Microsoft Windows XP Compatible Downloads For VAIO Computers That Shipped With Windows Vista Operating System
Due to popular demand, Sony is offering Microsoft Windows XP compatible drivers and utilities for VAIO computers that are originally shipped with the Windows Vista operating system. These files are intended to provide basic system functionality under Windows XP operating system.
Please check your model's Software / Drivers page for available Windows XP compatible drivers.
Because these computers are optimized for use with Windows Vista operating system, some functionality will be lost under Windows XP operating system.
The following applications and utilities may experience functional limitations:
Plug and Display: Function may not work
Windows Media Player: Dolby Digital Audio may not work
Blu-ray disc: Not support
SSD RAID: Not Support
Ambient light sensor: Not support
Noise Cancelling: Not support
Quick Charge function: Not support
HDMI: Not support
Dynamic hybrid graphic:Not support. Must reboot after switch mode (Stamina/Speed)
Hot Keys: Some function keys may not work correctly.
Special Buttons: Some function may not work.
VAIO Power Management: Since the camera driver is not Windows XP WHQL certified, the battery life may be shorter than is normal.
Battery Care: Since the camera driver is not Windows XP WHQL certified, the battery life may be shorter than is normal.
Battery Checker: Since the camera driver is not Windows XP WHQL certified, the battery life may be shorter than is normal.
If the computer is equipped with the following devices, they may show a yellow exclamation point in Windows Device Manager.
NOTE: The yellow exclamation point indicates that the driver is installed but did not load successfully.
Intel Graphics: It may be necessary to install this driver more than once.
How to Install the Windows XP Operating System and VAIO Applications
The following instructions guide you through installing your own copy of the Microsoft Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional operating system, and then installing the Sony VAIO application programs onto the hard disc drive.
CAUTION: These processes will alter or delete your existing installation of Windows XP operating system and may delete your personal data files. Back up any important data before proceeding with this installation.
CAUTION: These instructions are provided only as guidelines and are not intended for novice users. Proceed at your own risk. Sony is not liable for any data loss or damage to your computer that may result from following these instructions.
Before Installing
Installing Windows XP operating system requires that you own a licensed copy of the Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional Installation CD.
CAUTION: If a Windows XP Service Pack is installed as part of your computer's current operating system configuration, the new operating system you are installing must already contain at least the same or a higher version of Windows XP Service Pack.
Before installing Windows XP operating system, complete the following tasks:
- Create a Recovery Media Kit (a set of system restore CDs or DVDs) using the VAIO Recovery Wizard provided with the computer original factory-installed software. If your computer does not have the ability to create the discs or if you are unable to locate the original restore discs that shipped with some VAIO computers, contact your local Sony Service Centers to purchase a set of system restore CDs or DVDs.
Download driver updates (for the original factory-installed software) for your computer model from theSony Support Web site.
Check the Updates section for any drivers that may be newer than the original factory-installed drivers. Burn these newer drivers to a CD-R or CD-RW disc. Write down the description of each driver package for future reference.
Note: You may also be able to store the driver packages on a hard disk drive partition as long as during the installation of Windows XP operating system, you choose not to remove the hard disk partition on which you are storing the drivers. If, however, you choose to create new partitions while installing Windows XP operating system, all data on the hard disk drive, including the stored driver packages, will be deleted.
- Download the Sony Shared Library, which is listed as one of the original shipping drivers on Sony Support Web site. The Sony Shared Library is required to install VAIO applications. Store the Sony Shared Library with the other updated drivers, either on a CD-R or CD-RW disc, or on a hard disk drive partition that will be retained through the installation of Windows XP operating system. If you choose to create new partitions while installing Windows XP operating system, all data on the hard disk drive, including any stored driver packages, will be deleted.
- If your computer shipped with RAID configuration, please refer to RAID Setup and Configuration for Clean Install.
A. RAID Setup and Configuration for Clean Install
1. Create a Recovery DVD for the system.
2. Insert the Windows XP Professional Installation CD into the drive and complete the installation.
3. Insert the Recovery DVD and install all of the applications and drivers.
4. From the Start Menu click, All Programs -> Intel Matrix Storage Manager.
5. Start the program
6. Select the RAID configuration that you want to setup.
7. Complete the setup wizard.
B. Installing Windows XP operating system
I. SATA driver (Please visit Sony Support Web site to download the SATA Driver)
Important Notes
- This driver is for use when performing a clean install of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
- This utility requires a blank formatted floppy disk and a USB floppy disk drive.
- This file is required to enable the SATA hard disk drive and is intended to provide basic system functionality under Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
- WARNING: Because this computer is optimized for use with Windows Vista operating system, some functionality will be lost under Windows XP operating system.
- During the installation of this file, be sure that you are logged in as the Administrator or as a user with Administrative rights.
- To ensure that no other program interferes with the installation, save all work and close all other programs. The Taskbar should be clear of applications before proceeding.
- It is highly recommended to print out these instructions as a reference during the installation process.
Download and Installation Instructions
1. To ensure that no other program interferes with the installation, save all work and close all other programs. The Taskbar should be clear of applications before proceeding.
2. Ensure the USB floppy disk drive is connected to the computer.
3. Download the driver file to a temporary or download directory (please note this directory for reference).
4. Unzip the file then store all the files to floppy drive (A:\).
The Intel SATA Driver files are now ready for use in performing an installation of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
How to configure the computer BIOS settings to boot from CD
1. Turn on or restart the computer and prepare to tap the F2 key to enter the BIOS screen.
2. When the VAIO logo appears, tap the F2 key to enter the BIOS screen.
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the BOOT section of the BIOS screen.
4. Ensure that the Internal Optical Drive appears in the list before Internal Hard Disk Drive. If needed, change the boot order so that the Internal Optical Drive appears first.
5. Press the "F10" key to save changes and exit.
How to Use the Intel SATA Driver Disk
1. Ensure the USB floppy disk drive is connected to the computer.
NOTE:Do not insert the floppy disk at this time.
2. Insert the Microsoft Windows XP operating system CD into the disc drive and restart the computer.
3. At the Press any key to boot from CD message, press any keyboard key.
4. At the beginning of Windows operating system setup, when prompted, press the F6 key to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver.
5. At the Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices... screen, select S for Specify Additional Device.
6. When prompted, insert the floppy disk with the Intel SATA driver files.
7. After reading the floppy disk, ensure to select the corresponding Intel Chipset (Eg. Intel(R) ICH9M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller) of your model, then press Enter to install.
NOTE: Each Model has a different Intel Chipset, please make sure to check the Intel Chipset first before downgrading to Windows XP. To check, please follow the steps:
a. Click Start -> Right-click Computer -> Select Manage -> Double-click Device Manager -> Double-click System Devices
8. Finish the Windows operating system installation
II. Steps Installing Windows XP operating system
- Turn on your computer with the Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Professional Installation CD in the optical drive.
- If Windows XP Setup asks if you want to repair any previous installations of Windows XP, press the Escape key (Esc).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up drive partitions. It is recommended that you keep the C: and 😧 partitions to maintain the best compatibility with the VAIO applications.
- After setting up the drive partitions, select the partition onto which you want to install Windows XP (usually the C: partition), and press the Enter key.
- At the next screen, select the desired formatting option. The Format the partition using the NTFS file system option is recommended.
- After formatting is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the Windows XP operating system installation.
- After the installation is complete, the computer will restart and display the Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the initial setup of Windows XP operating system.
When the computer reaches the Windows Desktop for the first time, installation of Windows XP operating system is complete. If you created any new hard disk partitions while installing Windows XP operating system , you must format those partitions in order to the use them in Windows XP.
To format a partition:
- Click Start on the Windows taskbar, and select My Computer.
- Right-click on the drive you wish to format, and select Format from the shortcut menu.
- If you wish, you can change the formatting options, but the default options are appropriate for most situations.
- Click Start and then click OK to proceed with formatting the partition.
A. Installing Sony Drivers and Windows Updates
Before installing VAIO applications, you must install or update certain drivers on your computer because Windows XP does not include many of Sony VAIO drivers. Follow the steps below to install or update the necessary drivers.
- Browse to the folder where you stored the driver updates that you downloaded from the Sony Support Web site (refer to the Before Installing section, above). If you burned the drivers to a CD, insert the CD, and browse to the drivers on the CD.
- Install the driver packages.
CAUTION: You must install the driver packages in the following order for your computer to operate normally:
- BIOS update (if available)
- Intel Chipset (if applicable)
- Microsoft KB896256 (Mobile Dual Core) (only available on some models, please verify with Sony Support web site)
- Microsoft KB909667 (System stops responding during standby, hibernate or shutdown.) (only available on some models, please verify with Sony Support web site)
- Sony Notebook Control (if applicable)
- Sony Programmable I/O (if applicable)
- Sony Shared Library
- Video
Note: On some newer VAIO PC models, the system will support two different graphics hardware. The setting mode is identified as:
i. Stamina: Intel Graphic mode
ii. Speed: Nvidia Graphic mode
- Audio
- Modem
- Network
- Camera
- Wireless
- MPEG Encoder
- Multi Card reader (if applicable)
- Flash Media (if applicable)
- Flash Media registry
- Memory Stick media
- Memory Stick registry
- Bluetooth Registry (if applicable)
- UPEK TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor
- Infineon Trusted Platform Module
- Wireless Keyboard and Mouse utility
- Any Other Sony Utilities will be explained in the VAIO Application Dependencies section
- Hard drive protection
- Bluetooth application/technology
To install each driver package, double-click the driver update executable file. Follow the on-screen instructions. Most drivers require that you to restart your computer at the end of the installation.
- After completing all of the driver installations, restart your computer manually.
For Windows XP Home Edition operating system, click Start on the Windows taskbar, click Shut Down, and then click Restart.
For Windows XP Professional operating system, click Start on the Windows taskbar, click Shut Down, select Restart from the list in the Shut Down Windows window, and then click OK.
The installation of the Sony Drivers is complete.
We strongly recommended that you download and install any available updates to the Windows XP operating system. At a minimum, download and install any Windows updates listed as high priority or critical. Certain updates may be required for the proper operation of some VAIO applications, as discussed below in section C, VAIO Application Dependencies.
To download and install Windows updates:
- Set up an Internet connection on your computer.
- Go to the Microsoft Windows Update Web site
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Windows XP operating system.
The installation of Windows XP operating system is complete. No further installation is necessary if you do not want to install VAIO applications. To install VAIO applications, continue to section B, Installing VAIO Applications.
B. Installing VAIO Applications
To install VAIO applications, you must have a Recovery Media Kit (a set of system restore CDs or DVDs), which can be created with the VAIO Recovery Wizard (see theBefore Installing section, above). Also, you must have installed the entire original factory-installed driver updates (see section A, Installing Sony Drivers and Windows Updates, above). Most importantly, the Sony Shared Library update must be installed after you install the Windows XP operating system in order for you to use the Recovery Media Kit.
Certain VAIO application programs require that more than one software component be installed from the Recovery Media in order to operate properly. Refer to the table in section C, VAIO Application Dependencies, to determine what additional components are required for each VAIO application.
To install the applications:
- Start up your computer into Windows XP operating system.
- Insert Disc 1 of your Recovery Media set.
The VAIO Application Recovery Wizard window appears.
- Select the checkboxes next to the application programs that you wish to install, and then click Next.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation of the selected application programs.
Some application installations may require you to restart your computer at the end of the installation. Allow the computer to restart before proceeding with the installation of the next application program.
- When the Application Recovery Complete window appears, click Finish.
If any error messages appear during installation or use of the application programs, check the table in section C,VAIO Application Dependencies, to determine if the application program requires you to install additional software components for the application to operate properly. If the supporting software components in the table are numbered, be sure to install the components in the numerical order indicated.
After installing the desired VAIO applications, your installation of Windows XP operating system and the VAIO applications is complete.
C. VAIO Application Dependencies
All VAIO applications require that the Sony Shared Library software be installed on your computer. Install all of the original factory-installed drivers before installing any VAIO applications. (Refer to section A,Installing Sony Drivers and Windows Updates, above.)
Certain VAIO application programs require that more than one software component be installed from the Recovery Media in order to operate properly. The table below identifies the software component requirements for each VAIO application.
If the list of required components is numbered, you must install the components in the specified numerical order.
| Application Name | Required Components |
| Adobe Premier | None |
| Adobe Photoshop Elements | None |
| Acrobat Reader | None |
| Battery Check Utility | 1. Sony Notebook Control, 2. Sony PI (if applicable), 3.Sony Shared Library; 4. VAIO Power Management |
| Click to DVD software | MPEG Decoder, PxEngine, Microsoft DirectX 9 or later (available from Windows Update), Click to DVD Templates (Optional) |
| HotKey Utility | This list is dependent upon the computer model. If the model came with the driver listed below, install it: |
| 1. Sony Shared Library |
| 2. Sony Notebook Control |
| 3. Sony Programmable I/O Control Device |
| 4. Sony Utilities Library (if applicable) |
| 5. VAIO Central (if applicable) |
| 6. VAIO Support Central |
| 7. VAIO Event Service |
| 8. Setting Utility (if applicable) |
| Image Converter | None |
| Infineon Trusted Platform Module | Enable TPM in BIOS |
| Instant Mode | None |
| Keyboard Closure Setup | None |
| Memory Stick media Formatter | Memory Stick Driver |
| Microsoft Works Bundle | None |
| Microsoft Streets and Trips | None |
| MPEG Decoder | None |
| Music Visualizer Library | None |
| Netscape | None |
| OpenMG Setup | None |
| Protector Suite QL | None |
| PxEngine | None |
| Roxio DigitalMedia SE | None |
| ScreenBlast Acid SF | None |
| Smart Capture Library | None |
| SonicStage Mastering Studio software | 1. PxEngine, 2. OpenMG Setup |
| SonicStage Sample Music Installer | None |
| SonicStage Shared Library | None |
| Sony Notebook Setup | Sony Utilities Library |
| Sony Shared Library | None |
| Sony Utilities Library | None |
| Sony Video Shared Library | None |
| Ulead BD DiscRecorder | None |
| VAIO Camera capture utility | None |
| VAIO Central | 1. Sony Notebook Control, |
| 2. Sony PI, |
| 3. Sony Shared Library, |
| VAIO Driver Recovery Wizard | None |
| VAIO Edit Component | Adobe Premiere |
| VAIO Entertainment Platform | None |
| VAIO Event Service | None |
| VAIO Hard drive protection | 1. VAIO Central |
| 2. VAIO Central Support |
| VAIO Hardware Diagnostics | 1. Sony Notebook Control, |
| 2. Sony PI, |
| 3.Sony Shared Library, |
| VAIO Media software | None |
| VAIO Media Integrated Server | VAIO Media |
| VAIO Medi Redistribution | VAIO Media |
| VAIO Power Management | 1. Sony Notebook Control, |
| 2. Sony PI, |
| 3.Sony Shared Library |
| VAIO Security | 1. VAIO Central |
| 2. VAIO Support Central. |
| 3. VAIO Event Service |
| 4. VAIO Hard drive Protection |
| 4. Setting Utility |
| VAIO Support Agent | None |
| VAIO System Information | None |
| VAIO TV Tuner Library | None |
| VAIO Update | None |
| VAIO Wireless Lan Utility | None |
