Installing or

upgrading to
®
Microsoft
®
Windows 7
On Selected HP Computers

Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................2
List of Tested Systems ..........................................................................................2
Install Guide........................................................................................................3
Minimum Requirements ...................................................................................3
Additional Requirements .................................................................................3
Operating System Requirements for Upgrades .................................................3
Recommended Install Order ............................................................................3
Back Up All Important Files and Burn Recovery Discs................................4
Check and Upgrade BIOS .......................................................................4
Find Drivers and Software Before Upgrading ...........................................4
Find Software Updates for Custom Installs ...............................................5
Check Compatibility ................................................................................5
Perform Upgrade or Custom Install..........................................................5
*Important* Update Drivers and Software................................................7
Restore User Data ...................................................................................7
Known Issues ......................................................................................................7
For More Information ..........................................................................................7
These instructions are provided as a courtesy for customers upgrading to
Microsoft® Windows® 7.
If you need help using a Windows 7 disc that was not obtained through the
Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program from HP, contact Microsoft:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help
Microsoft supports the Windows 7 software under Microsoft warranty terms.
However, HP continues to support your computer hardware under the terms of your
computer's limited warranty.
If you received a Windows 7 Upgrade disc through the Windows 7 Upgrade
Option Program from HP and you need assistance beyond these instructions,
please contact HP by visiting www.hp.com/go/contacthp.

Introduction
HP is committed to helping you upgrade your HP or Compaq computer to
Windows 7. HP engineers have tested most models of eligible HP computers with
Windows 7 to ensure they are compatible and to help you pick the version that
works best for you.
This document is about installing Windows 7 on selected HP products. It provides
basic instructions for the installation process. This information is current as of the
date of publication. See http://www.hp.com/support for the most current
information about upgrading to Windows 7.
HP recommends backing up all of your important files, and burning or locating
your system recovery discs before beginning any upgrade or installation.

List of Tested Systems

The following HP notebook PCs are supported with Windows 7:
• HP Pavilion dv2 • HP G61
• HP Pavilion dv3 • HP G70
• HP Pavilion dv4 • HP G71
• HP Pavilion dv5 • HP Mini 110
• HP Pavilion dv6 • Compaq Mini 110
• HP Pavilion dv7 • Compaq Presario CQ35
• HP Pavilion dv3500 • Compaq Presario CQ40
• HP Touchsmart tx2 • Compaq Presario CQ45
• HP Touchsmart tx2500 • Compaq Presario CQ50
• HP Touchsmart tx2600 • Compaq Presario CQ60
• HP HDX 16 • Compaq Presario CQ61
• HP HDX 18 • Compaq Presario CQ70
• HP G50 • Compaq Presario CQ71
• HP G60

2
Install Guide
Your computer hardware must meet the minimum system requirements listed below
before you can install Windows 7.

Minimum Requirements
• 1-GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Additional Requirements
• Internet access is required to check compatibility and obtain updated software
and drivers.
• Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and
advanced graphics hardware.
• For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional
hardware may be required.
• Windows touch and tablet computers require specific hardware.
• HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7.
• DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive.
• BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive.
• Music and sound require audio output.

For details, see http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-

requirements.
Some features of Windows 7 and Microsoft add-on components are dependent on
specific hardware features which may not be present in all HP computers.

Operating System Requirements for Upgrades

Upgrades from Windows Vista must be to the same language and architecture
(32-bit or 64-bit) as the version of Windows 7.
You cannot upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7. Perform a custom install to
upgrade from Windows XP. A custom install replaces the current operating system,
and does not preserve software applications, data, or settings.

Recommended Install Order

1. Back up user data and burn recovery disks
2. Check and upgrade BIOS
3. Find drivers and software
4. Check for application and hardware compatibility
5. Perform upgrade or custom install
6. Update drivers and software
7. Restore user data

3
Back Up All Important Files and Burn Recovery Discs
If you have not already done so, create a set of system recovery discs or order
them from http://www.hp.com.
Prior to upgrading or installing Windows 7, backup your important files using
Microsoft Backup and Restore Center or Microsoft Windows Easy Transfer. When
finished, verify that the backup was successful and that you can access your files. If
you want to back up your files using something other than Backup and Restore
Center, verify that it is compatible with Windows 7 before choosing it as your
backup solution. Do not use backup software that is incompatible with
Windows 7. If you are performing a custom install, make sure you have a copy of
your backup software on your USB drive or burn it to a CD/DVD so it can be used
later to restore your files.
For more information about Windows Easy Transfer, see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928635.
For more information about Using Microsoft Backup and Restore Center see
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/backup.aspx.

Check and Upgrade BIOS

1. Turn on the computer and immediately press the F10 key repeatedly until a
BIOS Setup Utility screen opens.
2. Write down the BIOS revision number located on the main page or at the
bottom of the screen.
3. Go to the HP Customer Care Web site (http://www.hp.com/support), select
your location and language (if required), select Software and Drivers, and
enter your computer model number to find software and driver updates for
your computer.
4. If a BIOS update is available that has a higher revision number, download
and install it following the instructions on the Web site.

Find Drivers and Software Before Upgrading

Find and install software updates for Vista:
1. Connect to Microsoft Windows Update and install all “Important” and
“Recommended” updates. Also, install all “Optional” driver updates. When
you are finished installing a series of updates, restart the computer, and repeat
this step until Microsoft Windows Update displays “Windows is up to date”.
2. Download and install the latest virus and spyware definitions for your anti-virus
and security software. After you have installed the latest virus and spyware
definitions, use your software to scan and clean your system of viruses,
spyware, and malware.
3. Download and install the latest Windows Vista SoftPaqs for drivers, firmware,
and software from the HP Web site. Go to the HP Customer Care Web site
(http://www.hp.com/support), select your location and language (if
required), select Software and Drivers, and enter your computer model number
to find software and driver updates for your computer.

4
Find Software Updates for Custom Installs
If you are planning to install Windows 7 using the custom install method, such as
when your computer is using Windows XP, then you will need to find and
temporarily store drivers for Windows 7.
1. Download Windows 7 SoftPaqs for drivers, firmware, and software from the
HP Web site. Go to the HP Customer Care Web site
(http://www.hp.com/support), select your location and language (if
required), select Software and Drivers, and enter your computer model number
to find software and driver updates for your computer.
2. Copy the SoftPaqs to a USB drive or burn them to a CD or DVD. You will need
these SoftPaqs after the Windows 7 installation is finished.

Check Compatibility
Use the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor provided by Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/upgrade-advisor.aspx
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor lists all known compatibility issues and
recommends appropriate actions. You might be instructed to uninstall an
application before upgrading to Windows 7. Check the software vendor’s website
or contact the vendors for Windows 7 compatible versions before upgrading.
Aero Glass is not available on Windows 7 Home Basic or Starter editions. Aero
Glass functionality might not be available on computers with graphics cards that
do not have native support. Check for updated Windows 7 graphic drivers on
Windows Update and the HP Web site.
If a software application or device driver is not compatible with Windows 7, you
will need to decide if you want to continue the upgrade process or not use the
device. You can purchase and install compatible devices after Windows 7 is
installed.

Perform Upgrade or Custom Install

Determine if you will perform an upgrade or a custom install.
• If you are upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7, you must perform a
custom install.
• An upgrade installs over your existing operating system, keeping existing
applications, drivers, and your personal files in place.
• A custom install will erase your existing operating system, including all of your
applications, drivers, and data. After a custom install, previously existing
applications, drivers, and data will no longer be available. If you choose this
option, back up your data now if you have not done so.

5
Steps for Upgrade
1. Purchase a version of Windows 7 version that best fits your needs.
a. Refer to Microsoft’s chart at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-
US/windows7/products/compare-editions.
b. You must purchase the same language currently being used on your
system.
2. Insert the Windows 7 disc into your optical drive.
3. If the install window does not open automatically, run setup.exe from the disc.
4. Click Install Now.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions, choosing the following options:
a. Select Go online to get the latest updates.
b. Select Upgrade.
c. Select other options as appropriate.
6. Do not restart or shut down your computer until the upgrade process has
completed.

Steps for Custom Install

WARNING!
A custom install will erase all data, applications, and
settings from your computer. You must back up your data
and burn system recovery disks before proceeding.

1. Purchase the Windows 7 version suitable for your needs. Refer to Microsoft’s
chart at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare-
editions.
2. Turn on the computer and open the optical drive.
3. Insert the Windows 7 disc into your optical drive and turn off your computer.
4. Turn on the computer and boot to the Windows 7 disc.
5. Click Install Now.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions, choosing the following options:
a. Select Go online to get the latest updates.
b. Select Custom.
c. Select other options as appropriate
7. Do not reboot or shut down your computer until the install process has
completed.

6
*Important* Update Drivers and Software
1. Connect to Windows Update and install all “Important” and “Recommended”
updates. Install all “Optional” driver updates. Reboot the system after
performing Windows Update, and repeat this step until it says “Windows is
up to date”.
2. If you performed a custom install, install drivers, firmware, and software
downloaded to your USB drive or external hard drive.
3. Download and install Windows 7 SoftPaqs for drivers, firmware, and software
from the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
4. Download and install the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware definitions.

Restore User Data

Use Backup and Restore Center, Windows Easy Transfer, or other backup
software to restore your important files that you backed up prior to installing
Windows 7.

Known Issues
Please see the Customer Care Web site for a complete list of known driver,
hardware, and software compatibility issues.

For More Information

For more information on Windows 7, please visit these websites:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/home
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-Windows-
recommended-links
http://www.hp.com/support

7
© 2009-2010 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained
herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and
services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products
and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional
warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained
herein. Microsoft, Windows and Vista are trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies.

596246-002, January 2010