General Guide to XP Downgrade

For HP/Compaq Consumers Notebook

For consumer notebooks, HP does not support XP anymore and no drivers for XP are
posted in their ftp site.

This guide is a general guide to XP downgrade for all HP/Compaq consumers

notebook, with NO affiliation what so ever with HP.
It is intended to help HP notebook owners. The resources are collected from XP
downgraders in HP forum.

The guide will be divided into 3 categories, Easy, Moderate and Difficult Models, please
check you own model before downloading the drivers.

Be sure that you use your complete Model # (section 1) or P/N (section 2) from Service
Tag when checking your specs to determine correct drivers, here.

If you require more help, start a new thread in laptop forum, using full model #
and P/N from Service Tag, along with drivers you have tried that work/didn't
work and any features that are not functioning.

Things you should know

1. HP does NOT support XP for consumer notebooks, so if you have any difficulties
regarding XP, do not expect HP will help you.
2. HP may demand you to install back VISTA if you have hardware problem to
troubleshoot it. An option to consider-put your original Vista hdd away and install
new one for XP.
3. Some of the notebook features may not work in XP due to uncertified licenses
pointed in this guide.
4. Microsoft has released three (3) Service Packs for XP, use only SP2 for the first
trial. Why? Since many of XP drivers are released based on XP-SP2.
5. Always make Vista Recovery cd/dvd before downgrade to XP. see it here
6. You have a folder with drivers & programs that may prove very helpful after
XP downgrade. Copy folder C:\Swsetup to DVD Before formatting your hdd.
7. If you have a pre-SP2 XP cd, get the full SP to Integrate with Nlite: SP2 Nlite here
1. Easy Models

Notebook consumer models with model number BELOW Vx5xx for Presario and dvx5xx
for Pavilion models. Example V3442TU or dv9207us.

Presario notebooks
Model BELOW V35xx and with Intel processor refer to V3000T for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V35xx and with AMD processor refer to V3000Z for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V65xx and with Intel processor refer to V6000T for drivers. Here
Model BELOW V65xx and with AMD processor refer to V6000Z for drivers. Here

Pavilion notebooks
Model BELOW dv25xx and
Model BELOW dv25xx and
Model BELOW dv65xx and
Model BELOW dv65xx and
Model BELOW dv95xx and
Model BELOW dv95xx and
with Intel processor refer to dv2000T drivers. Here
with AMD processor refer to dv2000Z drivers. Here
with Intel processor refer to dv6000T drivers. Here
with AMD processor refer to dv6000Z drivers. Here
with Intel processor refer to dv9000T drivers. Here
with AMD processor refer to dv9000Z drivers. Here

Some Notes:
1. Use the option of disable native SATA in BIOS setting for Intel machine, AMD
machine does not have this requirement.
2. Always install chipset first
3. Install MS-UAA before sound and modems
4. Install .Net Framework before HP Quick Launch Buttons
5. Install Windows Installer 3.1 before Intel Wireless

Important Software

1. QuickPlay Windows for XP

QPW (QuickPlay Windows) version 2.3 for XP, here
Update to the final version of QPW for XP, here and Skin update, here
In some notebook QPW will need a registry hack to install it,

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\QPFlag]
"QPFlag"=dword:00000003
"@"=""

If you don’t know how to do it, just download,QuickPlay.zip, extract it, double clicks to
run it.

2. Cyberlink YouCam 2.0 Software, here

3. LightScribe System Software, here
4. Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, here
5. MS UAA (alternative to sp33867), here
6. MS UAA for XP SP3, here

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar

2. Moderate Models

Notebook consumer models with model number Vx5xx and ABOVE plus B1200 & C700
series for Presario and dvx5xx and ABOVE for Pavilion models.

In this category new notebook consumer model i.e. CQ20, CQ50, CQ60 and CQ70 for
NEW Presario models and G50, G60 and G70 for NEW HP models also included.
Letters of t and z represent for Intel platform and AMD platform respectively.

Some Notes:
1. For Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE models plus B1200 & C700 series, with
Intel Processor installed, ICH8 sata driver needs to be slipstreamed into XP
installer, while notebooks with AMD processor need no extra driver to install.
2. For New Presario and HP models (CQ20, CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60 and
G70) with Intel Processor installed, ICH9 sata driver needs to be slipstreamed
into XP installer, while notebooks with AMD processor need no extra driver to
install.

SATA DRIVERS

You may use external floppy drive and use the option of F6 during windows XP
installation, however if you don’t have it, use Nlite.
A good guide to slipstream sata driver (the guide only shows ICH8 sata driver) here

Nlite download: Here

1. ICH8 sata driver, here

2. ICH9 sata driver, here
The driver is located in iaAHCI.inf and is called ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller

Compatible XP drivers from other HP/Compaq Models

1. For CQ20 and B1200 models, all XP drivers are available in HP Compaq 2230s
support model page, here
2. For CQ50, CQ60 and CQ70 for NEW Presario models and G50, G60 and G70
for NEW HP and C700 series.
Most of XP drivers available in V6700TX CTO support page, here

Note:
DVx5xx & above and Vx5xx and above with Intel processor/Realtek
Audio will find most of the XP drivers there_take note to install MS
UAA,Win Installer 3.1,.NET first as mentioned above.

3. If you still can not find your model drivers in V6700TX CTO support page,
download drivers below
 CHIPSET DRIVERS

Notebook with AMD processors, installs Nvidia chipset first.

The chipset drivers also install Ethernet, SMBus, SATARAID and more, see Nvidia doc.
Nvidia chipset, here

Notebook with Intel processors installs Intel chipset first.

For C700 series, Vx5xx and dvx5xx and ABOVE (ICH8) Intel chipset (sp36880) from
v6700tx support page, here

or use Intel general chipset driver below

For New Presario and HP models (CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60 and G70) must install
chipset from Intel site, here

GRAPHICS DRIVERS

Nvidia Video graphics drivers

GeForce Release 179.48, here

or try latest Nvidia driver

GeForce Release 185.85, here
GeForce Release 186.81, here

If it does work, try modded INF from www.laptopvideo2go.com site

For GeForce Release 179.48, here

For GeForce Release 185.85, here
For GeForce Release 186.81, here

3-step process to install:

1. Download driver, double click and select extract,
2. Download modded INF and replace original INF in extracted folder,
3. Install & reboot.

Some notes:
1. Nvidia driver from Nvidia site may not work for some moderate models.
2. GeForce Release 185.85 and 186.81 may have some problems with some “old”
Nvidia video graphics i.e GeForce 7150M, 8400M G.
3. Please join www.laptopvideo2go.com forum for further best performance result.

Intel Video Graphic drivers

For Intel 965 Express Chipset Family used in C700 series, Vx5xx and dvx5xx and
ABOVE models, here
For Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family used in New Presario and New HP models,
here
Some notes:
1. If your model uses Intel 4 Series Chipset, MS-UAA must be installed before Intel
video graphic driver. Why? Intel bundled HDMI driver in Video graphic driver
2. New Nvidia drivers (185.85) also require MS-UAA for HDMI driver
3. A reboot is required before installing Audio and Modem drivers.
4. If you are using XP-SP3 (not recommended for the first trial), try using kb835221
(older version of MS-UAA) or use the registry trick.

AUDIO DRIVERS

Conexant High-Definition SmartAudio 221 Driver (C700 series, Vx5xx and

dvx5xx and ABOVE models)

Driver modded by silver here

Unzip to a folder..use Device Manager,right click "Audio Device on HD",choose Update
driver,
No to connect, Install from a list or specific location,
Select Don't Search, I will choose the driver to install,
For the Hardware Type select 'Show All Devices'
Remove the check from "Show Compatible Hardware" and click on "Have Disk".
Next...browse to the unzipped folder and choose the "WiSVHe5.inf".
Ignore XP when it complains, Reboot.

A new version of Conexant HD SmartAudio 221

Modded driver from Toshiba driver (tested good in dv2922tx, however some users
reported it was not working for their notebooks) Here

Conexant High-Definition SmartAudio 221 Driver (CQ50, CQ60, CQ70, G50, G60
and G70), use Microsoft Update driver, or download it here

MODEM & CARD READER

Conexant HD AUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP, here

Motorola SM56 Data Fax Modem, download from V6700TX, here

Realtek usb 2.0 Card, Here or Here

Ricoh 5-in-1 Card Reader, download from V6700TX, here

BLUETOOTH & WIRELESS ASSISTANT

HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, here

HP Wireless Assistant, here

 NETWORK

Intel Wireless, (Note: MS Windows Installer 3.1, or later, must be installed), here

Atheros Wireless driver, here or here

Broadcom Wireless, here

Realtek RTL8101 Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC, download from V6700TX, here or
directly from Realtek Here

TOUCHPAD

ALPS Touchpad, here or newer (7.5.2021.101), here

Synaptics, download from V6700TX, here

FINGERPRINT & SOFTWARE

AuthenTec Inc. AES2501 Fingerprint, here

Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager, here

BUTTON DRIVER
(optional only if you have unknown devices)

Unknown devices (Hardware ID: ACPI\PNP0C32\...), here

Do manual installation
Go to device manager, right click unknown device,
Choose to update driver, No to connect,
Choose install from a list or specific location, Don't search, Have disk,
Browse to the location of machine.inf.
Do it for the rest of unknown devices

Some important notes

1. AMD machines may find 1394 Firewire with error, requires BIOS downgrade or
safer option of this driver, here
2. Atheros Wireless light is many times red/orange even when working
properly.Atheros amber light fix, here

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar

3. Difficult Models

For NEW notebook consumer models e.i. Presario, Pavilion, and HDX models are
difficult to downgrade. It is possible task but needs many efforts.

Difficult models are CQ40, CQ35, CQ45, CQ61 for Presario models, dv2, dv3, dv4,
dv5, dv6, dv7 for Pavilion models and all HDX models

Some information from XP downgraders

1. For Intel platform, some of XP downgraders have to utilize devcon utility to restart
MS-UAA automatically, XP-SP3 may solve this issue.
2. HP Quick Launch Buttons software do not install proper keyboard layout that lead
some Fn feature malfunctions, i.e (brightness control) a BIOS update may solve
this problem, please read extra caution below and update it only while in
Vista.
3. XP driver is not available for ENE CIR that lead to useless remote control. HP has
released XP ENE CIR driver, download below.
4. XP driver is not available for IDT sound chip, “old” Vista driver can be used
however, needs some tricks to make it work properly,
using audio driver from C:\swsetup is reported solve this issue
5. HD and Blue Ray features may not run properly in XP.

Precautions to Take Before BIOS UPDATE

1. Connect the notebook to the AC power supply, exit all other programs, and allow
the computer to restart after applying the updated BIOS.
2. Do not turn off the computer while the BIOS is updating. Attempting to cancel this
update operation will cause damage to the BIOS and will require that the
computer be repaired at an HP authorized facility.

Our recommendation is stay with Vista or wait for Windows 7; however, if you think
XP is a must, dual boot would the best way for these notebooks.

SATA DRIVERS

You may use external floppy drive and use the option of F6 during windows XP
installation, however if you don’t have it, use Nlite.
A good guide to slipstream sata driver (the guide only shows ICH8 sata driver) here

Nlite download: Here

Notebook with Intel processors installed, use ICH9 sata driver,

ICH9 sata driver, here
The driver is located in iaAHCI.inf and is called ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller

Notebook with AMD processors installed, use AMD sata driver,

AMD SATA AHCI Controller Driver, here

or if you wish an AMD SATA driver from HP site, here

Extract sp40046 to a folder and use files in RAID7xx folder
Important Notes:
1. In Nlite, choose the option of insert -> multiple driver folder
2. Select ONLY x86 driver for AMD SATA AHCI when asked.
3. Never choose x64 driver when asked
For Difficult Models, reading Joshua Wood’s guide is a must before proceed to
XP downgrade, here

CHIPSET DRIVERS

Notebook with AMD processors must install AMD chipset first

Install .Net Framework next Here
Download South Bridge Driver individually, Here

Notebook with Intel processors must install Intel chipset first.

Intel Chipset Here

GRAPHICS DRIVERS

Nvidia Video graphics drivers

GeForce Release 179.48, here

or try latest Nvidia driver

GeForce Release 185.85, here

GeForce Release 186.81, here

If it does work, try modded INF from www.laptopvideo2go.com site

For GeForce Release 179.48, here

For GeForce Release 185.85, here
For GeForce Release 186.81, here

3-step process to install:

1. Download driver, double click and select extract,
2. Download modded INF and replace original INF in extracted folder,
3. Install & reboot.

Intel Video Graphic drivers

For Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family here

ATI/AMD video Graphic drivers

1. For integrated video graphic HD 3200
Catalyst Software Suite (.Net Framework is required), Here
2. For dedicated video graphic HD 3250, 3450, 3750 etc
Use Mobility Modder tools, here

ATI HDMI Audio Device, here (Download the ATI HDMI Audio device driver)
Some notes:
1. If you have Intel video graphic, MS-UAA must be installed before Intel video
graphic driver.
2. New Nvidia drivers (185.85) also required MS-UAA for HDMI driver.
3. If you have ATI video graphic, MS-UAA must be installed before ATI HDMI audio
device.
4. A reboot is required before installing Audio and Modem drivers.
5. MS-UAA, sp33867, mainly is kb888111 with other Quick Fix Engineering (QFE) for
XP.
6. If you are using XP-SP3, try using kb835221 (older version of MS-UAA) or do the
registry tricks.

MS-UAA HERE,(sp33867) or HERE (kb835221) or newer (sp42126) HERE

AUDIO DRIVERS
(The most difficult driver)

Please make sure MS-UAA has been installed properly

How?
Go to Device Manager under System Devices to see if MS UAA installed properly.
There should be a listing for Microsoft UAA Bus Driver for High Definition Audio.
If not, you should have a PCI with yellow!
Right click it and Update Driver,
No to Connect, No to Search and last Install Automatically.

IDT High-Definition Audio CODEC Driver,

Use your Vista driver in C:\swsetup\driver\Audio

If it was not working try the following drivers

1. sp41693, vista driver, here
2. sp39671, vista driver, here

MODEM & CARD READER

High-Definition Audio (HDA) Modem, here

JMB38X Card Reader Host Controller, here

BLUETOOTH & WIRELESS ASSISTANT

HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, here

HP Wireless Assistant, here

 NETWORK

Intel Wireless, (Note: MS Windows Installer 3.1, or later, must be installed), here

Atheros Wireless driver, here or here

Broadcom Wireless, here

Realtek RTL8168C Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC, here

Realtek RTL8102E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC, here or Here

TOUCHPAD

ALPS Touchpad, here or (7.5.2021.101), here

Synaptics download from V6700TX, here, or newer here

Consumer IR

ENE CIR Receiver, here, (tested good by ABOLILA)

FINGERPRINT & SOFTWARE

AuthenTec Inc. AES2501 Fingerprint, here

Bioscrypt VeriSoft Access Manager, here

HP Quick Launch Buttons

Install .Net Framework 2.0 or later before HP Quick Launch Buttons, Here
Use Vista HP Quick Launch Buttons or Here

BUTTON DRIVER
(optional only if you have unknown devices)

Unknown devices (Hardware ID: ACPI\PNP0C32\...), here

Do manual installation
Go to device manager, right click unknown device,
Choose to update driver, No to connect,
Choose install from a list or specific location, Don't search, Have disk,
Browse to the location of machine.inf.
Do it for the rest of unknown devices
Some additional software work in XP

1. HP 3D DriveGuard for Microsoft Windows XP (not needed for notebooks with

SSD)
2. LightScribe System Software
3. Cyberlink YouCam 2.0 Software
4. Help and Support Center (fancy HP style if you push Fn+F1)
5. 3RVX,QuickTouch equivalent, (download 3RVX_2.5.msi) freeware from Matthew
Malensek

Compiled by Cheryl G and Rakhmad Siregar