Windows 7 RC on my Compaq Presario M2000

Last week, I receive a laptop from my friend. Not a new laptop but I'm really happy because this is actually my first laptop.

The first thing I wanna do is doing some experiment and the first thing that come to my mind is installing Windows 7 RC. I wanted to see how much time needed to install Windows 7 on Compaq Presario M2000 and how it perform.
Before that , here's the Compaq Presario M2000 specifications.

Compaq Presario M2000
Intel Pentium M 715 1.5GHz Processor
1.5GB RAM
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 -Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
Connexant AC-Link Audio
Media card reader
DVD-ROM
Realtek RT8139/810x Ethernet
Broadcom 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter

Windows 7 RC installation
I didn't actually clocked the installation. What I'm sure is I start the installation around 12am and at around 1250am everything is done except for several hardware drivers.

Driver issue and installation
The network adapter works perfectly. But that is the only device that works. I need to find a driver for Intel Extreme Graphic2, Connexant AC-Link Audio, card reader and Broadcom 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter.

It took a while to find the drivers. But once I got 1 correct driver, the rest is very easy.
Here's how.

Download Windows XP driver for Intel Extreme Graphic2, Connexant AC-Link Audio, card reader and Broadcom 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter from HP website.
HP driver require you to run the download driver so that it can proceed with the driver installation. In Windows 7, the driver installation will fail. Ignore it. Do the same thing to all driver you download.

Next, go to My Computer and search or locate "swsetup" folder. It should have several folder inside it. It contain the extracted driver for your hardware.

On Windows 7 desktop, right click My Computer and choose Manage. On the Computer Management, click Device Manager. Look at Other Devices.

Now, if you want to update driver for Broadcom 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter:
-Right click on wireless adapter. Choose Update Drive Software.
-Choose browse my computer for driver software
-Browse to the right folder and complete the driver update process.

Everything should be just fine unless you have a hardware failure.

Windows 7 performance and hardware limitation.
Overall, Windows 7 run as fast as Windows XP on my new but old Compaq Presario M2000. Even if you choose Adjust for best appearance under Performance Option, it will still make you smile.

There's a few limitation running Windows 7 on this machine. You will miss Aero Glass. I've search around and what I found is intel is not going to develop a WDDM driver for Intel Extreme Graphic2 chipset although this chipset is capable. So, no Aero Glass.

One more thing. The TFT LCD maximum resolution is 1024x768. So you can imagine how big the icon is.

12 Comments

  1. Thanks for the post, im just thinking of install windows 7 on a friends PC. Looks like it should be a winner.

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  2. With the graphics card, Windows 7 automatically installs a default driver, and with your method, i tried to update the graphics driver, but it goes that the one i installed is already up to date. how do i go about fixing this problem?

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  3. nvm got it *thumbs up*

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  4. not getting the audio driver installed it fails every-time i install it fails to install and shows and error message that device is currently in use......

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  5. You are a legend!!!!

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  6. where did you find broadcom driver ? i have got the same laptop and i m also on 7
    thanks

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  7. did the windows aero run at your laptop?

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  8. my Compaq Presario m2000 is upgraded to win7 ultimate x86 and running smooth and im not using extreme graphics iv got the ATI x200 graphics working thanks to a backup disc.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Personally recommend you going: www.cdekey.com
    to get product keys for your windows 7, keys in this site are of good quality and in low price.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Guys you can get your windows 7 activated from: www.mororless.com, the keys in that site is genuine and cheap, you can have a try.

    ReplyDelete
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