Clean Install of XP Pro in HP Computer

I am considering doing a clean install of XP Pro in my HP a400n computer.

The reason for doing this is to get away from the problems of all the software that HP installs as well as getting the benefits of Pro, such as backup and System File Checker. I am sure there are many other reasons that I have not encountered yet. HP’s help page is a joke. I seldom find what I am looking for.

My primary question is about getting the drivers for the hardware that HP put in this machine. Some of these items are using MS drivers, but some use drivers from the company that made the hardware. I have done some research and can get drivers for part of these items. I am left with a few that drivers are not available for download.

Here is a list of the drivers I have not found;

HP PS2 Keyboard [2K "“3]
Intel[R] 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Processor to I/O Controller "“ 2560
Intel[R] 82801EB PCI Bridge "“ 244E
Intel[R] 82801DB/DBM SMBus Controller "“ 24C3
Intel[R] 82801DB LPC Interface Controller "“ 24CD
Realtek AC’97 Audio
Agere Win Modem

I am aware that XP comes with a large number of drivers already installed. Can someone point me to a list of drivers that is included with XP Pro. I have searched MS site but have not found a list yet. Is there a way to look at the complete list of drivers that were included in XP Home in my machine.

Also, if anyone knows of problems I might encounter doing this, please tell me about it, so I do not make a mess.

Thanks for all help.

Daniel

 

Tony

Thanks a lot

I am downoloading it now. Looks like this will solve the drivers issue.

Daniel

 

a little encouragement...

You will not regret doing this. I have an HP computer I bought last year and the first thing I did was format and install the full version of XPpro. You shouldn't have problems finding current drivers if you need them. The only 'odd ducks' I see in your specs is the modem and the keyboard. If this is one of the HP keyboards with all the 'preset' buttons they may not work but the main keyboard will with no problems. I think HP has a special program for the buttons on the keyboard, don't know if it's available on their website. And you're right about their help page , it's about worthless and their support isn't much better.
WinDriverBackup is a very nice little program and work as advertised.

B

 

Mr. B

Thanks for the encouragement.

Since you have done this, I would like to know if the clean install is simple and just a matter of following the prompts or is there some things to be aware of before starting. I am very concerned about getting in the middle of a clean install and hit something that I am not prepared for.

Daniel

 

I can only offer you encouragement.

Having installed various flavors of Windows on a few HP machines, I can only say that it is an easy task with few problems in my experience. HP is a well-known manufacturer for which MS has included most needed drivers.

Even if the specific driver for a device is not available, XP has many generic drivers that will operate most hardware until you can update them with ones from the manufacturer.

Windows Update will have a driver for the Agere modem which is what I am using. A generic driver for Agere/Lucent Win Modems is available here (if you have a driver specifically for your modem, use that one):

http://www.agere.com/client/docs/modem830.exe

RealTek has all drivers available on their site. Your sound driver is available here:

ftp://210.51.181.211/pc/ac97/alc650/wdm_a356.exe

You should use their Taiwanese site for the best luck in finding drivers and updates:

http://www.realtek.com.tw

XP includes drivers for nearly any Intel device under the Sun.

And as far as your concern that you get half way through an installation and something goes wrong-----well, it is very easy at that point to just start over. Nothing installed=nothing lost

I'd suggest that you have access to another computer that is online during the process. Or at least be sure you have the modem driver for that machine. Then you can come here if any problems do arise and we will get all the problems solved for you without any doubt.

 

WinDriversBackup is now DriverGuide Toolkit and is no longer free. It works for two days and quits.

Can someone who has the old WinDriversBackup email it to me? I would appreciate it very much.

Thanks

Daniel

 

What a nice piece of software! I just found and tried v.1.00 and it seems to have backed up all my drivers on this XP Pro system.

Version 1.00 is only 340k, so I'm assuming that v.1.09 at 2.45 megs has improved functionality. I knew that some FTP site must have the old version!

Your download of the free version 1.09 should start automatically with this link from The Czech Republic:

ftp://ftp.zcu.cz/pub/win/simtelnet/winxp/fileback/wdrvbck1.exe

 

Abraxas

I cannot get link to work.

Daniel

 

Correction;

Link is now working.

Thanks

Daniel

 

That wasn't you; it was me. I couldn't get it to paste properly for some reason. Should be OK now.

 

Abraxas

I did download and install it and it appears fine. It is the free version.

Thanks again for your help.

Daniel

 

You're welcome.