Update : I am now convinced you can buy
$99 WindowsXP Upgrade from Fry's and install over WinME.
10/08/2003 10:48 PM Email from Sony support resolved
"The Problem". |
The PCV-RX470ds is a pretty good
machine.
The Chipset is Intel 850 - very good, only one generation old. This was the top chipset
for 2 years.
The CPU is Pentium 4 at 1.5Ghz.
Both are INTEL - not AMD and VIA junk.
(The new generation chipset, Intel 865, allows serial disk: 1 wire carrying bits from the
disk. The ATA way is parallel 80 wires). Serial 1, parallel 80.)
The PCV-RX470ds has USB 2.0 - USB 2.0 is fantastic, USB 1.1 is slow.
If it did not have USB 2.0 it would not be worth it.
The PCV-RX470ds has 4-wire and 6-wire IEEE 1394. |
http://www.winxpfix.com/index.html |
|
Original
Announcement VAIO is based in San Diego
Bundled Software |
Sony's latest Vaio
RZ series desktops combine the Windows Media Center interface with the company's own
Giga Pocket personal video recording and DVD-burning system and Vaio Media networking
software for sharing content on one PC with other Windows XP systems on a home network --
offerings familiar from previous Sony desktops and its more affordable, Win XP Home
Edition-based Vaio RS series. The RZ models will ship next month starting at about $1,600.
|
XP
as a design platform an upgraded Sony VAIO |
SO - this is a modern machine!
Keep it and upgrade. |
BUT! - Looks to me like Sony stopped selling
the WindowsXP upgrade.
Everywhere I look on http://www.iq.sony.com , I get
close but no cigar. |
I recommend you read this stuff and then check with the
dealer. I do not see how they could possibly know the answer. But maybe somebody there has
done it. You could check with the shop on Wilshire (and 12th?) and ask them. You know the
prices for memory and disk. If they could do it for a labor charge of $50 plus parts -
that's a deal. They might guarantee the work - but if they lose your data, tough luck. |
The Problem
I want to "Download and install the Sony® Pre-installed Programs
Uninstaller Utility For Upgrading To Microsoft® Windows® XP."
- but I can't get there.
Windows XP is on CD-ROM and can not be downloaded.
Say you pay Fry's $99 for Win XP upgrade
It will install Win XP over Win ME
But you voided the warranty on Sony OS support (who cares) because you did not get it from
them?
There is: a) "generic (off-the shelf)" and b) "Sonys installed
version of the Windows® XP operating system" |
But Sony Store sells standard Microsoft WinXP product.
Where is 'b) "Sonys installed version of the Windows® XP operating
system"'
|
|
|
|
|
Microsoft® XP Home Upgrade
VS-N09-00050
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition is the next version of the
Windows operating system, which is designed exclusively for home computing. Windows XP
Home Edition puts the
$ 99.95 |
|
|
More Memory
Get 512MB for $220. |
New Disk Drive
Get new 120GB disk drive for $119 for clean install.
BUt this requires $199 WindowsXP Full Edition instead of $99 upgrade. |
Backup your data!
Buy $99 XP from Fry's and update |
This should keep your data. |
But if it toasts your machine, you will lose your data
The Sony recovery cd might restore the system but not your data. |
Buy $99 XP from Fry's and clean install |
This will erase your data. |
A clean install probably will save grief somtime down the
road.
You could get a $79 USB ZIP drive and unload your data. At this price it is USB 1.1 but it
will work. The advantage is you just plug in it. Or maybe a couple dozen floppies might
hold your data. Probably not since 1 floppy holds 1MBYou could get a
You could plug this drive in and copy your
data.
If all fails, you do a Sony restore then copy back your data. You would then have WinME
with 60GB plus 120GB.
A new 120GB drive costs $120 - so this is $89 more for USB plugin capability.
If WinXP upgrade works, you would then have WinXP with 60GB plus 120GB.
I like this approach! |
|
|
Driver Recovery CD
Looks like you have all the drivers if you do a clean install. |
Service Pack 1
If, by some miracle, the upgrade worked, you need to download and install the MS Service
Pack 1a - just released. |
User Manual Extract |
Just some 1394 stuff |
Search Sony for
WindowsXP
Links will not work but you can copy the article name and search Sony.
This just makes it easier to see the whole list. |
Ask Sony A
Question - ASQ
Submit a question, receive e-mail reply within 12 hours.
Can I upgrade my PCV-RX470DS to Windows XP?
The Sony support site says I need to "Download and install the Sony® Pre-installed
Programs Uninstaller Utility For Upgrading To Microsoft® Windows® XP."
But I can not find this on the Sony website.
I want to go to Circuit City and buy a $99 standard Windows XP upgrade.
Will that work? Do I lose Sony support?
The reference number for your question is '031008-000090'.
You should receive a response by e-mail from our support department within the next
business day.
If you need to add information to or cancel your question, you can do so by updating it
through the questions subarea of the 'My Stuff' section of this site. |
Subject ---Can I
upgrade my PCV-RX470DS to Windows XP? The Sony support site says I need...
Discussion Thread -------------- Response (Andy) - 10/08/2003 10:48 PM
Thank you for contacting SonyStyle with your
query.
Glad to know that you own the Sony VAIO PCV-RX470DS Desktop. You could indeed
upgrade the Operating System on your Desktop to Windows XP.
Please visit the following site to view the drivers that
you will need after the upgrade.
http://www.ita.sel.sony.com/support/pc/pcvrx470dsrx480ds/
Please feel free to contact the SonyStyle team for further queries.
Customer (bruce beach) - 10/08/2003 04:46 AM Can I upgrade my PCV-RX470DS to Windows XP?
The Sony support site says I need to "Download and install the Sony® Pre-installed
Programs Uninstaller Utility For Upgrading To Microsoft® Windows® XP." But I can
not find this on the Sony website. I want to go to Circuit City and buy a $99 standard
Windows XP upgrade. Will that work? Do I lose Sony support? Thanks
Question #031008-000090 --- Product: VAIO Desktops
Email Address: brucebeachQQQ@yahooQQQ.com
Date Created: 10/08/2003 04:46 AM Last Updated: 10/08/2003 10:48 PM Status: Solved |
"Please visit the
following site to view the drivers that you will need after
the upgrade." |
This was the source of all my
confusion.
It seemed to me the sequence should be:
1) BEFORE - Run Microsoft® Windows® ME version of Program Uninstaller Utility
2) and then do Windows XP Upgrade.- but evidently it is:
1) Run Windows XP Upgrade
2) and then AFTER do Microsoft®
Windows® XP version of Program Uninstaller
Utility |
These files look like the Driver Recovery
CD - but are updated versions for XP; replaces old Driver CD.
You should download these files BEFORE you upgrade and have them ready.
You also download Windows XP Service Pack 1A before starting the upgrade. |
Date |
Component |
Operating System |
Description |
Download |
5/28/2003 |
|
Anti-Virus |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This utility will install the Symantec®
Norton AntiVirus® 2002 Application, Version 8.01 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP
Operating Systems |
SYQ8014BAJ.EXE
|
9/4/2003 |
|
Audio |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
ADI® SoundMAX® Integrated Digital Audio
Driver Utility |
ANE030XDAH.EXE
|
7/1/2002 |
|
Fan Control |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® 2000
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
Sony® Fan Control Driver |
SOG0203DBY.EXE
|
12/26/2002 |
|
Microsoft Office |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
Computer Prompts for Insertion of Microsoft®
Windows® XP Operating Systems CD During Microsoft® Office 2000 Installation |
SOP001XBAC.EXE
|
2/22/2002 |
|
Modem |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This utility will install the Lucent® Win
Modem Driver Utility, Version 6.04 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems |
LUC604XDAV.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Mouse |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
The WHQL-certified Sony PCGA-UMS1 and
PCGA-UMS1/A USB Mouse Driver for the Windows® XP Home Edition and Windows® XP
Professional Operating Systems. |
UM151XP.EXE
|
11/9/2001 |
|
Program Uninstaller Utility |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
I would have thought this would be
run BEFORE the upgrade.
This would let Windows XP upgrade
search for new drivers.
I guess you upgrade,
then run this remover,
then run the rest of these EXE's
to install the latest version. |
This program will uninstall
the following programs that come pre-installed from the factory:
- BatteryScope
- HotKey Utility
- PowerPanel
- Sony DV Shared Library
- Sony DVgate
- Sony Notebook Setup
- Sony OpenMG Jukebox
- Sony Pen Tablet Utility
- Sony PPK Setup
- Sony PictureGear
- Sony Smart Connect
- Sony Smart Connect Monitor
- Sony Utilities DLL Library
- Sony VAIO Action Setup
|
UNINSTALL2.EXE
|
10/24/2001 |
|
Sony DVgate Application |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This program will install the Sony®
DVgate Application, Version 2.4.00.08170 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating
Systems |
DVG24XP.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Sony DVgate Plug-in |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This program will install the Sony®
DVgate Plug-in for Adobe® Premiere® 6.0 , Version 2.3.01.08020 for the Microsoft®
Windows® XP Operating Systems |
PLUGIN62.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Sony DV Shared Library |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This program will install the Sony® DV
Shared Library, Version 2.3.02.07090 for Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems. |
SDV239XP.EXE
|
11/9/2001 |
|
Sony Image Station Library |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This utility will install the Sony® Image
Station Library, Version 2.0.00.08080 for the Windows® XP Operating Systems. |
IMLIB208XP.EXE
|
1/7/2002 |
|
Sony Media Bar DVD Player |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
Sony Media Bar DVD Player |
MDVD321XP.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Sony PictureGear Application |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® 2000
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
An Error Message Appears When Trying to View
a PictureGear Slide Show Using an Image Stored on an Optical or Removable Drive. |
SOP2004BBF.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Sony PictureGear Application |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This program will install the Sony®
PictureGear software, Version 5.1.00.08280 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP
Operating Systems. |
PIC5182XP.EXE
|
11/9/2001 |
|
Sony Shared Library |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This utility will install the Sony® Shared
Library, Version 2.07.00.07120 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems
|
SLIB207XP.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
Sony Smart Capture Application |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This program will install the Sony® Smart
Capture Application, Version 4.2 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems. |
SCAP42XP.EXE
|
4/23/2002 |
|
Sony UI Library |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
This utility will update the Sony® UI
Library Utility, Version 2.4.00.09030 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems |
UILIB24XP.EXE
|
9/4/2003 |
|
Sony Visual Communication Camera (PCGA-UVC10) |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
Microsoft®
Windows® 2000
|
This utility will install the Sony®
PCGA-UVC10 USB Camera Driver and resolve the following issues:
- Camera volume is too low.
- Captured images are distorted on the Sony® PCG-C1 Picturebook® series computers when
capturing images during a video chat using the Microsoft® Messenger software.
|
SO-511720F03EM.EXE
|
9/18/2003 |
|
VAIO® Action Setup |
|
Microsoft®
Windows® XP
|
The utility will install the Sony® VAIO®
Action Setup Utility Version 001.9200 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems. |
SOP200XBCG.EXE
|
|
|