Vista and lexmark

[Needtoknow]

Hello,
I bought an HP a658p for my son- really good price and he needed a dual core so I get the 3 gig P4.
HP has Vista.
I haven't used the os much, but remember the horror when there were no drivers etc, etc. but i had worked on a friend's box with Vista installed and it seemed different, but okay.
Anyway, I followed a couple of posts about turning stuff off etc (googled make vista faster, I think) and had it running fine, starting to get used to it etc. figure they have had plenty of time to get it right etc.
I installed a Lexmark x1240 I have to scan a few docs and it wouldn't install. Booted up to the point of Windows starting-almost show me a cursor and went black- hung. Stayed hung. I decide not worth it, uninstall printer, drivers etc in safe mode. Boots and runs fine in safe mode. Doesn't fix it. Over and over. Show hidden items etc, can't "delete" no option for that, only uninstall.
re-install drivers, uninstall, no help.
Then, I am following instructions on the google and it says go to "hardware and devices" or something under control panel, but I don't have that option.
I remember a free program to really wipe out old display drivers, I think I need something like that for this. I used the printer on the xp machine just fine, I don't want to install it on the HP anymore I just want to get the Vista infested box to boot. Want to get back where I was before I was three hours ago when I was going to scan a document real quick.

I would have zapped it and installed XP the other night but I made coasters trying to burn a slipstream XP sp3 disc, but that's another story.
I don't think I like Vista.

Thanks as always, in advance.

PS I also tried restoring from an earlier point, use settings that worked last time etc. no help. Thanks.

EDIT: Okay, the first times I tried restore point either I didn't do it right or something else happened (I have never used it before) But this time, it worked, I was able to restore Vista to a pre Lexmark era and I am back in business.

Still would like to know how to do a slipstream disc so I can zap this and "update" to XP. Thanks

[jdeb]

Vista is fine, I never have any problems with it.

Maximum PC | How To: Slipstream Windows XP SP3 and Vista SP1

You need to make sure you can obtain current drivers for XP.

In terms of the printer driver installation, I assume you did not hook up the printer prior to being notified as such.

[Needtoknow]

Thanks for the kind post.
I am liking the Vista, just have to make a special place for the drivers.
I tried to do that exact Maximum PC site last night and screwed it up somehow, I think I had a bad link to the SP3 and I really wasn't sure what I was doing. I re-read the site and having done the nlite last night, i get it better today. I will probably make the Slipstream just to have it and then if Vista gets to be annoying for some other reason, I will change it out.
I installed the printer according to the instructions- but I might have screwed up?

No big thing- restore point saved me.

Thanks again.

[glc]

What is a "A658P"? That's not a HP model that I can find.......

[Needtoknow]

Try "a6528p" so... I left out a letter. Guess I really do need reading glasses.

HP Pavilion a6528p Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

[glc]

No XP drivers available for that model. If you do anything, upgrade it to Windows 7. You should have built him one instead of buying a cheap name brand box.

[Needtoknow]

Sorry, I don't follow-- "XP drivers for the HP?"-- Wouldn't I just have to look at the components themselves and find drivers? Or is it loaded with tons of HP proprietary parts like Dell used to do?

The HP was really cheap (75 bucks) and the budget said do it. I was trying to build him one around my core 2 duo from an old build that the board died but I was having trouble finding a used board (really on a budget) that was compatible.
I also needed an XP key that I could build around (i didn't want to tear down this P4 that I have tweaked and scavenged parts for and use the XP. It's a P4 but it does what I need- and it's like the fourth incarnation for this processor and case.
Best I could do was a 50 dollar board on Newegg, (which is my aim when the money's here. I have a good 500 watt psu- need the board and ram and i am good- thought about running Ubuntu on the P4 and using the key for my core2.
Then I saw this HP on Craigslist that would run what he needed. I took it home and stripped the junk software and trimmed down the Vista for speed. The changed environment has been fun to learn (which is why I am tempted to put Linux on the P4 for grins (maybe dual boot) I had Mandrake once long ago but it was too much hassle to maneuver so I am a little Linux shy.
hey, glc you said "build" and I start to chatter.
There are plenty of "dual core" socket 775 boards at Goodwill but I wasn't sure about compatibility?$25 used and the newegg is 50- hardly seems worth buying used "as is" when I can newegg a sealed box.
P4 is DDR, my goal is have the Core2 DDR2- whoo hoo.

I am so not a fan of prebuilds. This HP has a BIOS that is rigid and has maybe two options. The P4 has an MSI board AMI bios (?) with tons of different settings and variations for ocing and general adjustments- and since I put in the 250g sata, (plenty of room- remember when double digit gigs was "a lot"?) it's plenty okay for general surfing and word processing etc, I can open all the windows i want and it doesn't slow down or freeze.
The son was trying to game on it and it just couldn't take it.
Old computers are special friends (as long as there is something fast around for backup)
I am about to be working full time (finally) so I am sure the core2 will be up and around this summer.

Long post-
You like the Windows 7, eh? I need to go look and see. Heck Vista seems "new" to me.

[jdeb]

I hate to tell you this but that model is flaky as all get out (G33 chipset). I have worked on several of them and hope to never see any more. I have one relatively new customer that has one that I have kept going and he has agreed for me to build a new one with the next hardware issue. I would not put a dime into it. It is a very proprietary machine to say the least.

[glc]

If you go to the support page for that model and choose XP, you will not find any drivers. If you choose Vista, you will find drivers for everything. I'm not going to write a book, but you can't put XP on that computer. I didn't say I "like" Windows 7, but it's a HECK of a lot better than Vista.

However - HP doesn't have any drivers for Win 7 either! It's Vista or nothing!

[Needtoknow]

Ouch- please form a line when giving me bad news.
Shucks- flaky as hell? Yikes, well I will just deal with it as it goes. If something dies or crashes, I will do a one piece at a time kind of thing. It will wind up being just a case with new innards, or "new to me" innards. For the time being, it will have to work. I hate pre builds anyway.
glc- so Vista it is. Well, isn't that special. And slowly upgrade all my boxes to Win 7. At 100 bucks a pop, its going to take a while. I can't see upgrading the HP cause it ain't going to last that long. Planned obsolescence.
I swear, besides proprietary stuff and very few options available, it's almost like they would prefer us to buy their computers, use their tech help and just be totally dependent on Dell and HP and the like for our computing needs! Go figure.

So, questions answered. Thanks.

But what about the Linux question, any suggestions on a good dual boot wants to learn but not have to become a code monkey thoughts?

Thanks again all and have a good one.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Needtoknow Ouch- please form a line when giving me bad news. Shucks- flaky as hell? Yikes, well I will just deal with it as it goes. If something dies or crashes, I will do a one piece at a time kind of thing. It will wind up being just a case with new innards, or "new to me" innards. For the time being, it will have to work. I hate pre builds anyway. glc- so Vista it is. Well, isn't that special. And slowly upgrade all my boxes to Win 7. At 100 bucks a pop, its going to take a while. I can't see upgrading the HP cause it ain't going to last that long. Planned obsolescence. I swear, besides proprietary stuff and very few options available, it's almost like they would prefer us to buy their computers, use their tech help and just be totally dependent on Dell and HP and the like for our computing needs! Go figure. So, questions answered. Thanks. But what about the Linux question, any suggestions on a good dual boot wants to learn but not have to become a code monkey thoughts? Thanks again all and have a good one.

Linux Mint
Main Page - Linux Mint

[Needtoknow]

Thanks jdeb- will try out the Mint and sorry for the expletive in the previous post- typing with my censorship editing in my mind disabled.

[glc]

You should be able to get Linux running on the HP without too much difficulty.

[Needtoknow]

Thank you, sir.

Will look when I have a moment.

Last question (for now, of course) is it worth, in your opinion, dual booting the Mint with the Vista. Have a variety pack box here.

Thanks again, g.