
Serial Number: This can also be used in the HP PartSurfer and decoded to a meaningful description containing the Family and Model Number.This information should NOT be used to find the correct parts for your laptop. Product Name: The Product Name, which will also typically be on the front of your notebook, often represents the Family Series, but not the model, it is usually a brand name for an entire set of series and models.Using the above example, we type rq877as (disregard the #ABA or #ABG) into the HP PartSurfer quicksearch field, which yields HP PAVILION NOTEBOOK PC DV9095XX as the description. Part No: This is the correct identifier for your model, but you'll need to use the HP PartSurfer to decode it to a meaningful description, containing the family (series) and model number.
Model Number: This is the correct identifier for your model and when used in conjunction with (3), the Product Name, is usually correct, but step 2 below is even more accurate. The Service Tag will resemble the image below. Simply remove the battery to find the Service Tag. In some HP notebooks, the model number will also be located inside the battery bay. If the above method doesn't yield useful results, then you can locate the Model Number on the Service Tag placed on the bottom of your Notebook PC, or on the side or back of the case on desktop pc's. With the example shown above, you would use the Upgrade Finder on our home page, select Manufacturer -> HP/Compaq, Family -> 500 Series Notebook, Model -> 530 and be presented with a list of compatible upgrade options. In the command prompt type the following and press Enter/Return. Administrative rights are not required to run this command Type 'cmd' in the box (without the quotes) to start the command prompt. On Windows Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8 click the start button, then the 'Search' box appears. On Windows XP, go to Start > Run and type cmd to start your command prompt.
If running Windows, then you can usually obtain family and model information from the command prompt.