Hi all, this time I want to share about my experience in installing my friend's laptop. My friends bought this laptop on mega bazaar computer in JCC. Assuming that we can install XP on that laptop, he choose to buy the FreeDos version. So he doesn't pay for Vista license too. So…he ask me to help him installing XP binus edition plus other apps. Well…here was the steps I made.
Step 1:
I boot the laptop with my XP SP2 binus edition CD. The setup ended with bluescreen. Ok…I think this the AHCI problem. Boot into BIOS & searching for option where I can disable the AHCI. Well…the CQ40 doesn't have it. (while my NEC versa S3300 have option for disabling AHCI). Its time for Google then. I end up with this blog (thx to akrom) : http://akrom22.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/install-windows-xp-on-hp-compaq-cq40-108-tu/ . well, he wrote a good step by step guide for integrating XP installer so it can detect SATA HDD.
Step 2: Integrating SATA driver to XP Installer
Download the required apps :
- .NET Framework (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856EACB-4362-4B0D-8EDD-AAB15C5E04F5&displaylang=en)
- nlite (http://www.nliteos.com/)
- SATA driver for CQ40 Series (http://www.ziddu.com/download/3025908/f6flpy32_85.zip.html)
- Other driver for CQ40 listed in akrom's blog
I continuing step for integrating the SATA driver to my XP installer, adding SP3 & other patch that I have (I will akrom's guide later after get his permission). Then…TADA…my installer ready
Step 3: installing XP & application
The installation went well. I can finished the XP installation without any trouble. Then I install the device drivers…starting with VGA, chipset, WLAN, card reader…and the last one…SOUND driver. Here where the problem begin. The driver cannot recognize the onboard sound chip. So I continue googling incase the vendor release another driver. I ended up with this site : (http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?admit=109447626+1236779597905+28353475&hpweb_printable=true&threadId=1273971 ). The man, raj chugh advising that I have to update the BIOS.
Step 4: Updating BIOS & trouble begin
I download the bios from the link he posted. Flash it (I have problem with booting into dos mode with HIREN 9.2 in this laptop too. Damn…)…the process went well…like the guide said. The laptop automatically turn off after the flash completed. After 5 minutes…I turn it on again...the power led was lit…the fan is on, but why there is no display? the LCD was blank....showing nothing…I try plugging my LCD monitor to its external connector…still no signal detected….damn…
Quickly googling for HP COMPAQ customer care number in indonesia…got it…I call it & spoke to a woman...she guide me…for checking external connector, bla..bla…and after 5 minutes…she gave up. She advise me to take the laptop to service centre.
Step 5 : Recovering BIOS
Again…googling…and found this site (http://h30434.www3.hp.com/psg/board/message?board.id=Hardware&thread.id=2763&view=by_date_ascending&page=1 ) he got similar problem…his laptop can boot…without any display. I followed tdk's step:
- Downloading the original BIOS from :
- Extract it to a folder
- Rename file 30F7F24U.FD (for intel chipset, or 30F7F24D.FD if u use nvidia chipset) to 30F7.BIN & copy it to an empty flash disk (I use transcend jetflash v10 2GB)
- Remove battery from the laptop
- Unplug the AC adaptor
- Plug the flash disk into any USB port
- Press and hold the Window key & "B" key
- Plug-in the AC adaptor
- While still holding the windows + B, press the power button on the laptop
- After the power led is on, let go all the button & start praying :p
- The laptop will turn on, without any display. It will access the flash disk & read the BIOS file u copy in it
- After 1-2 minutes, the laptop will turn off automatically.
- Unplug the flash disk & AC Adaptor
- Plug in AC adaptor again & turn on your laptop….
- VOILA….the POST screen will show up….
I save 100-150 thousand taxi fare to go to HP service center with this step. thx to "tdk" in HP Support Forum who posted this recovery step. I think I will not install XP in CQ40 series again for now. My friends have agree to install vista binus edition too. So….this is all my sharing bout installing XP in CQ40 series laptop. Sorry for my terrible English…I use this blog for improving my English…hehe…see u in another sharing.
