I was given a HP dv9429 laptop by a friend who formatted his new VISTA machine and installed XP on it. At this point there are a number of issues with drivers although at first hand I'm looking to resolve the network connectivity issue.

He stated XP installed without issues at all.
I'm now hoon a direct CAT5 connection to a cable modem.
It shows a network adapter 1394
Ipconfig returns "WINDOWS IP CONFIGURATION"
Disabling and reenabling the adapter returns "Query failed to TCP/IP"
Among many, one of the items in 'other devices' marked in yellow is "Network Controller"

Would appreciate any direction on this issue - - to start with the network connectivity.

The 1394 is the Firewire adapter (small rectangular outlet).

Make sure View>Show Hidden Devices is enabled and look for 'network' connection adapter for the wireless connection.

ok.. this is what I managed to resolve the issues with installing XP retail version 5.1.2600 over vista (formatting over vista)on a HP dv9429 laptop.

1. Get SP2 on the machine via downloading from Microsoft...and you may have to use another PC to download it and transfer, as you may not have connectivity from the machine in question as I had no network controller for a wired connection. (I was lucky to have wireless connectivity though)

2. Then run a BIOS update downloadable from
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p36551.exe

3. Then install the NVIDIA nForce Chipset Driver and Network Controller from ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p33411.exe

4. Then install the following:

AMD Processor Update for Microsoft Windows XP:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p35445.exe

Modem drivers:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p33742.exe

Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p33867.exe

Conexant High Definition Audio Driver:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p34200.exe

Ricoh 5-in-1 Card Reader Driver:
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/s.....p33413.exe

This resloved all my issues with missing devices and drivers and all seems to be peachy now. It seems that HP can be helpful - it just depends on the tech you talk to.

Where have you found all these drivers on HP?????????? Is there a list with links to choose from anywhere??

I have a HP pavilion dv6570ed laptop, managed to follow the guides on this forum and installed XP, but have the same problem. I got the wireless working, but not the wired network port....and still missing some other drivers....but I've got quite a different setup, so can't use most of the above drivers.

I couldn't find anything at all on the HP website, downloaded most of the essential drivers from intel so at least it is reasonbly working, but need my wired port and some others still.....

I phoned HP but got some silly blond saying I should run the recovery cd....thanx for the info HP....and my business contact from HP told me my best chance was to go to the shop around the corner...also much help....

Any help will be very much appreciated!!!

Thanx, but that's the link for all the vista drivers, vista is working fine......
I need the XP drivers.......and when you click on operating system xp it only shows 3 drivers of the touchpad etc....

But thanx, tonight I will continue my quest...see if I can finalize my dual boot.

greetz mariette