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Install XP on pre-installed Vista

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by aphis_fabae

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Guys,
I have failed to install another OS (XP) on my laptop which came with pre-installed Windows Vista. I have able to make another partition through your directions, but when i boot my lapto using Windows XP CD it copies the required files but when i press ENTER to install Windows XP the message appears that " Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer and that any disk related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacture supplied diagnostic or setup program. Setup cannot continue. To quit setup, press F3." Please note I have C: drive installed windows vista on it, i have drive D: files are available for recovery disk pre-installed by the windows vista or manufacturer. My lapto is SONY VAIO FZ. Please advise how to install another operating system on this computer.
Thanks Ray

8 replies

by jamesmondtan

Windows xp recognice sata hardisk. If your motherboard bios have the option to change sata to ide, then you can change there. otherwise you will need to use the sata driver for xp to recognice your sata hardisk.

by bootie2022

Its like this your HD in Sony is a new product supported only by Vista if you run XP setup your HD not detected by it!
You need to dot to Hitachi website (who made HD on Laptop) or to sony
I've got same problem Sony FZ11L notebook
There is a way of bypassing it BUT keep in mind that XP might not have the drivers for this new product!!!

by bootie2022

In case anyone else needs to do this here are some details of how I was able to downgrade my VGN-FZ11L from vista to XP (well actually I've got a dual boot between vista and XP but thats another story).
To get going you'll need the FZ11L drivers that are supplied with the pc or can be downloaded from here.

The first task is to install xp. Since the FZ11L has a sata hard disk you'll need to put the sata drivers on a floppy or you'll get the "no hard disks" message when you try to install XP.

So to start have the sata drivers on a floppy and have a usb floppy drive connected to the machine. When XP starts to install press F6 to say you have additional drivers. That should get XP installed. If you don't have a usb floppy then you could try to slipstream an XP install with the sata drivers. Good luck!

Once XP is installed you need to add drivers to get the rest of the FZ11L working.

First run the chipset install drivers from the "chipset" folder

Then install the memory card drivers that are in the "Memory_Card" folder

You can get the audio working by installing XP drivers that come with the FE31M.

Ethernet drivers will have to be downloaded. Look for "Marvell Yukon Ethernet Controller" and the file you need is yk51x86_v10.15.7.3.zip

Drivers for the wireless lan can be downloaded from http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-010623.htm
Install drivers for the Intel PRO/wireless 3945ABG

Video drivers can be downloaded from: www.dna-drivers.com - look for the drivers for the nvidia geforce 8400M GT card. The file name is: DNA-Force_3.7.16314x32.zip

That should have most of the FZ11L working. The things I haven't got to work yet are:
1. the modem
2. the camera

If you have any suggestions on where to find drivers for these then do let me know.
Hope this is useful to someone!

by james.g.harness

re:
1. the modem
2. the camera

have you managed to find the drivers for these at all?

by djw230760

Have you got any further with this I have two entries in device manager that are showing they yellow question mark one is the vga card which your link will hopefully cure and PCI device and I am damned if I can find the answer how have you got on.
Interestingly I dont have a mention of the modem perhaps that is the PCI device

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