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This is a long shot but do 32 bit Windows XP drivers exist for a Sony VPCEH2A4E?

I'm trying to play a particular game (Fallout 3 if you are interested) that refuses to run under Windows 7 64 bit. I have tried running as Administrator, running in compatability mode etc etc to no avail. Also, it ran like a dog under Windows XP mode so that's out the question.

I have a lot of experience with the Windows XP install process, hard drive partitioning and repairing the Windows 7 boot loader after an XP install onto the same hard drive so no worries there, I am just having trouble finding drivers.

According to Speccy, I have the following hardware:

  • Motherboard: Sone VAIO C10743KK Sandy Bridge 09 HM65 B2
  • BIOS: INSYDE RO190Z9
  • Graphics: Intel HD 9.17.10.2736
  • Network: Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
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> it ran like a dog under Windows XP mode so that's out the question   You have obviously not been to the dog-track. :-P   Have you tried installing XP yet? If not, do so and see which drivers you actually need since some of them may already be available. Then run Windows Update and VAIO Update to see if there are any available there. This way, it will be easier to figure out what exactly is needed (i.e., video? chipset? wireless? audio?) – Synetech Jul 29 '12 at 19:59
I haven't tried yet, I was asking to see if somebody either said yes they are here and the pointed me towards a link, or told me not to waste my time! But I will give it a shot and report back, I feel as though I am about to step into a time machine haha – JMK Jul 29 '12 at 20:19
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Well it depends on the individual components. Thinks like the keyboard, mouse, and NIC may already be supported by Windows, even if only with generic drivers. Things like the video-card, audio card, and even chipset may have drivers available from the mfgs’ sites themselves. That way you can narrow it down to just the proprietary Sony components (if any). – Synetech Jul 29 '12 at 20:34
Just reporting back, the VPCEH2A4E comes with a heavily locked down (and basically useless) BIOS. The Windows XP installer wouldn't reach the Press Return to Continue screen (it loaded some drivers and then blue-screened). I had pre-empted the hard drive type being AHCI so had used NLite to slipstream the AHCI driver, but there is clearly other hardware inconpatabilities, and all the BIOS will do let me change the Admin password. Going to try Vista 32 bit and see if it lets me play Fallout 3! – JMK Jul 29 '12 at 21:09
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> all the BIOS will do let me change the Admin password   Then do so and log back into the BIOS as an administrator because you may have logged in as a user, which of course does not let you change much. Also, you may need to try entering the BIOS right after powering on as some settings (e.g., changing the hard-drive password, and maybe others) only take effect on power up and are no longer available from simply rebooting.     > Going to try Vista 32   Good idea; Vista vastly increased Windows’ hardware support. – Synetech Jul 29 '12 at 21:36
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