PC World Community: After reformatting disk from Vista to ...

15 Replies Last post: Aug 31, 2007 6:29 PM by wfsommer 1 2 Previous Next

wfsommer

6 posts since
Aug 30, 2007

Aug 30, 2007 5:35 AM

After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

New HP PC. Lady didn't like Vista. Formatted HD and intalled XP Home Edition, 2002 OEM version that says "GSM PC only" (??). All is well except can't get Ethernet connection to Net.

Her husbands HP PC (older) has a Realtek RTL 8139/81OX Family Fast Ethernet NIC listed under Network hardware, her's does not have such a board listed.

Any suggestions? Attempting to create via the Wizard does not make a connection.

Thanks,

Bill Sommer

mphenterprises

9,066 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

1. Aug 30, 2007 5:57 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

Hi WFSommer. Okay, a couple points:

If I may ask, why did you use an OEM version of Windows XP Home designated for "GSM PC Only"? Since the Operating System CD specifically says for what PC it should be installed, this may be an illegal installation. You may want to remove the OEM version and install a retail version. If this is a desktop PC, you also may want to consider taking out the original drive, getting another hard drive, and installing the retail version on the new drive.

Barring the above suggestion, have you checked the Device Manager section of the computer you are working on to see if the drivers for the ethernet adapter have been installed? I just had a client who did a complete installation but forgot to install the drivers for the motherboard, which include the ethernet adapter.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

wfsommer

6 posts since
Aug 30, 2007

2. Aug 30, 2007 6:06 AM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

Why did you use an OEM version of Windows XP Home?

I thought since the HD was wiped clean it would be the same as a new machine.

designated for "GSM PC

I didn't know it was for GSM PC until I got it. What does GSM stand for?

this may be an illegal installation

I thought if you paid for software it couldn't be considered illegal.
I don't understand how a new HD would install any differently than re-installing on a formatted drive. What's the difference between a Retail version and an OEM version?
Yes, I checked the Device Manager section and that's where I said there was no driver for Ethernet. How do I install that driver if it didn't automatically install with the rest of the XP software?

Thanks,

Bill Sommer

mphenterprises

9,066 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

3. Aug 30, 2007 6:28 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

Hi Bill. I am going to do my best to answer all of your questions:

I have no idea for what GSM stands. However, here is what I do know. Once you determined that the Installation CD was for some other computer than you intended to install it on, the CD became useless to you. From where or from whom did you get the Installation CD?

OEM vs Retail: The short version, and forgive me if I generalize this too much, is that OEM versions of any Operating System have very specific guidelines and restrictions. For example, they may only be used on certain computers or a certain number of computers. Depending on where you buy it, you may have to show proof that you are doing a recent install or computer build.

There are a few members of this forum that know more about the differences than myself. Smax and RGreen should be around shortly and they will be able to give you a more detailed explanation.

The new hard drive suggestion was just put out there in case they original hard drive was not completely formatted. Not to say that it wasn't but just as a suggestion.

Since this is an HP computer, you should be able to go to HP's website, look up the specific model number of that computer and download the ethernet driver. You can then either burn that driver to a CD or save it to a floppy disk and transfer it to the other computer. Once you have done that, you can either:

**use the Device Manager to install the driver

OR

**double click (or single click) on the file to install the driver that way

For all intents and purposes, I would advise you to get the retail version of Windows XP Home and install it on the existing hard drive. Again, this is just my suggestions to you and not right versus wrong. If this is a customer of yours, you want to make sure that this computer will not fail any validation by either HP or Microsoft.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

wfsommer

6 posts since
Aug 30, 2007

4. Aug 30, 2007 6:54 AM

in response to: mphenterprises

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

From what I can find, GSM either has to do with a mobile phone or a modem card. I don't think it's a PC manufacturer.
I got the Installation CD from a reputable vendor.

I'll see if I can get a driver from HP.

Thanks for your time and input.

Bill

mphenterprises

9,066 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

5. Aug 30, 2007 6:57 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

My pleasure. Please keep us posted and keep an eye on this discussion for more details.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

rgreen4

3,776 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

6. Aug 30, 2007 8:52 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

There are three forms of Windows available to the general public. Not versions, forms.

OEM - this stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This is the version that is sold to builders of PC's. This is not quite the same as the version sold to large manufacturers, as they have be customized for intro screens, etc. The installer of the software is totally responsible for all support, Microsoft will not guarantee an support.

Upgrade - this version is sold with the understanding that it is to be installed on a machine that came with, or has a qualifiying previous Windows installation. In the case of XP, any prior version of Window qualifies, as well as XP Home, if you are upgrading to XP Pro.

Retail - this is the full version of Windows and can be legally installed on any PC (except maybe Apples). This does not guarantee that it can be installed, just that it is legal to do so.

There is a document in the windows section of this forum in which I attempted to forestall some of the problems you have. Although you have probably already burned your bridges on the Vista installation (you will want to go back at some point) you can problably salvage this installation.

When you go to the HP website, go to drivers and downloads, enter in the model no of the PC and then click on the >> to go to the next screen. When asked about the version, enter XP. If this model was never available with XP, then there will not be any drivers available.

This is why in the document, all the devices listed in device manager were to be noted as to the device name and model, and then the drivers downloaded before installing XP.

If there are no XP drivers available, please list the HP model number and we will try to find the preceeding model which has the same device. For example the HP m8100y was never available, but my m7690y is a preceeding model with the same devices installed (slight MB change after Vista release - went from STAT1 to STATII).

smax013

3,752 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

7. Aug 30, 2007 7:20 PM

in response to: rgreen4

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

rgreen4 wrote:

Retail - this is the full version of Windows and can be legally installed on any PC (except maybe Apples). This does not guarantee that it can be installed, just that it is legal to do so.

Apples too...if you use Boot Camp. It must be at least Windoze XP Home or Pro with SP2 or Vista...but it can be done and legally.

[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

rgreen4

3,776 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

8. Aug 30, 2007 8:50 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

You're right Smax - it's the other way around. Can't legally install Mac OS on a non-Apple machine.

smax013

3,752 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

9. Aug 31, 2007 5:19 AM

in response to: rgreen4

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

rgreen4 wrote:You're right Smax - it's the other way around. Can't legally install Mac OS on a non-Apple machine.

Correct...but there are people that supposedly have figured out a way to do it (there is also the technical issue of BIOS on Windoze PeeCees vs. EFI on Macs).

[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

wfsommer

6 posts since
Aug 30, 2007

10. Aug 31, 2007 9:14 AM

in response to: rgreen4

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

You sound extremely knowledgeable. Thanks for the definitions of the software. Someone suggested I install the Retail version versus the OEM I have installed - do you interpret that this would solve the missing Ethernet drive? I don't see how.

I have already been to the HP website and tried to get a driver for the Model PC (Pavillion a1730n) for XP, but I found none. HP, no doubt, had the correct driver for the Ethernet board they had in that model when they put Vista in it. I interpret from you that I, of course, wiped out that driver when I formatted the HD.

Would you please try to find a driver for me for the card that was used in the HP Pavillion a1730n when it had Vista in it? That drive should work with XP as well wouldn't it?

Thanks,

Bill

smax013

3,752 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

11. Aug 31, 2007 10:00 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

wfsommer wrote:You sound extremely knowledgeable. Thanks for the definitions of the software. Someone suggested I install the Retail version versus the OEM I have installed - do you interpret that this would solve the missing Ethernet drive? I don't see how.

I have already been to the HP website and tried to get a driver for the Model PC (Pavillion a1730n) for XP, but I found none. HP, no doubt, had the correct driver for the Ethernet board they had in that model when they put Vista in it. I interpret from you that I, of course, wiped out that driver when I formatted the HD.

Would you please try to find a driver for me for the card that was used in the HP Pavillion a1730n when it had Vista in it? That drive should work with XP as well wouldn't it?

Thanks,

Bill

The type of Windoze installation is kind of seperate from the technical problem that you have. If you have an OEM license installed that did not come with the computer, then it might work, but it would not likely be a legal installation per the EULA. Whether or not that would ever be an issue that Micro$oft would come after you about is a debatable issue.

As to your technical problem, to begin with a Vista driver would not likely work for XP. You will need to get an XP driver. If you cannot find the driver on the HP website, then your only options would be to try to update the driver from within the Device Manager and see if it can locate a driver automatically on the Internet or try some place like DriveGuide.com.

[soapbox] Backup good...no backup bad!! [/soap box]

rgreen4

3,776 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

12. Aug 31, 2007 10:29 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

I don't know that there is a special problem installing an OEM version of the software, just keep in mind that the obligation to provide support rests with the installer not Microsoft.

You also gave a date that I believe was 2002 on the disk. That is an older version, so as soon as we get the ethernet port functioning, you need to activate it for the owner and then download SP2 (I don't think the 2002 version even had SP1), and then all the subsequent updates.

I will see what I can find for the ethernet port. No, the Vista drivers should not be installed.

rgreen4

3,776 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

13. Aug 31, 2007 11:10 AM

in response to: wfsommer

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

Round Two - the model you are working with is the a1700n. Here is a listing of the a1700n motherboard specs. I found the predecessor model the a1600n, and here is a listing of the a1600n motherboard specs. As you can see the motherboards are the same. HP went through some rapid model no turnover after the introduction of Vista in the spring. First they changed the model with the introduction of Vista and then they changed the mobo and went to black cases.

The motherboard has nVidia 6150LE chipset, and the lan is a 10/100 Marvell 88EC031.

Here is a driver listing from the HP website. Try the nVidia LAN driver. Please note on the website that Service Pack 2 MUST be installed prior to installation of this driver. If you don't have an SP2 CD, or do not have a way to download SP2 (it's large), send me a PM with where to send it. I do have an SP2 installation disk. They were at one time free from Microsoft, and I ordered it through PC World (years ago).

wfsommer

6 posts since
Aug 30, 2007

14. Aug 31, 2007 11:41 AM

in response to: rgreen4

Re: After reformatting disk from Vista to XP, can't get Ethernet connection

WOW! You're good! I downloaded the driver and hope to get to the lady's house today or tomorrow to try it - I'll let you know how it goes.

Yes, the OEM version of XP specifically says it has SP2 - but thanks for the offer.

Regards,

Bill

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