This is why I hate walmart computers

[Apotherix]

So...my mother's computer is an HP 552x, with a "P4S-LA" motherboard. It was running like a molasses waterfall so I formatted it, but now I can't find the motherboard drivers ANYWHERE. Not on the NP website, nor the Asus one. (I think the P4S-LA is an oem version of an Asus P4S333-M. Some help please? Quick before she rips my head off.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Pull off your northbridge sink and see which chipset it's got.

 

[corkyg]

If it was bought from WalMart as an integral HP item, it came with manuals and some restore CDs. Have you checked for them? Anyway, you apparently did not check HPs website. The drivers are all here if you follow your nose.

Pavilion 552x

 

[DaveSimmons]

Something to learn about laptops and prebuilt PCs:

Unless Windows won't boot, always ID the hardware in Windows before you wipe it clean! Even for a specific model number there may be different options for audio, LAN, modem, and video. Plus you can see the motherboard chipset.

It's also a good idea to locate the drivers you need before taking the drastic step of wiping it clean. If you can't find the audio, video, etc. drivers you're better off trying to repair Windows.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
It's also a good idea to locate the drivers you need before taking the drastic step of wiping it clean. If you can't find the audio, video, etc. drivers you're better off trying to repair Windows.

And fortunately, they are all readily available. Google is better than trying to analyze the genesis of a motherboard.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I believe CPU-Z will tell you your chipset though I don't know for sure.

 

[Byte]

i had to do a comp with that crap mobo, its an asus, they have drivers.

 

[Nocturnal]

You can't find it at HP.com? I'm sure HP doesn't produce a specific Walmart branded computer that has no driver support.

 

[superfly27]

email HP support. The only things you need if I remember correctly, are the serial numbers on the back of the case and maybe the date it was bought and the name of the store.

BTW, I believe I know what this guy is trying to do. He's trying to avoid using the CD that came with the computer. I was told by a salesman that you can no longer use the recovery CD for one machine and use it on another machine.

So, it may be the case that now, you cannot use an OEM version of Windows. I'm probably wrong here but I really think you should contact HP about using an alternative OS.

 

[JLGatsby]

I never knew Walmart sold computers. I thought they only sold laundry baskets and sweat pants.

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: superfly27

BTW, I believe I know what this guy is trying to do. He's trying to avoid using the CD that came with the computer.

I was thinking of buying an emachine for my daughter - had the ati rs480 chipset 200express video - was nice and quiet - really sufficient for her needs (was also very cheap). But I thought of a friends computer with one of those recovery cds and how much I disliked it, and bought parts.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

If it's HP branded there will be drivers for it on HP's website.

It also should have come with either a drivers CD or (more likely) a recovery CD (boot from the CD and it puts it back they way it was from the factory).

 

[batmanuel]

Most of the recent HPs come with a restore partition that is accessed by hitting one of the function keys when you boot up. I forget which one it is, but it is usually F10 or F11. I haven't seen a HP or Compaq ship with a restore CD in years.

If you just wiped the main parition of the hard rive and didn't actively work at killing the restore partition (which is sometimes hidden), then you might be able to get the PC up and running again by booting into the restore partition and resetting the computer to its out of the box state.

 

[pibb]

use Everest

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: superfly27

BTW, I believe I know what this guy is trying to do. He's trying to avoid using the CD that came with the computer.

I was thinking of buying an emachine for my daughter - had the ati rs480 chipset 200express video - was nice and quiet - really sufficient for her needs (was also very cheap). But I thought of a friends computer with one of those recovery cds and how much I disliked it, and bought parts.

Ya. I was tasked a few times to find Drivers and stuff for pre-made systems. What a friggin nightmare!

Finding the Model I was working on always seemed impossible. I'd find Models with almost the same Name/Number, but they'd seem to be just so slightly different and Searches came up dry. I'd choose what seemed the closest and sometimes see the Model I had Searched mentioned with that Model. WTF? I Searched, nothing showed, yet here it's mentioned!!! :|

I hate pre-builts!! :| :|

 

[Hacp]

I use Pcwizard2005 to identify unknown peices of hardware. Helped me when my old dell was reformatted. Of course, I could have gone to the dell website and found all the drivers there, but I didn't know they even stored them on their website!

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby
I never knew Walmart sold computers. I thought they only sold laundry baskets and sweat pants.

If its made in China, Wal-mart sells it. HP computers fit that description.