I found everything but the motherboard it uses.
Which one is it?
First, looking at the product spec for the HP Pavilion dv7-2185dx on the HP site there is no mention of the motherboard, but the computer's product number is given as NV023UA#ABA
.
So, if we take that product number to the HP PartsSurfer we find that the main board is only listed as a System board (motherboard) - UMA architecture
, which isn't really helpful and is a very strong indication it is customised and/or proprietary to HP, but we can see that the motherboards HP Part number is 516294-001
.
This still isn't really helpful in general; probably the only thing it really helps with is if you happen to need a replacement for the motherboard, but such is the nature of the custom/proprietary motherboards used in laptops / netbooks / etc.
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavilion-dv7-2185dx/4505-3121_7-33695858.html#reviewPage1
Mobile Intel PM45 Express Chipset
http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
It seems that it is a PM45 Express chipset, Motherboard can be custom but it is the chipset which is important - so you download drivers accordingly.
the utility "Everest" can be useful in getting the MOBO / Chipset details.
Hope that helps
PM45 Express Chipset Overview
http://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/pm45/pm45-overview.htm
I happen to have a HP DV7, and this is what dmidecode
says:
Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 16 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: Compal
Product Name: 30F4
Version: 99.55
Serial Number: CND83522TN
Asset Tag: Base Board Asset Tag
Features:
Board is a hosting board
Board is replaceable
Location In Chassis: Base Board Chassis Location
Chassis Handle: 0x0003
Type: Motherboard
Contained Object Handles: 0
And just for completion, here's the info about the product:
Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 27 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Product Name: HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC
Version: F.0A
Serial Number: CND83522TN
UUID: 03C6105D-6F98-11DD-B035-001EECA609D4
Wake-up Type: Power Switch
SKU Number: FP903EA#ABD
Family: 103C_5335KV
Compal is a Taiwanese company (making everything), the chassis is also made by Compal.