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AR350E Downgrade

post #1 of 9
8/9/07 at 10:50am
Thread Starter 
I would like to downgrade this laptop to XP Pro. Sony says they don't have the downgrade available but I'd like to try anyway. This laptop needs to have XP so Avid can be installed on it. Not really too concerned with getting every little thing to work.

I've done alot of searching and can't seem to find any information.

Whenever I boot from the XP Pro install CD, it says that there isn't a hard drive.

Can anyone please help me at least get the dang hard drive formatted and XP installed?

David
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post #2 of 9
8/9/07 at 12:35pm
You probably need to find SATA drivers... and figure out a way to load them during the Windows install (presuming you don't have a floppy...).
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post #3 of 9
8/9/07 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
don't have a floppy...using OEM XP Pro w/ SP2 cd
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post #4 of 9
9/2/07 at 9:51pm
Thread Starter 
UPDATE:

I've gotten XP installed. Purchased a floppy drive and downloaded the Intel 82801 GBM SATA AHCI Controller driver. It worked. Thanks for the help!

Now in the Device Manager I have some question marks and would really appreciate some help.

Here are the question marks:
Ethernet Controller
Mass Storage Controller
Multimedia Controller
Network Controller
PCI Device
SM Bus Controller
UGX
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

Here is the list of information I got from the laptop before I downgraded it to XP.

ACPI x86-based PC
Fujitsu MHV2200BT
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600
Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-850S ATA Device
Intel 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers 27DF
Intel (R) 82801 GBM SATA AHCI Controller
Sony visual communication camera vgp-vcc4
HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP

Some of these i'll be able to match up, but I didn't get the Ethernet controller and Network controller...can anybody PLEASE help me find out what these are? Any other info for the rest of the drivers is greatly appreciated!

David
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post #5 of 9
9/3/07 at 12:40pm
There's a program called UnknownDevices that'll help.
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post #6 of 9
9/9/07 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, but it looks like I at least need to get the Ethernet controller working for UnknownDevices to work properly. Does anyone know what the Ethernet contoller driver is?

Thanks!
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post #7 of 9
9/13/07 at 12:00pm
On sonys website for that model the lan controller is
Intel® PRO/100 VE Network Connection Driver
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post #8 of 9
2/5/08 at 3:14pm
I have your answers. I just did my AR390E and have 99% of it working. just pm me and I will send you what you need. Actually anyone needing the help for a Vaio PM me. Still no cam, S1, S2 and tray eject.
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post #9 of 9
2/13/08 at 3:55pm
hi please contact me at cubixas@yahoo.com . because i dont know how to find you .. I have vaio AR390 and im interesdet in making it with Xp ..Tnx
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