Bluetooth, Wifi & biometric driver issues wirth Vista RC1 beta

[Guest]

I upgraded from Windows XP to Vista RC1 Beta on my Sonay laptop model
VGN-TX37GP/B. This is a Windows Vista Capable machine (as per the sticker on
the laptop). Post upgrade the following do not work:

1) Bluetooth
2) Wifi
3) Biometric fingerprint reader

Serached all across the world wide web and could not find the right drivers
to resolve this problem. Would be greatful if some learned soul helps me out.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

"Vista Capable" means it can run Windows Vista, it does not mean that Vista
contains everything the laptop needs (any iteration of Windows rarely
contains everything needed for a laptop, there is way too much proprietary
hardware in use). What it needs are proper device drivers for those
components, and these need to be supplied by Sony. Check with Sony support
as to availability, and in the meantime you might try forcing the use of an
XP driver.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Halldor Hrafn Jonsson]

Hi.

Microsoft recommends NEVER forcing an XP driver into the Vista operating
system! so your options are:

1. Get a Vista driver from the manufacturer
2. Install a "compatible" driver from the Vista driver library
3. Purchase Vista ready components instead of the ones that don´t work (in
case there is no support and you can not wait for support)

In your case I would do what Rick suggested and contact the Sony Support.

Best regards,
Halldor Hrafn Jonsson
MCP 2811033

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I know, I know, don't force unsigned or XP drivers. The fact is that they
often work and may be the only resolution, at least on an interim basis. If
it doesn't work, driver rollback will always allow you to revert.

1. Get a Vista driver from the manufacturer

Sony may not have published these yet, and may not until well after the
retail release next January. On the good side, as Sony lists this as a Vista
capable machine, it's a fairly good indicator that they will eventually
release these.

2. Install a "compatible" driver from the Vista driver library

As I mentioned in my initial response, Vista may not have the necessary
drivers for the laptop, this is not uncommon due to the proprietary nature
of the machine.

3. Purchase Vista ready components instead of the ones that don´t work (in
case there is no support and you can not wait for support)

Again, this is a laptop, and those components are all internal, so that's
really not an option.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Halldor Hrafn Jonsson]

Hi.

Hi,

I know, I know, don't force unsigned or XP drivers. The fact is that they
often work and may be the only resolution, at least on an interim basis.
If it doesn't work, driver rollback will always allow you to revert.

Never force an XP driver in because it causes system instability, if you
force it and it "works" and you carry on using it, it will cause system
instability.

example: XP driver in a Vista operating system = System Crash (this is not a
question of "if" but "when" so do not bother with forcing it)

note: if you do not care about system stability given of course the fact
that you are running a beta... you could force an xp driver in and have it
working but always expect instability.

Sony may not have published these yet, and may not until well after the
retail release next January. On the good side, as Sony lists this as a
Vista capable machine, it's a fairly good indicator that they will
eventually release these.

True, also Sony Support should be able to answer this question.

As I mentioned in my initial response, Vista may not have the necessary
drivers for the laptop, this is not uncommon due to the proprietary nature
of the machine.

If you browse manually for drivers and select "let me pick a list of device
drivers on my computer" you will be able in many cases to find a
"compatible" generic driver that might work.

Again, this is a laptop, and those components are all internal, so that's
really not an option.

A laptop has USB and in most cases a PCMCIA slot meaning you can purchase
both Bluetooth and Wifi components for USB and PCMCIA. A fingerprint reader
is available USB connected. Again, this is all given worst case scenario..

Best regards,
Halldor Hrafn Jonsson
MCP 2811033