Sony Vaio AR605E downgrade to XPSP2

I was tired of Vista being so sluggish on my new sleek Vaio, so I killed Vista and downgraded to XP Pro sp2. Took about 4 hours total, but most of that was spent slipstreaming SATA drivers into my XP install CD and also trudging through forums for XP compatible drivers. Below is a quick blurb of what I was able to put together from different forums and trial and error.

The biggies were the UAA patch to allow me to install the audio driver, finding an audio driver and then finding a handrolled driver for video.
The other drivers were readily available once I identified the devices.

Tools I used to accomplish this:

• nLite Handy freeware if you are into customizing your XP installs.
• Belarc Advisor (device discovery tool)
• Lavalys Everest (another device discovery tool)
• XP install CD ( I have XP Pro SP2 so the drivers linked in this post are XP drivers)
• CD burning software. You will be using nLite to create an bootable iso file.
• Fudge popsicles (optional though highly recommended)

_____________________________________________________
First pain!: XP Pro install hangs/fails after copying files to hard-drive. This will identify itself by stopping at the end of copying files to the hard drive. It will stay at the blue background and the bottom 'status' will say "Starting windows"..or something like that.
After waiting for 15 minutes and 2 fudge popsicles later you will realize IT AIN'T GOIN NOWHERE!
XP cannot detect the SATA harddrives because it does not have the drivers to see it.

FIX: Use nLite to slipstream SATA drivers into XP cab files and recreate bootable install CD.

DETAILS: If you still have the AR605 functional, install Intel Storage Manager for the PM965 Chipset on the laptop Version 7.8.0.1012.
( NOTE I used Everest here to determine my chipset AND also to identify my disk controllers. You may need a different version of Intel Storage Manager based on your chipset.
Slipstreaming is actually a common thing among frequent installers. I highly recommend the app. This can also be done for any other laptop/workstation. You just need to be sure to get the correct SATA drivers. )
Install nLite
Begin the nLite process as normal, be sure to select the option to add drivers. When injecting the .inf file in nLite use the CTRL key to select both the Intel ICH8M for your aahci driver and ICH8M-E for the stor driver. Complete the configuration as usual for nLite. These drivers will install automagically when you install XP.
_____________________________________________________

******************************
At this point you have completed the XP install and are down to 4 popsicles.
When booting, DO NOT install any drivers when prompted. We will install the all manually. If you like, grab popsicle number 3 and peek into the Device Manager to see the list of yellows. You should have Mass Storage, TWO HDaudio yellows, and maybe your wireless and your LAN.
There may also be an SMU bus controller. Check keyboard for fudge drippings.

******************************

Second pain!:
You may get errors when XP tries to install your audio driver. This is due to the fact that XP does not get along with HD very well.
Microsoft acknowledges this and has issued fudge popsicle coupons.
Realtek High Definition Audio

4 STEP PROCESS

1. Uninstall any audio drivers
2. Patch XP to allow HD audio drivers to be recognized. See details on this blog here Just be sure to download the correct patch for the operating system you are installing.
3. Download this file from MEGAUPLOAD and install it. There is a folder with kb835221.exe in it. Ignore this file as you have already patched appropiately in Step 2.
4. Unwrap 4th popsicle.

MISSING/INCOMPATIBLE DRIVERS:

*******************
Marvell Yukon 88e8055 pci-e gigabit ethernet controller
version 10.53.2.3
Nothing special here. Install it and WOOHOO!

*******************
nVidia video :
The following link will take you to a site that modifies the inf file of OEM nvidia drivers so they will recognize laptops and thus install.
Save the following files into the same folder.
When you launch the install file you will be prompted to overwrite the .inf file DO NOT OVERWRITE THE INF FILE!!!! The .inf file you download is handrolled for your laptop.
DRIVER and .INF file. (Thanks LaptopVideo2Go)

*******************
Intel Wireless wifi link 4965AGN intel version 11.5.0.32 is what I ended up with.
*******************

At this point you may have 3 or so yellows in Device Manager.

• Audio Device on HD Audio Bus (unresolved, but I think this is the HD output driver. I have sound anyway.....)
• Mass Storage (Unresolved....)
• HDAUDIO Softv92 data fax modem with smart cp Possible compatible HP driver. It was late and I was on a sugar rush. I think this is where I got my driver.
• Texas Intru PCI-8X12/7X12/6X12 CARDBUS CONTROLLER ] This will update most inf files for your chipset.

This will help you get through the bulk of it. I am now up and running with sound, video and network without any issues and I have 2 popsicles left!!!!