Sony FE770G (Fresh install of XP)

Well, here's the deal. About 3 weeks ago, I dropped my laptop, and the hard drive was damaged. I used multiple diagnostic tools and I determined that the Hard Drive is the only problem. I checked the other components and they seem to be functional. I am going to receive my hard drive in about 3-4 day from newegg and I wanted information on how to do a fresh install of windows XP and how to get the necessary sony utilities afterwards.

If any of you can write a simple step-by-step process, please do. I'm thinking I may need some Sony drivers, but I want to make sure I am doing it right. Thanks.

 

i have re-installed windows xp,linux and vista multiple times and it is not as difficult as it looks.although it takes a while

1.insert xp installation disc,switch on pc and enter multiboot menu.on mine it is f12.it will give you the option to boot frm HDD,DVD/CD and to others depending on the hardware.select DVD/CD.


2.the disc should start up the xp installation setup.it will give you the option to install on a particular partition or HDD.in your case just select your HDD which might need formatting but unlikely,if so format to ntfs then continue.


3.the rest of the installation process is straighforward enough and will guide you through the little you have to do.it may take some time to install windows.maybe an hour.


4.when you have started windows for the first time ignore all the 'new hardware found' pop-ups.if you have a driver cd then simply insert it and let it do whats neccessary,if so skip onto step 7.if you dont have the cd then instead right-click on my computer>properties>hardware>device manager.when n that go to other devices or similar and expand it.this will show you what harware needs drivers.


5.if your wlan or wan cards have not got windows standard drivers installed then you will have to get their drivers via the sony website,through another pc;here is the link http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNFE770G&UpdateType=Original.
when you have gotten the wlan/lan card drivers copy them onto your laptop via mem stick etc.


6.now that the vital drivers are available simply install them which will sumsequentely need a restart to make sure they work properly.when they are installed go back to the sony website link above and download the remainder of the drivers and install them.


7.to make sure your multimedia works properly download windows media palyer 11 and xp codec pack which is free but definitely worth it.


8.i would suggest that you dont delete the installations of your drivers and instead back them up to a DVD if not done already in cause of problems in the future.when you have all of these things done its really just a case of adding your own personal content i.e;music,photos,games,programs.

 

Thanks a lot for this. I will need it as soon as I get my hard drive.

Unfortunately, though, you said to backup the drivers, etc. Well, we had to wipe the HDD clean to see if it would work with a fresh install of XP before and it failed, so that option is out the window.

 

what i meant when i said to back the drivers up is when you get then after downloading them and installing them to copy them to a cd in case of problems in the future