[Guide] HP Notebook Formatting Guide


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Author's Notes

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise on my behalf for taking so long in releasing this guide. I know there is no reason for me to do it and I won?t get paid for releasing it but I have broken a promise I made some time ago to others on this site. I have been besotted by problems that not only hinder me physically but also mentally as well. I know it is not much of an excuse so again I apologise for this.

The last six months have been a blur to me where I was just a shell of my former self, a person who has lost his sense of direction and dedication. Only now, am I slowly beginning to return to where I was before and my life has come to some semblance that resembles normality. Hopefully, by posting this guide, it is the beginning of a small spark that will help me finish a journey long delayed in my life.

Again, I apologise for the delay and hope that in time this guide will benefit you in the long run, just as it has benefitted me by putting me on the right path again.Version 1.0:b> First guide postedIntroductionb>

As of the year 2006, HP does not provide any OS CD's with every purchase of a new notebook. Instead, they provide a recovery partition that restores your notebook to a factory state if you wish to have a problem removed. Unfortunately, this will also restore all the unnecessary programs that will practically slow down your computer to a point where it becomes unusable. Now you must be wondering, what's so hard about it when you could just use your own copy of Windows and format the notebook with it?

This is not an issue when using a different Windows XP CD to format and install the OS on an AMD powered notebook. However, with an Intel powered notebook, installation using a Windows XP CD which is not certified by HP will be met with an error during the installation process. This is due to the Intel SATA AHCI Controller Driver as the driver does not exist in the Windows XP installation CD. Windows Vista, which is the latest operating system from Microsoft, has the driver in its database but considering that Windows Vista hasn't been released yet, this is a moot point.

HP does provide the necessary OS CD that does not bring up the driver errors and will ship it to you if requested. Unfortunately, this will incur additional charges of at least $10. Considering that it should already be included with your new purchase, this is hardly something that can be tolerated. This is very much a pity considering that HP is now the number 1 manufacturer in the world and their notebooks have a very aesthetic and pleasing design that is not too far behind Apple.

I am however going to try and change all that by providing this guide on how you could format your notebook by using your own copy of Windows and the necessary steps needed to ensure a successful reinstallation. I will also provide the necessary steps on how to reinstall HP QuickPlay onto its respective partition. For those of you who do not know, HP QuickPlay is a media front-end that allows you to play music, videos and DVD's without booting into Windows.

The guide will be based on the HP Pavilion dv5000t but will also work with the HP Pavilion dv2000t, dv6000t, dv8000t and dv9000t with only a few differences otherwise. The only Compaq notebook that is applicable with this guide is the Compaq Presario v3000t and only covers the reinstallation part, not HP QuickPlay. For AMD powered notebooks, the relevant points applicable with this guide are the HP QuickPlay partition and installation process. If you however find otherwise, please contact me so I can make the necessary changes to the guide.Methods Availableb>

Before we begin, you will need to ensure that you have everything you need to make your installation successful and back up all the necessary files. If you haven't done so, burn the Recovery Disks and place them in a safe place. <BACK UPb> your SWSETUP folder which includes all the necessary drivers for your notebook plus a few extras (such as wallpapers located in the Brandit folder).

There are 3 methods available to install the Intel SATA AHCI Controller Driver that is necessary for the installation of Windows to be successful. I will however only show you two as the third method is much harder to understand and would require a lot of experience and knowledge for it to be successful. Here is a list of what we need for both methods:First Methodb>

  • Windows XP Installation CD
  • USB External Floppy Drive
  • Empty floppy disk
  • Installation driver(SWSETUP folder and/or HP Online Downloads)i>Second Methodb>
    • Windows XP Installation CD
    • nLit(to integrate SATA driver into Windows installation CD)i>
    • Microsoft .NET Framework 2.(for nLite to run)i>
    • Empty CD-R
    • Installation driver(SWSETUP folder and/or HP Online Downloads)i>
    Necessary Drivers & Patchesb>
    Although there are many drivers and applications listed in the SWSETUP folder, only a few are essential to your installation. Here are most of the basic drivers needed for your notebook to run smoothly, which is according to my notebook, the HP Pavilion dv5000t:
    • Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audio Conexant High Definition Audio Drive Support Software for HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless Technology Intel Chipset Installation Utility for ICH7 System Default Settings HP QuickPlay DirectPlay Texas Instruments Media Card Driver Conexant HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP Intel PRO Network Adapter Driver HP Quick Launch Buttons HP QuickPlay NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 and 7600 Graphics Driver Intel PRO/Wireless Drivers HP Wireless Assistant

    If you wish to use the online SoftPaq drivers, here are the most up-to-date drivers available for download, according to my notebook:

    • Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audio Conexant HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP Conexant High Definition Audio Drive High-Speed Secure Digital (SD) Card Driver Intel PRO Network Adapter Driver HP Wireless Assistant HP Battery Check System Default Settings Intel SATA AHCI Controller Driver Intel Matrix Storage Manager Intel Chipset Installation Utility for ICH7 HP Quick Launch Buttons Support Software for HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth Wireless Technology NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 and 7600 Graphics Driver Fix for Issue with WMDRM Protected Content Texas Instruments Media Card Driver Help and Support Center *WinFlash Utility for HP Notebook System BIOS - Windows-Based Intel PRO/Wireless Drivers Diagnostics for Windows*The SP33713 flashes your notebook to support Merom processors. If you have a Core 2 Duo notebook, chances are you don't need it.i>
      To access the SoftPaq drivers, navigate to the HP main page, click on Software & Drivers Downloads and insert the product number of your notebook. If it is a custom-to-order notebook, insert CTO at the end of your entryExample: HP Pavilion dv5000t CTO.i>
      Listed here are a few drivers that will enhance you HP QuickPlay installation, including the necessary HP QuickPlay 2.3 updates and skin packs, which can be accessed through the HP QuickPlay Updates and Enhancements tab.
      • HP DVD Audio Pack 3015
      • HP QuickPlay 2.3 Update
      • HP QuickPlay Skinpack 2.1 To 2.3
      • HP QuickPlay Update 3514
      • HP QuickPlay Update Patch

    Although there will be variations concerning drivers on different notebook models such as display and media card drivers, most of it will generally be the same and/or placed in the same locations. Most of the SoftPaq definitions also generally apply to most of the notebooks covered in this guide.

    As for me, I use the online SoftPaq drivers as they are the latest and generally offer fixes to problems in some drivers. The only installation drivers that I use arQPWb> anHPQPDPb>.

    REMINDER: BACK UP SWSETUP Folderb>

    Please <BACK UPb> your SWSETUP folder located in the C:\ drive of your computer. It includes the HP QuickPlay installation folde(QPW)b> and the HP QuickPlay DirectPla(HPQPDP)b>. If you lose the SWSETUP folder, you will have a hard time recovering these two files as HP does not upload it online on their Support site and it is very hard to get it elsewhere.

    Let me relate to you from my experience what had happened when I accidently formatted my external hard disk, which unfortunately had the SWSETUP folder on it. When I realised what had happened, I quickly contacted HP to see if I could recover those files. However, HP did not have the same model with them at that time so they could not help me. I tried asking at the shops that have the same model on offer if I can get the files. Unfortunately, I needed to pay between RM10-20 to get the files burned onto a DVD, even when I said I could just copy it with my external hard disk.

    Thankfully, I managed to find a sympathetic shopkeeper who allowed me to copy the files for free. And even then he was worried because some of the files inside the SWSETUP folder are unique to each notebook. But as most of those files are bloatware, I reassured him that his fears are unnecessary.

    So again I remind you, please <BACK UPb> your SWSETUP folder, preferably on DVD and keep it somewhere safe so you don?t have to go through what I had to go throughInstalling Windows XP<First Method

    The first method involves using an external floppy drive for the SATA driver to be installed in Windows XP. Although in some ways this method is easier, don?t be fooled. HP has actually made it harder by limiting the number of external floppy drives that are supported for SATA installation. So far, I have learned that HP and Imation Floppy Drives are one the few that is fully compatible with this process.

    My external drive, which is a Mitsumi Floppy Drive though branded by IBM, would sometimes works but at other times fail during the installation process. However, for others who have external floppy drives and would like to see if this method is applicable for you, then please proceed. If it does, please inform me of the results such as the brand of your floppy drive used so I can add it into my guide for the benefit of everyone involved.

    Before we insert the Windows XP CD, we must first install the SATA driver onto an empty floppy disk. There are 2 ways of doing it, either using the SATA drivX:\SWSETUP\HDD\F6flpy32.exexe or using the SoftPaq dSP3247878, which launches the installation process. Once this is done, we can then insert the Windows XP CD and reboot the computer.

    Make sure the floppy disk is not yet inserted when your notebook is rebooting as there is a high probability that the disk could be corrupted. Once the notebook has rebooted and you have press ENTER to boot the CD in your drive, get reapress F6F6 when it asks you if you wish to install a third party SCSI/RAID driver. Doing so would allow you to install the SATA driver.

    Upon accessing all the necessary files, it will ask you to insert your floppy disk and press s. Do so now and press ENTER and a menu should show up with 4 drivers available on the disk. The driver that you need to select is Intel® 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH7M)M). Select it and press ENTER. An installation process would appear and when it is finished, you will return to the first menu. Continue your installation and you should reach the Windows XP installation splash page with no problems.

    Proceed tPartitions for Windows & HP QuickPlayay for the next step in your reinstallation proceSecond Methodod

    The second method requires a bit more effort on your part for your Windows installation to be successful. But it is also much more foolproof in a sense that if you do it properly, you will have a problem free installation. This method requires you to slipstream the SATA driver into your Windows XP installation CD by using nLite.

    NLite is a wonderful program that allows you to enhance your Windows installation by allowing you to add drivers, patches and software. It also allows you to remove programs that you have no wish to install such as Windows Messenger. If you wish to learn more, here is an excellent guide provided by rado354 who also lists out software that can be integrated into your Windows XP installation CD.

    I, however, will only concentrate on the process to integrate the SATA driver into your Windows XP installation CD. I would recommend for those who are using nLite for the first time to just integrate the SATA driver first before trying anything else. Make sure you have nLite installed along with Microsoft.NET Framework 2.0.

    Let us begin the proceStep-by-step Analogygy

    Before we begin, make sure that you have everything you need for the process to go smoothly. Copy the contents of your Windows XP CD to a folder on your desktop. You may rename it if you wish to but I prefer to follow the CD drive name given by the Windows XP CD. In this guide, I?m using my Windows XP Home Service Pack 1 as the test CD for this process.

    nlite0019cv.jpg

    • Launch nLite and you will be greeted with the nLite splash page. Select your language and click Next.

    nlite0026tu.jpg

    nlite0037kv.jpg

    nlite0048ns.jpg

    • You will be greeted with a menu that asks for the location of your Windows XP installation folder. Locate the folder and once you have selected it, click Next.

    nlite0059qi.jpg

    • You will encounter a preset page which stores your previous nLite sessions. If you do not wish to load any presets or if this is your first time with nLite, ignore this menu and click Next.

    nlite0064al.jpg

    nlite0079se.jpg

    • You will arrive at the Task Selection menu, which lists the many tasks that you may wish to conduct on your Windows XP installation CD. For this part, we will seleIntegrate Driversvers<Create Bootable ISO ISO. Once this is done, click Next.

    nlite0082js.jpg

    nlite0096pg.jpg

    • In the Drivers menu, click on Insert and browse for the SATA driver, which is locatediastor.inf.inf file. You may use either your floppy disk drive if you have created a SATA disk or select the fileX:SWSETUP\HDD\iastor.inf.inf.

    nlite0101sl.jpg

    nlite0112yv.jpg

    • In the Storage Device Textmode Driver, selIntel® 82801GBM SATA AHCI Controller (Mobile ICH7M)H7M). Once you have done so, select OK and click Next.

    nlite0122tf.jpg

    nlite0137qp.jpg

    • It will ask if you wish to start the process in the next menu. Click Yes and wait for the driver to be slipstreamed into your Windows XP installation. Once it is done, click Next.

    nlite0147nx.jpg

    • Upon reaching the Bootable ISO menu, label the ISO and click on the Make ISO option. It will then proceed with making a Bootable ISO that can be burned onto a CD.

    nlite0157pw.jpg

    • An ISO file should be created once the process is done. If so, you may now close nLite and proceed with the next step.

    You may now burn the newly created Windows XP installation onto a CD. Use any CD burning software that you are familiar with but for this guide, I will show you how to burn the ISO onto a CD using Nero 6.

    • Launch Nero 6, select the Recorder drop down menu and click on Burn Image
    • Select the ISO that you have just created and click Open.
    • A Burn Compilation menu will appear. If you wish to adjust anything, you may do so but if not just click Burn. It will burn the ISO onto the CD and when it is done, your new Windows XP installation CD, complete with the necessary SATA driver is complete.

    You may now restart your notebook and use your newly created installation disk to install Windows XP. Proceed with the normal process in starting up the Windows XP installation process. With this method, there is no need for you to press F6 to install a third party SCSI/RAID driver. You should now be on the Windows XP installation splash page and are ready to proceed with the next Partitions for Windows & HP QuickPlayPlay

    Proceed with the normal steps in installing Windows XP by pressing ENTER and agreeing to the terms by pressing F8. After arriving at the Create Partitions menu, you should notice 3 partitions on your main hard drive. The first is the C:\ partition which is your Windows installation while the second is the HP QuickPlay partition. The third should be the HP_RECOVERY partition, which numbers around a few GB?s or so.

    If you wish, you may leave the HP_RECOVERY partition as it is but it has no further use considering that all it does is just take up needed space on your hard drive. You may also leave the HP QuickPlay partition if you?re afraid of making any mistakes. If you do leave the HP QuickPlay partition alone, there is no need to install the HPQPDP process later in this guide.

    However, since the purpose of this guide is to format and reinstall Windows XP, I prefer removing all three partitions, leaving me with an empty hard drive devoid of anything that is HP relNow this is where you must pay careful attention as the success of the HP QuickPlay installation depends on it.s on it. You must now create a partition by pressing c and listing the amount of space you wish to allocate for your Windows installation.

    This part of the guide is a bit tedious. You must ensure that you ha1028 MB>1028 MB of unpartitioned space for HP QuickPlay DirectPlay. Any less and you will be met with an error if you try to install DirectPlay once your Windows installation is finished.

    To do this, you must adjust your windows partition so that it 1028 MB>1028 MB of unpartitioned space. For example, my notebook has a 100GB hard drive which translates to about 95394 MB in theory. To leave 1028 MB of unpartitioned space, 94366 must be entered to ensure the correct amount is left behind. Once this is done, you may proceed with the normal Windows instInstalling HP QuickPlay & DirectPlayrectPlay

    Once, you have finished installing Windows, it is advisable to install HP QuickPlay before setting up all the other necessary drivers. Here, I must renot touch the QuickPlay or DVD button above your keyboardkeyboard until you have successfully installed HP QuickPlay and DirectPlay.

    You may start by installing H(QPW)(QPW) from your SWSETUP folder. Once that is done, launch the(HPQPDP)(HPQPDP). The system should restart a number of times if it deems necessary. Once done, you may now press the QuickPlay button to see if there are any problems or not. I would also advise to shut down your notebook and launch the QuickPlay application to see if the installation is succNote concerning Windows Vista:s Vista: I have found that there is a possibilityHPQPDPb>HPQPDP on Windows Vista. What I have learHPQPDPb>HPQPDP cannot convert the unformatted partition due to Windows Vista?s newer boot options. The solution to this problem is to format the partition by Storage\Disk ManagementManagement using the Computer Management application in Administrative Tools anX:\b>X:\ drive. The installation should then encounter no problems. I have not tested this method so if there is someone who would kindly do so and tell me the results, I would be grInstalling Microsoft & Conexant Audio Driversio Drivers

    The next part, which involves iConexant High Definition Audio Driveudio Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audio,ion Audio, requires a little finesse for it to be installed on your notebook. Here are the necessary steps to install the audio drivers on your notebook:

    • First run the Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audiotion AudioX:\SWSETUP\1UAA\Disk1\setup.exe;setup.exe or using the SSP32646SP32646.
    • Once that is done, launch the Device Manager by right clicking on the My Computer icon, select Properties in the drop down menu and select the Hardware tab. You may also launch Device Manager by clicking on the System icon in the Control Panel and navigating to the Hardware tab.

    drv0016yi.jpg

    • Navigate down the Device Manager window until you see an exclamation mark beside a?PCI Device??PCI Device?.

    drv0020tk.jpg

    drv0030oa.jpg

    • Double click on the device and click on Reinstall Driver. A new window should appear asking you if you wish to connect to Window>?No, Not This Time?No, Not This Time? option and click Next.

    drv0043ti.jpgi>?Install from a list or specific location (Advancedfic location (Advanced)? in the next menu and click Next.

drv0055mk.jpg

drv0067rb.jpg

Finishing Up

You should now install all the relevant drivers for your notebook such as the Quick Launch Buttons and Bluetooth. Once this is done, your Device Manager should be devoid of any errors and you have finally completed the HP Reinstallation Guide. Congratulations!

drv0072er.jpg

b]pg

Final Words

I have reviewed this guide numerous times to ensure the quality of the release. If there are any problems or if you wish to post feedback, please do so that other may benefit from the insight you have shared. I would like to apologise if I have made any mistakes in my guide or offended you in some way.

Thank you for taking your time to read this guide and I wish you a pleasant day.

Scirwode

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Excellent!

Thank you!

Fantastic guide to those who don't have a clue! ;) Great post Scirwode. Also can't wait to see your buying guide since im looking for a new notebook :)

I'm working on the notebook buying guide as we speak. It will combine what is available from Cnet.com, laptopvideo2go.com, notebookforum.com, notebookreview.com and my own experience with notebooks as a whole. Hopefully, it won't take as long as the formatting guide so here's to a quick release!

This is the most comprehensive guide I've seen on the net. 5*, Should be stickied!

Grats.

I didn't want to release anything substandard that most people do on the internet. The guides that are sometimes available on the internet leave a lot to be desired so I didn't want mine to be like that. So I made sure this guide is on par to what professionals would release on a company FAQ page. As for it being stickied, I guess I have to contact a mod to do so but I'm unsure of that. What do you think?

Also, spread the word around that this guide has been released so HP/Compaq notebook owners may rejoice!

Scirwode

Excellent guide thanks alot :)

To do this, you must adjust your windows partition so that it would leave 1028 MB of unpartitioned space. For example, my notebook has a 100GB hard drive which translates to about 95394 MB in theory. To leave 1028 MB of unpartitioned space, 94366 must be entered to ensure the correct amount is left behind. Once this is done, you may proceed with the normal Windows installation.

just wanted to ask how you calculated that your 100GB harddrive translated into MB

i have a 120GB hardrive who much MB does that translate to?

just wanted to ask how you calculated that your 100GB harddrive translated into MB

i have a 120GB hardrive who much MB does that translate to?

You should have a calculator ready for this :laugh: . Take for example my 100GB harddrive which translates to about 95394. Minus 95394 with 1028 and you will be left with 94366. So the amount I should enter to leave 1028MB of unpartitioned space is 94366. It's that simple ;) .

Scirwode

Thank you so much. I bought the hp pavilion dv6000t moslty because of your help and advice on Neowin. I have been trying to find an easy to follow guide ever since to reformat and now here it is. Thank you again Scirwode!

You're welcome ;) . Also, should I contact a Mod and ask if this be stickied, considering the number of people who own a HP/Compaq notebook. Another idea is to post it on the first page so that all others will know about it. What are your thoughts on this? I would like to hear everyone's view on this before going any further.

Scirwode

Great work dude. I am sure for those who doesn't have as many resorources will find this very very useful.

Just so you know I did a similar thing by slipstreming the SATA drivers manually since I didn't know about nLite. Mind you I spent 14 hours in research and testing the CDs I burnt after I got it right but it was worth it.

Copied the whole I386 directory to a folder.

I basically created an OEM driver folder and added txtsetup.sif file with OEM installation enabled.

Then I found the drivers from the the SWSetup folder and got the PCI driver ID and couple of more info and added it to WINNT.SIF file manually.

Once that was done I burned the CD again and wolla it works.

Probably a dumb question but if there is a quickplay partition before then why don't we create a new separate one for it when reformatting if we decide to delete all 3 partitions? I know we need to leave 1028 MB of space when creating the new partition- but does the quickplay just use this space automatically without creating a separate partition for it like there was initially?

Wouldn't it be easier to just delete the backup partition and leave the quickplay partition and create the new xp installation over the old one so you have 2 partitions- one new and one old (quickplay)?

Nevermind: I see you already addressed this in the guide. Please disregard my questions.

Edited by bluewind_89
Great work dude. I am sure for those who doesn't have as many resorources will find this very very useful.

Just so you know I did a similar thing by slipstreming the SATA drivers manually since I didn't know about nLite. Mind you I spent 14 hours in research and testing the CDs I burnt after I got it right but it was worth it.

Copied the whole I386 directory to a folder.

I basically created an OEM driver folder and added txtsetup.sif file with OEM installation enabled.

Then I found the drivers from the the SWSetup folder and got the PCI driver ID and couple of more info and added it to WINNT.SIF file manually.

Once that was done I burned the CD again and wolla it works.

That was the third method that I decided was too difficult for others to understand. I could do it and maybe with a little effort others could but it was too risky to be included. There is also a fourth method to reinstall the SATA driver but it is radical and so far the success rate for that method has been pretty low. So I have presented to you the best possible ways to do it.

Congratulations on being able to slipstream the drivers yourself! I had a hard time doing it so I know how you feel :pinch: .

Scirwode

Thanks.

The amount of time I spent was huge but once it was working I was able to format all 3 HP laptops I have just like a normal desktop and reinstall the OS so the satisfaction was great.

I do understand that the method I used is very picky and extremely hard for normal users so kudos to your efforts on making this fantastic guide.

Cheers :)

Very good guide, too bad a couple of moths late :p. When I bought my dv9030 (XPMCE) I wanted to do a clean install, I searched trough various websites and I found a way to "integrate" the OEM stuff and drivers in a XPMCE CD and use the key that is in the bottom of the laptop.

Since I'm going vista very soon my next mission is figure how to obtain the SWSETUP folder from any HP with vista preinstalled. The best option is get a 2GB flash and see if bestbuy has any HP-vista laptop

Thanks.

The amount of time I spent was huge but once it was working I was able to format all 3 HP laptops I have just like a normal desktop and reinstall the OS so the satisfaction was great.

I do understand that the method I used is very picky and extremely hard for normal users so kudos to your efforts on making this fantastic guide.

Cheers :)

I know how you feel. I think HP needs their heads screwed properly if they want to keep ahead of the competition. Because it is something like this that can make them lose customers.

Very good guide, too bad a couple of moths late :p. When I bought my dv9030 (XPMCE) I wanted to do a clean install, I searched trough various websites and I found a way to "integrate" the OEM stuff and drivers in a XPMCE CD and use the key that is in the bottom of the laptop.

Since I'm going vista very soon my next mission is figure how to obtain the SWSETUP folder from any HP with vista preinstalled. The best option is get a 2GB flash and see if bestbuy has any HP-vista laptop

Oh well, at least you manage to figure it out :p . There are however many people out there who are still struggling with this issue so this more for them then :laugh: . However, I would be very interested to learn from the results of obtaining the SWSETUP folder so it would be appreciated if you give an update.

thanks SO Much for this guide man. great job!

hey def let me know when you finish the notebok buying guide!

I'm working on it though it has been put in the back burner for the moment as I'm trying to sell off three of my computers and get either a Mac Mini or an Acer Desknote for my father. Hopefully, when that is done, I might get the guide and a review out ;) .

Scirwode

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!

I just bought a DV5237cl and was been pressured by my father (who don't like/know very much english) to install a native language version of Windows. Your guide came to me just a month or so after my need! Good timming!

Now, I just have two questions:

First, I did not messed up with the quickplay partition. Must I install anything related or is it redy to use since I did nothing to the partition?

Second, I strugled a bit to get rid of all exclamation marks in the device manager, trying each folder until geting it right. It was not so hard, but there is still one item marked and I've tried all folders inside swsetup directory... The worst part is that I don't have a clue what this item is because it is named "unknown device".

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!

I just bought a DV5237cl and was been pressured by my father (who don't like/know very much english) to install a native language version of Windows. Your guide came to me just a month or so after my need! Good timming!

Now, I just have two questions:

First, I did not messed up with the quickplay partition. Must I install anything related or is it redy to use since I did nothing to the partition?

Second, I strugled a bit to get rid of all exclamation marks in the device manager, trying each folder until geting it right. It was not so hard, but there is still one item marked and I've tried all folders inside swsetup directory... The worst part is that I don't have a clue what this item is because it is named "unknown device".

I just noticed you posted at Notebook Forums first before posting here. I was going to reply to your post there when I realised that was something familiar about your username :laugh: . I accept your thanks and I'm glad this guide was useful to you. As to your questions:

  • If you have left the original QuickPlay partition untouched, then there is no reason to install HPQPDP, only QuickPlay is needed. You can however install updates such as the HP QuickPlay 2.3 update.
  • I can't help you that much there as each notebook is different, configuration wise. You may have a different media card reader or hardware installed on your computer. You can try Windows Update and see if there are any updates for you. Also, check the HP Support website and see if you have missed any driver updates for your notebook. You can also try and test every hardware on your notebook and see if everything works as it should.

The notebook buying guide is still a bit delayed as I have to purchase the Mac Mini for my father and prepare it for its use. Rest assured that I will try to get it up as soon as I can.

Scirwode

I just wanted to add few things on Vista. I have formatted my laptop and installed Vista Business and working like a charm.

All I had to do was backup the SWSETUP which came with XP to a DVD. Also get the latest INF Update utility from Intel site for Vista and copy it along with SWSETUP folder.

First thing after Vista installation is to install the INF Update utility. After that just most of the drivers are installed and those which are not can be installed from SWSETUP disk. Just let the found new hardware wizard search for the drivers automatically on the disk.

Hopefully this will give some indication of things becoming easy for Vista installers as it does have a Native Sata driver unlike XP.

I just noticed you posted at Notebook Forums first before posting here. I was going to reply to your post there when I realised that was something familiar about your username :laugh: . I accept your thanks and I'm glad this guide was useful to you. As to your questions:
  • If you have left the original QuickPlay partition untouched, then there is no reason to install HPQPDP, only QuickPlay is needed. You can however install updates such as the HP QuickPlay 2.3 update.
  • I can't help you that much there as each notebook is different, configuration wise. You may have a different media card reader or hardware installed on your computer. You can try Windows Update and see if there are any updates for you. Also, check the HP Support website and see if you have missed any driver updates for your notebook. You can also try and test every hardware on your notebook and see if everything works as it should.

The notebook buying guide is still a bit delayed as I have to purchase the Mac Mini for my father and prepare it for its use. Rest assured that I will try to get it up as soon as I can.

Scirwode

Ok, forgetting those problems right now, I have another question:

Although sound is working, I have no control over volume. I did the HQP install as you indicated. Any clues?

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    • KataLib 5.3.0.0 by Razvan Serea KataLib is more than just a music player — it's a complete audio suite designed for music lovers and creators alike. It combines a powerful audio player, a flexible metadata editor, a capable audio converter, and a music library manager into one streamlined application. Core Features: Audio Player Enjoy seamless playback of virtually any audio format or even streaming video files. DJ Mode lets you mix tracks with manual or automatic crossfades. You can also load and save WinAmp-style playlists for quick access to your favorite sets. Audio Converter Convert between a wide range of audio formats effortlessly. Trim or normalize your output automatically, and even extract audio from streaming video sources. Ideal for preparing files for different devices or platforms. Metadata Editor View and edit ID3v2 tags and other metadata. Batch edit multiple files at once, and fetch missing information directly from the MusicBrainz database. You can also apply or update album art with ease. Music Library Manager Organize your entire audio collection, search across tracks instantly, and download cover images from the internet — or use your own custom artwork. KataLib makes it easy to keep your library tidy and enriched with useful info. Supported Formats: KataLib supports a wide range of both lossy and lossless audio formats: Input: OPUS, AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, MP4, MPC, APE, AIF, MKV, AVI, MOV, FLV, WEBM, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, WAVPack, WMA, AC3, OGA, MP2, MPGA, MPEG, DTS, M4B, DSD (DFS) Output: OPUS, FLAC, M4A, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAV Under the hood, KataLib uses the trusted FFmpeg engine for audio conversion and media playback, ensuring compatibility with virtually all mainstream media formats. KataLib 5.3.0.0 changelog: Added Option to select the Zoom level of the Oscilloscope visualizer. The taskbar button of the app now displays the progress of its processing tasks. The metadata text of the Visualization Video can now be aligned by the user. We can now reorder the order of the Visualizers and Metadata, in the Visualization Video Setup dialog, by removing any item and adding it again. It will be added at the end. Changed The font size of the Visualization Video can now be more than 30 points. Updated yt-dlp library to version 2026... Fixed Opening the Visualization Video Setup dialog could fail if the settings were wrong. Sometimes there were false duplicates in the Rename Tracks dialog. Tracks without metadata appeared without title in the Recent menu. Download: KataLib 5.3.0.0 | 90.0 MB (Open Source) Links: KataLib Home Page | Github | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • EA Sports UFC 6 review: Brutal, satisfying, and surprisingly accessible to newcomers by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe EA’s UFC series of fighting games has been putting out games for over 10 years now, but it’s a series I have never spent any time with. As a PC guy, the series being console-exclusive is the primary reason for that. The latest entry to the series, EA Sports UFC 6, is still not coming to PC, but I have an Xbox now. When EA reached out to see if I could have a crack at the game and give my opinion about it, I finally got the chance to see what this franchise is about. I have spent about a week playing UFC 6 on the Xbox Series X. Despite my lackluster skill with fighting games, I still have fun with entries like Street Fighter and Tekken. I quickly came to realize this is a different kind of fighting game, not the arcade titles I am usually dabbling with. Most of the week that I spent playing UFC 6 was in the career mode, trying not to get knocked out while slowly improving my combos and reactions. The review below will be from the perspective of a newcomer to the series and an amateur fighting game fan, so please forgive any mistyped lingo or series-staple mechanics I am not comprehending. In the Ring Getting a solid hit in UFC 6 is satisfying. It’s probably the most satisfying impact reaction I have seen in a fighting game. The ripples in the muscles, the spray of sweat (and blood), the meaty sound, and the subsequent stumble all carry a lot of weight. If I miss a heavy swing like that, though, I already know that I'm in for a world of hurt from the incoming counters. The fighting is a real treat. The actions aren’t as snappy as arcade titles, so a miss feels like a much bigger mistake here. This slowness did take some getting used to, but I felt the improvement in my abilities even after a few drills with basic punch and kick combos. If I’m not deliberate with my actions in the ring, whether it be a hasty retreat or a flying punch, the possibility of getting instantly knocked out is always there. The head, chest, and legs all come with their own health bars, so guarding just one area is just asking for trouble. A few hits to the head, and it's game over. Meanwhile, you won’t even be able to stay on your feet if they get damaged enough, drastically lowering the total amount of stamina available for the rest of the match. I was also encountering a large range of fighting styles to customize my own fighter with. There are a huge number of real-life superstars here from multiple eras. It’s not as exaggerated as Street Fighter or Tekken, but the way they move, evade, throw punches, or even take steps is based on their real-life counterparts. I can see this being a big draw for any mixed martial arts fan. One feature I was surprised to see here was the 'Flow State' ability. As rounds progress, a power-up meter can give a temporary boost to the unique fighting style of the selected fighter, essentially boosting what they are good at. There is an entire visual effect that kicks in when activating this, too. The surprising part was seeing something like this in a game that feels like it’s aiming to be more of a simulator than an arcade fighter. My skill level is too low to use this exactly how the game wants me to, so I ended up triggering it whenever the opponent did it as well. Streamlined vs Authentic When I first started it up, UFC 6 asked me about my experience with the series. Being genuinely new, I took its advice and opted for a lowered difficulty level and 'Streamlined' controls. Quickly, I realized that this wasn’t for me. My chosen fighters were throwing random attacks, no matter what combination the game was trying to teach me. Win streaks were happening, and I was already getting bored out of my mind just a few matches in. Turning off this mode and switching to 'Authentic' controls fixed everything right up. I was now able to control my fighter with more precision than I expected. I could control each arm and leg, which body part my attacks would aim at, and the fully customizable controls for setting up unorthodox moves were a cherry on top. None of these made me an expert at the game, but at least I was being beaten up fairly. This is not a point against UFC 6, though. Giving the option for anyone to enjoy the game is always a good thing in my eyes. There is a lot of customizability in the difficulty, with everything from slow-motion reactions to specific assists being offered as toggles. If I had a friend coming over and wanted to try a quick 1v1, the streamlined controls option is one I’d consider to make it a light and fun fight. The one part of the fighting that did not click with me was the grappling. Being taken to the ground brings in an entirely new control mechanism involving mounts and submissions that feel more like quick-time events than the heavy, tactical fighting I had seen so far while standing. The game wants me to hold sticks in certain directions to change the position or pull off submissions, trying to do the opposite actions of the opponent. Even though I tried to get used to this gameplay, it just felt like a momentum killer, and I eventually just wanted to get back on my feet to get back into the action. Legacy and Career It was UFC 6’s career mode that I wanted to play the most when I started it up. I grew up with EA Sports games, and taking my team from the ground to the top has always been my favorite task. UFC 6 has that same option but also offers a more cinematic entrance to the career experience than I expected with ‘The Legacy’ mode. This mini-campaign follows an up-and-coming fighter, Chris Carter, who is attempting to reach the heights his father had reached in the sport. Starting with a small-time gym and coach, the story follows both his growth in the space as well as the growing rivalry with a friend and fighter, Danny Lopez. The fights in this mode are very good at introducing a newcomer like me to the sport and its varying techniques. Cinematics land between the major fights, showing the growing tension between the two fighters as the years go by, feeling the pressure to not miss out on the hard-earned chances. The dialogue can be a little corny at times, especially when the bar fights kick off, but I largely enjoyed the storyline. At the end of it, I was pretty much familiar with all the mechanics of the career mode, unlocking new skills and moves, and how I needed to approach fights, both outside and inside the ring. This story mode isn’t a very lengthy one, so don’t expect an hour-long campaign. Once the conclusion is reached, Carter’s journey continues as if it’s a normal career playthrough, though I decided to start over from scratch now that I have some know-how about the basics. The career mode is very streamlined, which is to be expected considering there isn’t a team to manage like in other EA Sports games. It’s the journey of one fighter. When a fight comes up in the calendar, I could choose how many weeks I dedicate to preparing for it at the gym. A longer prep time gives the opportunity to get my fighter’s fitness up (giving a bonus during fights), earn more money and points for unlocking new skills, and gain more fans to fast-track the rise to stardom. While that sounds like a lot of things to manage, it’s more like a few clicks. There is a social media menu that sometimes pops up with canned replies I can send to fans, and the sponsors are once again a single click away from being assigned as finished. It’s the training aspect that adds a gameplay angle. Using the money from winnings and sponsorships, I was hiring different types of trainers and learning fancier moves to use in the ring. One small thing I appreciated was that it was possible to injure each other during these training sessions. If a trainer goes down in a bad way while sparring, they won’t be available for the remainder of training. If my fighter is injured, it takes valuable time and resources to heal and recuperate. Just like in real life, it makes sense not to go so hard during training sessions and save that energy for the main event. Every training or sponsorship activity I took part in used up the days and weeks I had before the next fight, bringing a balancing element to the whole ordeal. There were times I simulated most of these to just get to the next fight, but the grind for gaining even the slightest bit of advantage while trying not to overdo it is an enjoyable one. Outside of quick fights and career modes, UFC 6 also introduces an almost museum-like mode to explore a trio of fighters considered to be legends of the sport: Max Holloway, Alex Pereira, and Zhang Weili. The aptly named Hall of Legends mode is unlike everything else seen in the game. Each of these fighters has entire levels dedicated to them that I could walk around in and explore their journey into the UFC. This includes footage from real-life fights and interviews about their original inspirations and training methods. Each of these spaces is almost like an interactive documentary. Once the highlights are done, the mode offers the opportunity to take over a deciding fight from the superstars. It’s an impressive transition. Going from the real-life televised event with crowds and commentary to immediately taking over in the game has some real hype behind it. Performance and visuals It’s clear to see that UFC 6 is going for a photo-realism look with its visuals compared to any other fighting game. The fighters don’t look great in selection screens. But inside the arenas, under the flood lights, surrounded by crowds, and facing an opponent, the visuals are more than impressive. As ghastly as it is to witness, things like blood spraying into the mat and muscles reddening as they get pummeled keep improving the immersion. The fluid animations help sell the illusion even further. A missed kick carries the momentum to require a corrective step. Hard punches that glance off blocks give off the air of a hit that still took some wind off the opponent’s guard. The special moves with flips and spins look mega awkward when missing, just as they do in real life. Suffice to say, the Frostbite Engine powering this game is one of the biggest strengths of EA development studios. Playing on the Xbox Series X, the 60 FPS gameplay did not miss the mark or cause any slowdowns that I could detect. I still wish this series were on PC to see just how far the developer can push the engine. One area I continue to have issues with, surprisingly enough, is the menus. The game has fast loading screens, but almost every menu I click through has a large amount of noticeable lag before it registers. This is immensely painful in the career mode, since I have to go through multiple menus between fights to train and do sponsorships, and having a 3-second pause when selecting a simple move between pages is the only time that made me quit the game. Thanks to Xbox’s quick resume, though, I was able to instantly jump back in the next day to the same point (and wade through more laggy menus). Conclusion My primary mission going into this EA Sports UFC 6 review as a newcomer to the series was to find out if this is a good jumping-in point for someone like me. Suffice it to say, the game passed that test with flying colors. Despite the high skill ceiling, the legacy mode introduction campaign, multiple types of accessible controls, and streamlined career had me picking up the basics and fighting styles much faster than I expected. I wish I had gotten to try out competitive multiplayer during my time with the game, too, but the lack of players in the pre-release version prevented this. The impressive visuals and animations, coupled with the impact physics that let me feel every punch and kick easily, made this the most immersive fighting game I have played. The only part that gave me pause was the grappling gameplay, which killed the momentum in most fights. The Flow State amplifying system didn’t hamper the experience, but I also felt like it made more sense for an arcade fighter, not this. Easily the most annoying thing about UFC 6 was its laggy menus, which I hope get some sort of fix later. Returning series veterans might have a completely different experience from me. But for a new fan like me looking to climb ranks and see fighters get floored in spectacular ways, UFC 6 doesn’t miss a step. EA Sports UFC 6 is releasing on June 19 across Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 for $69.99. Ultimate Edition owners can already jump in via advanced access. This review was conducted on the Xbox Series X version of the game provided by EA.
    • No, Microsoft is obviously just spending money on maintaining a product with 0 users.
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