VGN-NR260e XP Downgrade Guide W/ All Drivers

I recently purchased a Sony Vaio VGN-NR260E Laptop. I hated Vista on the computer so I decided I would downgrade to XP. I ran into some problems doing so. Getting the computer to recognize my XP disk, and especially with trying to find the drivers for it since Sony does not provide them. This will explain how to install XP on the NR260E, and the driver downloads are below.

If you have installed XP already skip this part.

To install Windows XP follow this guide http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/resolving-setup-did-not-find-any-hard-disk-drives-during-windows-xp-installation/. When you get to the insert drivers part use the chipset that you will download below, and also these http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3qbzdzxjmmr. Create the image like the guide says then use Nero, or CloneCD to burn the image do a CD.


Drivers:
Here are a majority of the drivers: http://rapidshare.com/files/101415686/Nr-260e_xp_downgrade_drivers.zip.html

These were to big to upload:

Chipset(Which includes Graphics drivers also): http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...&OSFullName=Windows* XP Professional&lang=eng

Audio Drivers:
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...4&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#1

To use the backlight hotkey install the file MemAccDrvSetup, and vcredist_x86. Then move the folder onto the C: drive, or wherever you want it and a shortcut of Backlight to start menu under startup. This will make sure that it is always on and working, otherwise you will have to open this folder and click on the backlight icon every time you start your computer. This hotkey uses the windows button instead of the function(fn) key.

Please post if you have any questions or comments.

 

Thank you very much for assembling all these resources, Laptop9. I really appreciate it (it saved me hours).

If you don't mind, I still have some questions though as I had some problems. I think I followed the instructions to the letter, but the XP install CD I produced still didn't recognize my notebook's hard drive. My first thought was that perhaps I didn't include all the drivers you did. I added the Chipset driver to the Windows XP CD as you said (two drivers showed up when I added the directory), but that was all. Did you add anything else that I'm missing?

I also thought that perhaps my Windows version was a problem. I'm using XP Professional (with a built in registration code, etc.) Do you know of any reason that might lead to issues? (nLite seemed to recognize it just fine, but I wanted to make sure.)

Also, on an unrelated note, how does one get Vista off of the machine prior to installation? I know very little about Vista and I haven't figured out how to do it yet. In past I'd always use an old bootable drive-utility CD, but that doesn't fare any better than my Windows XP CD when it comes to recognising the Vaio hard drive.

Anyhow, any further help you could give me to get this working would be greatly appreciated. Once again, thanks for all you've done already.

--sitOnTheEdge

 

The version of xp you have should not matter, i used one with built in registration also. I forgot to add a file to download. Add these "http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3qbzdzxjmmr" the Iaahci, and iastor. then also add the chipset ones igfxnt5, and IntcHDMI. This should work for you. Thanks for the question.

 

so laptop9 can you use standby and S1, AV MODe key?

 

For some reason, the slipstreaming process seemed to mess up my Windows install disk, so I had to use the original. Still, I found an even easier way to get the install to recognize the hard drive involving an external USB floppy drive. I can post details if anyone else is having similar problems.

I do have one further question though. After installing all the drivers you provided (once again, thank you very much) I still have two items on my device manager listing that don't have proper drivers. I can't tell what they are, and I just wondered if you might have some insight. The two items are:

-!- Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
-!- SM Bus Controller

Any thoughts? Oh, and I'll be curious what you say to Ken. I really don't care much about using the AV mode, but it would be a nice perk.

 

i have Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
and SM bus i don't sure but i don't know how to upload so if you have an email that can send it to you
and 1 problem i have with S1 key, AV MODE and standby anyone have?

 

Yea, if you could send me that driver it would be great. My e-mail is [removed by request] . Thanks.

 

I have had the problems just like sitontheedge said . sitontheedge, would you please post the instruction to use with USB floppy drive i would appreciate it. If you do have any drivers or know where to download please let me know or email me at nevergiveupeverything (at) yahoo. Thanks again

 

Ken, thanks much. Unfortunately that was something I already had, and it didn't get rid of either of my mystery devices.

Needhelp, here's what I did: First, hold down F2 immediately upon startup to get to the CMOS settings. Change the settings to allow booting from USB devices.

Now, download this file. Extract it on your hard drive (it should extract to C:\Swsetup\sp37005), and copy the files to a blank floppy disk.

Start the XP install with your USB floppy-drive plugged in but no disk inserted. Almost immediately after coming up, the XP installation program displays a message at the bottom of the screen asking you to hit F6 if you need to load special controllers. Do so. Once setup finishes loading things it brings up a screen telling you the hard drives it's located (none) and allowing you to load the drivers. Insert your disk into the floppy drive, and press 'S' in accordance with the on-screen instructions. XP install should load the drivers, find the hard drive, and you're off to the races.

Good luck.

 

what? you already have, so what your problem. hey sitontheedge when you find a solution with S1 and AV MODE, standby tell me.ok

 

hey sitontheedge have you install Microsoft Universal Audio Architecture (UAA) Bus Driver for High Definition Audio. you need to install this first and then HD Audio bus
download: link: http://www.driversplanet.com/device.php?id=126430

 

can anyone know the solution for S1 and AV MODE key ?

 

sitontheedge , thanks a lot.... that was a easier way to do. My win XP is up now but the win still missing few drivers.

Ken001- I wonder if you still have the following drivers? If so could you please send it to me i would greatly appreciated.

Here is the list of what missing.

LAN Wireless
Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
SM Bus Controller

Thank you all......

 

ok! i know your problem, if you want to install Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus you nedd to install (UAA) Bus Driver first i have the same problem with you and this is the way to solve this. Maybe you need to install Lan wireless first and then UAA and then Modem. so the UAA i send to you can't fix SM bus controller ?. if you still have problem post it to me

 

to sitontheedge: you still have problem with Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
SM Bus Controller
oh, it weird because when i downgrade i have the mystery driver and i think this is HD modem and i install UAA first and then HD modem. it's that all i can help you need to try again

 

Ken001- Curently I don't have the LAN Wireless driver. Could you send me one? Here is my email nevergiveupeverything ( at ) yahoo

 

oh i just send it to you,ok i will send a gain

 

ok. i have already sent you LAN and Wireless, and HD modem so you need to down load UAA at
http://www.driversplanet.com/device.php?id=126430
remember istall UAA first and then HD modem
uaa bus driver (must be installed before audio and modem)

 

Ken001- The driver file of Wireless LAN you sent to me that is ( rar. ) file. How can I run the setup with the rar. file? Could you please send me the direction to install this file?

Thanks

 

oh now everything you need to do is download winrar (English or what you can read)this link and set up in your laptop and when you finish click the right on my wireless.rar to extract here or to Wireless folder. It that all you will have setup file.
http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

 

Ken001- I think that i have a wrong driver for HD Modem. Would you please send it to me i appreciate it. I was installed the wrong dirver for the Wireless and I can't uninstall it now. So i am reformat the whole system then use the the driver that you sent to me. I hope it works. We are going to use the 32 bit right? I saw in the folder have 32bit and 64bit. Just make sure that i pick the right one. Thanks again

 

Ken001- The rar file that you sent to me have the wireless driver for Intel(R)PRO. We need to have Athero Wireless driver. I think VGN-NR260e using Athero? Please let me know. Thanks

 

what? oh i'm sorry, i didn't know that, you doesn't need to format whole the sytem, just go to control panel and uninstall that. ok. so your laptop is VGN-NR260E ?. and VNG-Nr260 doesn't use Athero. I don't know what to say but i use that HD modem i sent you to my laptop and it's sti;; working good without problem.so this is all driver i can give to you.
here is the chipset:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...ition&lang=eng

Graphics driver:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...ional&lang=eng

Ethernet
~~~~~~~~
One of these 2 will work

http://www.marvell.com/drivers/drive...?dId=175&pId=3
OR
http://www.marvell.com/drivers/drive...?dId=103&pId=3
You'll have to try. I forgot which one was it.


WiFi
~~~~
http://list.driverguide.com/list.php...100/index.html
Driver Name in the list ----> LAN-Express AS IEEE 802.11g PCI-E Adapter Driver (4)

Here is for the Touchpad or pointing device:
http://rapidshare.com/files/101412720/Alps.EXE.html

Modem driver:
http://rapidshare.com/files/10141363...modem.EXE.html

Flash media drivers:
http://rapidshare.com/files/10141389...media.EXE.html

Use this for your backlight:
http://rapidshare.com/files/89539630...ht111.zip.html

This for the audio hotkeys:
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/Vaio/hot...KEY_10_ENG.ZIP

 

wowwwwwww I found my wireless driver. Thank you all. I don't think my model will take the same drivers with you guys. Right now still looking for a SM bus control and HD Modem. Thanks again guys.

 

i don't know much about this but, i use HD modem for VGN-NR260E so how about you when i sent you and you can't use this, it's mean your laptop isn't VGN-NR260E

 

I can't seem to get my sound card working, the link for the AAU is not working, so i am not sure what that driver is, but wouldn't i get it from windows update? I install the audio drivers but when i go to my volume control it gives me error "There are no active mixer devices available....". Any Idea's?

Cheers Sam

 

Sam- Try this link hope it works. Let me know if it's not. http://rapidshare.com/files/101415686/Nr-260e_xp_downgrade_drivers.zip.html

 

Ken001- Anyway I found the driver for HDaudio Modem already. Right now the only thing left is SM Bus Controller. Let me know if you found that driver.

 

Alright I tried installing the driver for the audio before leaving for work but to no success. Do you know the specific driver names? and in what order? When i uninstall the audio drivers via add/remove programs, i get a failed message but it completes the removal. I still get the same mixer error. Should I do a clean install? Thanks for the quick reply.

Cheers Sam

 

Sam- I am sorry that i was sent you a wrong link for sound card driver. This link should be right. http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=14&PFid=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#1

 

Those drivers don't seem to make a difference, would i have to install something before? Thank you for the correct link though.

Cheers Sam

 

I am using this driver right now on my comp. It doesn't need any special files for this driver. It's working fine on my comp. Nothing problem at all. You may don't need to use UAA file. It doesn't hurt to try with out UAA file. Why don't you uninstall UAA file and restart your comp. then try to re-install just this Audio driver only see if it works.

 

I reinstalled the operating system, then the chipset, followed by the UUA and finally the Realtek sound driver, no sound. I am not sure what i am doing wrong. Any suggestions. Thank you for the help so far.
Cheers Sam

 

What is you laptop model? is that VGN-NR260E? if so let me know your email i will send you a driver that i have been installed in my system see if it works.

 

My email is [email protected]. Thanks a lot, at this point everything is worth a try!

Cheers Sam

 

needhelp2008 the only driver you don't have is SM bus control ? i don't know much, so what is it may be i have driver but i don't know . May be this is SD Card and memory stick ?
Pm me when you know

 

Ken001- As my research saying that it usually happen when we downgrade to Win XP. The chipset could not be right one. If we can find for the right chipset for this model i think we will be fine. So if you do have the site for driver go ahead looking for chipset of this model. Please let me know if you can find one.

 

Is the chipset part of the graphics controller? I thought i put it on the cd, do i have to install it once again after a clean xp install?

Cheers Sam

 

Sam- In this forums subject we are talking about how to install the Win XP to this model. We have 2 solutions to do it. Either you are using soft we call " Elite" or using USB floppy disk. If you were using Elite then you attached all of the drivers same time as you create the Win Xp. But if you were using Floppy Disk then you have to install drivers after the operation system installed. So I don't know if way that you are using to install yours? and Yes the chipset is the part of Graphics controller. I think the chipset on this model is Intel 960. I think the one we are using is Intel 965. It's still working but not the right model for it.

 

needhelp2008
oh! so you don't have chipset driver ?

 

Ken001- or someone have the same problems. To fix the SM Bus Controller go ahead download the file from this link. Pick number 2 INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 3, 900 Series Chipsets (2347KB). http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=816&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go%21

 

ok! thank. but how can i check if i have this problem? control panel -----
> system ---> hardware -----> device manager ?

 

Yes, go to device manager to see if anything that have the " yellow question mark" on your computer. ( sometimes it's on " ! " yellow ) The yellow question mark that means you don't have any driver for that hardware. If you can't find any then you will be fine your computer have all drivers.

 

Hello everybody!

I have read all the post, but I have a problem. I can´t switch on the wifi button. Don´t work and the light no brhigt in the "on" position. Anybody has the solution? Thanks!!!

 

egoa- go to device manager check your wifi hardware if it had a driver properly. Keep in mind of my prevouis posted saying that look for the yellow question mark or " ! " in yellow. If you are seeing one of these things then your hardware either don't have a correct driver or don't have a driver at all. The driver that i am using maybe different from someone eles. It is working fine but the light was off never on. The switch was on the ON position. So don't worry about the light just make sure that you have the right and working driver. I will find the driver website and post it later.

 

Thank you very much!!!

 

here is the wireless driver site http://members.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=1080937

 

Dear all,
Anyone please help me send the LAN + Wifi network card driver files to my email address. I can not download from the given link above

Many thanks!

I've fixed this problem. Thank a lot ^^

 

any one solve the problem with S1 and AV MODE key ?

 

Many thanks for great postings. These help me downgrade my NR260E successfully.
But I still have problem with S1 and AVMode function. Anyone please help us ^^