'Downgrade' from Vista to XP

Hi, I have a serious problem trying to "Downgrade" my Laptop from Vista to XP, I have a legal copy of XP and when I boot from disk it wont install it just says that it cannot find a HD to install to. I downloaded a copy of XP to see if my disc was just broken or something and it let me format my HD and install XP, the only problem i have with that is i wont be able to perform updates and i only have a small screen in the middle of my display (i assume this is because some drivers are missing) also i cant connect to the internet because there are drivers missing. I have been on the sony website and downloaded some but they dont work, i think its because there designed for Vista.

So my question is this, does anyone know how I can get my LEGAL copy of XP to install and also does anyone know where I can get compatible drivers for it? My Laptop is VGN-NR38E/S. ANY help would be great.

Thanks

 

I would start by asking your friends to see if anyone could find one, if you already have a Key

 

Welcome to the NBR forums.

the reason why a XP disc wont recognize the HDD is that you have to:
- go into the BIOS as set the HDD mode to IDE/ATA (XP Mode) ... something like that.

if your BIOS does not have the HDD mode options, then you have to slipstream the HDD SATA drivers onto the XP CD (using nLite) and then it will recognize the HDD without issues.

 

Gophn thanks.

I know my BIOS doesn't have HDD options, How would i go about this slipstream thing? i've never heard of it. Also If this was what was required how comes the downloaded copy works? Im so lost right now, but need to sort it because i dont have a laptop otherwise.

 

First of all here is the XP drivers for your notebook:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNNR380E&SelectOS=7

under Hard Drives, get the:
Intel® 82801 SATA AHCI Driver for Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System

this is the key to install a clean XP on your system to detect your HDD

the file is a self-extracter... so extract it to a folder that you will remember

now get nLite, and read this guide:
http://www.nliteos.com/guide/index.html

all you really have to do is to:
1) copy all of the XP installation CD files into a folder on your HDD
2) run nLite
3) point it to the directory that you copied the XP CD files to
4) on the step with drivers, add the ones you extracted for the SATA AHCI
5) make sure to choose "Make Bootable ISO"

then "burn the ISO image" on a blank CD using a CD/DVD burning software like Nero

now you have a slipstreamed XP CD with the proper SATA drivers for your system.... and your HDD should be detected now.

 

Thanks mate, appreciate it.
Ill let you know if it works later.

 

Hi,
Just letting you know my laptop is now working with my legal copy of XP on it, followed your guide and not a problem. appart from the wireless wasn't working and no where had a working driver for it. But i found one in the end and finished it at about 7.20 this morning. ha ha

Thanks again

 

glad that its working now.