Network Drivers/controller needed for reformat

basilmarket.com forums : Tech Talk | 4 posts archived

thread starter sharrokor Apr 20 2010 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I'm about to reformat my laptop, which is a Sony model PCG-8V1L. I tried looking on Sony's site but didn't find the network controller for it. The southbridge is 82801GHM(ICH7-M/U), if that helps. Please help me locate the drivers! http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=1z6qixs&s=5

My Characters: RhoAiius - 120 Khaini Aran in Hope

BobR 04/20/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

First, what country are you in..? Sony denies that model exists for its US market. Second, you may want to rethink wanting to reformat it. I found several threads on sites from people who had either done that, or tried to change operating systems and who had incredibly difficult times with it. Apparently it uses a SATA disk drive that isn't recognized by the BIOS without loading drivers from a floppy disk- which is apparently also impossible to locate. If the reason for reformatting is anything that can possibly be fixed otherwise, you should probably exhaust all those options before doing the dirty deed, because it sounds like it might be a real problem getting it back from the dead. If it wasn't for that one little problem, I'd say go ahead and try reinstalling Windows anyway- the default drivers with Windows will probably work just fine.

My Characters: MikeTheMagus - 80 Bellocan F/P Mage

sharrokor 04/20/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I'm in the US, and I searched the Sony site as well. The computer has a virus that I simply can't get rid of at this point without reformating. The registry is completely messed up beyond repair and I can no longer open anything. Will the default drivers allow me to access the internet? That's the only concern I have. I've found every other driver, but I can't find the network controller anywhere I look. I still have the original box, which states it's also a AR100 model?

My Characters: RhoAiius - 120 Khaini Aran in Hope

BobR + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Hmmm,,, their site doesn't like that model number either... did you try this page..? http://esupport.sony.com/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DRIVER&PRODTYPE=1,24,26,66,9,70,5,72&template_id=1®ion_id=1 There's a place where it will automatically detect your computer's model and hopefully take you to the correct support page for it. Of course, that's assuming you can use that computer to log in there. Otherwise, there's a popup on that page that talks about where on various computers the model number should be located. I did find references to the number you gave before on the Internet, but the Sony page doesn't recognize that one at all. IF you can get Windows re-installed after formatting the drive, then the default drivers should allow you to use the network interface, but it's impossible to guarantee that it'll work for certain. You're doing the right thing by trying to obtain the correct drivers ahead of time- I just wish Sony made it easier to find them! Also- unfortunately Intel says the network drivers for individual systems using their chipsets have to be obtained directly from the network adapter chip manufacturers, not from Intel. That would require being able to identify the specific network adapter manufacturer for the computer. If you can install and run an analysis program like Everest, it may give that level of detail, although I don't remember from the last time I installed it whether it does or not... http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181 Not sure whether CPU-Z shows the network chips either, though I imagine you've already tried that.

My Characters: MikeTheMagus - 80 Bellocan F/P Mage