Which VGN-AR models will support XP?

I much prefer xp to Vista, but don't want to get stuck with a model that doesn't have the necessary driver support. Please let me know if you are running XP on your AR. If you are, please list the model of your AR & any incompatibilities you have with XP.

Thanks!

 

anyone ?

 

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME, UNLESS THE PRICE IS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP!!!

Let me start off by saying I bought an AR65OU (on sale a year ago) for $1200.00 with XP in mind and I still regret my purchase. TO GET A CLEAN INSTALL OF XP YOU WILL NEED A CUSTOM INSTALL, TO GET A CLEAN INSTALL OF VISTA YOU WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE A COPY!!

I have a VGN-AR65OU and I'm running XP. BUT IT IS A TASK TO SETUP!! Keep in mind that I've also used Windows since it was a shell in DOS, and I have a background in programming!! Sony only supports Vista 32-bit on AR series and they will void your warranty if you try to run XP, so I couldn't even think about calling them to complain about drivers for anything (XP, VISTA 64, XP64, or LINUX). I wanted my laptop to run a DAW, so XP was my only option. I bought my $1200.00 PC because it was almost on par with the $3000.00 "17 Mac Book Pro specs. It's a new day for the PC consumer, tech. specs aren't the only thing to worry about, you have to consider the specs w/ the supported OS, companies like Sony are going out of their way NOT to support anything but Vista. The AR series had the potential to be a cheap "17 Mac Book Pro alternative, but it came with "Vista Ultimate 32-bit" and 6GB of pre-installed bull**** (most can NOT simply be "Add/Remove" uninstalled). I regret my purchase, and will never buy from Sony again. Your way better off with HP/Dell, their support is awesome, some have Linux drivers. Although AR's would benefit greatly from 64-bit drivers, the AR series doesn't have vista 64/ xp64 support. So you won't be running a 64-bit OS on these laptops either, even though you can install 4GB on these laptops. Vista 32-bit shows how much installed ram you have, it can NOT use 4GB, it only uses 3GB, in fact the operating system gets the info from your bios because the OS can't actually see it. Unless you want to "trial & error" drivers from Intel, SigmaTel, RealTek, Marvell, Texas Instruments, etc., STAY FAR AWAY FROM SONY UNTIL THEY OFFICIALLY SUPPORT VISTA 64, XP64 or XP with DRIVERS!!!. Please also note that you do not get a "copy" of vista when you buy these laptops. You get a hidden partition which doesn't allow you to do a fresh install.

Here are my specs:
==============
2.2ghz Core 2 Duo T7500
4GB (2GBx2)---> I'm going to set up XP64, when i get time
DVD+RW
8400M GT 256MB
320GB (160GB x2) --> Great for DAW!
17" WXGA+ 1440x900

\\The 8600M GS (in Mac Book Pros) is just an overclocked 8400M GT, the hardware is identical. Apple overclocks it directly in the bios, you'll have to set it in through something like "RivaTuner" to get to the BIOS. On another note Sony's bios is pathetic and there are no useful options in it whatsoever.

Until there are specific tutorials for this model on setting up XP, I would stay away from it. If you still decide to get it let me know, I'm working on documenting what I've found out (It's a good laptop w/ horrible support). My XP install runs semi-flawless, but it took a lot of my time to get it set up, everything works except AV button. But, if I could do it over again I would have bought a Mac or an HP (the dv series compares closely in specs and price). I'm going to post a tutorial on setting up AR series under XP when I get time.

You will assuredly learn a lot about drivers & custom installs trying to put Xp on the AR's.

-geneyess

 

Hi,

Yeah i got a lot of problems with setting up
XP on my AR51SU!

 

Hello Geneyess,

I have a customer who wants me to install XPpro on a VGN-AR65OU
So you were every going to share those install tips I'd greatly appreciate it!!!
I only have the laptop for the next 24-48 hrs, so time is critical
Thanks in advance!!!

 

Hi guys

Please see my post for a complete guide on installing XP (& Vista) from scratch on an AR Series machine. Easy peasy, and all the Sony Functions (Eject, Fn, S1, S2 keys) work.

Hope this helps you out.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=344027

Cheers
RFE

 

DOH! I didn't get notified of your post "radiofreeeurope"
But totally SWEET post ... thank you!!!!
You did tons of work and shared it!!! Nice work!

Unfortunately this link is down ... know of an alternative?
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ VIDEO - NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT:

Never mind laptopvideo2go.com came back up.... hooray!
But having issue with no sound if you have a cue ... update even the driver u gave and still no luck ... hmmm