Windows 7 change over and driver question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Txnathan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2019, 08:46:04 pm
content: Hi All,I have a Pavilion G6 laptop that came with Win 8. At some point the passwords were lost and we tried a system restore with the original disks. It crashed half way through and the system was rendered useless. I decided to try to revive it for use with my Arduinos to have something I could carry around. I have a licensed copy of Windows 7 that after much fussing I got installed and running. It works and I can get by I think but the ethernet and WiFi drivers are gone, like no trace of them. I have searched and tried to find a fix but every driver I have tried to install fails at some point. I would like to be able to connect to the internet to download code samples and such if possible.Its Windows 7 32 bit.Hp Pavilion SN 5CD25013T8I am not very computer savvy so be kind :/I have the 64 bit software and that may be my issue but I don't see anything that indicates this laptop can run it. I googled a bunch on that and from what I found it should says something about 64 bit compatibility in the system tabs and it doesn't.I appreciate any direction,Thanks,Nathan

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2019, 09:37:26 pm
content: Pavilion G6 is a 64 bit machine and should run 64 bit software.

author: Txnathan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2019, 09:48:24 pm
content: Great, I'll see if I can figure out how to swap the OS tonight and that might solve my problems.Thanks for the help!

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2019, 11:42:42 pm
content: A 64-bit operating system isn't mandatory on 64-bit hardware, it just means you aren't using the machine to its full potential (and severely limiting the amount of RAM you are able to use). You also won't be able to run 64-bit applications.With respect to the drivers, if HP's website isn't of any help, I usually identify the chip/controller in question and look up the model of that chip. Generally, manufacturers will have generic drivers you can use. For the network adapter, you should be able to locate the controller somewhere near the Ethernet port on the motherboard, it's likely going to be an Intel, Broadcom or Realtek.

author: Txnathan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 10:26:14 am
content: I was able to install the 64 bit Windows 7 without issues so at least I am not losing ground but the same driver issues are there. The device manager is saying no Ethernet connector and no network connector. I am assuming when you say locate the controller you mean take it all apart and actually locate it on the board?

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 10:36:42 am
content: They are there physically on the motherboard, but no drivers installed, so Windows has no clue they are thereIf you are feeling braveyou might try the Win8 x64 drivers for Ethernet/network connector if you run out of options getting Win 7 x64 ones

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 11:14:25 am
content: With the exact model number you should be able to track down the drivers using google or just go directly to HP and search under support. It's odd that it didn't work right off because with Windows 7 usually the built in drivers will work.A good source of help with Windows 7 iswww.sevenforums.com

author: Txnathan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 03:20:46 pm
content: Thanks for all the help so far, this is great group. I took a stab and installed the Realtek ethernet adapter and now that is working but still not wireless. I thought I would try that adapter/driver and it installed but says there is no hardware so I assume that its not that brand. The Intel driver won't install saying that it cannot find and entry point in Kernal.DLL so I also ASSUME that means that hardware is not there either. I will try the Broadcom option and see if that works. I would rather not disassemble the entire thing.I'm a little surprised there is not something in the bios that tells you what hardware is under the hood.I'll google the model number too and maybe I can locate it there.Thanks again

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 04:43:23 pm
content: Quote from: Txnathan on July 26, 2019, 10:26:14 amIf it doesn't know it has it then it cannot tell you it has it.There are probably some question marks or exclamation marks for devices it does not recognize. Look for those in the device manager.

author: Txnathan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 04:47:29 pm
content: Never mind the last inquiry. Apparently there is a function key to turn the antenna on or off. Works now!Thanks for everything

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2019, 10:11:07 pm
content: Quote from: Txnathan on July 26, 2019, 04:47:29 pmHa! beat me to itGood luck with the Pavillionbut whatever you do, don't go installing Win 10 on it,even if it's a legit freebie =or you'll be back here again...

author: soldar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2019, 05:45:28 pm
content: Quote from: Txnathan on July 26, 2019, 04:47:29 pmI had that happen a couple years ago. My laptop was connected at home using Ethernet. I met this woman I wanted to impress at a coffee shop and I was going to show her some ideas for organizing and decorating a place she had bought and I had prepared this on 3D on my desktop and uploaded to my website.When the time comes I just could not get the WIFI on the laptop to work and she was less then impressed.When I got home I realized the wifi slider switch was OFF. Darn it!