Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio

ForsakenDecay · 10-30-2009, 10:59 PM

Thanks a head of time to any of those that can offer a little help.

I bought this Sony Vaio VGN-N220E two years ago for work. It was right at the time where the price mattered but also when Vista came out and I got stuck with it. I've put up with Vista for the last two years, simply because I didn't use the laptop that much, only for on-site installs or when a customers computer wasn't available (I install satellite internet).

But now I'm tired of Vista. My problem is that I can't get it to downgrade now matter how many hours I've been messing with it. I've got XP set to boot from CD, but it won't. It only gives me two options: "Start Windows Vista Normally" or "Memory Test." No other choices.

So I try to see if it will install from CD via My Computer. It brings up the install splash screen but it will not allow me to select "Install Windows XP" (which isn't the route I want to go, anyway).

There's nothing wrong with the CD, as it's the same one I've used on many repairs in the past. I just used it last week on a customers computer. There's obviously something I'm over looking here. It's something probably small.

But any help would be appreciated.

Riskyone101 · 10-31-2009, 02:54 AM

Hello and Welcome to TSF,

How to create the VAIO Recovery Media Kit:
http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/m...7344&stateId=0 0141671872

Note: You may want to do this before wiping HD, in case if you ever want to put back vista on laptop.

Go here for Harddrive utility:
Killdisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
DBAN - http://www.dban.org/download

Download cd image and burn it as an cd image to a disc.
You will need to do a full erase of harddrive using one of the utilities listed above.

You can use imgburn here:
http://www.imgburn.com/

Go here for drivers: (XP windows)
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...S=7#div_pos_97

Order of installation of drivers:

1. System Components
2. Sony Applications (various)
3. Notebook Control and Utilities
4. Motherboard
5. Video
6. Pointing Device
7. Memory Card Reader/Writer
8. Memory Card
9. Modem
10. Audio
11. Network
12. Wireless
13. Sonic Stage software

Notes: Restart computer inbetween each driver installation

dai · 10-31-2009, 03:17 AM

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...ade-vista.html

ForsakenDecay · 10-31-2009, 11:51 PM

Thanks for your replies. I'm still not seeing anything in these links that both of you have offered that will help. I'm not having issues with any drivers at this point in time, unless I'm missing something on those links you sent. I just can't get XP to install -at all.- I have no way to prompt it to even start the install. It's almost acting as if it isnt recognizing the CD, but I know there's nothing wrong with it.

Well, I guess I can just format the HD, and prompt it that way. I just thought I could prompt it via the XP disk without first having to format it, because usually XP will NTFS it during the install anyway.

**BCCOMP** · 10-31-2009, 11:58 PM

Is the boot order in the BIOS set to boot from CD first?
Bill

Riskyone101 · 11-01-2009, 08:46 AM

You need to use a harddrive utility first to perform a full erase of harddrive before trying to downgrade an installation of windows.

You cannot go from vista to xp windows without first wiping harddrive clean, thats why i put those instructions in my previous post on how to backup vista first before going ahead with xp windows in case you will need to reinstall vista windows at a later date.

However, you can go from xp windows to vista. As long as your upgrading then theres no problem usually installing over the previous version of windows.

ForsakenDecay · 11-01-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riskyone101

You need to use a harddrive utility first to perform a full erase of harddrive before trying to downgrade an installation of windows.

You cannot go from vista to xp windows without first wiping harddrive clean, thats why i put those instructions in my previous post on how to backup vista first before going ahead with xp windows in case you will need to reinstall vista windows at a later date.

However, you can go from xp windows to vista. As long as your upgrading then theres no problem usually installing over the previous version of windows.

I get you now. I'll go ahead and do that. Thank you very much!

ForsakenDecay · 11-01-2009, 08:21 PM

Okay. I have never had this much problem before trying to do an HD format. I tried both Killdisk and DBAN, burnt onto a DVD-R as an ISO. Everything's set to boot from CD, but it still won't boot from CD. It either asks to start Windows normally, or do a repair.

Is it because I'm using a DVD-R to try to boot the iso software and not a CD? I know the boot from ROM is working fine, as I upgraded to Windows 7 this morning using a friends disk. But I want to have XP back until Wildblue sorts out their software testing with the Windows 7 OS.

**BCCOMP** · 11-01-2009, 08:57 PM

If you are getting this:

Quote:

It either asks to start Windows normally, or do a repair

It means it is booting the Harddrive and does not detect the CD in the CD-rom.

Is the CD-rom set to boot first in the BIOS?
Double check the BOOT order in the BIOS. Be sure the CD-rom is set first in the boot order. Make sure you SAVE and EXIT the BIOS

Do you have a BOOT Option Menu upon POST (you may not have)?
If so select to boot from CD-ROM

I do not believe the XP disc or any of the other disc are faulty.
Please double check though to see if the XP disc will boot first from CD-rom in another computer?

If the CD-Rom is set to boot first in the BIOS and you are 100% sure the XP disc does boot first in another computer, then there is something wrong with the CD-rom

ForsakenDecay · 11-01-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCCOMP

If you are getting this:

It means it is booting the Harddrive and does not detect the CD in the CD-rom.

Is the CD-rom set to boot first in the BIOS?
Double check the BOOT order in the BIOS. Be sure the CD-rom is set first in the boot order. Make sure you SAVE and EXIT the BIOS

Do you have a BOOT Option Menu upon POST (you may not have)?
If so select to boot from CD-ROM

I do not believe the XP disc or any of the other disc are faulty.
Please double check though to see if the XP disc will boot first from CD-rom in another computer?

If the CD-Rom is set to boot first in the BIOS and you are 100% sure the XP disc does boot first in another computer, then there is something wrong with the CD-rom

There are absolutely no problems with any of these disks. I have already verified all of them working on another computer running XP. All ISO's are working fine. The laptop is set to CD-ROM boot first.

There doesnt appear to be anything wrong with the DVD-R/CD-R drive on the laptop. And like I said, I just installed Windows 7 using CD-ROM boot first priority.

It's almost like it refuses to detect any type of DOS iso or XP iso.

I have no idea on this one.

**BCCOMP** · 11-01-2009, 09:47 PM

Sorry, I missed the edit about you installing win7.
Is this XP disc a burned copy or original?
What type of Media are you using to burn the ISO's.

The specs of your optical drive (if it is original)

Quote:

DVD+R DL Write: 4x max.
DVD+R Write: 8x max.
DVD+RW Write: 8x max.
DVD-R Write: 8x max.
DVD-RW Write: 6x max.
CD-R Write: 24x max.
CD-RW Write: 16x max.
DVD±RW: Yes (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/DVD-RAM)
CD Read: 24x max.
DVD Read: 8x max.
DVD-RAM Write: 5x max.
DVD-R DL Write: 4x max.
DVD-RAM Read: 5x max.

From the sounds of it it may be the type (Media) of disc you are using, seeing Win7 installed without issues.

Bill

ForsakenDecay · 11-01-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCCOMP

Sorry, I missed the edit about you installing win7.
Is this XP disc a burned copy or original?
What type of Media are you using to burn the ISO's.

The specs of your optical drive (if it is original)

From the sounds of it it may be the type (Media) of disc you are using, seeing Win7 installed without issues.

Bill

The media disc's I'm using are Maxell for the Killdisk and DBAN iso. However, that's also the same media disc that Windows 7 is burnt on. No, it isn't the OEM Window's 7 I'm using. I wanted to check it out before I got the OEM, besides, for one of our systems we arent cleared yet by Wildblue that testing has been completed for 7.

Back to the point. The optical drive is a DVD-RW at 16x. Original optical.

Maybe these Sony Vaio's have finally got the best of me.

**BCCOMP** · 11-01-2009, 10:40 PM

Do you have a different type of media that you can burn a copy of this XP CD and see if it will install?

From your previous post you installed win7 (although you used the same media), so it appears that the CD-Rom is working as it should. The only thing else I can think of is the media being used or the way this XP disc was burned.

I am just trying to narrow this down as to why this Sony will not boot from CD with the XP disc.
Bill

ForsakenDecay · 11-01-2009, 10:50 PM

I'm not sure it's the media. It could be, but a slim chance. I could try it tomorrow by picking up some new media.

I was sitting here staring at it for awhile and I wondered if there was any type of setting in the BIOS that Sony had put in there that would block it from doing any sort of downgrade/recognition of older software. Say, they have their optical drive connect via USB some how. I'm not sure. I'm going to have to comb through the BIOS carefully and see if there's anything I can come up with.

Thanks a lot though, I'll keep you updated. I appreciate all your help and determination.

**BCCOMP** · 11-01-2009, 10:59 PM

I know its a slim chance on the media, but as you stated before the Win7 install had no issues, so I am assuming the BIOS is set correctly

This bothers me a little

Quote:

Is it because I'm using a DVD-R to try to boot the iso software and not a CD?

If you can I would burn the XP to a CD-R and see if it will install.

Are you sure this Sony does not have a seperate boot menu upon POST to select to boot from CD?

Bill

ForsakenDecay · 11-02-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCCOMP

I know its a slim chance on the media, but as you stated before the Win7 install had no issues, so I am assuming the BIOS is set correctly

This bothers me a little

If you can I would burn the XP to a CD-R and see if it will install.

Are you sure this Sony does not have a seperate boot menu upon POST to select to boot from CD?

Bill

The original XP disc was on CD. It wouldn't read it at all as a CD. So I reburnt it as a DVD-R, and it tried to react to it. It would pull up the install splash screen from the desktop but wouldn't allow you to click "Install XP" and when you tried to boot it from CD upon a restart, it would sit on a blank blinking '-' for 30 seconds before it switched and said "Start Vista Normally" or "Perform memory diagnostic."

But I tried the XP DVD-R on my other computer and had no problem getting it to be recognized via boot from ROM.

And I also looked around to see if there was a seperate boot menu, post but couldn't find anything. I'm still screwing around with BIOS settings to see if something else is blocking it.

Right now I've got Windows 7 on it, and Im playing with that as well. I guess if I can't figure it out, I'll just stick with 7.

**BCCOMP** · 11-02-2009, 01:13 PM

Do you have another XP installation disc?
Did you burn this XP to a "new" CD-R?

If you have a BOOT MENU you should be prompted to press a FN key (F10, F11, F12) on POST.
If you have Win7 on this, did you make a seperate partition to install XP on?
Bill

dermo · 11-02-2009, 03:56 PM

You could try a win98 boot cd . run fdisk and delete all partitions (non dos etc.) . then with your xp cd/dvd try to install then.

ForsakenDecay · 11-03-2009, 09:29 PM

Alright. I looked through the BIOS and didn't find anything that could be stopping it from detecting the CD. There's also no option in POST.

Now that Windows 7 is on there, I reboot using either the XP CD or the XP DVD to boot from ROM and it acts like it's trying to pick it up but then it says "BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl=Alt-Del to reboot."

Yet, this CD and DVD burn works fine in my other two computers. I talked to a friend of mine about it that does a lot of repairs our company doesnt offer and he said Sony's are a real pain to deal with, as far as getting them to downgrade.

Well, Windows 7 won't boot now. So I'm assuming the "BOOTMGR" error has to do with the partitioning of some sort, even though it was working fine until I started to play with the CD's again. Maaaan, what a mess.

ForsakenDecay · 11-03-2009, 10:13 PM

I did some researching on this issue. Apparently it's common with Sony computers. It might not be possible to do without paying an arm and a leg.

"Vista Business and Vista Ultimate OEM users are eligible for a downgrade to XP Professional. OEM copies of Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium, on the other hand, are granted no downgrade rights. In addition, since the OS was preinstalled Sony is responsible for any/all support and making the individual decision concerning letting you downgrade. In short, the licensing agreement Microsoft has with manufacturers such as Sony passes the responsibility to Sony and precludes Microsoft from helping you in situations such as this."

10-30-2009, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Thanks a head of time to any of those that can offer a little help. I bought this Sony Vaio VGN-N220E two years ago for work. It was right at the time where the price mattered but also when Vista came out and I got stuck with it. I've put up with Vista for the last two years, simply because I didn't use the laptop that much, only for on-site installs or when a customers computer wasn't available (I install satellite internet). But now I'm tired of Vista. My problem is that I can't get it to downgrade now matter how many hours I've been messing with it. I've got XP set to boot from CD, but it won't. It only gives me two options: "Start Windows Vista Normally" or "Memory Test." No other choices. So I try to see if it will install from CD via My Computer. It brings up the install splash screen but it will not allow me to select "Install Windows XP" (which isn't the route I want to go, anyway). There's nothing wrong with the CD, as it's the same one I've used on many repairs in the past. I just used it last week on a customers computer. There's obviously something I'm over looking here. It's something probably small. But any help would be appreciated.

10-31-2009, 02:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Riskyone101 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL. Posts: 3,858 OS: XP Pro SP3, MCE 2005 sp3, Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate My System	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Hello and Welcome to TSF, How to create the VAIO Recovery Media Kit: http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/m...7344&stateId=0 0141671872 Note: You may want to do this before wiping HD, in case if you ever want to put back vista on laptop. Go here for Harddrive utility: Killdisk - http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm DBAN - http://www.dban.org/download Download cd image and burn it as an cd image to a disc. You will need to do a full erase of harddrive using one of the utilities listed above. You can use imgburn here: http://www.imgburn.com/ Go here for drivers: (XP windows) http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...S=7#div_pos_97 Order of installation of drivers: 1. System Components 2. Sony Applications (various) 3. Notebook Control and Utilities 4. Motherboard 5. Video 6. Pointing Device 7. Memory Card Reader/Writer 8. Memory Card 9. Modem 10. Audio 11. Network 12. Wireless 13. Sonic Stage software Notes: Restart computer inbetween each driver installation __________________ Last edited by Riskyone101; 10-31-2009 at 03:01 AM.

10-31-2009, 03:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 57,932 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...ade-vista.html __________________

10-31-2009, 11:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Thanks for your replies. I'm still not seeing anything in these links that both of you have offered that will help. I'm not having issues with any drivers at this point in time, unless I'm missing something on those links you sent. I just can't get XP to install -at all.- I have no way to prompt it to even start the install. It's almost acting as if it isnt recognizing the CD, but I know there's nothing wrong with it. Well, I guess I can just format the HD, and prompt it that way. I just thought I could prompt it via the XP disk without first having to format it, because usually XP will NTFS it during the install anyway. Last edited by ForsakenDecay; 10-31-2009 at 11:57 PM.

10-31-2009, 11:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,718 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Is the boot order in the BIOS set to boot from CD first? Bill __________________ I do not respond to PM's or e-mails with regards for assistance. Please post your issues to the forum. If I miss your post, please PM me with a link to your post. Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ \| PC Running Slow

11-01-2009, 08:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Riskyone101 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL. Posts: 3,858 OS: XP Pro SP3, MCE 2005 sp3, Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate My System	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio You need to use a harddrive utility first to perform a full erase of harddrive before trying to downgrade an installation of windows. You cannot go from vista to xp windows without first wiping harddrive clean, thats why i put those instructions in my previous post on how to backup vista first before going ahead with xp windows in case you will need to reinstall vista windows at a later date. However, you can go from xp windows to vista. As long as your upgrading then theres no problem usually installing over the previous version of windows. __________________

11-01-2009, 08:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Okay. I have never had this much problem before trying to do an HD format. I tried both Killdisk and DBAN, burnt onto a DVD-R as an ISO. Everything's set to boot from CD, but it still won't boot from CD. It either asks to start Windows normally, or do a repair. Is it because I'm using a DVD-R to try to boot the iso software and not a CD? I know the boot from ROM is working fine, as I upgraded to Windows 7 this morning using a friends disk. But I want to have XP back until Wildblue sorts out their software testing with the Windows 7 OS. Last edited by ForsakenDecay; 11-01-2009 at 08:33 PM.

11-01-2009, 10:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,718 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Do you have a different type of media that you can burn a copy of this XP CD and see if it will install? From your previous post you installed win7 (although you used the same media), so it appears that the CD-Rom is working as it should. The only thing else I can think of is the media being used or the way this XP disc was burned. I am just trying to narrow this down as to why this Sony will not boot from CD with the XP disc. Bill __________________ I do not respond to PM's or e-mails with regards for assistance. Please post your issues to the forum. If I miss your post, please PM me with a link to your post. Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ \| PC Running Slow

11-01-2009, 10:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio I'm not sure it's the media. It could be, but a slim chance. I could try it tomorrow by picking up some new media. I was sitting here staring at it for awhile and I wondered if there was any type of setting in the BIOS that Sony had put in there that would block it from doing any sort of downgrade/recognition of older software. Say, they have their optical drive connect via USB some how. I'm not sure. I'm going to have to comb through the BIOS carefully and see if there's anything I can come up with. Thanks a lot though, I'll keep you updated. I appreciate all your help and determination.

11-02-2009, 01:13 PM	#17 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,718 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Do you have another XP installation disc? Did you burn this XP to a "new" CD-R? If you have a BOOT MENU you should be prompted to press a FN key (F10, F11, F12) on POST. If you have Win7 on this, did you make a seperate partition to install XP on? Bill __________________ I do not respond to PM's or e-mails with regards for assistance. Please post your issues to the forum. If I miss your post, please PM me with a link to your post. Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ \| PC Running Slow Last edited by BCCOMP; 11-02-2009 at 01:16 PM.

11-02-2009, 03:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
dermo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ireland Posts: 53 OS: xp pro sp2	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio You could try a win98 boot cd . run fdisk and delete all partitions (non dos etc.) . then with your xp cd/dvd try to install then.

11-03-2009, 09:29 PM	#19 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio Alright. I looked through the BIOS and didn't find anything that could be stopping it from detecting the CD. There's also no option in POST. Now that Windows 7 is on there, I reboot using either the XP CD or the XP DVD to boot from ROM and it acts like it's trying to pick it up but then it says "BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl=Alt-Del to reboot." Yet, this CD and DVD burn works fine in my other two computers. I talked to a friend of mine about it that does a lot of repairs our company doesnt offer and he said Sony's are a real pain to deal with, as far as getting them to downgrade. Well, Windows 7 won't boot now. So I'm assuming the "BOOTMGR" error has to do with the partitioning of some sort, even though it was working fine until I started to play with the CD's again. Maaaan, what a mess. Last edited by ForsakenDecay; 11-03-2009 at 09:40 PM.

11-03-2009, 10:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
ForsakenDecay Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 OS: Vista	Re: Downgrade from Vista to XP on Sony Vaio I did some researching on this issue. Apparently it's common with Sony computers. It might not be possible to do without paying an arm and a leg. "Vista Business and Vista Ultimate OEM users are eligible for a downgrade to XP Professional. OEM copies of Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium, on the other hand, are granted no downgrade rights. In addition, since the OS was preinstalled Sony is responsible for any/all support and making the individual decision concerning letting you downgrade. In short, the licensing agreement Microsoft has with manufacturers such as Sony passes the responsibility to Sony and precludes Microsoft from helping you in situations such as this."