How to install XP on Vaio P

[Ishman]

The first steps I would do before installing XP:

1. Read this through fully before starting.

2. Backup your system, I use Aconis True Image (you can use what method you prefer). I do this so I can go directly to Vista they way I optimized it and not to a clean image.

3. You can copy the wallpapers from C:\windows\web\wallpapers if you so desire and you must copy the c:\Users\Public directory for instant mode to function (you only need favorites, music, picture, videos the others can be deleted.)

4. Download all the required drivers listed below. You can install a nlite version of XP or a full version. You will have to be very careful if a nlite version is used. A full version S3 XP will find the SD card, Sony Card, Video Camera, etc on its own.

I just hooked an external DVD drive and changed the bios to boot from an external device first.

Required Drivers
• Intel System Controller Hub US15W Chipset
Http://www.kohjinsha.co.kr/upload/driver/SX_Chipset.zip
• graphics drivers Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500 (Intel GMA500)

THere is a new driver for xp which is suppose to help fullscreen youtube. Works on the vaio P, just use the setup program.
http://jp.kohjinsha.com/support/cont...pt/driver.html

6.14.10.1096

UPDATE-NEWER VIDEO DRIVER WHICH CAN BE INSTALLED NORMALLY
http://i-mbook.co.kr/download/Video.zip
Old driver
US15W above that are integrated. Designed for the Atom. http://www.fmworld.net/cgi-bin/drive...R_NUM=E1008986
This is loaded manually. Do the have disk method and go to the inf file.
• Wireless LAN Drivers Atheros AR928X
http://www.fmworld.net/cgi-bin/drive...R_NUM=E1008939
WLAN_azure_xp_u100_nb.zip
• Marvell Gigabyte Lan Driver (manually installed) and notebook controller, I/O control can be downloaded here
http://webpages.charter.net/ibagci/xp%20sony%20p.zip
• Audio High Definition Audio Codecs
http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/...&GetDown=false
• Point Stick Sony Driver Alps in the driver's
http://74.125.47.102/translate_c?hl=...NSXJlohK_u1mPA
• Bluetooth drivers
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDOWNGRADE/Z11/DRIVERS
download the broadcom bluetooth driver.
Net Framework2.0
required before further installs.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=ja
Windows update can download any additional Framework fixes.
VAIO original software utilities.
Updated from Tnkgrl's posts below.
Hacked the installers to work with XP by using Universal Extractor to get around the Vista check: http://legroom.net/software/uniextract


Here's what needs to be installed (after hacking the installers to work with XP):
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en (Service Pack 3 - also install all the updates)
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en (.NET framework 2.0 - also install all the updates)
I would install .net 3.5 as well since that appears to fix smartwii issues.
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4222&os_id=27 (GoBi Drivers)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4223&os_id=27 (GoBi Images)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4373&os_id=27 (Notebook utilities - only the Event Service is required, setup.exe inside VES2 folder)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4197&os_id=27 (Shared library)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4371&os_id=27 (SmartWi software - the Verizon software is also required, VZAM-Sony-...exe)

Optional if brightness key is not working. See post #7. I would recommend further reading of posts below.
Tool for adjusting brightness
http://cid-d0db45762fec04ac.skydrive...b/BrHotKey.zip

Brightness is controlled be Ctrl-Alt H or J from high and low. Place the exe or a link in the startup folder. Volume keys still work with the hotkeys.
Install instant-on mode but before trying you must place the saved directories from the c:\Users\Public onto your C drive.
Http://vcl.vaio.sony.co.jp/download/EP0000173249.html

You can add the wallpaper you saved previously.

Let me know if any links don't work.

Hope this helps. It is much faster than Vista, UpPDATE!!! Please see post #7 from TnkGrl to get the WWAN and GPS function to work!!!!

To give credit where credit is due much of this was found from this japanese website with alot of good info. Just use google to translate.

http://74.125.47.102/translate_c?hl=...3sYLOXOgSphSnQ

[GsRb0i]

koo tried it and works thanks

[Ishman]

I think there is a notable difference in the speed compared to Vista. I used an nlite verison. I am still trying to get the GPS and WWAN (Verizon) working. Since I dual boot mine, I can go to Vista if those are needed. I just installed XP on the restore partition of course after I made a backup copy. I can do a quick dual boot setup and walkthrough if needed.

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by Ishman

I can do a quick dual boot setup and walkthrough if needed.

That would be great too. Just start a new thread and I'll sticky it so it won't get pushed off the first page.

[tnkgrl]

@Ishman

Thanks for the guide! I downgraded to XP this weekend without any major problems...

As for getting the WWAN radio working, here's what I've discovered.

The WWAN radio is a GoBi (Global Mobile) module from Qualcomm - it supports both CDMA/EVDO and GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA depending on firmware images. The VGN-P530H is missing the SIM holder to allow the module to be used for GSM/UMTS - I'm working on fixing that

Anyway, The WWAN radio is powered off by default. I was able to power it on by installing the "7 Wireless Switch Setting Utility 4.1(XP) - 4.1.00.05130" located here: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDOW..._UTILITIES.ZIP

Once it's powered on, you can install any Gobi driver that targets the right VID/PID:
- HP Mini 1000 Gobi drivers (CDMA & GSM/UMTS, XP, you should only install the GoBi drivers and images):
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...tem=ob-66481-2
- Lenovo Gobi drivers (CDMA only, Vista, I have not tried):
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...IGR-69999.html
- Existing Sony VAIO P GoBi drivers (CDMA only, Vista, I have not tried):
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4222&os_id=27
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4223&os_id=27

Of course, Qualcomm provides each of the above PC manufacturer with its own GoBi module with its own VID/PID. So you have to change the VID/PID the .INF files.

Once that's done, I'm still not sure how to get the proper firmware image into the GoBi module.

However, installing the "7 Wireless Switch Setting Utility 4.1(XP) - 4.1.00.05130" causes the WLAN (WiFi) radio to stop working until you uninstall the software, shutdown, wait a few seconds, and restart! This is a major problem...

I'm working on providing a driver package for GoBi module on the VAIO P that supports both CDMA and GSM/UMTS. But first I have to find a way to power the WWAN radio on without installing any software that interferes with the WLAN (WiFi) radio.

[Ishman]

Thanks Tnkgrl! That is some good news. I am sure you will find a way.

[tnkgrl]

OK, I got both the WWAN radio (CDMA only for now) and GPS working without installing any software that interferes with the WLAN (WiFi)!

As a side-effect, I also got the internal/external display key working, but lost the volume/mute keys in the process...

I can't test the WWAN radio since I don't have a Verizon account, but the Verizon software is working and detecting the WWAN radio.

I used the Sony VAIO GoBi drivers and Sony SmartWi software for Vista available here:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...l?mdl=VGNP530H

I then hacked the installers to work with XP by using Universal Extractor to get around the Vista check: http://legroom.net/software/uniextract

Here's what needs to be uninstalled from the original post above:
- SONY_SHARED_LIB
- SONY_SHARED_UTILS
- VAIO_EVENT_SERVICE
- VAIO_CONTROL_CENTER

Here's what needs to be installed (after hacking the installers to work with XP):
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en (Service Pack 3 - also install all the updates)
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en (.NET framework 2.0 - also install all the updates)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4222&os_id=27 (GoBi Drivers)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4223&os_id=27 (GoBi Images)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4373&os_id=27 (Notebook utilities - only the Event Service is required, setup.exe inside VES2 folder)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4197&os_id=27 (Shared library)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4371&os_id=27 (SmartWi software - the Verizon software is also required, VZAM-Sony-...exe)

At this point you should be able to enable the WWAN radio and GPS from within the SmartWi software. Then you should be able to run the Verizon Software. Please let me know if any of this works for you.

Check to see if the proper brightness keys are working. If so skip the "optional " section below.

Optionally:
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4213&os_id=27 (Firmware extension)
- http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...=4215&os_id=27 (Programmable I/O)

I'm not sure if the "optional" section above is needed. I installed these but they can't be uninstaleld, so I'm not sure if they matter or not. Please let me know.

If someone can host files, I can provide ZIP files with XP friendly versions of all the above installers

Here's a screen shot with annotations: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnkgrl/...7613729967218/

[Ishman]

Great Job. TnkGrl!!!!!

Now we can all enjoy the speed of XP with all the functionality. I will edit my top section to view your post.

Ishman

[Lejaps]

Thank you so much guys!! You are great! Don't forget to put some links for beginner users... please...
I will get my european model next month.

[Ishman]

Tnkgrl,

Do you care to explain exactly how to remove the Vista check from the sony drivers?

Thanks

[sciencemonster]

Originally Posted by tnkgrl

If someone can host files, I can provide ZIP files with XP friendly versions of all the above installers

I can host them - I think I remember you from the unofficial averetec forums, don't I? The Averetec 1000? Remember? I guess there is no such thing as small enough for people like us... Send them to my email. (hint: my name is mark, and I am the only one with an email address @sciencemonster.net.)

Has anyone else had trouble with the links/files in the first post? I can't get the wifi zip files to open. They always download corrupted.

[hazmat]

Originally Posted by Ishman

Tnkgrl,

Do you care to explain exactly how to remove the Vista check from the sony drivers?

Thanks

Here is some info you might find helpful:

http://micropctalk.com/forums/showth...odel.txt+trick

[Ishman]

ok, I extracted them, I did not realize that the check was already removed when extracted.

Thanks

[abc]

is there a noticeable speed difference running xp vs vista? do hulu and youtube streams play more smoothly (especially in full screen)? i've played 360p hulu videos on other netbooks in full screen and they played fine. i've only tested the 1.33 ghz vaio p and full screen hulu videos did not play smoothly at all. i mainly want to get a portable notebook for video watching (both streaming and from the hard drive) and i'm thinking of getting the vaio p.

[tnkgrl]

@Lejaps you mean guys and gals - there's at least me and Jenn here

@Ishman once you have installed Universal Extractor (default install, including the shell extensions) and downloaded all the files from Sony, right-click on the EXE file you want to install, select "UnExtract to Subdir".

After some time you'll end up with a folder with the same name as the EXE file you just extracted. Open it and find the first EXE file that looks like an installer (setup.exe or such) and run it. It's generally located inside a folder called TEMPEXEFOLDER.

The only exception is for the Event service - run only the installer located inside the folder called VES2. Also, for the SmartWi software - run both the default installer (setup.exe) and the Verizon installer (VZAM-Sony-...exe).

@sciencemonster the ZIP files are going to be pretty large. Are you sure your email server can handle large files and accepts ZIP files without spam filtering?

@abc the difference is night and day - it's been well documented all over the intertubes that Vista is slower than XP in general, especially on entry-level/older systems.


Also keep an eye on my blog: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/