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And0

Hello guys,
i've also got the most common problem around.
I bought a VGN-AR41L and it came with a vista home premium.
I've found that vista is a resource eater and i want the good old WinXP.
The other problem which is more important is that I'm using specific software that doesn't run on the vista.
Can someone help me with that?
Also when i insert the winXP cd and hit FORMAT it says something about contacting manufacturers and software something blah-blah and i should press f3 to restart the machine.
Thanks!

Blencogo

Hi And0 and welcome to Club Vaio.

You will find step-by-step instructions in this excellent thread by costasp: -

http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/gb/en/forum/viewthread?thread=41647

You will also need to use the AR21 Drivers and Utilities for XP. The only things different in your AR41L are

1. The Camera Driver which is the same for Vista and XP - you will have to keep your existing driver
2. The Graphics card - you will need to get a new beta driver for XP from LaptopVideo2Go.com for your nVidia 8400M GT. There are only beta drivers available at the moment as your graphics are not meant to work with XP.

And0

hi,

ammm i don't have a floppy and i will not buy one. The problem is that i read in another threat that one can use nLite i downloaded it but i can't find the drivers for my HDD 😞
Everything is very hard. Why sony doesn't offer drivers for older versions of windows?
I'm very sad about their politics. I want to put on my computer whatever i like. Why should i involve my business with the monopolistic M$ games. I want my XP and I'm not a computer master to fix every issue 😞

Can someone help me with finding my SATA drivers ?
My motherboard is Mobile Interl PM965/GM965/GL960 thanks alot!

And one more thing wile reading the forum i found a link to sony s web site saying that they are going to do something on that downgrade. The problem is that i can not register and when i click on accept it gives me an error something like i have missedmatched my namer ot serial nomber. I've cheked a mil times everything was right. DAMN frustrated about those problems

Blencogo

You can slipstream the XP installation using nLite. You will need to read their tutorials.

Before you do anything, make a set of Recovery Discs by going to 'VAIO Recovery Utility'. You may have to reinstall Vista if you need to claim on your guarantee and you may also want to replace Vista in the future when XP is no longer available after next January and XP becomes less usable.

Nearly all the drivers you will need for XP can be downloaded in the Original Drivers Package from the webpage for the VGN-AR21M here: -

http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/downloads/updates/updates.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&c=0&s=VGN-AR&m=2420

EXCEPT these drivers that need to be copied from your Vista AR41M

1. Get your SATA drivers for your HDD from your directory C:\Drivers\SATA
2. Get your Camera Driver from C:\Drivers\Camera
3. Get your nVidia 8400M GT driver from www.LaptopVideo2Go.com

You are also going to need the Original Utility Package download from the AR21M to get things like: -

Bluetooth
Function Keys
AV Mode
Camera Utility
Power Management
Switch Setting Utility

to work with XP.

Good Luck!!!

And0

hi,
i couldn't find the 8400 GT drivers any suggestions?
I've found the sata driver so installation will be attempted soon

Thanks for the support !

Blencogo

Download 162.18 from here: -

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=13742

Download the Modded .INF from the same page. This is essential or the driver will not install on any mobile GPU.

Follow the step-by-step instructions for installation from here: -

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33

Good Luck!!