Sony VAIO VGN-AR605E XP Downgrade Instructions

After all the time I spent on this, I figured I'd make it easier for anyone else out there that got hosed by Sony.

Sony VAIO VGN-AR605E XP Downgrade Instructions


1) Slipstream SP2 into XP if you have an older XP disc by following these instructions.
You can also use nLite to do this if you need to add drivers as well.
If you need to get the SATA drivers you can google “Intel 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller” to find them.

2) Install Windows from new boot disc
***At anytime, if asked to reboot you should do just that – REBOOT.
You can download the drivers listed below that I've gathered, from here: AR605E Drivers

3) Run Intel Chipset utility: infinst_autol.exe
4) Install the Texas Instruments Controllers: 7gsx07ww.exe
5) Install the NVidia video drivers
6) Install Marvell Ethernet driver
7) Install sound drivers by following SigmaTel Fix.txt in the Audio Driver folder
8) Install Modem Drivers
9) Update camera driver: go to device manager, and right-click on USB Imaging Device and update driver. Browse to camera folder and select R5U870FL.inf.
10) Update Windows completely, including installing optional updates for .Net 2.0 and 3.0.

Last but not least follow the HowTo.txt file in the “S1,S2,Eject & Function Keys” folder to finish off the downgrade by installing the S1,S2,Eject & function (brightness) keys.

I hope this helps many of you out there as I’ve spent a number of hours trying to find the drivers needed to get this notebook functional under XP. I also thank those that had put in the time to come up with fixes in the other forums.

Good luck!

*Note that this is what worked for me in downgrading - I'm not responsible for anyone's attempt at downgrading using these instructions!

 

I have VGN-AR690U model, will this instruction and driver work on it?

 

Will this work on the AR770 also??

 

I looked up the VGN-AR690U specs, and it looks like most of the hardware is the same. I don't know if it will work for the AR770 - I can't find anything specific on that model. You need to make sure you find the correct drivers for your hardware. Some of the Sony specific functions might work (S1, S2, Eject, Volume, Media controls, and function buttons), but you'll want to make sure you get the right drivers for your specific Intel chipsets and controllers. I would imagine most of the AR series uses the same hardware - so it may be worth a try.

 

Just wanted to note that I received the XP downgrade disks from Sony (2 disks) - for a 650 - and doing a reinstall seems to have worked like a charm. Beforehand I'd downloaded all the drivers but I didn't need anything. 2 disks later everything was working (except for a batt that only charges to 80 percent) and most of the bloatware was gone too!

 

How did you got the disk while there is only option of Vista on OEM Preinstalled, dis they charged you?

 

hey there, i just wanted to ask, could you help me out with this, i have the VGA-AR605E also but when i sliped the SP2 and hard drive driver the xp CD still could not detect my hard drive, maybe i got the wrong controller, i dunno but iv spent a month trying this and i really am ready to send this piece of crap back and make my own desktop with xp >< please your my last hope!

 

Will this work on the ar630e?

thanks

 

@diggdawg:

I have recently downgraded my VGN-AR730E/B to win XP SP2 and most of drivers have been found properly except the S1, S2, CD Eject buttons and Fn+F5/F6 did not work. I have done follow yr instruction (for AR605E) but things are remaining. Kindly advise if it can be helped. Tks