auto detecting hardware

[ScubaStevo]

After formatting and re-installing windows xp, the OS wont detect my modem or sound card. I am not sure what they are, and it gives very few options to choose from. And naturaly the troubleshooting software is of no help. The computer is a Sony PCG-FR700 laptop, so if anyone knows of or where or how to retrive these details that would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Stevo

 

[jrbarnett]

Hi,

I would try running Belarc Advisor or Aida32 on the machine. These programs can make a pretty good stab at identifying the hardware. From then on it becomes easier to locate appropriate drivers.

Belarc advisor:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Aida32:

http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php

Something though: Did the sony not come with a restore CD (rather than an OS setup CD) which would install them all for you?

John

 

[franklin97355]

Most laptops came with a driver disk. If you still have yours you should run the driver install. Or check the Sony website for the latest drivers for your laptop.

 

[ScubaStevo]

Thanks, I will try those. I didnt receive any of the restore CD's or drivers that come with the laptop from the previous owner, he told me that I will never need them (now I am starting to regret the purchase). Oh well hopefully this will help it. Thanks for the help, I will let you's know

 

[ScubaStevo]

Those programs I downloaded reported that no device was detected for the sound and didnt say a thing about network drivers. Looks like I really need the CD with the drivers on it, other I might have to pay someone to do it or install new ones?

 

[lukejd87]

hey did you try sony's website?

http://ciscdb.sel.sony.com/cgi-bin/select-p-n.pl

(I'm not sure if this forum site accepts code... so ignore one of them if it shows up wierd)

Maybe you might need to perform surgery and find out the serial numbers on the audio chipset.

 

[ScubaStevo]

Thats an idea, try take it apart and see whats inside hey. not really sure what I am looking for but could be worth a shot

 

[mikeyd32]

The chipset is usually the biggest chip on the card and has alpha-numeric id like "AU8810" which is the Aureal Vortex advantage soundcard.
I do my driver searches at driverguide.com Awesome driver resource and free reggy too!! (which is very rare nowadays)
Also...I did a bit of hunting for you and found this page...let me know what you think.

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/support/index_faq.asp?ProductGroup=VAIO+Notebook

Good luck...cya!
Mikeyd