No longer is a new topic for many user to switch from Vista to XP. Initially when Vista launch, many user were scratching their head on the Drivers to support the hardware such as printers and scanner. Worries that wrong pieces bought that doesn't work. Down the road, many have switched back to XP because of many reasons..... but here comes the new questions, most of the PC and Notebook in market are release with preloaded Vista. Immediately, can it support XP?
Some manufactures are kind enough to provide duo OS when purchasing their products such as Sony VAIO or Dell. At lease others will still provide drivers to be download from their website but not HP CompaQ. They no longer provide drivers supports in XP for their PCs products. There's no XP drivers for display, sound, wireless lan and etc to download. If you google around and you'll find 9 out of 10 are searching and asking guides for drivers to their hardware and the balance 1 will share the links and guides.
It is difficult for user to verified what and which drivers to install. Not to mention numbers of manufacture branding and the models will drive you crazy. You may ask, can't we just install and try? Well, this is the beauty of it, wrong drivers or software installed will give you BLUE SCREEN. Anyway, to conclude. You either need someone having the same model or questions you are looking for to post on the net or some IT people to share these informations. Here's are some link and guides to share with my readers and friends like you out there who like to DIY. Otherwise, you might want to consider switching to Apple ^_^
Windows XP Drivers Part 1 - There are still some bugs I couldn't finished but basically you'll get the Display, Audio, Wireless and Memory card up and running.
First step, the biggest question. XP installer CD even SP3 version doesn't support AMD SATA AHCI driver. (Download here) After download, two ways of doing this, first save the drivers to floppy and during XP setup you'll be ask to "press F6 if you need to install additional SCSI adapters or other mass-storage devices" later you'll reach a stage to browse the floppy and load for the drivers.
Second, integrates those drivers into the XP installer CD. By doing this, you need nLite. Here's the steps. For DIY user, assuming you know the steps to install XP. If you are fresh, click here to show you more.
Now drivers. It equipped with:-
ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics; link and you also need Netframe 2.0
Broadcom 802.11bg Wireless; Link or Acer 4720z Compatible
JMicron JMB38X Card Reader; You can use the same Vista driver provided from HP
HD SmartCP 56k Modem; link and manually install guide (after installed audio)
1.Right click on "Modem device on High Definition Audio Bus" and click Update driver.
2. Select "Install from a list or specific location"
3. Click Next. Then select "Don't search, I will choose the driver to install"
4. Click Next and then select "Modem" from the list.
5. Click Next and then click Have Disk.
6. Click Browse C:\swsetup\sp33890 folder and select the .inf (wis30b2b) file and click open
and Ignore if complaints
After above items finished install, you'll notice there are still 7 unknown devices, I haven't finalize what are those but one of it is the scroll function from the TouchPad. But the TouchPad went crazy after I update them using this link drivers.
Lastly, Million thanks to all out there who provide links, guides and sharing.
Posts
April 22, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Could not get the audio device on High Definition Bus working.
Tried HDMI R203, R207 and R218
No sound on my notebook.
Please help
April 23, 2009 at 3:01 AM
wifi can't installed correctly, still have a problem, can you help me?
April 26, 2009 at 8:26 AM
HDMI R209 will work
http://www.mediafire.com/file/x3nffmwlwdm/
HDMI_R209.zip
April 26, 2009 at 7:21 PM
WLan
http://www.mediafire.com/?lwamozoxnw4Install the driver from DEVICE MANAGER
April 26, 2009 at 9:55 PM
I've tried to install my cq40-401au and use AHCI SATA driver that you gave, it said ahci.sys is corrupted. WOuld you help me what's the problem?
Thanks
April 27, 2009 at 7:27 AM
from floppy or you integrated it into your xp installer? Most properly the file was corrupted when you creating the integrated disc. Try using USB floppy and press f6 when starting the installer.
I had this integrated problems experiences before when I did with other notebook, low quality disc I used and sometimes the cdrom problems
April 27, 2009 at 9:59 AM
I can't instal ati radeon, help me?
April 28, 2009 at 7:38 AM
install netframe 2.0 then install ati hd 9.2 mobile
April 28, 2009 at 2:18 PM
you have link ati hd 9.2 mobile?
April 28, 2009 at 8:10 PM
link above will guide you to 9.4 latest version. anyway here's the 9.2 http://www.mediafire.com/?tdggjtwuioz
April 28, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Botaksam..can u please make step by step procedure in cd and burn all the xp driver for cq40-401au... i and most of cq40-401au users are willing to pay u i think... thanks in advance for your help..tq
April 28, 2009 at 8:50 PM
can use Acer driver or not? acer got same spec also..only brand differ.. TQ
April 30, 2009 at 3:04 AM
Yes, not many WLAN from Acer works. especially broadcom. here's the link im using. http://www.mediafire.com/file/lwamozoxnw4/WLan.zip
May 5, 2009 at 6:59 PM
Botak.. once Windows Seven come, all issue settle already.. Windows 7 provide Virtual PC to install Windows XP in Vista like Mac OSX done in Macintosh.. Am i right?
May 6, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Yup, so far W7 is doing a better than vista :)
May 11, 2009 at 6:23 AM
i just bought Compaq Presario CQ40..
i want to install Windows XP..
but worry..
after read about ur post...
May 12, 2009 at 7:37 AM
So far the engine is running fine, only a few small issue. ie: TrackPad Scroll not working but usb mouse scroll is ok. Unable to control the brightness from using the FN+F7 or F8 key, have to use software control. The rest are ok.
Today I had a new drivers issue on CQ40-338TU which running Intel Processor but Intel Graphics. Issue was the IDT sound driver, same chipset but unable to work even MS UAA installed. The rest with same drivers all work. In fact work with 115AU & 406AU.
Will keep updating.
May 22, 2009 at 6:12 AM
my notebook(cq40-401au) cant use xp.. why??
May 25, 2009 at 4:56 AM
i need driver cq40-401au.for windows xp
cant you give me how a have it
May 25, 2009 at 6:29 AM
See links above :)
May 25, 2009 at 11:36 AM
thanks Mr.botak very-very good , matur nuwun Kang..!
May 27, 2009 at 5:16 AM
Mr.Botak...
will u help me?i already have cq40-401au install with Xp.sp2,everything is ok but 1 thing i have some problem in device manager still not found audio device on high definition audio bus,and the funny thing is sound came out normaly...
just 4 share :touch pad problem,has been resolve with sp31075 driver download from http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1240760189273+28353475&threadId=1263528
May 27, 2009 at 5:29 AM
Mr.Botak...
meet again,i had 1 more question..
my cq40-401au if running with battere only can stand for 1,5 hour,is that normal?
by the way thanks 4 sharing...
May 27, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Close, if without wifi may reach 2. Did u charge ur battery more than 6 hours for the first time? if no, the battery is not in top condition
May 28, 2009 at 9:33 AM
i had success instal xp in my notebook(cq40-401au),, but i have problem with sound card.. my notebook nothing a sound installed.. can you help me about it??
May 28, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Follow links above :)
May 30, 2009 at 1:15 AM
hai Mr.Botak..
with me again,who had questions about battere lifetime...
ur the best bro...i following ur step above this blog everything is running well..
how come?did u found keyboard driver for CQ40-401au already?hehehehe....don't forget to inform me ok....
June 6, 2009 at 5:16 AM
Hi Mr. botak..
can you explain how to install the wireless driver in xp?i've tried installing the driver from the link you gave, but my wlan still not working properly. maybe the way i installed it is not right.could you help me?
and you said that we have to use software control so we can control the brightness using the FN+F7 or F8 key. what is that software?where can i get it?
thanks..
Pandu
June 6, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Update the wireless lan driver from device manager instead of running the driver setup file, try download it from here
http://www.mediafire.com/?lwamozoxnw4
For brightness, use the ATI control centre
June 10, 2009 at 8:31 PM
concerning the battery issue, when i first bought the compaq CQ40 i didnt charge it for 6 hours, because i did not know!..so what can i do now? should i change the battery?
thank you.
June 10, 2009 at 10:20 PM
i've been using it for about 2 months..but thanks anyways for your help.
i will try to download those freewares and i will see what will happen.
June 22, 2009 at 4:41 AM
Is there anyone had device which attach to CQ40-401au or has anyone had printscreen device manager??
June 22, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Maybe this Screen Capture Freeware help. Windows & Mac available.
http://www.jingproject.com/
June 30, 2009 at 9:32 AM
I cant install modem!!
please correctly??
July 1, 2009 at 5:10 AM
the above modem driver link "sp36089.exe" is a compress or setup file, best result is to unrar (use winrar) to a folder or even if you already run it, you should have a "swsetup" folder in your drive c, keep the folder then follow the the above step. It won't detect or find any modem if just by running the setup files
August 9, 2009 at 11:02 PM
hi everyone,
i've tried the link and step above but i still can't install xp into my cq40 401au. i actually tried to slipstream ahci for my sis's laptop (Acer) it went fine. but mine just stuck after i press anykey to boot from cd. the screen is blank with back light... pls help.
thank you
August 13, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Hi Mr. Botak,
If i din charge my battery for 6 hours for the first time, can i start practice it for next time? I've tried to charge for more than 5 hours and yet the battery can only stand for abt 1 hour plus. Is this alright?
Thanks
August 14, 2009 at 7:49 AM
If wifi is on and you have some auto updates software running at the background such as anti virus then 1 hour and 30 mins battery time I may say is normal. Always the first time to charge 6 hours or more is the best but since you didn't, is still ok. Make use of it, not advisable to always in charging mode. Good luck :)
September 11, 2009 at 9:50 PM
mr botak,
i having a problem now. all the driver i has been install. but 1 thing, now d keyboard cannot adjust brightness??? other shortcut key can use, just the brightness cant use, any settle idea?
thank you
roy
September 11, 2009 at 10:03 PM
ati drivers problems, yet pending for updates from ati and testing to resolve this issue. meanwhile u have to use the ati control panel to adjust the contrast or brightness
September 30, 2009 at 10:31 PM
CQ40 -406 AU no ways to solve if waana install to XP ??
October 3, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Haven't try out XP after the 401AU, most of the chipsets seems the same but I doubt the audio. IDT or Conexant always are the trouble drivers. Sorry, can't help much. Which part you didn't manage to get it done?
November 25, 2009 at 7:33 PM
7 "UNKNWON DEVICE" HOW TO REMOVE THIS..
April 26, 2010 at 10:43 PM
hello plz i have a question
my compaq presario cq40 doesnt boot xp nor windows 7soi think the problem is not the sata driver .plz help me
April 27, 2010 at 1:34 AM
does it show the "press any key to boot from cd.." message? if it doesn't, most properly your optical drive is giving problem
June 16, 2010 at 7:19 AM
bagaimana caranya agar laptop saya dengan spek Compaq CQ40-401AU, prosessor AMD turion X2 64 bit, VGA Ati RAdeon bisa diinstall OS windows XP?thx
August 14, 2010 at 7:23 AM
Boss Can i use Mac operating system in my CQ40 Notebook? If I Can, plz tell how?
August 14, 2010 at 7:28 AM
Unable to complete, drivers issue. I did manage to install on AU (AMD) series but no wireless, no sound drivers
March 24, 2011 at 8:29 AM
CQ40 -406 AU no ways to solve if waana install to XP ??
March 24, 2011 at 9:18 AM
I have not try this model before, it depends on what chipset it is running, AMD or Intel. Either way the SATA/RAID drivers has to be integrate to the XP installer (for best result instead of using FDD by pressing F6). But others drivers such as WLan, LAN or Audio might be a challenge.