[TIGERE]

Yes the HP memory is pretty precious - and I have found modules for less ... not understanding CAS/ latency or speed I was hesitant to order them ... and in reading it is impossible to tell if your particular unit is expandable . There were several XP references with this model - as though they may have chosen this laptop for an "upgrade" to Vista to get to market quicker ....

RE: Backups - every backup I have attempted has failed at about the third disc - and I am not sure if I can still get to the "system" files now or not - is there a point of no return when those can be copied or transfered to a disc?

Would have inserted memory pics but would upload - may have reached max here - can do that in another post if need be .... most of the files I have I can back up to a thumb drive or memory card ... most everything is on the desktop ..... and I do have an disc of XP Pro so any time we want to shoot this sob in the head ....

I am still a little confused about the drive being a SCSI ( not that I am sorry) but I had thought it was SATA .....

This the "extra" HDD Bay ....... LAPTOP BACK

[rgreen4]

First - about the XP references. All factory PC's shipped to be sold before 1/30/07 had XP pre-installed. This included the dv6000 and dv9000 series of laptops as well as my m7690y Media Center which was ordered and shipped at the end of October, 2006. Those same machines with slight different model numbers (my m7690y became the m7700y) now were shipped with Vista, and if intended as an entertainment computer the Home Premium version.

The picture is most helpful. The internal connector for the second drive bay does appear to have the connector post for the second drive, but not tray, adapter and screws. They do offer a kit of this but they want $140 for it. They do think highly of their parts. This is one reason I ordered my machine from HP with two drives to start with. I do not need the photo of the memory. If you have a chance to remove one of the modules, you can flip it over and look at the original manufacturers sticker and it should have info similar to the one in my previous post. The information tells us it is a 1GB PC2-5300 module with timing of 555-12. From what I have been able to find, yours would be a 512MB PC2-5300 with timing of 555-12. The aftermarket Kingsont and Crucial memory modules are the same for your machine and mine. Info on these two sites agree with the HP description, the info on a third site (Corsair) differed, but was not specifically for the dv9205us but for the entire dv9000 series and showed PC2-4200 as the correct memory, but I believe this to be for the earliest of this series.

When ordering recovery discs from HP you must provide the serial number of your unit. If their records show the unit was shipped with XP, then you can order the XP version, not the VIsta version and vice versa. I tried to get a VIsta recovery set but was not permitted to as my machine came with XP, even though I qualified for and was provided the free HP upgrade to Vista which I installed in May, 2005.

I can assure you that although some scanning programs may show the HD as a SCSI, it is not. It is however, serial. SATA which stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. While SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) drives are still manufactured they are used mostly in large arrays in enterprise applications because of their cost. The SATA is actually the third standard for PC's succeding the retroactively renamed PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) or as it is more commonly known IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) which came into existance in 1986 and replaced the previously separate controller cards connected to the hard drive with two flat ribbon cables in addition to the power connection.

The controllers in the more modern machines are of the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) on on most desktops and all aftermarket motherboards, can be set to emulate the IDE controller rather than the AHCI. However, on some machines (HP laptops) this setting is not available. Thus all those machines delivered with XP in the last year of its primacy, were deliverd with the drivers for the AHCI, but the XP versions available from retailers did not. Thus since we cannot change the AHCI setting, we cannot install the versions available from the retail market. We need the image initially installed on the factory XP versions, and it is not available to us. Thus our quandry.

To me our first step is to recover the drive to an operational status. To this end I need the answer to a couple of questions, which I have asked previously but in discussion have not received an answer.

1. Did you ever try to boot the machine into the safe mode with the F8 option?

2. DO YOU HAVE RECOVERY DVD'S (either burned earlier or purchased from HP)?

I appologize for the long post, but I felt you were asking for as much info as I could give you. If at all possible, the best option is to recover the disc, and the easiest way is through the onboard recover partition or possibly through the F8 safe boot option. If you can boot into safe mode you should be able to uninstall the SP1 installation and see if that restores your system to operation. We will then go forward from there. If you will stick with us (and I say us, because I know other regular members are looking over the postings and will chime in if needed), we can get your machine up and running and performing much better.

[TIGERE]

Once again I am astounded at your patience .... thank you again - I have inserted memory pics for clarity's sake lacking the skill to adequately describe what I may be looking at - I believe the # RC7447FS2U26RV ..... Also when I tried to install SR1 as I mentioned earlier it caused the unit to loop restart - fortunately I had in response to our earlier discussions established a restore point - so when SR1 began that nonsense I did a "safe" and went back to the restore point prior to loading SR1 ... (last friday) which made it possible to boot up and am using the unit even now. I did not find it in updates in the programs and features if it is called Service Release 1 ... so I think we are more or less clear of that ..... Hope enclosed is adequate -


Thanks again


Tigere





anyway.


http://forums.pcworl...79/memory+1.JPG

[rgreen4]

Wow, the images came through super-sized, normally the community sofware shrinks them down, but, in the second photo what is important is the Samsung lable under the HP "replace with" sticker. Just peeking out you can see a 5-12, which is the tail end of the sequence 555-12 for the timing. This means that if you want to upgrade your memory, you purchase 2 1GB DDR2-667 (PC2 5300) modules with a timing of 555-12 or sometime refered to as CL5 for cass latency. What this basically means is that your machine has the same memory specs as mine (refer back to the scan of my 1GB module). The basic format of the memory is 200 pin DDR2 meaning the module has 200 contacts (100 front and back, and has DDR2 standard memory) DDR stands for Double Data Rate and the 2 means the clock rate is doubled.

Newegg has about 7 1GB modules that meet the specs for anywhere from $17 to $23 each and 6 2GB kits (with 2 1GB modules) for anywhere from $39 to $46. Shipping is not included in the above prices. When making your selections, be sure to use the ratings and comments. When you change the memory out, if you have problems with the machine recognizing the memory, simply revert back to the original and then see about a BIOS upgrade. I am thinking that you may not need one. I am not a beliver in upgrading the BIOS unless you absolutely have to, for unlike other modifications, it's a one way street with no reversing it.

The technical support page shows an update in Nov, 2007 with corrections about the fan control, touchpad and battery failure. Another in May, 2008 "Adds the information for the 'Factory installed OS' to the main page of the BIOS Setup Utility". So no memory issues reported. I do recall that when I started looking at these in the late spring of 2007 they were available with 2GB of memory. But at that time memory was more expensive, and now is very inexpensive. In fact the memory in my desktop has dropped over 50% in price to the point where I added 2GB to the original 2GB.

As we go forward, after you upgrade the memory if you decide to do so, additional items need to have new discussions opened. I think that the memory will help a lot, but there are additional items we can work on.

[TIGERE]

WOW is right - I thought I had "thumbnails" clicked but maybe not - I did see the Samsung underneath ... and I did finally manage to create the 2 recovery discs ...that was search and destroy mission .... trying to find that utility ..... but its done -

I had the same desktop experience - had a gig and went up to 2 for half the price of the one - 2 chips DDR - 667

For the LAPTOP HP wanted 99.00 or 109.00 for the 1gig strip ... for a total of 200 + .... so to utilize the ddr feature I would need 2 sticks ... I could not really determine if this model would recognize a memory card via the expansion card slot - but HPs memory is still at those prices - god I could do 2 hr. rant on that deal ... I had seen the Crucial at about 45?? ( was it Crucial?? Maybe not ...) but again not understanding made me hesitant - lest I create a bigger problem than the one I have ...and throw some more $ into a deep hole ...

Alright - to kind of recap - no XP , an extra drive maybe (and it is Sata as you pointed out...) no cpu "upgrade" - soooooo ... I've got a pretty expensive dvd recorder w light scribe, an email and web-browser, an on board camera for a fuzzy IM chat and after that well .....hummmm so if I wanted to reclaim that 70 G of drive I could clean it out and do a restore and have the drive @120 minus overhead ...

shame on me !!!

RG4 I am very grateful for your time and effort

Thanks so much

Tigere

[rgreen4]

Well, computer manufacturers are not the most economical place to purchase memory or any add-ons, unless you do it when you order the machine. If you ever purchase another laptop or manufactured desktop, I recommend you purchase it directly from the manufacturer after you decide what you want. That way you can customize it with the features you want, not what some marketing manager has decided might sell well.

If you want to work on additional aspects of the machine, please feel free to open a new discussion thread for each item. I think that the increase in memory will help. As for drivers, Samsung has drivers for the ML-1740 Laser Prnter for Vista 32 and 64 Bit OS's. Checking on the HP website for the Deskjet 1220, they state that the drivers are included in the Windows Vista OS. Many printer drivers were included when the OS was released. The instructions state to hook up the printer and turn on the computer. When the OS loads it should find the printer and install it automatically. The scanner will not be supported in VIsta, as my scanjet will not either. I replaced mine with a Photosmart C6180 AIO. It takes up less space, and the new software is far superior to the old. That scanner was one I bought to replace the one that XP wouldn't support but Win98 did. Oh Well.

[rtfire1]

rg4 nice write ups I may ask for your help next year when I am looking at a new desktop for my by then wife.

[rgreen4]

No problem. If it's a desktop, you may want to consider building your own. It's really not all that difficult.

[TIGERE]

I want to echo RT"s remark - my discussion actually began in another area where I met mphenterprises who bumped it over to here where I met rgreen4 ...

doing a little checking you find that these two guys have posted a combined 11,000 posts, mphE - 8400 and RG4 - 3200 ... in just over a year and a half +/- .... and I believe both have contributed "documents" and mphE has a blog .....

thats a lot of personal time devoted to the woes of other computer users ... who, if they are like me ask the same question over and over ... their patience (rg4 & mphE) pushes understanding - for whatever reason they do this

I want to thank them for it ...

Tigere

[rtfire1]

I am thinking about that my last 6 builds went great. I was also thinking a bare bones kit

[mphenterprises]

With Pleasure. :D





I feel blessed to be able to offer my assistance to those who need and accept it. I will never have all the answers but I am glad that there are many other members within the Community that can pick up slack where needed.

If you ever need anything else, please post. :D

[redd54]

I hope this will help. I purchased a Compaq Presario C762NR on June 7, 2008. I tried to use Vista, but just couldn't get use to it or Windows media 11. I whent to the Hp web site forum and requested help with removing Vista and locating the drivers that would work with XP. Within 2 days I had the info and proceeded to remove Vista and installed XP. I am now writing this on my laptop with XP and no driver conflicks. I used my XP home edition from my previous Compaq without any problems. The only thing I had to do was use autostreamer (which you can get for free from Downloads.com) to combine XP with SP3. The site is wonderful.

[redd54]

I would like to clarify my last posting. I have a retail copy of Windows Xp Home and Professional that I purchased from Best Buy. I only used the copy of my Compaq disc to auto stream with SP3. I also purchased Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate from Best Buy. As you can see I have an investment in Windows Os as far back as 3.1, and still have each copy. I try to make sure everything I was doing was legal because I use Windows update. Below is the web site for HP forum.

http://forums11.itrc...admit=109447626121555996035628353475&threadId=1212046

[TIGERE]

Considering all that we have covered I thought maybe this might be of interest - I have no way of articulating what this about so I have pasted the web site

forums12.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1247736&admit=109447627[i1215580902877[/i]28353475]

in reference to removing XP from a dv9205us laptop .... your comments, observations appreciated

Thanks

Tigere

[rgreen4]

Your link and redd54's have helped. Apparently the machines with an AMD processor do not have the Intel 82801 AHCI controller, so the main hurdle to installing XP is removed.

As I said, the other drivers are easy. But - go back to my document and recall what I said. First - Do no harm. By this I mean, if you want to try this then I would recommend you purchase a second notebook HD. Newegg has some 120GB SATA HD's as low as $70. You would then have to either purchase a SATA to USB adapter such as this. There are others similar to this. I have one and have found it useful. Or you could purchase the hardware kit from HP to install the drive in the second bay - it runs $140. Here is a photo w/part no. to show what it looks like.

You can then swap the drives back and forth or possibly dual boot with the Vista drive in bay 1 and the XP drive in bay 2, or vice versa. Or you can format the Vista drive after you have XP and all drivers installed and up an running, in order to use the original drive as a data or backup drive.

In any case, be sure to keep your Vista recovery discs in a safe place. You many not think so, but you will come back to them at some point.

[TIGERE]

Your point is well taken RG - and I suspect that MS will in the future reduce the overhead needed to run Vista if what I read in the IT blogs and forums is any indication. I already see it in the systems on the shelf, now a year later, with no less than 2 g of memory and at least 1 step if not 2 in processor strength - all x2 as well and the same $ !!

In my case I am in a place where I am jammed between the new and the old - my priorities clearly vested in XP where there are on going obligations which I can't fulfill under Vista. Of course it appears to be resistance to change but really it's time and place - the focus of fault being Vista which is really only part of the problem. As I mentioned earlier - too much system, too little machine and no room for expansion, again shame on me !!! Never again !!

When I was contracting I had a column in my accounting called "tuition" ... where a poorly planned estimate or action resulted in additional expense ... it was placed there ... the cost of "learning" or "going to school" so to speak - same thing here.

Thank you for taking the time to look over the articles - I am really not skilled enough to completely understand what they are saying - and your input is again very much appreciated.

Tigere

[rgreen4]

Back in 2003 when I purchased my HP D530, it came with XP SP1, but I didn't want to change and I had Win2K on CD, so I simply removed the system drive and inserted a new drive, and installed Win2K. After a while I realized that XP wasn't so bad, so I simply put the original drive back in, let it do its updates (it took forever on dial-up at the time. I had an easier time with drivers, as W2K is NT5.0 and XP (orig and SP1) are NT5.1. (Vista on the otherhand is NT6.0).
As I said, getting the drivers is the easy part, as they are out there as that is a transition unit. In fact, if you go to the HP website for driver download, it lists both XP and Vista as operating systems found on the machine. One thing you should do is download and install Belarc Advisor. This is a free program that goes out and reads the hardware device file and the Windows file. It will then generate a report in your browser detailing out:
Computer Brand, Model and serial number.
Operating System
Installed memory and in which socket
Installed audio and video devices
Hard Drives and available and free space.
Controller chips
Operating system updates (KB number) and missing hot fixes
Installed programs
You may need audio, video depending on what is installed. It would be a good idea to go into device manager, click on those devices and note what is listed and for the device name, driver, company providing the driver, and version if not listed on the Belarc report. I have Belarc on all of my machines.
The reason I do not advocate the reformatting and blowing Vista off your current system drive, is that if you have problems getting XP installed, you can always stop, reinstall the original drive, boot and have a machine that will boot so you can get the missing driver or call for help. I have a back-up bootable drive for every one of my machines, and have had to use them a time or two. I won't go canoeing on white water without a PFD on, and I won't mess with the system drive on a PC without a PlanB to fall back on.