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    Downgrading your Sony Vaio TZ to Windows XP

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by neverwana, May 28, 2009.

  1. neverwana

    neverwana Notebook Guru

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    Downgrading your Sony Vaio TZ to Windows XP

    This thread differs from the other similarly named thread, in that it actually addresses all the Vaio TZ models. The other thread *only* addresses how to downgrade with a TZ3 Series. There are nearly 40 types of TZ models, and the other thread does not provide solutions for the rest of us.

    The vast majority of us are encountering a frustrating "blue screen" during WinXP setup and install. The sony web site linked-to on the other thread does *not* provide the necessary drivers for the rest of us. The Sonystyle.com support drivers page also does *not* provide the necessary SATA drivers in a format that can be slipstreamed onto an install disk.

    Despite what the blue screen says about checking for viruses and doing a full "chkdsk /f" scan, the problem is simple. Windows XP without Service Pack 3 does not have the necessary drivers to recognize your hard drive. Therefore it crashes during the initial setup process.

    I myself spent over 3 days scouring the web unsuccessfully, and even using the other TZ thread on this forum, to try and find those SATA drivers and downgrade my TZ. Nobody knew where to get them, how to find them, or gave any steps on exactly what to do.

    So here are the steps:

    Process: You are basically going to fuse Service Pack 3 with your Windows XP installation files, so that you've got Windows XP+Service Pack 3. You will then burn this to a blank disk and install as normal. Service Pack 3 has the necessary SATA drivers on it to recognize your hard drive. Once you're done installing, you can just go to Sonystyle.com support, type in your model number, and download all the vaio-specific drivers for all the bells and whistles and functions of your vaio.

    Slipstreaming Service Pack 3 and WinXP to bypass SATA driver problems in Sony Vaio TZ XP downgrade

    1) Download and install NLite from here: nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation - Download

    2) Download Windows Service Pack 3: Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers (just click the download button - make sure you save it to your desktop)

    3) Get a blank DVD-R or CD-R

    Load up NLite

    1) The first screen with "Language" showing on it - click next to bypass this.

    2) The next screen: "Locating Windows Installation": Click browse to your CD drive where you've put your Windows XP disk.

    3) A popup will appear: "Select where to save the CD installation files..." Browse to a newly created folder on your hard drive and select it. (This is where it will put the entire WinXP + SP3 combo, which you'll later burn to a blank DVD).

    4) It will then copy the contents of your WinXP disk to that directory.

    5) When it finishes, click "Next".

    6) Ignore the "Available presets" page and click next.

    7) On the next screen click the "Service Pack" button and the "Bootable ISO" button. Click Next.

    8) On the next screen, click "Select" and browse the Service Pack 3 file you downloaded from microsoft. Its probably on your desktop.

    9) NLite will then combine the two into the directory you created previously. Fusing WinXP and SP3 together.

    10) When it finishes, put your blank DVD R or CD R in the drive.

    11) On NLite, click to the Next screen. You only need to two things here. Under "Mode" select "Direct Burn". Then click "Make ISO" button. It will burn Windows XP + SP 3 onto the disk.

    Remove the disk, and put it into your Vaio TZ machine. When it says "Press any key to boot from CD", just press any key. From there all will be well.

    Problem solved.

    -N-
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    neverwana, May 28, 2009
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  2. Vaio TZ

    Vaio TZ Notebook Guru

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    LOL . I as did many others used phil's guide to downgrade to xp without issue . Myself i have downgraded a tz130 , tz160 , tz398 using his guide without a single problem & all functions & devices work .

    The sata drivers are available from sony but you need to know where to look . Coming to the board & demanding help then copping a attitude when knowone jumps isnt going to get you the drivers .

    But as you said yourself . Problem Solved ..
     
    Vaio TZ, May 28, 2009
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