This document pertains to HP Notebook PCs with Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
You need to know the product number or model number for your HP or Compaq notebook before you can download updated drivers, find product specifications, contact an agent for technical support, or order replacement parts and OS recovery discs. This model-specific information is necessary because all of the drivers and updates, and the self-help support information on the HP web site is organized by product number and model number.
| CAUTION: | You must use the complete model number or product number to locate model-specific information for your computer.The name tag on the front of the notebook indicates the general series of the computer and is not helpful in finding model-specific information. |
If you have changed the operating system or have a non-standard HP software image, you should download and install the latest version of the HP support tools for your OS!
It is easy to find your model and product number
To locate the model and product number on an HP and Compaq notebooks, you can:
Once you know the product number or model number, you can:
View the model and product numbers printed on the Service Tag
The model number and the product number that identify the components in the computer, are printed on a Service Tag. The Service Tag is affixed either to the bottom of the notebook or is under the battery.
Figure 1: Sample A  |
Figure 2: Sample B  |
Figure 3: Sample C  |
Look for Service Tag on Bottom of Notebook| Identifier | Name | Example |
|---|
| 1 | Model Number | dv9095xx
(Sample A)
dv7-1000 (Sample B)
15-1001xx
(Sample C) |
| 2 |
Product Number | RQ877AS
(Sample A)
AA123AV
(Sample B)
VR898AS
(Sample C) |
| 3 | Product Name | HP Pavilion dv9000
(Sample A)
Pavilion dv7 (Sample B)
HP ENVY
15 (Sample C) |
| NOTE: | The serial number on the Service Tag is unique to your computer. If you contact HP to get assistance, order parts, or check warranty information, you will also need to know the serial number
. |
Use the auto-detection function on the HP web site
If you cannot locate the Service Tag on the bottom of the notebook, you can find the Model Number and Product Name using the auto-detection function on the HP web site. This function will read the product information that is stored electronically on the PC.
| CAUTION: | You must have Internet Explorer 6 or higher to use the Model Number auto-detection function. |
The Start Detection
button may not display when using FireFox, Netscape, Opera, or other third party browsers.
Open a Internet Explorer web browser and go to the
www.hp.com/support
Support & Drivers page (English only).
Select your country or region. If prompted, select language.
On the Support & Drivers
page, click the Start Detection
button and follow the on-screen instructions.
| NOTE: | To use the auto-detection function, you must use Internet Explorer, you may have to disable the pop-up blocker, and you will be prompted to accept and download an ActiveX utility. |
Allow the automatic detection feature to access your PC and display the model number information.
Record the Model Number
information.
Open one of the HP support tools
If you cannot locate the Service Tag on the bottom of the notebook, or if you have installed a different operating system, you should install the proper HP support tools to view the model and product numbers that are stored electronically on the computer.
Open the HP Support Assistant - Windows 7 and Vista
When you have downloaded and installed the HP support tools, click
Start 
, enter
HP
in the search field, and select
HP Support Assistant
from the list.
The product name and number, and the serial number, are displayed near the bottom edge of the window.
Select Maintain
for automated updates and Get Assistance
to get personalized technical help.
Open the HP Advisor - Windows 7 and Vista
When you have downloaded and installed the HP support tools, click
Start
, enter
HP
in the search field, and select
HP Assistant
from the list.
The product name and number, and the serial number, are displayed near the bottom edge of the window.
Select PC Alerts
for automated updates and Get Assistance
to get personalized technical help.
Open Help and Support - Windows XP
When you have downloaded and installed the HP Help and Support tool for Windows XP, click
Start 
, and select
HP Help and Support
.
The product name and number, and the serial number, are displayed near the upper left edge of the window.
Select Update Software & Drivers
for automated updates and Troubleshoot a Problem
to perform a system checkup.
Manually locate updated drivers and software
After locating the product number or the model number, you can use the support tools to automatically locate and install the latest drivers, or you can manually locate the latest drivers and software for your notebook.
If a world map is displayed, select your preferred region and language.
Select the current operating system.
If the driver you want is not listed, either the wrong OS was selected, or you have installed an operating system that is not supported for your model.
Order HP or Compaq parts and get technical support
Once you have the model number or the product number (p/n), you can do the following:
To get technical support, click Contact HP
at the top of this web page.
See also
Download and install
HP Advisor
for Windows 7 and Vista
