Upgrading Sony laptop from Vista to XP Pro

[pochrist]

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.

[Jerry K]

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

[pochrist]

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.

[Jerry K]

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.

[pochrist]

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.

[Jerry K]

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

[ReCoC]

Originally Posted by pochrist

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?