Would like to install real XP home on Vaio, MediaCenter not wanted

[none]

I asked Sony for assistance on this (before my 1-yr warranty on my
VGC-RA820G ran out) and all I got was a rather snotty response - that I
could do whatever I wanted, but they would, at that point, drop all support
for my PC. Now there's no support anyway.

I have built my own PC's since 1991 and this was my first "storebought"
computer, but I have moved since I first got it. Mediacenter was - I dunno,
amusing but not terribly useful. I have a PVR with my cable service, with
two tuners, don't like or want the so-called apps shipped with the Sony for
CD and DVD creation, and would be much happier to buy a new XP Home and
install it.

Has anyone else gone this route? I would like to do it mainly because I'm
used to troubleshooting and doing "repair installs" and having system file
checker (that works) and these tools kind of leave me wondering "duh" when
I'm told to insert my XP disc 2. I don't have any XP discs, just that
damned partition (and 1CD/2DVD backups) of Windows "as it was installed at
the time of the PC purchase." I've had a few hiccups and when I do
reinstall their Sony-ized Windows, of course, I'm set back to the time
before a million patches and fixes. Thank goodness I have a cable modem,
that probably saves 3 or 4 days itself!

It also makes me wonder if Sony will be an obstacle to getting a better
video card (yes) and Vista next year (most likely).

I'd like to get a better video card one day for Vista at 1600x1200, not sure
if the X300 is up for that, and perhaps one that does capture, if I can't
maintain the Sony card. I don't need a TV tuner, at all.

Any advice appreciated. Again, many months ago all Sony would advise is
"your guarantee will be null and void" and I had to go through several
levels of supervisors to get a tentative "maybe" on the machine working with
a Windows that was not THEIR proprietary version.

Thanks - Bill Halvorsen

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

There's nothing to prevent you from installing XP Home on the machine. However, you get the features of Pro with Media Center. If you don't use the Media Center functionality, simply don't run it.

You will need to ensure that you have downloaded the drivers for any propietary hardware on the PC.

The X300 (probably 128 meg of RAM) is at the lower end of the scale for ATI cards. So far with the Vista beta, I haven't been impressed with the performance on the one machine that does have the X300.

 

[none]

Many thanks, Doug! This should keep me busy for a month or two, but it's
good to know that it's "doable." I don't need any of the features of XP
Pro. The ATi X300 is 128 megs of RAM and AFAIK is the bottom of the scale
of ATi cards, or at least in PCI Express... - Bill

===================Running real retail Windows vice "bundled" Media
Center===================


There's nothing to prevent you from installing XP Home on the machine.
However, you get the features of Pro with Media Center. If you don't use
the Media Center functionality, simply don't run it.

You will need to ensure that you have downloaded the drivers for any
propietary hardware on the PC.

The X300 (probably 128 meg of RAM) is at the lower end of the scale for ATI
cards. So far with the Vista beta, I haven't been impressed with the
performance on the one machine that does have the X300.

 

[Stephen]

none wrote:
| I asked Sony for assistance on this (before my 1-yr warranty on my
| VGC-RA820G ran out) and all I got was a rather snotty response - that I
| could do whatever I wanted, but they would, at that point, drop all
| support for my PC. Now there's no support anyway.
|
| I have built my own PC's since 1991 and this was my first "storebought"
| computer, but I have moved since I first got it. Mediacenter was - I
| dunno, amusing but not terribly useful. I have a PVR with my cable
| service, with two tuners, don't like or want the so-called apps shipped
| with the Sony for CD and DVD creation, and would be much happier to buy a
| new XP Home and install it.
|
| Has anyone else gone this route? I would like to do it mainly because I'm
| used to troubleshooting and doing "repair installs" and having system file
| checker (that works) and these tools kind of leave me wondering "duh" when
| I'm told to insert my XP disc 2. I don't have any XP discs, just that
| damned partition (and 1CD/2DVD backups) of Windows "as it was installed at
| the time of the PC purchase." I've had a few hiccups and when I do
| reinstall their Sony-ized Windows, of course, I'm set back to the time
| before a million patches and fixes. Thank goodness I have a cable modem,
| that probably saves 3 or 4 days itself!
|
| It also makes me wonder if Sony will be an obstacle to getting a better
| video card (yes) and Vista next year (most likely).
|
| I'd like to get a better video card one day for Vista at 1600x1200, not
| sure if the X300 is up for that, and perhaps one that does capture, if I
| can't maintain the Sony card. I don't need a TV tuner, at all.
|
| Any advice appreciated. Again, many months ago all Sony would advise is
| "your guarantee will be null and void" and I had to go through several
| levels of supervisors to get a tentative "maybe" on the machine working
| with a Windows that was not THEIR proprietary version.
|
| Thanks - Bill Halvorsen

Currently thses ATI cards support Vista build 5308:

Radeon® 9500, 9550, 9600, 9650, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800, X850
Radeon® X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900 series
Mobility™ Radeon® 9550, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800
Mobility™ Radeon® X1300, X1400, X1600, X1800
Radeon® Xpress 200, 200M
FireGL™ V7350, V7300, V7100, V5100, V5000, V3200, V3100
Mobility™ FireGL® V5200, V5000, V3200, V3100
FireMV™ 2200 PCIE, FireMV™ 2400 PCIE

So, yes, your graphics card should handle Vista well.

It looks like SONY's made the drivers for the computer available. This means
you should be able to install a plain version (OEM or Retail version) of
Windows XP Home or Professional .. and the devices the installation routine
doesn't catch you can install their drivers yourself. It might be smart to
download the drivers for the system and burn them to a CD-R disc BEFORE
re-installing Windows.

If you no longer are under warranty then it doesn't matter so much if you
switch out the operating system for another. It's your computer to do as you
will and run whatever software you will.


Additonal Comments ..

Beware Sony software:

[ZDNet UK Article on SONY Rootkit-like software]
http://www.zdnet.co.uk/talkback/?PROCESS=show&ID=20051690&AT=39236971-39020375t-10000025c

SONY has since pulled in its horns but older SONY software might have this
rootkit-like nonsense - make sure you don't inadvertently install it.

XP Home does not have all the features of Media Center Edition (which is
based on XP Professional). You might consider getting the Pro version of
Windows. Here's a Home vs. Pro feature comparison:

[Windows XP Comparison Guide]
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx