Synaptics Touchpad Driver:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp35001-35500/sp35444.exe
Geoffrey : Atheros Wireless LAN Driver:
Geoffrey : http://techiesspot.com/filez/Atheros Wireless driver_XP.exe
Geoffrey :
NOTE: The URL above will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP does nt control and is not responsible for information
outside of the HP Web site.
Geoffrey : Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader Driver:
Geoffrey : http://techiesspot.com/filez/Realtek_XP_WHQL_3.0.0.8.exe
Geoffrey :
NOTE: The URL above will take you to a non-HP Web site. HP does nt control and is not responsible for information
outside of the HP Web site.
Geoffrey : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC Driver:
Geoffrey : ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp38001-38500/sp38329.exe
Geoffrey : NOTE: Clicking on the link may not open the web page. Copy the link and Paste it in the Internet Explorer
address bar and Press Enter.

 

Well I decided to plunge forward anyway after making recovery discs.
But XP setup has blue screened twice now on the very fist setup screen, during the initial file reading process. It says to check for viruses (impossible unless it came with them) and to chkdsk which I will do, but I'm sure this is not the problem.

Am I going to have to get rid of Vista some other way before I can even run XP setup?

 

Did you use nlite to put the storage controller drivers on a custom windows disk from the first link in my post:
HP/Compaq do NOT support XP for this model.
They only support XP for their Business HP/Compaq models.

Since it "was not design for XP" as OS, some functions may not work 100%.

However, If you are willing to do some experimental work with XP here are the main drivers for this model.

Use XP SP2 only, most of XP drivers were built based on XP-SP2.

If you don't have XP with SP 2,get it first:
http://tinyurl.com/6kqg8

Use Nlite to sliptream ICH9 sata driver.
A good guide to guide sliptream sata driver
here:
http://maxeasyguide.blogspot.com/2008/04/preparations-for-winxp-installation-cd.html

Nlite download:
http://www.nliteos.com

ICH9 sata driver, the driver is located in iaAHCI.inf and is called ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller
here:
http://tinyurl.com/5nbgqd

If you didn't do this you'll get nothing but blue screens and not be able to install.

 

Thanks, I missed that. I think this particular deVistanation might be pushing my luck a bit. My last one went OK but this one seems a lot more trouble and I'm all that savvy.

 

I'm super tempted to do it, but it sounds if no risk taking is wanted I might as well do a clean vista install. If only I had a copy... But thanks again for these tips, cause we would all be lost in the "premade" computer tyranny. I love custom sh*t.

 

seriously i think xp would run pretty well on this machine's specs...

 

T3200/4500M runs XP GREAT, if I hadn't wheeled and dealed and ended up with two laptops that I was able to sell for this beastly gateway I would have had no qualms keeping that laptop. For anything other than hard core gaming its way more than adequate, especially with 4GB of ram and a 7200rpm hard drive like I upgraded mine to.

 

Honestly if you can get through the nlite thing to install the driver into your windows disk I can probably walk you through anything else that might possibly come up, that's by far the hardest part. As long as you have another PC and a way to transfer a driver or two (if you need wireless/wired ethernet drivers to get it back on the net) i haven't found a laptop that I couldn't XP-ify yet.

 

Thanks, I realized that I just need to get past the beginning and I am giving it another go...downloaded the nlite...will work on the disc tonite. I just needed to gripe before biting the bullet. I can do this even if I dont always understand exactly what I'm doing. I didnt the first time either...but it worked.

 

I've got XP now, but I'm getting "not a valid win32 application" when I try to run the INF chipset application (on both computers I have it on). I also cant read anything on the CD drive, though XP installed from it OK. This could become a problem as I have most of the other drivers I'm going to need on disc, and no other easy way to get them on the laptop.

 

OK, fixed the INF issue anyway. For some reason it wasnt asking me to accept the user agreement until I d/l'ed it from a different link on that site, so I was d/ling a useless file. Now thats installed

But still no CD/DVD, and I cant get the drivers onto my USB drive because the CD drive on my other computer doesnt work, and its on a dialup so I cant download them and get them on USB that way either. Hmm....I'm stumped

 

arggg...looks like the drive works fine, but the discs I burned with all the drivers are not readable. So i will have to wait till I can go to the library and burn new disks. I knew this would be fun.

 

Odd, so the CD drive shows up but it wont read the discs you made? What drivers do you need, most of them come with a bunch of junk but we might be able to find you just the necessary files?

 

I'm deleting this post because I am an idiot. Ignore last post. Everything is going just fine so far.

 

OK, moving along now...I believe I've done everything in your list Mike, though I havent done everything in the list I got from HP. I have to go out till later today so I thought I'd post my where things stand.

Everything looks good under device manager except:

I have an "other devices" entry with a ? underneath which are:

----?! audio device on high definition audio bus (This device is not configured correctly, it says in properties)
----?! ethernet controller (drivers not installed yet)

further down under Sound video and game controllers, everything is good except

----! (exclamation pt only) Conexant HD-audio Smart Audio 221



I did get a complaint that the Conexant driver wasnt signed when I installed it but I dont know if thats part of that problem. I just discovered the info in parentheses above that shows the audio bus problem but dont have time to think it through before I leave--but I did install the UAA)

 

Hmmm, I hope you don't have the same problem I do with the smart audio 221. Can you open up the audio device on high definition audio bus and give me the "hardware ID" from under the details tab? (if you have HDMI this is probably the HDMI audio driver, which should come with the intel driver package) Same for the Conexant HD-audio 221. I'm looking for the number that is like pci\ven_####&dev_####

 

For the first: HDAVDIO\Func_01&VEN_14F1DEV_5051&SUBSYS10360B&REV_1000

and another is listed without the tail end "&REV_1000"

The 221 only differs in having Func_02

HDAVDIO\Func_02&VEN_14F1DEV_5051&SUBSYS10360B&REV_1000

 

been chatting with HP (who say they wont support this but they dont turn you down either) and they provided other drivers I will try now
...

they say sp33566 for UAA

and sp34200 for audio drivers

 

Hey wayne your running the 214-dx right? I'm about to start the process so I'll let you know if I encounter the same issues.

 

Yes, I'm working on the 214. Let me know...think I'm going to drive to the library and try the wireless on this thing tonight to get those other 2 files

 

Thanks Big Mike. I've got a CQ60-116DX. I followed your instructions, and I think I'm almost there with this downgrade.

I've got everything working with 2 exceptions:

1. USB ports are not working. They worked until I installed the chipset INFs, now they don't...any suggestions?


2. WLAN does not work properly. I installed the drivers and the hardware is recognized, and it sees wireless networks around me, but it gives me an error message when I try to connect to my wireless router.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

The USB ports one is kinda odd... I'll have to think about that one. As for the WLAN can you give me the info from the "details" tab in device manager like Wayne did for his sound? I just need the VEN_#### DEV_#### info. does your wireless button or status indicator light up correctly?

 

Sure, the WLAN status indicator lights up correctly. The problem is when I chose a wireless network from the available list, I get an error message stating that the wireless network is no longer available (Not correct because I have another laptop connected that works fine).

VEN_168C&DEV_001C

 

http://www.wireless-driver.com/download/atheros/2007-6-24/Atheros-Wireless-Driver-Download.htm

Try that driver, I had to try about 6 before I got one to work on my G50, if that doesn't cut it let me know.

 

No Dice on that one. I got the exclamation mark in the device manager.

 

I don't know if this helps, but before I got rid of vista the WLAN was an Atheros AR5007 802b/g WiFi Adapter

 

I've got no dice either after uninstalling then running the second UAA rec from HP

I've got ? for both audio device and modem devices on HD audi Bus

 

http://www.atheros.cz/download.php?atheros=AR5006EG&system=1
try the first download on that page

 

Have you done a windows update lately? Usually the modem driver will install via windows update. I wouldn't be so lucky that you'd get both though.... For the audio let's try...

http://www.mediafire.com/?dg0cmmkm4y4

that. You may need to manually install it by using the have disk method and pointing it to WiSVHe5.inf

And if your modem doesn't get installed by windows update try this:
http://tinyurl.com/c700-xp-modem-driver

 

I've done a partial update. Will finish update tomorrow.

I realized I was installing the audio driver improperly. I went back and did it right by going through device manager and manually selecting the At8VEN5a.inf file in the extracted Sp34220 folder. Bingo. Audio problem fixed

Now I'm down to modem, that should clear up when I update windows. Also ethernet,but I havent installed that driver yet.

Then I'll look at the link about the wireless link you posted earlier. My wireless works, but the light is always on. I also had to disable Atheros control of the wireless cuz it was Greek to me, to return the wireless to windows controlm so I could actually use it. I dont know what Atheros does but I dont think I need it.

 

hey guys, i just recently got xp on this laptop as well, finally! got all the drivers installed, running fine. i just got one little problem right now, i don't think it's a hardware problem, but maybe a software problem. it's got something to do with the volume control. well you see, i can play videos, games, music fine...just that i cannot use volume control to adjust the volume. whether i put it to max or mute, i still hear the same volume. anyone have any ideas?

 

If your wireless works but your light doesn't check out this blog entry:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=160430015&blogID=359788250

Chances are that will solve your problem, the only hard part will be figuring out what # the entry is (it varies from computer to computer). I usually use windows wireless zero configuration over the utilities included with most drivers as they've done a pretty good job with it in it's latest incarnation. It used to be pretty crappy so people started including their own utilities with their software but its not really necessary anymore.

 

Does this happen when you use the keyboard controls only or even if you use the volume sliders inside of windows? You may have the problem that I had where the volume is too "loud". I had to manually turn down all the input volumes (midi/wav/etc) to like 1/4 of full volume before the volume control would actually do anything.

 

I had no sound at all this morning, though I did last night. Rebooted and sound worked. I still have no video from DVD though, just sound. On my older Presario I used media player classic but that doesnt work and neither does media player. But other video files play just fine

 

Sound thing is odd, let me know if it keeps happening, as for the DVD did you get a DVD codec? XP doesn't include a codec by default, most laptops that came with XP originally will have one factory installed. I'm not sure that there are any fully legal free DVD codecs but you may want to google and see what you can come up with.

 

I installed the Klite kodec pack that worked on my other Presario--dont know if I need a different one or not but I can check with HP. I used the Media Player Classic that comes with the Klite pack on my other one. No other codec I tried worked on the other one, and I tried a bunch.

The sound went out again...rebooted and its back.

 

@Big Mike: yes it's both with the keyboard and the slider bar in volume control. the wave settings did have control over the volume, but others didn't. this is really weird, it worked fine on vista

 

So you get audio only when playing back a DVD, and your audio keeps going out... I'm not sure on the dvd video thing, but for the audio you may want to see if you can find another driver.

I'd try another driver, can you give me the ven_#### and dev_#### from the details tab for your sound driver?

 

Hello, I'm new here and just read this article but I'm still having problems.

I have the SATA driver slipped streamed via nlite with windows xp w/ sp2. I got to the part where the install starts, but came up with a bunch of errors with many files missing.

I tried skipping all the missing files, but after the install went through I got a blue screen. has anyone else expierence this problem?

the steps I took where:
1. xcopy xp /w sp2 to a folder on the desktop
2. extracted the ICH9 sata driver to a foler on the desktop
3. used nlite to slip stream the drivers
4. installed windows but received a bunch of missing files. (ill try to get a list of files)

 

Big Mike you better get that Paypal account set up!

After chatting with HP again I'm on the verge of giving up. I'm going to update windows and see if anything encourages me to keep going. I'm out of ideas for drivers.

How about the guy who said he was trying on his 214DX last night? Any luck/updates on progress?