Sony Vaio desktop - screen resolution issue

Channel Hopper

A customer is running a 4 year old Vaio desktop (all in one screen/motherboard/DVD), which had a serious hard disk failure. No recovery disc provided.

The new drive has Windows XP installed but refuses to bring up the full screen resolution (nor provide sound).
The VaioUK website provides some downloads for utilities/drivers based on the specific model and serial number, but when loading these to provide the standard features, the prompts ask for installation of the 'entertainment platform' before it can continue.

This is not available as a download from Sony and so the question is, how do I find / download/install it ?

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Topper

Not sure of the model number, you will need to check that but it seems not to be top secret
_http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?upd_id=2014&SMB=YES

War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left!

Formerly toppervte33h
whose six pack has turned into a keg

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Channel Hopper

Ahem

WARNING!!: This utility is only for use with the following Sony® VAIO® computers sold in the United States, Canada, or Latin America:
VGC-RA940G
VGC-RA848G
VGC-RA846G
VGC-RA842G
VGC-RA840G
VGC-RA840G
VGC-RA849G
VGC-RA845G
Do not install this utility with any other model of computer (including other Sony computers sold worldwide).

This one is a UK model

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Mickha

Can you please provide the model number of the Vaio computer, and was it originally loaded with Windows XP or was it loaded with Windows XP Media Centre, seeing as it has an Entertainment Platform?

Channel Hopper

No model number to hand, will try to get it later today

Ah,that may be the problem.

Is there a way to upgrade one to the other without completely formatting again ?

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Mickha

I don't know if they're similar operating systems, it's probably the only version of Windows I've never tried or had to repair.
If you can find out the model number there should be a manual, and specifications, including drivers and Operating System, on the Sony site.

Channel Hopper

Already been there. The Sony site takes model and serial number direct from the desktop, and then provides folders containing utilities and drivers, some of which can be installed.

The ones that fail to install request the 'Entertainment platform' package before thay can continue, which include the screen resolution, audio output and DVD player.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

mhku

You can install Windows Media Centre over the top of XP without any problems (well as much as any Windows install is without problems )

jimbo

It's often the case that the disc failure is a boot or system failure and most of the stuff is on the disc still. It happened to me and I stuck the hdd in a usb connected disc enclosure plugged into my laptop. Pulled off all the drivers and stuff and just reformatted.

Jimbo

Topper

Isn't that what I said CH, you should have that not me

For sure without model number and serial number you are into a strong breeze.

War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left!

Formerly toppervte33h
whose six pack has turned into a keg

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Freddie Flintoff is back

Channel Hopper

Ah, I didn't suggest I didn't have them, just not to hand.

The owner of course has the machine in his house, and when connected to the Vaio website, automatically transfers details to the site to obtain the correct upgrades (but not the ones it needs).

Mkhu, if you have any pointers to the Media Centre download pages it would be much appreciated.

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"