Installing XP on a Sony Vaio VGN-NR385E/W

Hello guys

I just purchased this laptop at Best Buy. I decided to install XP and something weird just happened. The viewable screen is just a small square.

Has anyone experienced this issue before?

Thanks in advanced!

 

Never mind... Problem solved

 

I got everything to work, except the memory card reader. Does anyone where I can get the drivers for this feature to work?

Thanks in advanced

 

Well Sony has two. One for the Sony Stick and the other for the rest of the memory cards (not a sony stick)

According to this website. Here is a OEM release for Toshiba for the same exact controller used in the Vaio. Supports all Operating Systems 98 to XP to Vista.

Click for the Toshiba Distribution


and for good measure, IBM/Lenovo released one as well that says XP on the top of the page..

Click for the Lenovo Distribution



If you are looking for the other memory card reader, hit me up and I'll hook you up. I specialize in finding drivers or patching them to work with operating systems they might not have been designed for. But these two are untouched.

Good Luck,
SMZ

 

Thanks a lot smz!

It worked like a charm!

 

Always glad to share a little knowledge.
I used to be a regular when I was part of the hardware
team at another tech support oriented web site, but
they pulled my rank when I wasn't logging in everyday.
So, I'll share the wealth with whoever needs it.

I just googled this laptop because I also saw this laptop at
Worst Buy for $599 and there's some small print about getting a printer
for next to nothing or even an all in one for $29 which I may do. Just do it online and click store pickup.

How is this laptop performing with a real operating system?

First thing to go on any regular laptop of mine is Vista.
I have a streamlined XP (Vista Skinned Edition) where someone took a week (so he claimed) and ripped out all the cosmetics from Vista and made an SP3 build right out of the box. Put in your serial number, activate and it's just like a regular copy of Windows XP Pro.

I ask this because my intention is to buy one of these Vaios and to nuke Vista faster than it would take to boot up the first time, LOL.

Run any benchmarks on it? I like Wprime because it's quick as an example.

 

Deleted content

 

so you can solve the problem with control brightness and S1 . AV MODE button ?

 

Well, I have not actually purchased this laptop, I saw the price and it got my attention. But if you are talking about function keys or hotkeys related to brightness, etc. Some of those quick keys could be associated with the bloatware from Sony. In that case finding a solution could be much more difficult but if Sony tends to use the basic code for their laptops control center, then grabbing an older version designed for a Vaio that ran XP is a possibility, unless they install services and those are difficult to get around. if it's just .exe files, the compatibility option could work wonders. I can't respond directly to your issue because i don't have the laptop here, I've never used it, and certainly don't know the keyboard layout.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

SMZ

 

Hi,

I have the same laptop runing windows xp sp2 and dos't work the option "standby" when i active this option my laptop restart.
If somebody knew about this problem please tell me any ideas, maybe i have to update any driver?

Thanks