Extensa 5620 Downgrade to XP

My post about 7 posts back explains making the nLite XP Install CD with the drivers for AHCI for your exact model.

 

On another topic, I just found out the Factory Vista Backup Partition doesn't work with a dual boot set up. The eRecovery Managment in Vista doesn't like the XP partition it would seem.

 

Another update: Due to the way Vista handles System Restore, XP erases Vista's Restore points when you boot from it. There is a work around though: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926185
Edit: This fix should be applied to The Vista registry as well. These registry edits hide the other operating system partition when your booted into XP or Vista. It might be a good idea to have a data partition or drive to access from either OS.

 

Thanks CharredPC and all those that have added lots of information to this thread.

I'm trying to upgrade a 5620 to XP Pro and can't the chipset driver to install (Intel 965 Express Chipset Family). I have downloaded drivers from both Acer and Intel, but just can't get the driver to install. Read this thread completly and have CharredPC "instructable" bookmark and in reading both there is mention of installing drivers manually. Could some please outline the steps for installing the 965 Chipset, I apploize for having to request what may seem like such a simple task, but I've run out of options.

Thanks!

 

Hi all,

I think I have the same problem with JustBuy. Just purchased the 5620-4801 and want to downgrade my os to xp. I follow the instruction posted by CharredPC and got stuck at step 4 (installing drivers). I successfully installed the chipset driver after downloaded the window sp1a, but still not able to install the “ Display adapters”. Currently it has an exclamation mark on the “Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset family”. My wireless card also has an exclamation mark after I did the autorun with my recovery cd. Not sure if this is an issue that I installed with an older version of winXP. Do I need to install the window SP2 to get this work? Any advice or comment will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

So...what happens if you install the chipset before the audio drivers?


I have everything installed, minus the audio stuff... ;no devices found' in control panel->sound...so I downloaded Audio_Realtek_v5.10.0.5423_XP and let it install, rebooted...and there is no realtek..nothing. It installed into the program files directory, but when I run any of the executables in there nothing happens...and the device still isnt there according to device manager...only that lonely pci device with a "?"...

I was reading about VonBSDs problem on page 3 and tried that but didn't really follow through...I had been at it for 7 hours nonstop at that point.

Note...I did not actually remove vista, I just shrunk it, and made another partition that I put XP on...does that affect anything? I DID however use vistas full system backup prior to touching anything, So i have all of the stuff incase we need to revert for warranty purposes...but thats unlikely. Just a safety net honestly. Would having vista on there give me this kind of issue? You can actually locate the realtek folder in the vista installation, everything apparently went well under that OS. And no, i can not 100% tell you if the sound worked in vista as Im doing this for a friend...not my computer.

 

About 13 posts back my post describes how I set up my Vista/XP dualboot. I installed audio drivers first, then chipset. I think this makes a difference.

 

Wow thanks for the prompt reply! The problem was that I just needed the final release of service pack 3.. After doing some research, I found out that at the very last minute microsoft incorporated HD Audio support into SP3, so I just installed it and sure enough, it calmed the confusion going on in the south bridge...detected modem then realtek audio...

Now all I need is webcam. I know someone got theirs working but I cant find the page theyt posted it on.

 

Glad you got it sorted. I was using the Micro$haft generic webcam driver for a little while until it stopped working. I have since started using the Bison Webcam driver and just turn the webcam on and off from within Device Manager. Here's a link to a cool freeware webcam app: Broadcaster StudioPRO

 

as far as i know this was only a problem w/ ICL50 based systems (aspire 5315, 5720, 7720, and a few other variants.) and that issue was solved by updating the BIOS for the ICL50 motherboards to a version higher than 1.32 (or there abouts) 1.33 and 1.42 are good for the ASPIRE MODELS ABOVE

but if your system isn't based on the ICL50 mb then you shouldn't need the I8KfanGUI program... it doesn't actually control fans (i can't find any software that will) what I8K does is poll the temp sensors and report the temp to the APCI which then kicks the fan on when temps are above 50c

 

I tried to update the Bios of My Extensa 5620 notebook but i m not able to update its given "Power Check Error" error message box.

Can anybody help me on this.

 

are you sure it didn't say PARITY CHECK ERROR??

this explains PARITY CHECKING, but if your attempts to flash your BIOS are failing, IMO you should re-download the BIOS FILE from the support.acer-euro.com website... unzip it and try again....

if you are getting a POWER CHECKING ERROR... (i've never heard of this, but i've never tried to flash a BIOS w/o the A/C power plugged).... you need to PLUG IN THE AC POWER.... and make sure the battery is at full charge!!!

 

Well on a whim I uninstalled it, and ran Coretemp. It seems to run cooler with I8KfanGUI. YMMV.

 

that is why some fan control programs have a TEMERATURE OFFSET which allows you to adjust the temp for actual measured temps... though i'm still kind of unsure how i'm supposed to get that actual temp so i can ajdust the output to display the real-world temps.....

i noticed about a 7c difference between I8KFANGUI and either RMClock or Notebook Hardware Control... and since the 2 latter reported the same temps and the fact that I8K was developed for DELL laptops, i'm assuming that the temps from RMClock are "closer" to correct.

just watch the temp readings when the FAN kicks on, most ACER's Bios settings have the fan turning on at 50c

 

I may have been too quick to judge. Temps are actually about the same.

 

Does anyone have the bios for this laptop? (5620-4025 t2370 dual core) PLEASE, PLEASE send me a copy. I think it's version 1.32? But it is definitly NOT the 1.34 version on the euro ftp site.....that is for the Core 2 Duo Merom. THANKS!!!!!

 

are you sure the BIOS doesn't have support for both types of CPUS built into it??

my BIOS supports sertain DUAL COREs, CORE 2 DUOs, and CELERONs...

and that seems to be standard for ACER,, supporting as many CPU's as can fit the socket and work with the CHIPSET.

 

that could be possible. I'd prefer to have the correct one....is it hurting anything? I am just worried it will damage it. It reads as a Core 2 Duo and Im sure that can take a lot more than the real cpu, which is the t2370. What are my options? No one has this bios?

 

don't worry be happy.... you have a SOCKET P CPU,,, and i have yet to see an ACER BIOS that didn't support ALL socketP CPUs...

that means you can buy a nice T8300 for a fair price or even go up as high as the T9500 if you have money to burn!!

i'll check your BIOS later tonight and report back if i am WRONG... but i've looked at many many acer BIOS files.... and all socket P motherboard BIOS's have had support for MEMRONs added long ago.... and the core duo's support was long before that.... but your bios supports CORE DUO, CORE 2 DUO, AND CELERONS..... just like mine.... i promise... and if i'm wrong.... i'll delete this post....

check out my sticky... i've done a bit of research!!!

 

ok, thanks! The problem is that I dont have any of those, I have a pitiful dual core t2370. I am worried that my bios will try to treat my little dual core as a core 2 duo and pump too much "juice" through it....you know what I mean? I have a utility that shows the muliplier and how many volts its pushing through the cpu, and am just worried that the dual core cannot handle the same as the core 2 duo....

 

hi to all firstly thanks for this post it has been very helpful i did all charredpc said on the first page of this post but ive got problems with my usb devices, non of the usb devices i connect work, nothing happens.

In the Controllers list ive got al the Intel(R) ICH8 Family USB controllers with a yellow alert sign. What do i have to do?

Thanks.

 

PC's and even laptops have came a long way.... and thankfully INTEL has designed these CPUs to communicate with the motherboard and tell it how much voltage it requires so that is not the worry it used to be back in the PENTIUM1 days.... your motherboard will adjust the multiplier and FSB speed to match what your new CPU needs. These days it is truely a PLUG N PLAY type replacement..... just be sure to remove the AC and BATTERY before swapping CPUS... the DUAL CORE and CORE 2 DUOs are very similar CPUS,, the main difference being that the C2D cpus have more features especially concering powersaving features which will give you more battery life per charge, and they opperate cooler too!!!
I understand your worrys, but you need not worry about it, you can SAFELY replace that cpu with any SOCKET P CORE 2 DUO T9500 or lower.
just direct any further CPU upgrade questions to me and the others who help with my UPGRADE THREAD... while it is focused on the ASPIRE 5315, the general info applies to any intel i960/965 based laptop!

you need to install the CHIPSET DRIVERS for your OS
this is a direct link to the page where you select your OS

just choose your OS, download the file,,, run the file,,, and reboot

that should fix you

 

Will do, thanks!

 

I am having pretty much the same problems as most everyone before me
I have spent about 6 hours with no luck.

I deleted Vista and installed XP Pro SP. I don't believe I installed the audio drivers first so perhaps that's my whole problem. Why do these drivers need to go in first? It took me quite a while just to get a wireless connection going.

Anyway, I've got everything to work except 2 things/drivers: Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset family appears twice in device manager (display adapters) with yellow exclamation and there's nothing I have done that will make this go away (is this really still a problem as my video seems ok?), and I've got 'Audio device on high definition audio bus' with a yellow exclamation so no adio at all. Again, no matter what I try to do to install audio I cannot.

I'm thinking I need to try the SP install over again. I have the laptop's driver and application backup cd so how exactly do I use the CD once I've gotten a clean install of SP?

I really want to know. Any help is appreciated (really).

Thanks!
Walter

 

When i am trying to update my Bios of Extensa 5620 i got the error message "Power Check Error!", Can you please help me to resolve this problem .

Thanks

 

Thanks bigozone , Now i can update bios.

 

Need help with BSOD

Everything is working marvelously, with one very strange exception. Every cold boot, I get a BSOD, followed by automatic spontaneous reboot, and then everything works fine. It happens just like that every time. I get the typical "Windows has recovered from a serious error" message. When I try to send the error report to Microsoft, it says it's corrupted. The BSOD doesn't stay on the screen long enough for me to get a look at it.

After it reboots, everything comes up and works normally as near as I can tell. All of my drivers seem OK and peripherals etc. function as expected. Dell fan controller is running fine as well.

EDIT: I ran windbg and looked at my minidump files, and osaio.sys seems to be the culprit. It's part of the Acer Empowering Framework. I don't recall off-hand whether that framework performs any vital function so I'll scan through the back posts.

 

Found a partial answer to my problem in a couple of other posts.

1. The Acer Launch Manager is the only essential Acer app to install, except that,
2. You may need the I8kfangui program to control the fans, and
3. There is a security update for Launch Manager: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=289638


Acer strongly recommends running their ePower utility to control power states, but stop short of saying it's required.

 

I just bought another Acer but the 5620-4801 model, which initiated
a different set of issues like the one above. I'm running XP SP3.

Step 1: I installed my BackUp (i.e., Vista) driver: Intel Chipset INF
Step 2: Installed the Broadband GigaLan for my ethernet/LAN/Internet connection.
Step 3: My BackUp Intel VGA Adapter wasn't compatible which creates
the exclamation point for the Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset family.
I had to download and install a different/older version from Intel.

Intel VGA Adapter:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=2800&DwnldID=16868&strOSs=All&OSFullName=All%20Operating%20Systems&lang=eng

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/16868/eng/win2k_xp14362.exe

Step 4: Installed the Realtek Audio driver but nothing changed in the Device Manager. PCI Driver issue still not resolved.
Step 5: Installed the Microsoft patch: KB835221WXP
mentioned on my previous post, I believe page 3.
Step 6. System found new hardware for modem--HDAudio Soft Date Fax Modem. PCI Driver resolved
Step 7. Installed the TI Card Reader.
Step 8. Downloaded/installed MicroSoft .Net Framework 1.1
Step 9. Installed ACER Utilities. Also a fix I found for one of the file but I can't remember why but here's the name of it anyway: AcerLAppfix_v1.0.1.0
Step 10. Update Network Controller driver to search backup CD. Resolved Network Controller, but not completely compatible so a new issue arises. Exclamation point now on Broadcom 802.11 g Network Adapter.
Step 11. Download/Install below.
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/ex_5620.html
>> Wireless_Broadcom_4312_v4.170.25.12_XP_x32

Step 12. Done except for last step to set-up laptop for AHCI

Took me about 12 hours to figure this out but I hope this helps someone else.

 

Hi friends. Can any1 help. I've followed the step descrided but when i run command and type c:/AHCI etc it says invalid. When i chec device manager Nothing has appeared under IDE. What can i do.When i try to change IDE to ACHI the window does not load.

 

Tampering with windows to enable AHCI doesn't work out well everytime. You'll have to slipstream the appropriate drivers into the XP install using nLite and then reinstall XP, with AHCI activated in the BIOS.

AHCI will not provide any performance boost/increase. The only advantage is NCQ, which comes into play when running multiple intensive threads/tasks. Hot-swappability, not useful in a notebook really.

In IDE mode, your drive will function in UDMA 5/6 mode. HDDs barely top out at 90MB/s (Seagate 7200.3 known, no else). And the max speed supported by UDMA 5 is 100MB/s and by UDMA 6 is 133MB/s. So, your HDD performance will in no way be bottlenecked by running the HDD in IDE Mode. It'll be a pain in the anus to go to AHCI now, so stick with IDE.

 

I have an Extensa 5620-4025, or 5620z, both numbers are on the unit, and want to downgrade to WinXP.

In a Dec 2007, the instruction indicated to do a system backup…..that is done. Then it states: “Acer makes it easy with its Driver and Application backup CD creator”.

I have not been able to find out how this is done…since a standard device backup will seems to only pickup Vista drivers, I would like to have all drivers both Vista and XP in one place.

How do you do this device driver backup on the Acer?

Really need some help so I can start to make the downgrade to WinXP.

Since I can not find or see the device drivers on the Factory Default Image Backup disks, I did a driver backup using Driver Magician. This program provided me with all the drivers on the Acer.

What I do not know is whether or not the XP drivers were picked up as part of this package?

None of the Acer sites provide all the drivers that are non-MS, so I am unsure as to what I really have at this point. Without getting the XP drivers that are non-MS, it would appear that the conversion to XP will be a problem.

What do I have to do to get those XP drivers that apparently are contained already on my Acer hard drive?

 

Hello, I have an Acer Aspire 5720. I installed XP in IDE mode a few days ago. Got all the needed drivers and thought everything was successful, it wasn't. All is well until I start to copy large files and all and it freezes. Small files seem to be ok. Does anyone have any ideas why it would freeze while copying but other than that work fine? BTW under device manager all drivers are accounted for. Thanks in advance.

 

hi guys question, i have dvd-ram. can i change that?

 

Hello all.... I am in need of your expertise.

I recently upgraded to XP and have all the drivers working EXCEPT for the Network Controller. I have read through all the postings, tried a dozen of the drivers mentioned and still it does not work.

On the bottom of the laptop, there is a sticker that says "ATHEROS: AR5BMB5".

I tried all the Atheros drivers but no luck.

Please help. I have been working on this for the last 36 hours without any sleep. I'm about to give up and restore Windows PEE-sta.

Thanks in advance.

You can also send any drivers & instructions to my email : [email protected]

 

very interesting thread. Couple of questions

I have a 5620 I want to upgrade a bit.

I already upped the ram to 3gb and very noticeable performance bump. Now I want to do the cpu and hd.

Will this lappy support SATA II 3.0 or will it default to 1.5 ?

Also what processors are worthy upgrades ? T7700, T8300, T9500 ?

 

Hi, I was browsing around and figured this would be the best thread to ask in. I'm thinking about buying a 5730 tomorrow. It's pretty cheap, has 4 GBs of RAM and is generally looking pretty. The only problem is that it comes with Virus/Vista and I want to upgrade to XP. Anyone care to tell me if this process will be needlessly difficult or impossible based on the specs? I've never done something like this before and am unsure of the ease/difficulty I will have with it.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10117459&catid=25253&logon=&langid=EN


Thank you for any/all help. I really appreciate it!

 

Hi, welcome to NBR.

To downgrade to XP is not so hard but you need to do some preparations:

1. Burn your Recovery CDs! You never know, you might need them in the future.
2. Go to Device Manager and write down all the devices(model+model number) such as lan, wlan, soundcard, videocard, modem ect.
3. I strongly suggest you search and download the XP drivers for all these devices BEFORE you install XP.
4. In your BIOS there should be an option to switch to AHCI or IDE mode.
- AHCI should be enabled by default which is fine with Vista but XP won't "see" your hard disk so you'll need to set it to IDE to install XP.

OR

- You leave AHCI enabled but in this case you need to slipstream a SATA driver into your XP installation disk or use an external floppy to load the drivers from it. This is obviously most complicated method.

 

excellent, out of curiosity did you see any thing in the specs listed on the website that might not work properly with xp or is there usually an xp driver for essentially all vista related hardware? Thank you for all your help so far, I'm guessing if I follow the guide on the first page made by Charred (I think that was his name) I should be fine? Thank you again for any input possible

 

I'm not sure if you'll be able to find XP drivers for the webcam and the IR, these are troublesome devices driver-wise.

Yeah the guide on the first page seems fine, however I don't like the drivers advice:

I'd surely search&download XP drivers myself, I wouldn't count that all the Vista drivers will be XP compatible.

 

hello, I am new to NBR

and i have done relentless hours of search on the solution.

I have the exact same model as CharredPC.

These were my test I have done the past days.

XP 2002 (no sp) ACHI = no hd
IDE= installed. thus problems loading drivers/non workin usb
ACHI/SLIP = installed. working usb/Intel 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI/ i tried to manually and automatically install both sound and video drivers/ ending with no success... but I am thinking that it has to do with the fact that the xp has no sp1.sp2. or sp3.

Then there is the odd ball with

XP SP3 ACHI/slip = BSOD after 3 minutes left of install to complete.
IDE = BSOD after 5 minutes left of install to complete.
ABHI = no hd


unfortunately. those are the two xp disc I have for now.
and i also did not recover my vista.

Any suggestions why the sp3 will not Install properly ?
EDIT:
I have successfully installed most of the drivers besides the blue tooth, the crystal eye webcam, and the Intel Matrix Storage Manager which i think makes the SD slot work.
Besides those three mishaps everything is working like i just bought my Acer again. One problem for me is switching back to AHCI mode every time I try to switch to AHCI mode i get the BSOD and my computer reboots. Thank you all here especially CharredPC for making the guide and answering everybody's questions because they help us all upgrade from the dreadful Vista OS.

 

Hi there, I'm new here,

I got the 5620-6830, followed all the steps and it's working fine with XP. Much better than that slowy Vista. But my built-in microphone doesn't seem to work anymore. I can't select the Advanced Options button at the Sound Recording.

Can anyone help?

 

How did you downgrade to XP?? did you have problems because of the SATA drive? if so what drivers did you use?

 

i have been trying to downgrade my extensa 5620 from vista to XP. i already formated my drive but as soon as XP installer would not find my drive i saw somethign wrong. win XP does not have the drivers for SATA HD :S i dont know if win XP SP3 has them any way.

i tried using nlite to create an XP CD with this driver integrated.
i can find the drivers on acer website but nlite needs an .inf to add the driver!!!! the driver files i download dont include this file extension and include a setup file does someone know another solution or some solution to this problem???

 

Hi,
I downgraded from Vista to XP the way you said on the 1st page.
Everything works fine, expect WiFi.

The WiFi driver is different for XP so I downloaded it from the acer site (think its version 1.111 just lots of 1's).
It won't work when I turn on the laptop, only when I disconnect then reconnect or click repair.

Any thoughts??

 

Hm...I downgraded my laptop a few years ago and I specifically remembered that I picked up the xp driver for my wifi on the intel site. I checked the built in wifi device and I was able to track it down on the intel site. The intel site has multiple drivers for most windows.

 

CharredPC, I followed your forum post from the beginning and was very inspired to downgrade to XP but never had the time or another computer to use if I ran into driver problems, so still run my Acer on Vista, and dislike it more each time I use it. Now, 3 years later, I have another computer and some time and I'm wondering about switching from Vista to windows7, and saw that you are now using W7. What would you suggest now that W7 is around? Also, do you have a suggestion on whether to use W7 Upgrade (from Vista), and would that eliminate any risk of losing drivers (my biggest fear)? And which windows7, Home, Pro, Ultimate? I look forward to leaving Vista behind and am very excited about the possibility of having my Acer actually "Zip" instead of crawl!