Reformatting HP Computer

[skyblue]

I bought this HP computer with preinstalled WIndows XP home edition and ever since have been regretting that I bought it.

I have a full version of Windows XP and want to install it on this computer. But when I tried to install this full version windows, I realized that I don't have drivers for hardwares on this computer (e.g., I was not able to set my monitor to optimal condition because I didn't have the driver). So I gave up and just recovered my system back to the HP installed Windows XP.

Does anyone have experience reformatting HP WIndows XP and install a new OS into the HP computer system? Or does anyone know how much trouble I have to go throught to install a full version OS into this HP computer?

I know I can look up all the drivers in my HP computer through Device Manager. From Device Manager, I can locate all the driver files and copy them into a disket. But I am not sure if this will work. Could anyone please give me an advice?

[IanS]

I bought this HP computer with preinstalled WIndows XP home edition and ever since have been regretting that I bought it.

I have a full version of Windows XP and want to install it on this computer. But when I tried to install this full version windows, I realized that I don't have drivers for hardwares on this computer (e.g., I was not able to set my monitor to optimal condition because I didn't have the driver). So I gave up and just recovered my system back to the HP installed Windows XP.

Does anyone have experience reformatting HP WIndows XP and install a new OS into the HP computer system? Or does anyone know how much trouble I have to go throught to install a full version OS into this HP computer?

I know I can look up all the drivers in my HP computer through Device Manager. From Device Manager, I can locate all the driver files and copy them into a disket. But I am not sure if this will work. Could anyone please give me an advice?The drivers may be different for XP-Home and XP-Pro.

The steps should include identifying the devices built-in such as pointer, video, keyboard, monitor, sound and obtaining the drivers for them, then installing XP-Pro - with the new drivers at the ready for use once the installation process is part complete.

[skyblue]

Thank you for your reply. I am not really familiar with computer systems and hardware and am not sure what devices I have on this computer :o
So my questions are:

- Do I need to get the drivers of all the devices listed in the Device Manager of my system? Should I get drivers for floppy disk drive? It seems like there are so many devices listed in the Device Manager and it looks not possible to get drivers of all these devices.
- Do you know any website I can download drivers? For example, I have a dvd rom drive (HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8160B). Its manufacturer is Oak Technology but they don't exist any more. Where do you think I have to go to download this driver?

[IanS]

Thank you for your reply. I am not really familiar with computer systems and hardware and am not sure what devices I have on this computer :o
So my questions are:

- Do I need to get the drivers of all the devices listed in the Device Manager of my system? Should I get drivers for floppy disk drive? It seems like there are so many devices listed in the Device Manager and it looks not possible to get drivers of all these devices.
- Do you know any website I can download drivers? For example, I have a dvd rom drive (HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8160B). Its manufacturer is Oak Technology but they don't exist any more. Where do you think I have to go to download this driver?
If you are so unfamiliar with computer systems you need to get someone locally to help you. Some devices don't need drivers, others do. The first place to start looking is the manufacturers website - frequently companies offer XP-Pro as an option so their site will have drivers for both XP-home and XP-Pro.

Devices that you will need drivers for will include the USB chipset (built into the m/board), video chipset (also built in on a laptop) and sound chipset (again built in).

Once you have those you should be able to get started but it is a massive undertaking if you're unfamiliar with installing Operating Systems.

Special drivers may be needed for battery management, built in pointing device, and even the keyboard for the FN key to work. Again, a massive undertaking if unfamiliar with OS installation.

Good luck!

[skyblue]

The first place to start looking is the manufacturers website --> Do you know any websites for driver downloads when the manufacturers don't exist any more?

Devices that you will need drivers for will include the USB chipset (built into the m/board), video chipset (also built in on a laptop) and sound chipset (again built in).--> Is there any way for me to figure out if a driver for a specific device is needed during OS installation or not?

Once you have those you should be able to get started but it is a massive undertaking if you're unfamiliar with installing Operating Systems. --> I am not familiar with all the hardware but I have done installing OSs numerous times and replacing hardware such as hard disk drives, modems, sound cards, etc. Do you still think it will be too challenging for me to get necessary drivers and install a complete XP on this computer?

[IanS]

The first place to start looking is the manufacturers website --> Do you know any websites for driver downloads when the manufacturers don't exist any more? Try a simple Google: http://www.driversearch.com/sites.php

Devices that you will need drivers for will include the USB chipset (built into the m/board), video chipset (also built in on a laptop) and sound chipset (again built in).--> Is there any way for me to figure out if a driver for a specific device is needed during OS installation or not? More than likely not needed during installation but to make the machine work at optimal performance, eg being able to view at anything other than 256 or 16 colours.

Once you have those you should be able to get started but it is a massive undertaking if you're unfamiliar with installing Operating Systems. --> I am not familiar with all the hardware but I have done installing OSs numerous times and replacing hardware such as hard disk drives, modems, sound cards, etc. Do you still think it will be too challenging for me to get necessary drivers and install a complete XP on this computer?
If you've successfully replaced the bits in other computers, including discovery of the drivers, then no.