Locate the Notebook Product Number or Model Number
Before you can download updated drivers, find product specifications, or order replacement parts and OS recovery discs, you must know the product number or model number for your HP or Compaq notebook PC. This product information is needed because all of the self-help computer support information on the HP web site is organized by product number and model number.
To help you understand the importance of knowing the product number, this document is organized in two sections: how to find the product number , and how to use the product number .
| NOTE: | Attention: You must use the model number or the product number to locate the product information; do not use the series name that appears on the bezel or on the front of the notebook. |
When you find the product and model numbers, you should cross-check the product number with the model number and record them in a convenient place so that you always have the information when it is needed to find drivers, read the user guides, or order parts.
 | Find the Model Number and Product Number printed on the Service Tag |  |
The model number, product number, and serial number are printed on a service tag that is fastened to the bottom of the notebook. The service tag on PCs sold before 2005 may look slightly different but contain the required information. All of this product number and model number information - plus the serial number - is on the shipping box and the printed material you received when you purchased the computer.
Figure 1: Sample Service Tag
| Identifier | Name | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Model Number (shown in area below the bar codes) | dv9095xx | The model number is unique to the hardware components, and is needed to find drivers and support content. |
| 2 | Product Number (p/n) | RQ877AS | When using the product number, enter only the letters and numbers before the # sign. |
| 3 | Product Name (Product) | HP Pavilion dv9000 | The product name (also seen on the front of the notebook) is not useful in locating support information. |
| 4 | Serial Number (s/n) | CNF123456789 | The unique serial number assigned to this computer is needed for warranty work and parts replacement. |
| NOTE: | If the service tag is no longer attached to the bottom of the notebook, use one of the other methods described in this document to locate the model number electronically. |
If you contact HP to get assistance, order parts, or check warranty information, you will be asked to provide the serial number.
| Find the Model Number and Product Name using the Auto-detection function on the web | |
If you cannot locate the Service Tag on the bottom of the notebook, and you do not have the current version of the HP Help & Support, you can go to the HP web site and use the auto-detection function to read the product information that is stored electronically on the PC. This web function supports most, but not all, models.
- Open a 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 may have to disable the pop-up blocker, and you will be prompted to download an ActiveX download utility. This auto-detection function is not currently available for Firefox users. - Allow the automatic detection feature to access your PC and display the model number information.
- Record the Model Number information.
- Close the browser window and then cross-check the product number with the model number .
| Find the Model Number and Product Name using Help & Support | |
The HP Help and Support utility allows you to view the product information that is stored electronically on the computer. To find the product name, processor type, and serial number for your PC, do one or more of the following:
| For Windows Vista - Click Start , then Help and Support , and then click System Information . The Serial Number and Product number are displayed. |  |
| For Windows XP - Click Start , then Help and Support . The Serial Number and Product number are displayed. |  |
If the Help & Support utility does not look like these examples, you should download and install the latest version of HP Help & Support utility from the www.hp.com/go/helpandsupport web page. The default Microsoft Help & Support does not offer this function.
| Cross-check the product number with the model number | |
When you have located the product number or the model number, you can cross-check the numbers to verify the information is correct. You can use either of these two numbers to find software, support, and parts for your computer.
- Go to the HP web site and select the Support & Drivers option.
- In Step 1 , select the Download drivers and software option.
- In Step 2 , enter the product number that you found on the service tag, or that was returned by the auto-detection utility on the HP web site. Do not enter the model name found on the front of the computer.
- Click Go to begin the search.
- When the product page opens, the specific model number and a picture of the product are displayed.
Be sure to record both the product number and the model number and save them in a convenient location.
| What if I am unable to find my product number or model number? | |
The three methods described above can be used to find the model number or product number of most of the millions of computers sold by HP and Compaq over the past 10 years. At the end of this document, there are several additional methods that can be used to find model and product information in unusual cases.
| Using the Model Number or Product Number | |
It is important to know the model number or product number for your computer because all of the self-help support information, the user guides, and the updated drivers and BIOS are organized by product and model numbers. Unless you know the product number or model number, you will have trouble navigating through web site to find the information that is specific to your computer.
Once you know the product number (p/n) or model number, do the following to find drivers and software , and support and troubleshooting information for your computer.
- Open your web browser and go to the HP Support and Drivers page.
- Select your country and language options from the drop down menu.
- Select either the Download drivers and software (and firmware) or the See support and troubleshooting information option.
- Type the product number in the for product field.
- Click the search icon
to open the desired page.
You can now find product-specific information to help you keep your computer operating effectively.
| What you can find using the Download Drivers and Software option | |
If you searched the HP web site with the product number and chose the Download drivers and software (and firmware) search option, you can review a list of all the HP drivers that are available for your computer by selecting the specific operating system. For newer computers, Vista is available in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions, depending on the model.
HP provides driver support for the operating system that shipped with the computer. If you are not using the operating system that shipped with your computer, there may not be any drivers available for the current configuration.
| WARNING: | Attempting to install the BIOS or drivers for the wrong operating system may cause the computer to stop working, or work with limited functionality, and may require professional service to correct any damage. |
For Vista operating systems - If you are uncertain which drivers you should update, you may use HP Health Check to keep your PC up to date automatically. To use HP Health Check:
- Click Start .
- Type health check in the search field, and then select HP Health Check .
- Select Rescan to examine the computer software, and follow the prompts to download updated software and repair any issues.
For XP operating systems - If you are uncertain which drivers you should update, you may use the Help & Support Center to keep your PC up to date automatically. To use HP Help & Support:
- Click Start , and then select Help & Support .
- Select Update Software & Drivers .
- Follow the prompt in Step 1 to Check for Microsoft Windows Updates .
- Follow the prompt in Step 2 to Check for HP Software Updates .
| What you can find using the Support and Troubleshooting option | |
If you searched the HP web site with the product number and chose the See support and troubleshooting information option, you can find information to help you solve common problems or locate user guides and product specifications.
- Select Solve a problem to see documents on how to identify and fix common problems that have been reported by other users. You can also use the search field at the top of the page to search for any question or keywords.
- Select Manuals to learn how to use the hardware and features built into your notebook.
- Select Product Information for technical specifications (memory, disc size, CPU speed, etc.) and warrant information.
| Using the Model Number or Product Number to order parts | |
Once you have the model number or the product number (p/n), do the following:
- Open the browser and go to either HP PartSurfer or HP Parts Store .
- Dial the phone number listed for ordering parts in your region or country.
| Using the Model Number or Product Number to contact HP Technical Support | |
Once you have the model number or the product number (p/n), do the following:
- On any HP Support & Drivers page - including this web page that you are reading - click Contact HP at the top of the page.
- Select a link for the type of support you prefer (Chat online, E-mail support, Call for support, Service center or reseller) and follow the prompts.
| Additional ways to find the Model Number or Product Number | |
The methods described at the beginning of this document can be used to find the model number or product number of most of the millions of computers sold by HP and Compaq over the past 10 years. If you were unable to locate the information, you can try one or more of the following methods that apply to specific products. If you still cannot find either the model number or product number, select the Contact HP option at the top of this web page and ask for assistance. Be sure to describe - in detail - which methods you tried and the results.
| Find the Model Number using Microsoft commands | |
Microsoft provides the following commands to display some of the information that is stored electronically in the BIOS.
- In XP click Start > Run . Type msinfo32 , and then press the enter key to open the System Information window.
- In Vista click Start , type System info in the search field, and then select System Information .
- Record the System Model and Product Number information.
- Click File > Exit to close the System Information window.
| Find the Model Number in the BIOS | |
Some model information that is stored in the BIOS can be displayed by opening the BIOS setup window before entering the operating system.
- Turn on the computer and press and release the F10 key several times when the first screen appears to open the BIOS Setup screen.
- Select Main (or File > System Information ) for a list of values.
- Record the Notebook Model, Product Number, and Serial Number .
- Press the F10 key, and then the enter key to exit the Setup screen. The computer will now restart.
| Find the Model Number using the HP utility in Vista | |
If you are running the HP factory-installed Vista operating system, HP provides a utility to access all of the electronically stored model information. If you have installed a different operating system, this HP utility is not available.
- With the notebook operating in Vista, on the notebook keypad, press and hold the function key and the escape key at the same time ( fn + esc ).
- Press the escape key.
- Record the Product Name (Model), Product Number, and Serial Number . If you are speaking to an agent for help with purchasing parts, the agent can convert the serial number to get the exact information for your PC.
- Click OK to close the System Information window.
| See also | |
Download and install HP Help & Support for Vista and Active Support Library for Vista
Download and install HP Help & Support for XP
