VAIO VGN-AR51SU:Vista Ultimate 32-bit to Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit

[dameade64]

I have a Sony VAIO VGN-AR51SU laptop, which came with Vista Ultimate 32-bit pre-installed.

I have bought a genuine copy of the Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade from Amazon and am trying to upgrade to this version with the 32-bit install disc. I have tried twice but each time the upgrade is unsuccessful and rolls back to Vista. I do NOT get stuck in the reboot loop.

I ran the Upgrade Advisor before both occasions, and have uninstalled anything which is flagged up. I also had to install Vista SP1 after the first attempt. All that is remaining is the following warnings:

- Windows Mail, Parental Controls and Ultimate Extras: no longer available in Windows 7

- NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT: no compatibility information available

Can anyone help?

[Blencogo]

It is the driver for the nVidia 8400M GT that is incompatible with Windows 7.

Unfortunately, Sony have not provided Windows 7 support for your model so you must look elsewhere for a suitable graphics driver.  You have several options: -

1. Although Sony do not support the AR-Series, there is support for the AW-Series.  The AW-Series uses the 9300M graphics chip but a quick look at the installer .INF indicates that the 8400M MAY also supported by the provided driver version 186.40.  At your own risk you can try installing the 32-bit nVidia driver downloadable here (no guarantees): -

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/info/info.aspx?l=en_GB&url=VAIO/Updates/EP00002...

2. Try Windows Update for a suitable driver.

3. As a last resort, go to http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/ and read the quickstart guide.  You will need to modify the installer .INF for most of these drivers to recognise your nVidia chip.  This method will provide you with the latest available drivers but modifying the installer .INF is tricky if you have not done it before.