No XP drivers available anywhere for this new notebook?

[imported_browsing]

I just had a broken notebook exchanged with a gateway t-6815. I've got a lot of software that I don't think is going to run on Vista, so I configured a dual boot with XP. But now I can't find hardly any of the drivers for XP. No audio, three 'unknown' devices, and the most recent intel drivers dim the screen for some reason. I've been googling this all night and I have come up with nothing; does anyone have any suggestions and/or experience with this model?

Edit: Just to provide a bit more info without anyone needing to search, it's built on 965 express architecture and uses a x3100 graphics adapter. The brightness goes down to its lowest level as soon as the Intel drivers are loaded in XP. It's a big bummer.

 

[imported_djnes]

I've read several situations where no XP drivers are available for some new laptops. My suggestion is to load VIsta on the laptop, and then run XP in Virtual PC 2007.

 

[AllGamer]

figure out the "unknown" hardware and the manufacture, then go to the chipset and/or peripheral website to download the drivers.

try this to find out about the unknown stuff
http://www.drivermagician.com/index.htm

 

[imported_browsing]

The main problem (besides audio) is that I know what the drivers are for the graphics adaptor, and Intel's aren't working properly. I will check out the link though.

 

[bruceb]

This will tell most of what hardware is in there already.

http://www.gateway.com/retail/t6815.php

Also see this Link:

http://support.gateway.com/sup...wse&fn=&ref=filesearch

You will need to go thru each category to get all the driver you want for XP

 

[imported_browsing]

Yes, I've done this. They are severely lacking in support on the gateway site. Practically nothing except a network driver for XP. Thanks for trying to help, though.

 

[imported_browsing]

What I'm also wondering is if it isn't possible that the lack of drivers for XP is somehow tricking the 965 graphics driver into thinking it is always on low power mode, despite that the XP power utility shows the battery correctly.

 

[imported_browsing]

Also, the SATA driver I slipstreamed into the XP installation was the 82801HEM/HBM, which should have been the correct one. However, the driver programs that have been suggested in this thread keep telling me I can update this driver, but when I download the suggested driver, install, and reboot-- it doesn't actually change it. So I'm not sure if that might be the problem. The Intel 965 express graphics drivers -should- work, and it does, save for the extreme dimness of the screen.

Here is a link to more specifics, if anyone can help:

http://support.gateway.com/s/M...205R/4006205Rsp2.shtml

I'm really in a bind.

 

[Shawn]

Have you actually tried to run your software on Vista to see if it works?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Have you actually tried to run your software on Vista to see if it works?

Bingo.

 

[imported_djnes]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Have you actually tried to run your software on Vista to see if it works?

Even if they don't run under XP, as long as they aren't games, or other 3D type software, Virtual PC 2007 will solve the issue.

 

[imported_browsing]

I suppose you guys are right, it just really irks me that I can't install my OS of choice and have to deal with buggy Vista. I'm not against migrating, but some of the stuff won't work. Some of my PS plugins aren't compatible, and my version isn't vista certified.

I still would appreciate it if anyone has any other ideas besides just use Vista.

 

[Shawn]

What version of PS are you using? I am using CS and it works fine.

 

[drysedorph]

I got xp to work. finally ... oh so much better than vista.

the brightness problem is not really solved - each time i boot , i must load a power scheme from the INTEL tray icon...but it works. i have no brightness controls ..still need help - but its working. bye bye vista and good riddance.

 

[imported_browsing]

Do you have the same model as I do? What about the audio drivers?

 

[drysedorph]

yes i found the SIGMATEL audio drivers and used them in combination with the microsoft high definition audio patch AUDIO_XP_2K_050919.zip which is 43 meg


the sigmatel driver file is 9meg and i can email it to you. i renamed it ...so i dont know the original filename that you would search for but here are the details in one of the readme files.

File Description: SigmaTel Audio Driver
Version: 5.10.5185.0
Operating System: Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP
Part Number: D00758-001-001
Date: 05/11/2007

have you made any resolution to your brightness problem? i still must fix it each time i boot....also - none of my battery conservation (power management) works for dimming the screen and none of my Fn keys work for brightness adjustment. Perhaps more users of the t6815 will find us here.

send private message to get driver -if you get stuck on the windows driver -i may be able to put it on my ftp site.

 

[drysedorph]

funny about your t6815
i got mine from returning a bad toshiba at best buy. i wish they still had the toshiba but this was the next best one i "qualified" for...NEVER get the 3 year best buy warrantee. Go to your manufacturer and get a MUCH better warrantee for half the price.

 

[Harvey]

As others have noted, you need to ID the hardware components (network, modem, etc.). I found a couple of links to drivers for XP on intel.com that may help:

Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Compal* FL91 Build-To-Order Notebook, Verified by Intel

I'm not sure what "Compal" refers to in the title of the second link, but it appears to be a listing of various drivers used in custom assembled notebooks using the 965GM chipset. Check them closely to see if they match the components in your machine.

Good luck.

 

[drysedorph]

All the hardware is ID'd - however there is something about some of these new VISTA ready computers that may be causing this problem with XP - Appears gateway built in a power manager that handles it in vista...but they do not even support xp on this computer (i called and asked) so even with all the correct drivers loaded...it still wont give me brightness hotkeys etc. My workaround is weak...i must load an intel graphics "scheme" each time i boot...but it is still better than vista. With 2gb and a barebones boot - i start with 55 percent resource util. With outlook word and a few browsers i am at 75. Gateway needs to support xp backwards installs on their new vista notebooks.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

why should they support OLD software on new laptops?

 

[drysedorph]

Gateway should support XP like several of the other manufacturers have because of several reasons:

A) XP is still the de facto standard in microsoft operating systems with over 90 percent of windows user per my last viewing of microsofts graph on the subject with less than 10 percent using vista+98+95+ME+NT+2000 combined.

B) Vista has enough problems including resource consumption, compatibility and several others mentioned in these forums that users who buy hardware from this vendor (gateway) should not be forced into what most who know operating systems agree is not ready for prime-time. Even if it is not EVERY user that sees these problems - there are enough of us that will now ONLY buy and RECOMMEND hardware from company's like DELL who offer either OS on their hardware offerings.

C) Because we users are asking for it. The phrase "the customer is always right" is a universal truth in nearly every kind of business. This is an excellent example. Mark these words....DELL will be EATING what little is left of GATEWAYS lunch due, in part, to matters like this one.

To answer your question most specifically....THEY SHOULD do this because it is good business to do so. If not ... they may save a few dollars now but lose market share worth millions in the future. IMAGE!!! REPUTATION!!! INTEGRITY!!! SERVICE!!! These are not lost concepts...yet.

Enjoy

 

[Calab]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
why should they support OLD software on new laptops?

Because Vista is a flaming piece o' crap? Also, most folks are still using XP. Also, many folks who try Vista go back to XP.


So, where can one find proper drivers for this T-6815 laptop?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Harvey
I'm not sure what "Compal" refers to in the title of the second link...

Compal is a major laptop OEM. It's the second largest laptop maker in the world.

 

[Calab]

Originally posted by: drysedorph
I got xp to work. finally ... oh so much better than vista.

the brightness problem is not really solved - each time i boot , i must load a power scheme from the INTEL tray icon...but it works. i have no brightness controls ..still need help - but its working. bye bye vista and good riddance.

Just wondering... has anyone had any luck fixing the dark screen issue when using XP on this laptop? No matter what I do in the Intel control panel, I can't get it to brighten up.

I have everthing else working - LAN, sound, etc. but the screen is too dark to be useful.

 

[nerp]

Anyone else find it funny that in order to avoid "buggy" Vista, people are willing to use a partially broken XP install?