Installating Windows XP drivers for Compaq C749TU

Posted on 18:12, March 21st, 2008 by
yk
I recently purchased a Compaq C749TU via the Citibank Malaysia Shell Card promotion (stated as HP Compaq PC700 Notebook on their promotion). It came with FreeDOS and since I have an unused version of Windows XP, I decided to install on it.
Hardware specification:
Processor - Intel Celeron M Processor 540 - 1.86Ghz
Memory (std/max) - 512MB 667MHz
Hard Disk Drive - 80GB
Optical Drive - DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Bluetooth/Wireless network - No
Operating System - FreeDOS
Intel Chipset - Intel® GM965
Graphic Chipset - Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator x3100
Audio - 2 Altec Lansing Stereo Speakers
Fax / Modem speeds - High speed 56K
Network Interface - Integrated 10Mbps, 100Mbps
Input Devices - 101 key compatible, 1 Quick Launch Button and Touch Pad
Other media - 5 in 1 integrated digital media reader slot
First hurdle is the lack of SATA harddisk support in Windows XP installation. I burned a new copy the Windows XP cd with SATA drivers integrated in it (you can refer to this blog post on how to do this).
After successfully installed Windows XP, I was horrified to find that there are no Windows XP drivers provided by Compaq (they only officially support Windows Vista). After searching around and trying out solutions, I’ve compiled a list of drivers that will eliminated all the yellow question marks in the Windows device manager list (Right click on My Computer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager). Install the following drivers/software in sequence and you should be fine:
Audio driver
Download and install Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture Driver
Download Conexant High-Definition Audio Driver. Run to extract the contents to a directory. To install the Conexant High-Defintion Audio Driver, you have to do the following:
1. Click on Start and select Run. Now type devmgmt.msc and press enter.
2. Right click on Audio device on High Definition Audio Bus and click Update driver.
3. Select “Install from a list or specific location”
4. Click Next. Then select “Don’t search, I will choose the driver to install”
5. Click Next and then select “Sound, video and game controller” from the list.
6. Click Next and then click Have Disk.
7. Then browse to the directory that contains the previously extract files.
Modem driver
Download Conexant HDAUDIO Soft Data Fax Modem with SmartCP Driver. Run the program to extract to a temporary folder. Then follow the steps to install Conexant High-Definition Audio Driver to install this driver. This driver is to update Audio device on High Definition Audio Modem (or something like that).
Video Driver
Download and run Intel® Chipset Graphics Driver Software.
Chipset Driver
Download and run Intel Chipset Installation Utility.
Network Interface Card (LAN)
Download and run Realtek RTL8100CL/RTL8110Sb NIC (LAN) Driver.
Input Devices
Download and run Quick Launch Button Driver.
Download and run Synaptics Touchpad Drivers.
Wild Bill…
Good work….