Need help with a couple problems of my old HP Laptop

[iNiffy]

Hello all!

Recently got my old laptop working again myself by buying a new charger for it (will buy new battery, I use the laptop by removing the old battery and plugging the charger), and thankfully it started working quickly. But has some problems I need help with. (Laptop specs HERE)

Problem 1:
Whenever I try to boot it, the monitor only displays a black screen but I can hear the fan, the touchpad and others are visibly on. By waiting a few minutes I can hear the fan restarting or something then the laptop boots normally. Any idea what causes it and what fixes it?

Problem 2:
When booted, I first always open SpeedFan and I'm always greeted by this.

Maybe the fan just needs some cleaning and I need to apply some thermal paste to the processor. But I appreciate some extra advice if you guys can.

Problem 3:
Another driver problem. I reinstalled the laptop's OS to Windows 7 Ultimate because it was running pretty slow when I first booted it. So I backed up my files and did my thing. But I forgot that it also uninstalls the stock drivers that it came with:

(The Unknown Device might be a fingerprint sensor)
Thankfully I found an official link which contained all the drivers for the laptop. I first tried to install the "Validity Fingerprint Sensor" from the "Driver-Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices" Section and installed it. It installed something like "Validity WBF DDK" by publisher "Validity Sensors, Inc." but didn't install the fingerprint sensor driver. I don't understand what I should do next? I think it needs a software or something but I'm not entirely sure.

That's all the problems I need help with. Any kind of response is much appreciated!

 

[Snick]

iNiffy

I'll try to help you.

Regarding your screen, did it recently work before you "reinstalled the laptop's OS to Windows 7 Ultimate."

If so, you probably need a driver for that.

If not, your screen probably took a dump. Light for backlight or converter. They are available on the Net for reasonable prices. Easy to change them, and You Tube videos are available on the step by step. My new screen for my Compaq lappy was $50 US from Amazon a while back.

So you are saying that you went from one version of Win7 to Win7 Ultimate?

If you don't have a new product key for Ultimate, and you upgraded from Home or Pro, it won't work.
You need a retail key for Ultimate. None available now.

If you purchase an OEM Win Ultimate key, that won't work on your lappy either unless it is for HP machine. OEM Windows has a slick table that ties it to the specific manufacturer, the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

All your other devices have :warn: which is a warning, i.e. problem with all of those drivers.

65C is a too hot! May be causing the slow response, hanging or freezing.

You probably have deteriorated thermal paste between your CPU and the heat sink.

My quad core AMD running Prime 95 CPU stress test 30-31C max fan speed never changes.

Arctic Silver Thermal Paste is what I use.

A can of Compressed Air to blow out the fans, filters, keyboard, is recommended. If the temp stays high, your paste is shot.

Not sure about your fingerprint drivers, either right click the faulty driver and choose update driver, if a compatible driver is found, it is installed.

Alternatively, go to the manufacturers website, download and install the drivers which you state you have done.

Did you choose the correct drivers?

I have a Vantec USB 3.0 card, no, the driver name is totally different, & from their website.

 

[file3456]

That CPU is way too hot. You're laptop may be at least 9 years old and the thermal paste on the CPU may need to be replaced or the heat sink fan isn't working.

This is the page to your drivers, that link you have there is for something different. HP Pavilion dv6-6171tx Entertainment Notebook PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP(R) Customer Support

Those drivers are for Windows 7 64 so make sure your Windows is 64 bit. If not, change the OS version on that website.

Also, replacement chargers and batteries should be the OEM version. If they are generic they could destroy your laptop or cause a fire. I find my OEM replacements on eBay. Not sure if you have access to a Philippine version of eBay.

 

[iNiffy]

Reply

Snick

Regarding your screen, did it recently work before you "reinstalled the laptop's OS to Windows 7 Ultimate."

Yes, it did work. I just thought it was broken when I try to turn it on and it only displays a black screen so I stopped using it. So after SIX years (I already lost its original charger and has a broken battery) I bought another OEM charger and plugged it in while using the laptop because it doesn't have a battery yet. It still displays a black screen but I decided to wait a few minutes and it eventually booted. Even when I reinstalled the OS, it's still like that.

"So you are saying that you went from one version of Win7 to Win7 Ultimate?"

Yes I did went from Home Premium to Ultimate, I borrowed a USB installer from a friend and successfully reinstalled it but I don't have a product key yet, thinking of finding one online but I haven't got my hopes up.

"You probably have deteriorated thermal paste between your CPU and the heat sink."

I'm sure that's the cause. I'm planning to replace the fan and apply a new thermal paste (Arctic MX-4). I sure wish it'll cool down at least a bit.

"Did you choose the correct drivers?"

Yes I'm sure I did. But someone said I had the wrong link for it which he provided the right one.

 

[iNiffy]

Reply

F22 Simpilot

"That CPU is way too hot. You're laptop may be at least 9 years old and the thermal paste on the CPU may need to be replaced or the heat sink fan isn't working."

It maybe 9 years old but I got it in 2014. I think you're right about the thermal paste so I'll be replacing it with Arctic MX-4 and also replacing the fan. Hope it cools down atleast a bit

And, thanks for providing the link.

"Those drivers are for Windows 7 64 so make sure your Windows is 64 bit. If not, change the OS version on that website."

I indeed have a x64 Laptop so I'm sure I got the right OS Version.

"Also, replacement chargers and batteries should be the OEM version."

I made sure that the charger is OEM BUT it has a little less watts than the laptop's requirements. Hope it doesn't cause any problems. (Can it?)
The battery I'm about to buy is also OEM and is said to be for Pavilion dv6 6100 series laptops. I have little doubts about it. If it isn't for my laptop, I can always return it and buy another one.

 

[Snick]

@Snick

Regarding your screen, did it recently work before you "reinstalled the laptop's OS to Windows 7 Ultimate."

Yes, it did work. I just thought it was broken when I try to turn it on and it only displays a black screen so I stopped using it. So after SIX years (I already lost its original charger and has a broken battery) I bought another OEM charger and plugged it in while using the laptop because it doesn't have a battery yet. It still displays a black screen but I decided to wait a few minutes and it eventually booted. Even when I reinstalled the OS, it's still like that.

"So you are saying that you went from one version of Win7 to Win7 Ultimate?"

Yes I did went from Home Premium to Ultimate, I borrowed a USB installer from a friend and successfully reinstalled it but I don't have a product key yet, thinking of finding one online but I haven't got my hopes up.

"You probably have deteriorated thermal paste between your CPU and the heat sink."

I'm sure that's the cause. I'm planning to replace the fan and apply a new thermal paste (Arctic MX-4). I sure wish it'll cool down at least a bit.

"Did you choose the correct drivers?"

Yes I'm sure I did. But someone said I had the wrong link for it which he provided the right one.

My experience, you will not find a valid retail key, I don't believe you will find an Original Equipment Manufacturer key for Ultimate being that your computer didn't come with it.

You should reinstall Win 7 home premium.

No Win7 HP ISO or DVD

GetintoPC Windows 7 Professional x32 & x64
[FONT=Calibri, serif]You can make all versions of Windows available, i.e., Starter x32 version only, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, & Ultimate with eicfg_removal_utility.zip
[/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri, serif]Only the version that came on your computer will activate.[/FONT]

The MX-4 is twice as much as the Arctic Silver 5 and a gram less in volume. Your old machine won't benefit from the more expensive paste.

If the fan is still working why replace it? Those fans work correctly for a long time. Waste of money replacing what isn't broken in my opinion.

Additionally, Ultimate is much larger than Home Premium, with a plethora a junk that you will never use, again my opinion.

 

[file3456]

I can tell you right now the differences between thermal grease are very negligible. We're talking maybe a few degrees from OEM to Arctic Silver. In fact, if you build a desktop and have a CPU cooler that came with the grease, you'll want to use that grease since I'm sure the CPU cooler manufacturer tested their cooler with that grease. In my case I have a Cooler Master Evo 212 that came with a tube of grease. I just used that since I knew the more expensive stuff just wasn't worth it and my temps right now are 21 degrees Celsius, 71 degrees Fahrenheit. While gaming my temps are maybe 10-15 degrees higher. It still is pretty cool for OEM thermal grease.


As to your monitor, it could be the monitor its self or the inverter. I'm actually not too sure how one would verify which is the culprit. If you plug in an external monitor, that will bypasses the inverter I'm sure. The inverter is to change the voltage for screen on the laptop. It "inverts" power. I have replaced a laptop monitor for a Dell and it was relatively easy to do and I just made sure I was doing everything right by taking a quick look at the disassembly instructions from Dell's website. For HP, I don't particularly care for their web page layout and not sure where the manual and disassembly instructions are at without looking into it all. Their website is just a giant PITA (Pain In The Ass) to wade through.

With the monitor issue, how did you manage to install Windows?

Just for the hell of it. Try reseating the RAM once. It may or may not work, but I have done that with a laptop and if I can remember right it fixed the monitor issue. It's been years.

 

[townsbg]

"Those drivers are for Windows 7 64 so make sure your Windows is 64 bit. If not, change the OS version on that website."

I indeed have a x64 Laptop so I'm sure I got the right OS Version.

Just because you have a 64-bit processor doesn't mean that you have Windows 64-bit installed. 32 bit can be installed on 64-bit processor, just not the other way around. Also I agree about the ultimate key. There aren't anymore legitimate retailers and any copies you find on ebay or amazon could either be overused or pirated.

 

[file3456]

Additionally, Ultimate is much larger than Home Premium, with a plethora a junk that you will never use, again my opinion.

Does Home Premium even have group policy? Because if it doesn't I wouldn't use it. I think it does. I know there are versions that don't and my parents computer doesn't and I think it's Home Premium.

 

[file3456]

Just because you have a 64-bit processor doesn't mean that you have Windows 64-bit installed. 32 bit can be installed on 64-bit processor, just not the other way around. Also I agree about the ultimate key. There aren't anymore legitimate retailers and any copies you find on ebay or amazon could either be overused or pirated.

Good catch. I ran right past that.

 

[Snick]

No Home Premium does not have group policy that pro on up does.
You can install it if you wish.
[Windows Tip] How to Install and Enable "Group Policy Editor ...

 

[Megahertz07]

As already mentioned, as the laptop has 4G of memory, you should install Win 7 HP 32bits. It will run much better than Win 7 ultimate 64bits.

Problem 1:
Whenever I try to boot it, the monitor only displays a black screen ....
As it is an old laptop, you should check if the CMos battery is still good. Take out the battery and disconnect the charger. Next day when booting enter BIOS. Is the date and time correct?

Problem 2:
Temperature
Download extract (mine is extracted to C:\Program Files (x86)\HardwareMonitor) and run OpenHardwareMonitor. (dont't need to install)
Under options you can set to start on windows start.
You can configure what to show in the tray and on the gadget.

It will show you the current, min and max temperatures, that should never go above 80ºC.

 

[Snick]

Megahertz07
Agree!

 

[file3456]

On the contrary and I don't want to confuse the OP. But A 64 bit OS is what should be installed for two reasons:

1) A 32 bit OS only addresses 3.5 GB of RAM. The OP has in fact 4 GB of RAM.

2) A 64 bit OS takes advantage of several security features withen the CPU its self.

and another point:

3) In this day and age it would just be wise to install a 64 bit OS. Whether it's Ultimate or professional, it doesn't matter. Even though Ultimate adds a bunch of unneeded features that most people may not use, with today's hard drive space the space need for Ultimate becomes negligible. I use Ultimate myself and it may consume but 5 or so gigabytes. I'd have to fire up my VMware image of 7 to get a better picture, but I know it isn't much. If one were to install 7 on a very limited in space HDD like a netbook, then Windows Starter may be more appropriate, though I've read people using Pro. And for the love of God. Even on a nettop with a 256 GB HDD you can install Ultimate and it wouldn't be such a big factor.

Bottom line, if the OP's 64 capabilities are only the Ultimate version of 7, then by all means use it. Forget about the extra gig or what ever unneeded bloat that Ultimate installs. You'll not only have the ability to use all of your RAM, but be afforded some extra security from the CPU its self with a 64 bit OS.

 

[Megahertz07]

On the contrary and I don't want to confuse the OP. But A 64 bit OS is what should be installed for two reasons:

1) A 32 bit OS only addresses 3.5 GB of RAM. The OP has in fact 4 GB of RAM.

2) A 64 bit OS takes advantage of several security features withen the CPU its self.

and another point:

3) In this day and age it would just be wise to install a 64 bit OS. Whether it's Ultimate or professional, it doesn't matter. Even though Ultimate adds a bunch of unneeded features that most people may not use, with today's hard drive space the space need for Ultimate becomes negligible. I use Ultimate myself and it may consume but 5 or so gigabytes. I'd have to fire up my VMware image of 7 to get a better picture, but I know it isn't much. If one were to install 7 on a very limited in space HDD like a netbook, then Windows Starter may be more appropriate, though I've read people using Pro. And for the love of God. Even on a nettop with a 256 GB HDD you can install Ultimate and it wouldn't be such a big factor.

Bottom line, if the OP's 64 capabilities are only the Ultimate version of 7, then by all means use it. Forget about the extra gig or what ever unneeded bloat that Ultimate installs. You'll not only have the ability to use all of your RAM, but be afforded some extra security from the CPU its self with a 64 bit OS.

You're right. The laptop in question has dedicated graphics (AMD Radeon HD 6770M (1 GB GDDR5 dedicated)). I always recommend 32 bits with internal graphics that uses main memory.

Lets assume IG uses 700M for graphics and that Win 32 uses 1.5G and Win 64 uses 2.5G.

On Win 32 the available memory is 3.2-1.5=1.7GB that is available for programs
On Win 64 the available memory is 4-0.7-2.5=0.8GB that is available for programs