I have a Sony Vaio VGN-N250N/B, I already managed to Put XP Pro on it, but I'm unable to get Modem Drivers and a "Mass Storage Device" - I've already tried the Sony website, but the only drivers for my Model are for Vista Business and I even tried to use XP drivers from other Sony Models - but they don't install, they come back with a Model Check message and so don't install or even extract to a temp file.

I also tried Conexant, their drivers don't seem to work on the laptop.

Here is the info:
Sony Notebook Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Modem Driver 7.34.0.0 Windows 2000/XP

Even newer versions of the same file are fine, but they have to be for Windows XP

These Sony models do use these drivers.

Supported Models: VGN-AR130G, VGN-AR150G, VGN-AR170G, VGN-AR190G, VGN-FE550FM, VGN-FE550G, VGN-FE570G, VGN-FE590, VGN-FE590G, VGN-FE590P, VGN-FE630F, VGN-FE650FM, VGN-FE650G, VGN-FE660G, VGN-FE670G, VGN-FE680G, VGN-FE690, VGN-FE690G, VGN-FE690P, VGN-FS950, VGN-FS960P, VGN-FS965F, VGN-FS970P, VGN-FS980, VGN-FS980F, VGN-FS980Q, VGN-FS985FP, VGN-FS990.

What I need is if someone with any of the above models, to run the Modem installer on there laptop, afterwards the files should have been extracted by the Sony installer to a Temp directory line C:\Documenst and Settings\Yourname\Local Settings\Temp.

It would probably best to clear all you temp files prior to install, so there easy to find.

Like I said above newer versions of the same drivers are fine, but they have to be for Windows XP


Thanks in advance.

imho, Windows Vista to Windows XP is not considered an UPGRADE, more like a DownGrade... but each to his own.

No, I meant what I typed, Upgrade, Vista is large step backward, that has already been proven by the large performance gain I got by removing it from the laptop, But thats not the only place I used it. For "average Joe" its fine if you don't expect much then Vista won't disappoint.

Eye candy is all it comes down too and a slew of stupid, repetitive questions. Vista is a Pig, You can put lipstick on a Pig , but its still a Pig.

But I'm not the only one trying to scrap the Vista Crud off the Laptops, Google will reveal a large number of users are dumping Vista.

But my only interest at this point are the drivers..., not a debate.

laptops require specific drivers from the laptop maker... generic drivers won't work unless they have been hacked. The only hacked laptop drivers I'm aware of are from www.omegadrivers.net. They have ATI video drivers that will work on laptops. Other than that, if the laptop maker doesn't post drivers, they probably don't exist. But again, if they were publicly available, you probably wouldn't be looking for them. Wouldn't it be the wise decision to buy a laptop with Windows XP pre-installed or does no laptop maker sell them with Windows XP installed? Ghez, Vista isn't cheap and it looks to be a waste to pay for one os then opt to remove it and install and older os. I'd think this fact alone would create some decision making by the laptop makers to install Windows XP (on their laptops) instead of Vista. Perhaps users should ban together and inform the laptop makers (and Microsoft) they are unhappy with the Vista os. Wish I could help ya, but right now those drivers seem to be invisible.

Well Fixed my problem and got all my drivers :)

laptops require specific drivers from the laptop maker.

This almost exactly what the Sony rep told me.

True, to degree, if the manufacturer hasn't tinkered with them too much, but in most cases this goes for laptops as well as desktops the drivers can be obtained from the chipset manufacturer, after all Sony didn't Make the Intel CPU or Its main board chipset, or the Realtek audio chipset, or the Texas Instruments Chipset, and so on... The point being that the chips that Sony bought are also sold to other PC makers. The problem I was running into was the Model check software that come with Sony drivers, Sony used that Same Modem chipset on 30 differn't models, so that trick is just getting it for XP. But I have managed circumvent the Model check and all is well.

Wouldn't it be the wise decision to buy a laptop with Windows XP pre-installed or does no laptop maker sell them with Windows XP installed?

Bingo! since the release of Vista MS will not sell any copies of XP for Mass distribution Via Brand new systems. You can pick up XP, just not on any Retail PCs or Laptops.

Vista isn't cheap and it looks to be a waste to pay for one os then opt to remove it and install and older os.

I got the Laptop real cheap at a Compusa closing sale, I didn't buy it for Vista, I bought it because I wanted a new laptop. At the time I didn't care about Vista at the time, but I'm very unhappy with the reverse direction MS went with Vista, its been dumbed down and cluttered with child proof prompts, nearly every operation is permeated with a stupid question, I can't even check System properties without being assaulted with questions of administrative rights. By no means am I new to PC's or of the NT user Account system. The questions that I get are based on MS trying to "Protect" the "average" all be it "Clueless" User, in doing so they're making the more informed jump through hoops and click Yes, Cancel or Allow, over and over again.

When you also consider the benefit it is to run Xp over Vista on a more powerfull sysem, Less CPU Horse power required to run the OS will require less Heat output and thus save Battery Power.

All good valid points, thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit.

I have a Sony Vaio VGN-N250N/B, I already managed to Put XP Pro on it, but I'm unable to get Modem Drivers and a "Mass Storage Device" - I've already tried the Sony website, but the only drivers for my Model are for Vista Business and I even tried to use XP drivers from other Sony Models - but they don't install, they come back with a Model Check message and so don't install or even extract to a temp file.

I also tried Conexant, their drivers don't seem to work on the laptop.

Here is the info:
Sony Notebook Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Modem Driver 7.34.0.0 Windows 2000/XP

Even newer versions of the same file are fine, but they have to be for Windows XP

These Sony models do use these drivers.

Supported Models: VGN-AR130G, VGN-AR150G, VGN-AR170G, VGN-AR190G, VGN-FE550FM, VGN-FE550G, VGN-FE570G, VGN-FE590, VGN-FE590G, VGN-FE590P, VGN-FE630F, VGN-FE650FM, VGN-FE650G, VGN-FE660G, VGN-FE670G, VGN-FE680G, VGN-FE690, VGN-FE690G, VGN-FE690P, VGN-FS950, VGN-FS960P, VGN-FS965F, VGN-FS970P, VGN-FS980, VGN-FS980F, VGN-FS980Q, VGN-FS985FP, VGN-FS990.

What I need is if someone with any of the above models, to run the Modem installer on there laptop, afterwards the files should have been extracted by the Sony installer to a Temp directory line C:\Documenst and Settings\Yourname\Local Settings\Temp.

It would probably best to clear all you temp files prior to install, so there easy to find.

Like I said above newer versions of the same drivers are fine, but they have to be for Windows XP


Thanks in advance.

I have the same problem plus that the "Fn" button isn't working. I have the VGN-N31Z laptop. Please any suggestions?

Well like I said I got ALL the drivers I needed, are you still missing drivers?

As for the "Fn" button I just noticed that last night, haven't had a chance to inspect it. I'm going to go to the download section of Sony's website and see what application might control it and see if it installs if its for Vista only then I'll have to try one of the Above listed models and see it came with the XP version of that app and use that one. If you need info how to circumvent the model check let me know.

Well, when i was still on Vista, I wrote down all the devices on device manager. Now on XP I'm missing an "ethernet controller", which I think is the "LAN-Express AS IEEE 802.11g PCI-E Adapter", a "mass storage device" (I think Microsoft iSCSI Initiator, but i'm not sure) and a "modem device on high definition audio bus" which showed up after I installed the realtek audio drivers. Plus the "Fn" button.
Any help is welcome.

What Model is your unit?, if you go to the sony website and look up your unit, then on the "Manuals and Specifications" and click on the PDF called "Marketing Specs"

On the 2nd page there is a break down of all components and chipset.

On my model the "Ethernet" was Intel , both the Wifi and Ethernet are in the same file. So goto to the Intel website and look for a "download" section, I think you can do a search there. Use the chipset # you find on the "Marketing Specs" PDF to find the drivers you need (they have a driver for the chipset and an "Auto or universal" driver, I used both)

In my my case my Model is a VGN-N250N/B and my Wireless / Ethernet chipset is: Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG which broken down means: Intel 3945 chipset.

Your mass storage device is probably what mine was: the Texas Instruments PCI7411 Integrated FlashMedia Controller Driver - for the memory stick / camera cards.

Your modem is most likely (but as I don't know your model) a Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP. this driver you have to get from sony - there is no generic driver on the Conexant website.

Here's how I got Sony drivers from other models.

1) Goto Opendrivers.com and then to the Notebook drivers/ Sony section.

2) Look up your modem for example (get this from the Sony Drivers section for your model - mine in the drivers section shows up as: Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP) use the search in Opendrivers.com

3) After you get the results you have go through them 1 by 1 until you find the drivers for your "Modem" that are for XP Home /XP Pro.

4) Once you find that driver - you'll also see a list of other sony models using that driver (thats how i got all the models I listed on my 1st post.)

5) Then go back to the sony web site and start looking up the models until you find one that is a laptop (the modem drivers I got came from some hand held unit - but they work just the same) its better to use a laptop, because it also uses the Sony Utilities which controls the "Fn" key (I got my F2-sound key working - I might look for a newer version to get the others going).

6) After you find the driver you need, download it.

7) Goto C:\Documents and Setting\"Your profile Name" \Local settings\ temp and clear out all the files, you will need to leave this open to get to the drivers.

8) Goto your "windows" folder and look for a file called "Model.txt" (if by some chance its not there, run the install drivers you just downloaded and it will be created. What sony does is assign Model #s to each driver you down load and then when you start the install it will check the a chip on the Laptop mainboard for you model - it will then put that model in the "Model.txt" file.

9) Now this is how I get the Sony drivers/apps I need: open the "Model.txt" file, replace your Model # with the Model number you pulled drivers off of. leave your "windows" folder open and in view.

10) Start the installer (pause now) go back to the Model.txt" file open it and your "Model" is back, change it again and save.

11) Go back to the installer and continue, watch the temp directory (which should still be open) and what will happen is the installer will attempt to install the drivers by 1st extracting the drivers to your temp directory, but after that will most not install the driver - or it might look like they did, but really didn't.

12) Now you can copy the drivers from temp directory and then goto to "System Properties" and tell windows to get a new driver for the Modem and then point in the right direction.

This is how I got my Modem, Memory Stick and Sony Utilities to work.

If you give me your model # I'll try to find you a suitable model to pick it from.

I've tried what you told me but still can't install the drivers. The model is VGN-N31Z and I think is not available in the US. The device manager searches for the drivers in the specified folder but then says it cannot find the necessary software.

Did a Google search on the Model and it available on the UK site, are you in the UK or Europe?

Here's the Link

http://vaio.sony.co.uk/view/View.action?site=voe_en_GB_cons

You'll have to adapt my instructions to this site.

Like before you'll have to find out what model is closest yours running XP

(Not MCE version)

Try in the VGN-N series

Ok. I got everything working. Everything except for the "Fn" key. Well it's working but only for volume up/down and mute and without any OSD. Anyway the important thing is that all devices are working fine. Thanks a lot for all the help. If you have any idea about the "Fn", please let me know.

Good to hear, i got the same thing going on with my FN - volume only, i got a another models Utilities I'm going to try.

I used the suggested method but the drivers did not work (for the modem). I have a VGN-N365E. I downloaded the CODMOD-00964104-US.exe file, which contains the Conexant® HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem driver for Windows 2000/XP, used the suggested method, copied the drivers to another folder, and went to the Device Manager to update the drivers, but nothing. Can anyone help me out with this. This is the only driver I have not been able to make work. Thanks.

went to the Device Manager to update the drivers, but nothing

Can you please be more detailed, did it ask for the driver?, you can also use the Phone and modem section in the Control panel to add the modem.

I tried to check your model on the Sony Site and I can't get alot info. as in what modem its using. I'll check back later, right now I'm on vacation and using dialup for internet acess.

For what it's worth I'm fighting with a VGN-N31M and found some of what I require but overall it looks like my remaining drivers are the wireless adapter and the modem

Could care less about the modem but the wireless driver would be good.

I'll try the steps above but so far it seems it doesn't want to use anything else despite finding a number of vaio based drivers.

...

and just as I post that I found that the N11 drivers worked for the wireless..

The driver set also includes all the problem drivers I had for Video... not modem but I figure winupdate will provide that for me..

Hope that helps someone because this has been a cast iron b*tch of a problem to resolve... Vista... byeeeeee :)

Hi i have a VGN-N365E and i did what pochrist said. I have also the Fn problem but the biggest problem im having its with the wireless modem (LAN-Express AS IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN Driver), the High Defition Audio (no the realtek thats already working) and the SM Bus controller. Please any help. Thanks

I used the suggested method but the drivers did not work (for the modem). I have a VGN-N365E. I downloaded the CODMOD-00964104-US.exe file, which contains the Conexant® HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem driver for Windows 2000/XP, used the suggested method, copied the drivers to another folder, and went to the Device Manager to update the drivers, but nothing. Can anyone help me out with this. This is the only driver I have not been able to make work. Thanks.

Can you tell me how did you find a Wireless drivers please? And the SM Bus controler? Thanks

Go to:
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/216766
It will show you compatible models, but they are all models sold in asia. The drivers will work for US and UK models of the same series.

The installers have Sony's model number checker built-in. As long as your model is starts with VGN-N2 or VGN-N3 most of the installers will work.

I said MOST because I found some of the installers have a bug in them, Sony made a typo in the install checker which looks for a "VGN-3" instead of a "VGN-N3". Another one looks for "VGN-N2&VGN-3" on on line which is a totally invalid model so that one won't work on a VGN-N2 series either.

I figured out how to get around all the model checking and typos, but too long to explain.

I hope this leads you on the right track.

Please explain how you overcome this model check problem.
I have Sony VAIO VGN-N365E/B model. None of Sony drivers
u referenced can be installed - it say's that it is not compatible model!




Go to:
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/216766
It will show you compatible models, but they are all models sold in asia. The drivers will work for US and UK models of the same series.

The installers have Sony's model number checker built-in. As long as your model is starts with VGN-N2 or VGN-N3 most of the installers will work.

I said MOST because I found some of the installers have a bug in them, Sony made a typo in the install checker which looks for a "VGN-3" instead of a "VGN-N3". Another one looks for "VGN-N2&VGN-3" on on line which is a totally invalid model so that one won't work on a VGN-N2 series either.

I figured out how to get around all the model checking and typos, but too long to explain.

I hope this leads you on the right track.

Okay, I won't get into details on basic computing skills like changing permissions and unhiding directories, but this is what worked for me :D .

1. Clear all files from C:\Windows\Documents and Settings\spiderman\Local Settings\temp\ directory.
If you can't see this directory, you'll have to un-hide hidden directories.

2. Start the installation xxx.EXE file, but DO NOT NOT NOT CLICK the NEXT BUTTON!

3. Look in the "...Local Settings\temp\" for a GLxxxx.tmp file, there will be several.
The one you want will be 1k or 2k in size, it will be a setup file with a list of "[SUPPORT_MODELS]".

4. Open this file in notepad, write down one of the models listed in the [SUPPORT_MODELS] section then close file.

5. Now find this file: C:\Windows\model.txt Open in notepad, you should see your VAIO model #, change model number to the one in the temp file (prefix is all you need).

6. You will need to change the permissions in the security tab in the file properties to Deny -Write- permission to the current user. A simple "read only" check box won't work, must be DENY-WRITE.

7. Once you have protected this file continue with the installation.

8. You will get a "Runtime error", but that's because the checker could not update the "model.txt" file. If you don't then you didn't protect the file!

9. Now continue with the installation, WAIT! Before you start the ACTUAL DRIVER installation, go back to the "...Local Settings\temp\" there should be a newly created directory with all the setup files in it. You can COPY these files to another directory for future use without the install checker shell.

I don't suppose this is still open, but how did you people get into the bios? I really want to drop vista but apparently getting into the bios to disable something isnt possible so how did you go about it?

I don't remember off the top of my head, its usually "ONE" of these buttons
"Del" or "F1" or "F2" or one of the other "F" keys Like i said I can't remember, but if you google it, you will find out which I'm pretty sure the same button(s) are used used whether it is a Desktop or Laptop.