AR SERIES - VISTA & XP CLEAN INSTALL & DUAL BOOT GUIDE (With Fully Working Sony Functions)

radiofreeeurope · 01-19-2009, 08:12 PM

SONY VAIO – AR SERIES

MULTI-BOOT WINDOWS 7 / VISTA / XP - 32Bit & 64Bit - FULL FUNCTION CLEAN INSTALL GUIDE

Edit 04/07/2009 - Guide updated to include Windows 7 and 64Bit drivers. Install process for Windows 7 is identical to Vista, unless where specified below. Oh, and if you've rocked up looking for 64Bit XP drivers, forget it: 64Bit will only work on Vista and Windows 7. Sony never did any 64Bit drivers for XP, so trust me, there's no way you'll get it working. Yeah I know, it's a bummer.

These days, when you purchase a new laptop, it normally comes with Windows Vista and all the relevant OEM hardware drivers pre-installed. Manufacturers no longer provide you with any separate Windows installation media, or any driver or application discs. Instead, the hard drive will generally contain a 'Recovery Partition' which allows the user, if anything goes disastrously wrong, to restore the entire hard drive to factory settings from an encrypted image. Furthermore, although most modern laptops are built with identical hardware components (the same NVidia graphics chips, Sigmatel sound chips, etc.), the manufacturers of these components do not provide any direct support for them, instead they send you back to your laptop manufacturer for any specific driver updates that may or may not be available for your particular machine.

There are plenty of reasons for this: Microsoft like it because you're forced to buy a new Windows license whenever you buy a new computer, and manufacturers like it because it reduces support costs if everyone's using exactly the same set up, plus it allows them to lace your laptop with all manner of money-making bloatware before you've even switched it on. And I guess it suits most users too: they don't want the hassle of setting up Windows or configuring any hardware, they just want to use their computer straight out of the box. Indeed, they may think the manufacturer has done them a favour by filling up their machine with a load of anti-virus, media sharing platforms, and "added value" marketing bollocks. Sony are no exception, and new Vaio's are absolutely saturated with this type of crap.

All this is really frustrating for the more discerning user, who would much prefer the option to perform a clean installation of their own choice of Windows, along with the absolute latest drivers for their hardware components. And it's not just to be clever: OEM drivers are often cut down versions of the real thing and are rarely updated, so you're usually stuck with below-par performance. And while certain software runs better on Vista, some other software still runs better on XP (e.g. VMWare, Cubase, etc). And if you've already paid for a XP license for your old machine which you no longer use, why shouldn't you be able to install it on your new machine if you want? Or even better, why shouldn't you be able to have both: XP and Vista?

This guide brings together everything you need to achieve exactly that: a dual booting system with fully functioning clean installations of both Vista and XP. It was specifically tested on a Sony Vaio AR71ZU, but should be fine for any AR5, 6 or 7 series model. And I'm sure that with a little tweaking, it could also be used as a starting point for any other Vista Vaios too. Let me know how you get on.

BACKUPS

For this guide, I'm going to suggest that you format the whole hard drive which means getting rid of any existing Windows partitions and the Recovery Partition. As long as you've backed up the Recovery Partition onto Recovery DVDs as recommended by Sony, then there's no good reason to have it hogging space on your hard drive. So make sure you've created the Recovery DVDs, and backed up anything else you want to keep, before you start.

INSTALLATION FILES

Locate the Windows Installation media, and download all the installation files, as listed below. Extract any zip files and save the lot to an external drive or burn them to disc. Note that I've specified where the files apply to XP, Vista, or both, and I suggest you organise the files into separate XP and Vista folders where applicable (such that later on in the guide, when I've put "from your WIFI XP installation files folder...", you know exactly what I'm on about).

WINDOWS MEDIA

Windows XP Installation CD:
Everyone and his grandma has got one of these knocking about

Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

Windows XP Service Pack 3:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Windows Vista Installation DVD:
It can be a bit tricky to track one of these down. A universal 'Windows Anytime Upgrade' DVD is supposedly available from Microsoft for a nominal handling and shipping fee, or you can build you're own ISO if you can source these 3 files: boot.wim, install.wim, and X13-49120.exe (see http://directedge.us/content/install...th-no-crapware for full details). If not, your best bet is to borrow a retail edition Vista DVD. Remember you only need the actual installation files, not a Vista license, because you already paid for Vista with your laptop and later on I will show you how to transfer your existing license to your clean install.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package (x86):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

Intel Matrix Storage Manager Floppy Configuration Utility ('f6flpy3288.zip' for 32Bit / 'f6flpy6488.zip' for 64Bit):
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101

nLite:
http://www.nliteos.com/download.html

ABR Activation Backup & Restore:
http://directedge.us/content/abr-act...up-and-restore

SONY FUNCTION SOFTWARE

SONY FIRMWARE EXTENSION PARSER:
Version 8.0.0.1
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI..._S_8.0.0.1.ZIP

SONY SHARED LIBRARY:
Version 4.1.00.09190
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...IBRARY_4.1.ZIP
Version 5.3.0.11240
Vista / Win7 - 64Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI....3.0.11240.ZIP

SETTING UTILITY SERIES:
Version 2.1.00.14150
XP - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORI..._UTILITIES.ZIP
Version 3.1.00.09240
Vista / Win7 - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...1.00.09240.ZIP
Version 4.3.0.14120
Vista / Win7 - 64Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI....3.0.14120.ZIP

VAIO EVENT SERVICE:
Version 2.5.00.12210
XP - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDOW...NT_SERVICE.ZIP
VESConfig.ini
XP - 32Bit - 'C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESConfig.ini' under your original Sony Vista installation
Version 3.3.00.11200
Vista / Win7 - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...ERVICE_3.3.ZIP
Version 4.3.0.13190
Vista / Win7 - 64Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI....3.0.13190.ZIP

VAIO CONTROL CENTER:
Version 2.0.00.11060
XP - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORI..._UTILITIES.ZIP
Version 2.1.00.09190
Vista / Win7 - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...CENTER_2.1.ZIP
Version 3.3.0.12240
Vista / Win7 - 64Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI....3.0.12240.ZIP

VAIO CAMERA CAPTURE UTILITY:
Version 2.7.03.09250
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...7.03.09250.ZIP

DRIVERS

CHIPSET:
Mobile Intel GM965 Express Chipset
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...?ProductID=816

RAID ARRAY:
Intel ICH8M-E/ICH9M-E SATA RAID Controller (2 x TOSHIBA MK3252GSX)
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101

CARDBUS & FLASH:
Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller / Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...R_2.0.0.19.ZIP
Memory Stick Icon
XP - 32bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/XPDOW...STICK ICON.ZIP

VIDEO:
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://www.laptopvideo2go.com

AUDIO 1:
Sigmatel STAC97 C-Major High Definition Audio Chip
XP - 32bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/XPDOW...RS/1_AUDIO.ZIP
Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/Vaio/Ori...921.0_LOGO.ZIP

AUDIO 2:
Realtek High Definition Audio Chip
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://www.realtek.com/downloads/dow...&GetDown=false

ETHERNET:
Marvell Yukon 88E8055 Gigabit Ethernet Controller
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://www.marvell.com/drivers

WIFI:
Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2753

MODEM:
Conexant HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem
XP / Vista - 32bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...Q_7.71.0.0.ZIP
Vista / Win7 - 64bit - Included with Windows

BLUETOOTH:
Broadcom BCM2046 Single-Chip Bluetooth EDR HCI Solution
XP - 32bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/XPD...5.5.0.3200.ZIP
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - http://update.broadcom.com/downloads...DownloadSE.exe

TOUCHPAD:
Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad V6.3
XP / Vista - 32Bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...20REUPLOAD.ZIP
Vista / Win7 - 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...A_10.2.7.0.ZIP

WEBCAM:
Ricoh R5U870
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit / 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI...209.0_LOGO.ZIP

TV TUNER:
AVerMedia M115S MiniPCI Hybrid DVBT
XP / Vista / Win7 - 32bit - http://www.download.com/Avermedia-TV..._4-162331.html
Vista / Win7 - 64bit - ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORI... 4.5.64.14.ZIP

VISTA ACTIVATION BACKUP

As stated above, this guide suggests that you format the whole hard drive which means getting rid of your existing Vista installation. However, you first need to backup your Sony OEM activation license key so that you can restore it to activate your clean Vista installation later on. Luckily, the brilliant little ABR tool created by Brian Mathis (linked to above) does exactly that. Note: the Sony OEM license key is NOT the one on the bottom of your laptop, it's hidden within the operating system.

Edit 04/07/2009 - This bit only applies to Vista. Not sure if the same trick will work on retail versions of Windows 7, but I bet it doesn't. Anyway, if you're installing the Windows 7 Release Candidate, you obviously don't need to bother because Microsoft will let you use it for free until 2010. Ain't that nice?

1) Extract the files from the 'ABR.zip' file into a new folder.
2) Run the 'activation_backup.exe' file to backup your activation license.
3) This will create 2 the backup files in the ABR folder: 'backup-cert.xrm-ms' and 'backup-key.txt'
4) It's probably a good idea to write down the license key on a piece of paper too, just in case.
5) When the time comes to restore the activation license later on, you'll only need to run the 'activation_restore.exe' file to do so, but it's probably a good idea make a separate note of the key now, just in case!

XP INSTALL DISC PREPERATION

Some Vaios (including the AR71ZU) have an Intel RAID controller, i.e. 2 physical hard disks joined together as an array, where the array is seen as one big hard drive by the operating system. The original Windows installation discs do not include the Intel driver for this RAID controller, so you'll need to build a new XP install disc and integrate the driver into the new build. This process is called 'Slipstreaming' and also allows you to integrate the two XP Service Packs into the build, so that you don't need to install them separately afterwards. The 'nLite' application (linked to above) makes all this dead easy:

1) Extract the files from the Intel 'f6flpy3288.zip' file into a new folder.
2) Install nLite and start the application.
3) Stick your original XP disc in the DVD drive and point nLite to the disc when prompted to locate the 'Windows Installation', then tell it to extract the XP install files to a new folder.
4) Click 'Next' through to the 'Task Selection' screen, tick 'Service Pack', 'Drivers', and 'Bootable ISO', then click 'Next'.
5) On the 'Service Pack' screen, point nLite to the 'XP Service Pack 2' EXE file and let it extract the install files.
6) On the 'Service Pack' screen again, point nLite to the 'XP Service Pack 3' EXE file and let it extract the install files, then click 'Next'.
7) On the 'Drivers' screen, click 'Insert', select 'Single Driver', and point nLite to the 'iaStor.inf' file in the 'f6flpy3288' folder you created in Step 1.
8) Tick 'Textmode Driver' and select 'Intel ICH8M-E/ICH9M-E SATA RAID Controller' then click 'OK', then click 'Next'.
9) Click 'Yes' to start the build process when prompted, and let it finalize the build.
10) Click 'Next' through to the 'Bootable ISO' screen and choose whether to create an ISO file, or burn directly to a blank CD, and you're done.

PARTITIONING & MULTIBOOT STRATEGY

Unlike XP, Vista is pretty nosey about the other operating systems you might have installed on your machine. Even if you hide any other Windows System partitions, it will sniff them out and attempt to take control of them via the Microsoft Boot Loader. If you want ultimate control of your system, then there are ways to make each Windows partition independent and use a standalone Bootloader like 'BOOT-US' to manage the boot process. This is the best option, but if you're happy to just let the standard Microsoft Bootloader manage it all for you, then you just need to install XP first, and Vista second. You’ll also need to ‘Generalise’ your Vista install if you plan to clone it to another partition. See this excellent website for all the details: http://www.multibooters.co.uk.

XP INSTALL

1) Boot the computer from your new XP SP3 installation CD and wait for the 'Windows Setup' interface to load.
2) Press 'Enter' to perform a new installation.
3) Press 'Esc' to skip repair of any existing installations.
4) On the Partitions screen, delete all the existing partitions and create new ones according to your needs (including any you will be using for Vista).
5) Point Windows Setup to the partition you've designated for the XP operating system, and proceed through the Windows installation procedure as normal.
6) When XP has finished booting up for the first time, remove the installation CD and set your screen resolution to maximum so you can see what's going on.
7) The Sony Function software (which enables the Eject, Mute, S1, S2, and Fn Keys) requires the 'Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0' to work properly, so locate and run the 'dotnetfx.exe' installation file to install.
8) Open the 'Device Manager': click on 'Start', right click on 'My Computer', select 'Manage', select 'Device Manager'.
9) Expand the 'Human Interface Devices' section, right click on 'Sony Notebook Control' in the list, select 'Update Driver', and install the 'Sony Firmware Extension Parser' driver using the 'Have Disk' method:

i. When prompted to 'Search Windows Update' for the driver, select 'No, not this time', and click 'Next'.
ii. Select 'Install from a specific location' and click 'Next'.
iii. Select 'Don't search. I will choose the driver to install', click 'Next', and select 'Have Disk'.
iv. Browse to your 'SFEP DRIVER SONY_8.0G_8.0.0.1' folder.
v. Select the 'SFEP.inf' file, click 'OK', and click 'Next', and let Windows update the driver.
vi. Click 'Finish' and let Windows reboot.

10) From your 'Sony Shared Library 4.1.00.09190' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install, then let Windows reboot.
11) From your 'Setting Utility Series 2.1.00.14150' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install.
12) From your 'VAIO Event Service 2.5.00.12210' folder, run 'setup.exe'. On the 'Setup Type' screen, select 'Typical' and click 'Next' to install.
13) From your 'VESConfig.ini' file and copy and replace the one located here: 'C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESConfig.ini'.
14) Restart the 'Vaio Event Service': click on 'Start', click on 'Run', type 'services.msc' and hit Enter, right click on 'Vaio Event Service' in the list and select 'Restart'.
15) From your 'VAIO Control Center 2.0.00.11060' folder and run 'setup.exe' to install.
16) Your Eject, Mute, Fn Keys should now be working correctly and you can use the 'Vaio Control Center' application to assign functions to the S1 and S2 keys.
17) From your 'Vaio Camera Capture Utility 2.7.03.09250' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install.
18) From your CHIPSET driver folder, run 'infinst_autol.exe' to install the 'Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility', then let Windows reboot.
19) From your RAID ARRAY driver folder, run 'iata86enu.exe' to install the 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager', then let Windows reboot.
20) From your CARDBUS / FLASH driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the TI-PCI drivers.
21) From your MEMORY STICK XP driver folder, run 'setup.bat' to install the Memory Stick device icon.
22) From your VIDEO XP driver folder (make sure you replaced the 'nv4_disp.inf' file with the modded inf!), run 'setup.exe' to install the NVIDIA driver, then let Windows reboot. Right click on the desktop and use the 'NVIDIA Control Panel' to configure your display settings.
23) From your AUDIO 1 (Sigmatel) XP driver folder and run 'setup.exe' to install the Sigmatel driver and Sound Reality Control Panel.
24) From your AUDIO 2 (Realtek) XP driver folder, run the downloaded exe file to install the Realtek driver, then let Windows reboot.
25) From your ETHERNET driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the Marvell Miniport driver, and run 'SetupDIAGwin.exe' to install the 'Yukon Diagnostics' application.
26) From your WIFI XP driver folder, run the downloaded exe file to install the 'Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility'. On the 'Setup Type' screen, select 'Custom' to include the various admin utilities for installation, then let Windows reboot.
27) From your MODEM driver folder, run 'Setup.exe' to install the Conexant driver.
28) From your BLUETOOTH XP driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the 'WIDCOMM Bluetooth Software'. Run 'SetupBtwDownloadSE.exe', untick 'I have purchased Bluetooth Software from this website', then click 'Download' to get any free software updates.
29) From your TOUCHPAD driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the Synaptics driver, then let Windows reboot.
30) Open the 'Device Manager': click on 'Start', right click on 'My Computer', select 'Manage', select 'Device Manager'.
31) Expand the 'Imaging Devices' section, right click on 'USB VIdeo Device' in the list, select 'Update Driver', and install the 'R5U870FL.inf' driver from your WEBCAM driver folder using the 'Have Disk' method as described in Step 9 above.
32) From your TV TUNER driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the AVerMedia driver.
33) That's about it. Your Sony Vaio should now be fully operational under a clean install of Windows XP.
34) Go to Windows Update to scan for and install any Windows Updates, and then proceed to install & update all your favorite software.
35) If you want to know how best to optimize your new Windows XP install so that it runs as blazingly fast as possible, then I highly recommend that you download and follow all of the steps outlined in Koroush Ghazi's simply excellent Tweaking Companion Guide, available here: http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html.

VISTA / WINDOWS 7 INSTALL

Edit 04/07/2009 - The below steps are for Vista, but it's pretty much the same process for Windows 7: just skip steps 10 and 11.

1) Boot the computer from the installation DVD and wait for the 'Install Windows' screen to load.
2) Choose your language and select 'Install Now'.
3) Do not enter a Product Key when prompted, untick 'Automatically activate Windows when I'm online', then click 'Next'
4) You will again be prompted to enter a Product Key. Click 'No'.
5) From the list, select the version of Windows for which you already have a license (i.e. the same version as on your original installation), tick 'I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased'.
6) Click 'Next' through to the 'Custom (Advanced)' installation screen.
7) Select 'Load Driver' and browse to the Intel 'f6flpy3288' / 'f6flpy6488' installation files folder, then click 'OK'. Windows will automatically detect the 'iaStor.inf' file. Click 'Next'.
8) From the list of partitions, select the partition you've designated for the install, and proceed through the Windows installation procedure as normal.
9) When Windows has finished booting up for the first time, remove the installation DVD and set your screen resolution to maximum so you can see what's going on.
10) From your ABR installation files folder, run the 'activation_restore.exe' file to restore the Sony OEM activation license. Click 'Start', right click 'Computer', and have a look at the 'Windows Activation' section to ensure that your license has been activated correctly.
11) Locate the 'Vista Service Pack 1' EXE file you downloaded, and run it to upgrade your install to SP1, allowing Windows to reboot when prompted.
12) Open the 'Device Manager': click on 'Start', right click on 'Computer', select 'Manage', select 'Device Manager'.
13) In the 'Other Devices' section, right click on 'Unknown device' in the list, select 'Update Driver Software', select 'Browse my computer for driver software', browse to your 'SFEP DRIVER SONY_8.0G_8.0.0.1' installation file folder, click 'OK', then click 'Next' and let Windows update the driver.
14) From your 'Sony Shared Library' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install, then let Windows reboot.
15) From your 'Setting Utility Series' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install.
16) From your 'VAIO Event Service' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install.
17) From your 'VAIO Control Center' folder and run 'setup.exe' to install.
18) Your Eject, Mute, Fn Keys should now be working correctly and you can use the 'Vaio Control Center' application to assign functions to the S1 and S2 keys.
19) From your 'Vaio Camera Capture Utility' folder, run 'setup.exe' to install.
20) From your CHIPSET driver folder, run 'infinst_autol.exe' to install the 'Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility', then let Windows reboot.
21) From your RAID ARRAY driver folder, run 'iata86enu.exe' to install the 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager', then let Windows reboot.
22) From your CARDBUS / FLASH driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the TI-PCI drivers.
23) From your VIDEO Vista driver folder (make sure you replaced the 'nv4_disp.inf' file with the modded inf!), run 'setup.exe' to install the NVIDIA driver, then let Windows reboot. Right click on the desktop and use the 'NVIDIA Control Panel' to configure your display settings.
24) From your AUDIO 1 (Sigmatel) Vista driver installation files folder and run 'setup.exe' to install the Sigmatel driver and Sound Reality Control Panel.
25) From your AUDIO 2 (Realtek) Vista driver installation files folder, run the downloaded exe file to install the Realtek driver, then let Windows reboot.
26) From your ETHERNET driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the Marvell Miniport driver, and run 'SetupDIAGwin.exe' to install the 'Yukon Diagnostics' application.
27) From your WIFI Vista driver folder, run the downloaded exe file to install the 'Intel PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility'. On the 'Setup Type' screen, select 'Custom' to include the various admin utilities for installation, then let Windows reboot.
28) From your MODEM driver folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the Conexant driver.
29) From your BLUETOOTH Vista driver folder, run 'SetupBtwDownloadSE.exe' to download and install any software updates from Broadcom.
30) From your TOUCHPAD driver files folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the Synaptics driver, then let Windows reboot.
31) From your WEBCAM driver files folder, run either 'DPInst32.exe' (32Bit) or 'DPInst64.exe' (64Bit) to install the Ricoh driver. The 'Vaio Camera Capture Utility' should now be working.
32) From your TV TUNER installation files folder, run 'setup.exe' to install the AVerMedia driver.
33) That's about it. Your Sony Vaio should now be fully operational under a clean install of Windows Vista / Windows 7.
34) Go to Windows Update to scan for and install any Windows Updates, and then proceed to install & update all your favorite software.
35) If you want to know how best to optimize a Windows Vista install so that it runs as blazingly fast as possible, then I highly recommend that you download and follow all of the steps outlined in Koroush Ghazi's simply excellent Tweaking Companion Guide, available here: http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html.

Good Luck. Hope it works for you!

RFE - http://www.radiofreeeurope.net – Last Updated: July 2009

Fabrizio · 01-20-2009, 07:06 PM

Hi,

I could never get the camera to work after I had formatted my Ar 620e, and now after installing your driver it worked, but Im getting a pink/blue blurry image.

Any thoughts on what might sove this?

Thanks,

Fabrizio

Fabrizio · 01-20-2009, 07:07 PM

ps: Im running Vista Premium Home (PT-BR)

PWR · 01-21-2009, 07:02 AM

@radiofreeeurope
Nice collection!
How about x64? (I stopped using 32 bit systems long time ago)
AFAIK chipset should be Intel PM965 Express (GM965 has Intel graphics included - rather useless on an AR).
PWR

jimmas · 01-21-2009, 04:46 PM

Thanks mate very helpfull, will try it on my ar51e and let you know how it runs.

Murain · 02-21-2009, 12:24 AM

I created the xp install disk as per the instructions...slipstreamed the sp3 and raid drivers...but it doesnt see my hard drive, and then have to restart or stop installation. Any ideas? Oh...and all im trying to do is load xp, not a dual boot.

biggles101 · 02-22-2009, 09:25 PM

I found this site very helpful,
http://techtricks.co.in/slipstreamin...ootable-xp-cd/

biggles101 · 02-22-2009, 09:32 PM

I am in need of the VESconfig.sys file for my VGN-AR520E XP downgrade. I gleefully deleted the hard drive of any trace of vista before I found these wonderful directions. Any help would be appreciated.

ravenrue · 04-12-2009, 10:53 PM

Everything works amazingly (If you had a Vista 64bit guide for the Vaio users who don't have sony support for 64bit I'd listen).

The only issue I have is that the USB ports don't work.

I have a Sony Vaio VGN-AR520E Laptop.
Screen: 17inch screen
Memory: 4Gb of Ram
Video: GeForce 8400M GT (128Mb)

IDE Controller: Intel(R) ICH8M SATA AHCI Controller - 2829
Intel(R) ICH8M Ultra ATA Storrage Controller - 2850
Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller
Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller

What I need is the USB Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M... I think I just got lost trying to get the Mother Board Drivers from Intel. A helping hand would be appreciated.

scaramanga · 04-22-2009, 01:29 PM

Fantastic guide, radiofreeeurope. Many thanks for your hard work!

I have been downgrading (or upgrading!) to XP on a Sony Vaio VGN-AR61E and all appears to be working now apart from a couple of things.

The hotkeys and function keys only half work:
The S1/S2 keys do not respond;
The Volume Up/Down keys work
The DVD Drive Eject button does not respond;
The Volume Mute button works;
The Fn + F5/F6 Brightness adjustment buttons do not work;
The Fn + F7 Change Output Display button doesn't work;
The Fn + F10 Zoom in button doesn't work;
However Fn + scroll lock works

I've not had a chance to check that Fn + Pause or Break works. But they're not really a priority - I can't remember the last time I needed to press those buttons!

Is there a solution to getting these working?

Keep up the good work!