Compaq Presario A900 Drivers for Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit)
The Compaq Presario A900 is a 17-inch laptop from 2008 that shipped with Windows Vista, and it is still in use as a family or workshop machine. After a clean install of Windows 7, the usual symptoms are easy to recognise: the screen is stuck at a low resolution, there is no sound, no Wi-Fi networks show up, or the touchpad cannot scroll. This page lists the essential driver packages HP published for the A900, explains which Wi-Fi driver your particular laptop needs (HP fitted three different wireless brands) and gives an installation order that avoids most problems.
Compaq Presario A900 at a glance
Knowing what is inside the laptop explains why the driver list below looks the way it does.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 17-inch WXGA+ BrightView, 1440 x 900 |
| Processor and chipset | Intel Celeron M, Core Duo or Core 2 Duo (1.5 to 2.0 GHz range), Intel GM965 or GL960 chipset |
| Graphics | Intel integrated graphics sharing system memory (Intel GMA X3100 on GM965 models) |
| Memory | DDR2 PC2-5300 (667 MHz), two SO-DIMM slots, rated by HP for up to 2 GB |
| Storage | 2.5-inch hard drive, 120 GB or 160 GB, 5400 rpm |
| Audio | High Definition audio (Conexant), two Altec Lansing speakers |
| Wired network | 10/100 Ethernet (Realtek) |
| Wireless | Varies by configuration: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG or 4965AGN, Atheros AR2425, or Broadcom 802.11a/b/g |
| Pointing device | ALPS touchpad with two buttons and two-way scrolling |
| Original system | Windows Vista Home Basic or Home Premium (32-bit) |
Because the memory ceiling is low, 32-bit Windows 7 is the sensible choice for most A900 laptops. A 64-bit system gains little with 2 to 4 GB of RAM and uses more of it. The 64-bit link is listed only for owners who already run 64-bit Windows.
Before you start
- Know your Windows type. Right-click Computer → Properties and read “System type”: 32-bit or 64-bit. In the list below, only the graphics driver comes in separate 32-bit and 64-bit files.
- Get the network drivers first, offline. After a clean install you may have no internet. On another computer, download the Ethernet and Wi-Fi installers, copy them to a USB drive and run them first on the A900. A network cable is the easiest way to get online once the Ethernet driver is in.
- Create a restore point (Start → type “Create a restore point”). If a graphics driver misbehaves you can roll back.
- Run installers as administrator (right-click the file → Run as administrator) and let each one finish before starting the next.
- Let Windows Update try first, if you can. Windows 7 already includes a basic driver for several of these devices. If something works properly, you do not have to replace it.
Find your Wi-Fi card
This is the choice that confuses most people, because the same A900 model was sold with Wi-Fi cards from three different makers. Installing the wrong one simply does nothing, so it is worth identifying yours.
- Open Device Manager (press Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, press Enter).
- Expand Network adapters. If a driver is already present, the wireless adapter’s name tells you the brand, for example “Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG”.
- If instead you see Network Controller under Other devices, right-click it → Properties → Details → select Hardware Ids. Look at the first line, which starts with PCI\VEN_ followed by four characters.
| Hardware ID starts with | Card maker | Install |
|---|---|---|
| PCI\VEN_8086 | Intel | Intel PRO/Wireless Driver (sp38052) |
| PCI\VEN_168C | Atheros | Atheros Wireless LAN Driver (sp39403) |
| PCI\VEN_14E4 | Broadcom | Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver (sp38119) |
The Ethernet adapter can be recognised the same way: it appears under Network adapters (or as a second Network Controller) and uses the Realtek driver.
Driver downloads
All buttons link to HP’s download server (ftp.hp.com). This blog does not host or modify any files. The code on each button is HP’s SoftPaq number, which you can also search for on HP’s support site if a link ever changes.
Chipset, graphics, audio, Ethernet and touchpad (everyone)
| Driver | Version | What it is for | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Chipset Installation Utility (ICH8) | 8.3.1.1009 | Installs the Intel chipset INF files so Windows recognises the motherboard. Install this first. | Download sp36881 |
| Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family Graphics Driver (32-bit) | 7.14.10.1318 A | Intel integrated graphics: native 1440 x 900 resolution, brightness control, video playback. | Download sp37983 |
| Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset Family Graphics Driver (64-bit) | 7.14.10.1318 A | The same graphics driver for 64-bit Windows 7. | Download sp37984 |
| Conexant High Definition Audio Driver | 4.42.0.0 A | Speakers, headphone jack and built-in microphone. | Download sp40762 |
| Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC Driver | 6.103.0126.2007 B | Wired Ethernet (RJ-45) port. | Download sp37986 |
| ALPS Touchpad Pointing Device Driver | 7.200.202.25 A | Smooth pointer movement and two-way scrolling on the touchpad. | Download sp38629 |
Wi-Fi (pick the one that matches your card)
| Driver | Version | What it is for | Download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel PRO/Wireless Driver | 7.10 B | If the module is from Intel (the A900 shipped with the PRO/Wireless 3945ABG or 4965AGN). | Download sp38052 |
| Atheros Wireless LAN Driver | 2.00 B | If the module is an Atheros (the A900 shipped with the AR2425). | Download sp39403 |
| Broadcom Wireless LAN Driver | 6.20 E | If the module is a Broadcom 802.11a/b/g. | Download sp38119 |
Installation order and steps
The order matters because later drivers depend on earlier ones.
- Chipset. It teaches Windows about the motherboard. Restart if asked.
- Graphics. The screen may flicker or go black for a few seconds; this is normal. Restart afterwards and check that the resolution can be set to 1440 x 900.
- Audio (Conexant).
- Network: Ethernet first, then the one Wi-Fi package that matches your card.
- Touchpad (ALPS). The pointer works without it, but scrolling needs it.
For each package: download the .exe, right-click and choose Run as administrator, follow the prompts (HP installers usually ask you to unpack to a folder and then click Next), and wait for setup to finish. Restart after the chipset, graphics and network drivers even if Windows does not ask. Afterwards open Device Manager and confirm that no yellow warning icons remain.
If an installer will not start on Windows 7
Because the packages were written for Vista, a few may report that the system is not supported. Right-click the .exe → Properties → Compatibility tab → tick “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and choose Windows Vista (Service Pack 2), then run it again as administrator. If an installer still refuses, extract it with a tool such as 7-Zip and install the driver manually from Device Manager (Update Driver Software → Browse my computer → point to the extracted folder).
Troubleshooting
No Wi-Fi networks appear
Check that the wireless radio has not been switched off by the laptop’s wireless button or an Fn key combination. Then confirm in Device Manager that the adapter name matches the package you installed. If you installed more than one Wi-Fi package by mistake, uninstall the extras from Control Panel → Programs and Features and reinstall only the matching one.
Screen is stretched or limited to a low resolution
The native resolution is 1440 x 900. If Windows offers only 1024 x 768 or lower, the Intel graphics driver is missing or did not install. Install the file that matches your Windows type and restart.
No Aero glass effects
Aero needs the Intel graphics driver and enough shared video memory. Install the driver, restart, then open Control Panel → Personalization and pick an Aero theme. If it is greyed out, check Performance Information and Tools for the graphics score.
No sound
Install the Conexant audio driver, then right-click the speaker icon → Playback devices and make sure Speakers is the default device and is enabled. Try the headphone jack to rule out a speaker fault.
Touchpad moves the pointer but does not scroll
Install the ALPS driver and restart, then open Control Panel → Mouse → device settings and make sure scrolling is enabled.
Black screen or error after the graphics driver
Restart in Safe Mode (press F8 during boot), uninstall the graphics driver or use the restore point you created, then reinstall in the order above.
FAQ
Do I need every driver in the tables?
No. Chipset, graphics (one file), audio, Ethernet and touchpad apply to everyone. For Wi-Fi, install only the package that matches your card.
Are these really Windows 7 drivers?
They are HP’s latest packages for this model, released for Windows Vista. HP did not publish separate Windows 7 versions. Windows 7 uses the same driver model, so they generally work, and the compatibility-mode tip above covers installers that complain.
Can I use the 32-bit graphics driver on a 64-bit system, or the reverse?
No. Use the file that matches your system type. A mismatched package normally refuses to install.
Should I install 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 on this laptop?
32-bit in nearly every case. The A900 is rated for 2 GB of RAM and uses an integrated graphics chip that shares memory, so a 64-bit system brings little benefit.
A download link does not work. What can I do?
HP occasionally reorganises its download server. Search the SoftPaq number shown on the button (for example sp40762) on HP’s support site, or leave a comment below and the link will be updated.
Is it safe to download from this page?
The buttons link directly to HP’s server and nothing is hosted here. Check the publisher as described under “Stay safe” before running any installer.
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