XP Downgrade Option? - Sony VAIO Support

Hi guys.

Not sure if this is news or not but I just noticed something from Sony.



Wonder whats that is all about?

I registered and its all the XP files and drivers in 2 neat downloadable packages. Would be nice and easy to revert back to XP then. Even tells you how to keep the Vista image on the harddrive incase you wanna go back Vista. Quite cool of Sony to do that.

 

i wonder if this is a UK only program? i can't seem to fid that message - or any support for xp drivers for a vgn-n325e.

*edit* i found the downgrade opyion on sony asia...alas, not for my model! still looking for the US support.

 

I don't know - but I did have to enter my product key and serial key and the rest till I got to that page. So I guess its' not open to all public.

 

This is KICK ASS!

Are you able to share those files with the rest of us?
I don't see this being available in Asia at all and I'm sure a lot of us would appreciate it!

 

i finally found it! go to this site and enter your model number:

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/Vista/General/AnnDetails.aspx?ID=319&Category=VAIO Accessories

for reference, when i put my model number - vgn-n325e - it didnt find the EXACT model, but i was able to download a package that stated it was for the vgn-n series. once i did that, everything worked.

let me know if you need the asian link and i'll see if i can find it again.

*edit* i found this link after doing a quick search on the sony.asia site:

http://www.sony-asia.com/subtype/usefulinfo/asset/216869?site=hp_en_AP_i

 

Nice one man Looks like you've found it. Could share it but I don't have a server with big enough memory!

 

Can a moderator make this sticky?

This thread just about solves MOST of the XP downgrade options for all the Sony notebooks!

 

Would the sz6xx work with it?

 

i woudl assume that since the sz4 works with it, you should be fine with the SZ6 - basically the same xcept the video drivers (laptopvideo2go.com) and perhaps the chipset driver (which u dnt technically need anyway cuz vista/xp have a generic driver)

 

and moderators, this wouldnt be that of a sticky because there are many man sony users that have wanted an xp downgrade option and until now, sony hasn't given them anything....

 

That was a lucky find, was looking for nVidia drivers and stumbled across this gesture of Sony's

 

Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.

Quite a lot of us have been pooling together in another thread to figure out the best way to install drivers for XP when we bought SZ4s and beyond.

You saved a lot of hair pulling. *laugh*

 

good news. btw any luck for FZ users??

 

So have anybody actually tested the SZ6xx using those SZ4 XP drivers?

 

i dont see why it wouldnt work

the only differneces between the 2 laptops are the speed and video which would mean only drivers changed would be the 2 graphic card drivers and the chipset driver

 

Hey Guys,

anyone tried to install xp on a SZ6 with the SZ4-drivers? I'd like to know if somebody figuered out how to use _every_ function of the sz under xp.

I started my first try today but I experience quite a lot of problems now:
- can't install fingerprint sensor, mass storage controller, modem and networkcontrollers driver in the device manager
- WLAN doesn't work yet
- S- and brightness-keys without function, F10-zoom too
If someone got one of these running under xp, please let me know.
Shame on Sony for not providing the sz6-drivers and -utilities for xp but forcing their users to cobble it together by themselves.

 

Somone said mid oct they will have an SZ6 downgrade option. I hope so. I HATE VISTA!

I almost want to return this thing because of it and one dead pixel that is driving me crazy.

 

hi, I tried to use this and it works with windows xp s2. but when installing the video driver(whichi is video1) my pc wont continue to windows. anyone have the same problem? btw, my lappy is vgn-c22gh. tnx

 

SZ-6xx WinXP drivers are available on sony's usa site. Although they are all seperate downloads. Just go to download drivers, Select install another OS and select Windows XP from the drop down. Here's the site for the sz-680
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNSZ680

 

What about the SZ650. Also, do I have to buy a copy of XP or can I use the one from my Dell? I think the Dell one will recognize my hardware is not the same.

Are all of you buying XP? How are you getting a hold of the software?

 

will the software there work for the vgn-c22gh model. tnx again

 

Hi All

I am trying to get drivers for AR49G, not finding any at all. And they have started stripping this from the Asia-pacific sites, I found a site yesterday and the main site works but the links to the files are now broken...

I really want to get rid of Vista

 

hello.. i'm a sony vaio VGN-CR120E/W user.. the notebook was bought in Canada. I've downgraded to xp from vista. I have all the drivers working and all, but my 'Fn' buttons and the AV MODE button still not work... i have used the links given by other users and found the CR series applications ( i think those are the software that will make 'Fn' and AV MODE button work) . At the Sony support site they said that the AV MODE button won't work, the 'Fn' buttons won't work and the INSTANT MODE won't work ... any solutions on how to get those things to work??? i really want to make the screen dimmer because it drains my battery pretty fast =/

 

Does anyone know if this works with the SZ480?

 

Hey all i have a vgn-fz240e and i know the brightness controll buttons will not work but why cant you manually change the brightness in the power controlls because this just drains the energy out of my battery

 

looking for xp drivers for vgn-n32e and .... in dont fiind .
plz helppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

 

Hello
I want to bye a vgn-fz240e !
but i'm worry that i can not setup a xp on it!
which Drivers for XP are not avalable? is this problem serious?!
TNX a lot

 

I have an vgn-fz240e and i found all the drivers that work the only think is you cant dimm your screen so it eats up battery, with xp i was getting about an hour and a half of battery life with vista i get close to 4 hours so i went back to vista if you need any of the drivers let me know and i can see what i can do. Hope this helps.

 

will these drivers work even if the model isn't the same?

 

Does anyone know about this?

http://forums.driverguide.com/showpost.php?p=80379&postcount=23

seems like it would work but step #3 doesn't work. It says "file is currently in use.."

 

dear rustsac,it is very kind of you!
i'll be so pleased if you send me Link of the Drivers you have found for VGNFZ240E!
If the Fn+F6 doesn't work, isn't there any other way to reduce the Screen Light?!
TNX a lot
i wish that i could help you too!

 

Can someone post the link for the package needed to downgrade model VGN-NR260E to XP?

 

I have a VGN-N325E model VAIO notebook, but as I looked on other sites, and consulting with my suppliers, I was told that I cannot downgrade my notebook without the risk of system instability. Can anyone tell me how can I solve this, and point me to a site where I can download XP drivers.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hello I was just Wondering if any one has downgraded a sony vaio vgn-n325e Laptop from vista two xp i tryed but was not sucessful need the driverers does any here no were i can find tham i have all ready contacted sony and they said that thay did not support driver for xp on this model does anyone no a way around this any help would be greatly appriated Thank you.

 

Did you guys check this link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/ ?

 

Needlz

Nice

I've also ordered the portableOne download disks as well, but this is an added bonus.

Cheers

 

I have a question.

I just installed the Windows XP downgrade on my Sony SZ660.

Everything is running wonderfully and I couldn't be happier, but just something i haven't been able to figure out yet is where can I locate the 256mb flash memory drive?

If someone could point that out in terms of just being able to see in Windows somewhere, that would be great.

Thanks.

 

needlz Hay thank for the repleye I look in the stuff from link you poasted but there is no list for my model is there a serten one of these that will work with the N325E or just not there or do just try theam all the drivers that is .i dont no what too do i dont want too damage my pc. Too the point of no return but iI do have the Full Vio Recovery set fron sony so iI have tha Vista Stuff would it be safe too try theas driver on there or like I seid is there one in peacific one I should youes thank for the help so far . I will be witing for your next poast so until than THANK AGAIN.

 

Will this also work for FZ210CE???

 

You should be able to find it in the divice manager on windows xp . Too get there go to my computer than right click than go to manage window will open than should show up in the remove storage open this it should be in there I hope this help .

 

Hello every one still looking for a good set of drivers for my 325e for XP can Anyone HELP me find what I need Please and Thank You .

 

I have just purchased the Vaio VGN-FZ290 from a local Sony outlet, not realizing that it has no option whatsoever to down(?)grade to Windows XP. I contact the so called "tech" people at Sony, only to have them tell me over and over again that it "...ships with Vista". No kidding!- what do they think I was typing on, an old IBM or sending them smoke signals?

Also Sony has the BIOS set up so that you can't take it off of SATA even if you have a legit copy of Windows XP, so XP won't "see" the hard drive! They have thought of everything, scratching big Bill's back must make them some nice change to do this to thier customers!

 

Thanks. I checked under there but all it showed was Media and Libraries.

Under Libraries it had Memorystick and Mat****a DVD-RAM.

hmm......