"Downgrading" to XP

[artyk]

Hi, all.

I am currently trying to "downgrade" a friend's laptop from Vista to XP. It's a Sony Vaio VGN-FW139E. 250GB HD. Intel Core2 Duo. (I'm not sure of all the specs).

Whenever I would try the install, it would blue screen at the "starting Windows" part of the install. I googled that error and got several things to try, none of which worked. Then I zero filled the drive and tried again. Still nothing. I tried slipstreaming the SATA drivers and installing them via floppy, both to no avail. I tried updating the BIOS. I even tried doing the initial part of the install on another machine to try to get it past the part that was choking.

Is there anything I'm missing in the "downgrade" process? This is my first attempt at it and it's obviously not going well. Thanks in advance.

 

[artyk]

Also, as part of this same issue, would anyone happen to know the name of XP's default SATA driver? I was going to try to rename the updated driver to the default to see if that made a difference. Thanks.

 

[G0AOZ]

You said, "I zero filled the drive...". Are you completely deleting all partitions on this hard drive? If available, try putting in a blank or unused hard drive, and see if the problem remains.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[artyk]

Yes, all data and partition information were wiped from the drive rendering it a blank, unformatted drive. Unfortunately, I don't have any spare 2 3/4" drives to swap in.

 

[artyk]

Ok, I tried an XP SP3 disk that we had, and it gets past the point that it was choking on. Now I can press enter to set up windows, but it doesn't see the hard drive, so it asks for the driver. Fair enough. The controller that is on this laptop is not listed, so I scroll down to where it says "Other (requires disk provided by...)". That brings up a list of 13 different drivers to choose from. I've tried about 6 or 7 of them, but they have all lead to a blue screen. When I get through the list I'll post what I find out, good or bad.

 

[BadBigBen]

You should use the INTEL STORAGE MATRIX driver, since the chipset on that laptop is an INTEL ICH9M...

if it is not on the slipstreamed XP SP3 CD, then download the correct driver from INTEL directly...

PS: Sony has drivers for XP on that lappy...

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNFW139E&SelectOS=7

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[artyk]

I have officially tried all of the drivers on the floppy and all of then led to a blue screen. Right before it blue screens a message comes up (very quickly) that says something to the effect of "the hardware you selected was not found". Which I find strange because I downloaded the drivers directly from Sony.

BadBigBen, thanks for the info. I had already downloaded the drivers from Sony's site, but I don't yet have any directly from Intel (except the BIOS updates). I'll try those next.

 

[artyk]

When I used the drivers from Intel I didn't get a blue screen but it still gave me the message about the the hardware not existing. I also downloaded the Storage Matrix drivers for their mobile boards, but there wasn't any way to make a floppy, it was just a regular installer, i.e, for when Windows is already intstalled and functioning.

 

[wahnula]

Is there an option in the BIOS under "onboard devices" or "SATA" that offers the ability to "use SATA as IDE" or use "legacy mode" for SATA? Have you tried with AHCI off or disabled?

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[artyk]

Nope, BIOS is the most basic I've ever seen. Only real options are to enable/disable boot devices and set boot order.

 

[BadBigBen]

Intel I didn't get a blue screen but it still gave me the message about the the hardware not existing.

Tells me that you have the correct driver for the hardware, bluescreening means wrong driver, but that the SATA mode is wrong... that is why Tony, mentioned the AHCI and LEGACY modes, etc... these usually can be found under the ADVANCED SETUP MENU, not in the BOOT MENU of the BIOS...

PS: only update BIOS from SONY not from INTEL...

PSS: drats, no manual on the website either... Sony tsk tsk tsk...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[artyk]

Unfortunately, there is no Advanced Setup Menu in the BIOS. There is "Main", which gives system info (BIOS version, Machine Name, Serial Number, UUID, System Memory, Hard Disk Drive, and system date and time); "Security", which deals with passwords; "Boot", which gives boot options (obviously), including the ability to enable/disable boot devices and set boot order, and finally; "Exit", which gives the options "Exit Setup", "Get Default Values", "Discard Changes", "Save Changes", and "Shutdown". Those are the BIOS options in their entirety. I have never seen one so basic in my experience. There is literally no option to change SATA functioning, or really anything other than the boot options. It is encouraging that I may have the correct driver, though.

 

[wahnula]

Have you tried contacting Sony? Some companies have "Vista-to-XP" CDs for sale, I guarantee you are not the first one to have this problem. I dealt with the same problem in 6/2006, there were some hardware parts that did NOT have XP drivers period, like the wireless card, which I switched out. There are now XP drivers available for all parts on that Gareway machine

It seems to have become better, my last "downgrade" was last Novermber ('07) when I did the same to a Lenovo, in this case when I called, instead of being told I was voiding my warranty, I was told they had XP recovery CDs for like $50, full of bloatware but they worked. Give Sony a call, like I said you're not the first I am sure. If the first tech can't help, call back. That's my strategy of dealing with phone techs, keep calling until you find a good one.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[artyk]

I chatted with a Sony rep on their live chat system. I didn't ask about a Vista-to-XP cd, but I had asked about drivers and his response was to check back later. I could tell he was working from a script. I'll see what I can find out about getting a cd from them. Thanks.

 

[wahnula]

One thing I've learned about ALL phone support services (from credit card to technical support) is that it really does matter who answers the phone, or in this case the chat. If you don't like the person's responses, or their attitude, end the call and call right back. Sometimes all it takes is getting the right person on the other end of the line. Keep trying until you find the right person.

I'm in sales, and many of my projects are in the $20-30K range. We offer financing through a third party. I tell my customers if the first phone rep doesn't give them enough of a credit line, to call back and ask for more, and keep trying until you get what you want. This tip has moved a $5,000 limit to a $30,000 limit after a few calls. Better for the customer, and of course better for my commission!

If at first you don't succeed...

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[artyk]

That is absolutely the truth. The guy was giving me the run around and wouldn't give me the model number of the motherboard or anything. Maybe I'll see if I can't get someone different to talk to at Sony.

 

[ashpp]

VAIO support isn't very good

Download the drive file at the top of this page - should work

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=277129&page=2

 

[artyk]

Unfortunately, those appear to be the same drivers I tried before. Unfortunately again, I got the same result. I didn't slipstream them, though, although I have tried that previously. I have been using a USB floppy drive the last several times I tried the intallation.

 

[wahnula]

I have been using a USB floppy drive...

I don't know if this has been discussed in this post yet, but MS states that only (3) brands of USB floppy will work during F6 prompt to install the drivers during XP installation:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916196

Of the (3), I believe the only one still available is the Mitsumi, but check the product #. Usually sites that sell this (or other compatible drives on the list) will point this out in the product description. Best of luck.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[artyk]

Yep, I'm using a Mitsumi floppy from HP. I haven't had any problems so far with it being able to read from the floppy. If only I could get it to see the SATA HDD that easily.