topic Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ? in PCs & Accessories

Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

KenArton — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:06:13 GMT

Hello,

I have a rather old Sony Vaio laptop which according to the labels on the bottom
is model PCG-6E1M. It came with Windows XP-Pro.

Recently I managed to completely screw up the operating system, and decided
to start over with a clean install. (My own data on it was very old and due
for deletion). So I made a note of the windows licence number on the bottom,
and have bought a Windows XP-Pro CD, and have duly formatted the hard drive and
installed the OS.

This all worked OK, but I believe that I also need to install the specific
Sony drivers for my laptop. When I go to the Sony website page for Vaio
Drivers Firware and Software I am asked to select the model from a long list,
but model PCG-6E1M does not appear in the list.

Can anyone advise me on how to proceed?

Many thanks, Ken.

Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

Blencogo — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 20:36:41 GMT

Hi Ken and welcome.

I can't tell the exact model without further details. The model PCG-6E1M is a chassis code which, depending on the specs of the CPU, HDD etc can be several individual models.

I am fairly sure your Vaio is a 13.3 inch screen VGN-S series laptop. As an example, here is a link to the support downloads page for the VGN-S3HP which was sold with XP installed in 2005:

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/laptop-pc-vgn-series/vgn-s3hp?downloads-num=37#downloads

and here is the manual for the entire S and T Series Vaios

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/res/manuals/Z018/Z018311111.PDF

If you need help to find the exact model, please give some more details of the specification. There are lots of models as the VGN-S1, VGNS2, VGN-S3, VGN-S4 and VGN-S5 series each have between 3 and 5 models each.

Good Luck

Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

KenArton — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 22:32:22 GMT

Hi,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
After much searching I have now found all the laptop documentation! (Always a
problem when you put something in a safe place and don't go back to it
for years -- I had given it up as lost).

And you are correct, it is a VGN-S3HP

Many thanks also for the links you've given. The downloads link lists quite a number
of downloads for XP -- I would guess that I don't need them all. The main upfront
problem is that the display is not being driven properly, so I think I first need
a specific Sony display driver. I guess that Original Drivers Package (Windows XP)
would be a good place to start, perhaps also Original Utilities Package (Windows XP)

I am also unable to set up the internet connection, so perhaps I should look at
Intel Ethernet Driver and Intel Wireless LAN Driver.

Do you know if any others are vital?

Best regards, Ken.

Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

KenArton — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:15:53 GMT

Hello,

I have downloaded the Original Drivers Package for XP, and also the Original Utilities Package,

and have extracted them and placed all files on the laptop.

The Utilities Package has a setup.exe file in each folder, and launching this duly installs the

utility -- all OK so far.

But the Drivers Package does not have any executable for most of the folders.

So I do not know how to proceed from here to install the drivers.

My main problem is that the display is wrong. At present the Display Properties

panel, tab Setting, will allow a max setting of 1024x768, whereas the screen has a

native resolution of 1280x800. So the desktop is smaller than the laptop screen.

Also, when I drag a window the response is VERY sluggish. I was hoping to find a

means of installing a Sony display driver that will fix the problems.

In the Drivers package, in folder Monitor/LCD/... there are just three very small files,

none of which looks like a driver.

Any ideas on where I go from here?

Many thanks, Ken.

Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

KenArton — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:32:29 GMT

Hello,

In response to an email from Sony Community Mailer recieved on

15 June 17, the answer is No, it did not solve my problem.

After much time trying to download and install drivers, I have given up

and have passed the problem on to a local computer expert, who is

looking at it now. It will of course cost me a fee.

Also, I cannot find a button on this forum in order to mark it as an

Accepted Solution, or a Non Solution.

Best regards, Ken.

Re: Model number for old Vaio laptop PCG-6E1M ?

Blencogo — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 18:40:00 GMT

Apologies, I have been in hospital for a while and I am being 'rationed' by my wife as to my online time.

I assumed you would just install the NVIDIA GeForce Go 6200 Graphics Driver (Windows XP)

from the downloads page I linked in my previous post:-

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/vgn-series-vgns300-series/vgn-s3hp/downloads/Z0002562

Too obvious?

Which of the original drivers can't you install? Some have an .exe file, some have an .inf file and some need to be installed from within Device Manager by clicking on 'have disc' and pointing the installer at the downloaded drivers file (the method is listed for the nVidia driver above in the installation instructions).