HP Compaq nx9010 and Windows 7

How about starting here:
HP Compaq nx9010 Notebook PC - Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center

Start with the "Network" driver to do what you want first. You will need to know what network adapter you have in your laptop to choose the correct one.

All the drivers for your notebook are for Windows XP. So you may need to install them in "Compatibility Mode": Compatibility Mode

That is unfortunate. People do get these old computers to run W7, but if you are not interested in invest that kind of time in the effort that is understandable.

As for XP, no, you will not be able to install it while W7 is running, as you've already discovered. You will need to wipe the disk clean and then install XP.

You need to be able to boot from the CD before the hard disk and I'm very surprised there would be no boot order option in the BIOS to do so. You should check that again carefully. And I would not wipe the hard drive until I was sure I could get the CD to boot. A quick test would be to turn off the computer, disconnect the power, disconnect the hard drive, and then reboot. You should get a black screen with the message: "no boot device available....". Now put the CD in and restart. If the CD boots then you are good to go.

There is a tutorial in this forum for using Diskpart in W7 to wipe the hard disk clean. I'd find it for you but I am being called away right now.

Hope that helps.

skunkworks said:

I figured out that the problem is in the CD-ROM drive. It can read DVDs but can't read CDs. Now I'm pretty much in trouble unless I find those drivers or buy a new CD drive :)

I just installed Windows 7 x86 again, a fresh copy. And here's a screenshot of the device manager if it's of any use.

skunkworks, in device manager right click on the devices with the exclamation mark against them and select " update driver" windows should then find a compatible driver, if not piost back and we will see what we can find for you

skunkworks said:

I've done that just in case, but all I need is a connection to the internet so I can let Windows to find his own updates. I just need a working driver for my network adapter :)

OK skunkworks try this driver 1st HP Compaq nx9010 Notebook PC - Intel PRO/Wireless Drivers - HP Business Support Center all the drivers on the site are old mainly XP/Vista drivers install them in compatibility mode Compatibility Mode ,work your way through the network drivers 'til you find a working driver all must be installed using compat mode

Glad you got it working skunkworks! You will like W7 much better than XP I assure you.

Just for our info, how did you get it to go? Compatibility mode? Let us know. It can be a help to others.