Sony Vaio Clean Boot Installation of Windows 2000

Best way to partition the entire system is via partitionmagic software. 

• When upgrading or downgrading a VAIO computer to the Windows2000 operating system, Sony strongly recommends using the "CleanInstallation" installation option. This option will install Windows2000 in a separate folder separate from the existing operatingsystem to minimize possible incompatibilities. It will also createa dual-boot configuration, allowing you to select either theoriginal Sony-installed operating system or the Windows 2000operating system from a "boot menu" when starting the computer.This will allow you to reinstall your Windows 2000-compliantapplications under the new operating system for optimalperformance.
• If the original operating system is removed from the systembefore installing Windows 2000, it is strongly recommended to firstdownload all of the available Sony device driver updates,especially the modem driver.
• NOTE: Using the "Upgrade" installationoption on the CD instead of "Clean Installation" will installWindows 2000 over the existing operating system. Sony has nottested the "Upgrade" installation configuration and does notrecommend using this option. Sony does not offersupport or assistance when using this option to install Windows2000.
• The dual-boot installation created by Sony's "CleanInstallation" procedure is meant as a configuration while Windows2000 is being installed and configured. It is particularly helpfulin de terming whether a possible issue is caused by either thesystem hardware

• When installing the Windows 2000 operating system, itis strongly recommended to do so in the followingorder:
• Before installing Windows 2000, install the BIOS Update
• Perform the Sony Recommended Clean Installation Procedure (seebelow) of the Windows 2000 Professional operating system
• Install the Core Driver Update Utilities
• Install the Device Driver Updates
• Install the Sony Applications and Utilities
• Install the Other Update Utilities
• For convenience, you may wish todownload all of the updates in advance and save them on the harddrive for later installation. As you click each file, it'sinstallation instructions will appear. It is suggested to print theinstructions and follow them to the point that the file isdownloaded to your hard drive. Repeat this procedure for any listedWindows 2000 BIOS Update, Core Driver Update Utilities, DeviceDriver Updates, Sony Applications and Utilities and Other UpdateUtilities. Once all files have been downloaded, go to the firstfile, as they were listed on the web site, and follow it'sremaining installation instructions to complete the installation.Repeat this process until all downloaded files have beeninstalled.

• After the Windows 2000 operating system and Sony's Windows 2000updates are successfully installed, it is strongly recommended touninstall the original operating system Sony-installed applicationsand then remove the original operating system.
• NOTE: Not all of the original operatingsystem utilities and applications (such as Sony DVgate,MovieShaker, and PictureGear) will be available for download forWindows 2000. If it is necessary to continue using theseapplications, you may find it necessary to leave the originaloperating system installed on the system. Please be aware that thisconfiguration is not supported by either Sony orMicrosoft.
• Sony provides BIOS Upgrades for several models of VAIOcomputers to enhance compatibility under the Windows 2000environment. These BIOS updates are only for use with Sony VAIONotebook and Desktop Computers purchased in the United States andCanada. DO NOT use these updates with a European or Japaneseversion of a Sony VAIO computer, or the computer may not functioncorrectly or may even become inoperable!
• If a Windows 2000 Professional BIOS Upgrade is available foryour model of computer, it is recommended to install the BIOSUpgrade before installing Windows 2000. If a Windows 2000 BIOSUpdate is not available, be sure to have installed the latestoriginal operating system BIOS update currently available.
• When installing Windows 2000, DO NOT convert the file system onthe boot partition (C:) from FAT32 to NTFS until the originaloperating system has been removed from the computer.
• Other Windows operating system do not support NTFS partitionscreated or converted in Windows 2000. If the boot partition (C:) isconverted to NTFS, the original operating system will becomeinoperable. Other hard drive partitions converted to NTFS willbecome inaccessible under the original operating system.
• After performing a "Clean Install" of Windows 2000, theinstallation of additional third-party software, drivers, orperipherals may generate conflicts with Windows 2000. Pleasecontact Microsoft or the specific product manufacturer forassistance.
• Use the steps below as a guide during the installationprocess.
• Insert the Windows 2000 Professional CD into the CDROM / CDRW /DVDROM drive.
  If the Windows 2000 Professional CD starts automatically, skip tostep 3. Otherwise, follow the steps below to start the installationwizard.
• At the Windows Desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
• At the "My Computer" window, right-click the CDROM / CDRW /DVDROM drive icon.
• From the menu, click AutoPlay.
• At the "Microsoft Windows 2000 CD" message box, click Yes tobegin the installation of Windows 2000.
• At the "Welcome to Windows 2000 Setup Wizard" screen, select"Install a new copy of Windows 2000 (Clean Install)" and then clickNext.
  NOTE: Using the "Upgrade" installation optioninstead of "Clean Install" will install Windows 2000 over theexisting version of Windows 98/98SE. Sony has not tested thisinstallation configuration and strongly recommends against usingthis option. Sony DOES NOT offer support or assistance when usingthis option to install Windows 2000.
• At the "License Agreement" screen, after you have read theagreement, click "I accept this agreement."
  NOTE: You will not be able to continue theinstallation without accepting the license agreement.
• Click Next to continue.
• At the "Your Product Key" screen, type the 25-character productkey (located on the back of the Windows 2000 CD sleeve or jewelcase) in the fields.
• Once you have entered the Product Key, click Next tocontinue.
• At the "Select Special Options" screen, click the AdvancedOptions button.
• At the "Advanced Options" box, verify that \WINNT is displayedin the "Windows installation folder" field.
  NOTE: DO NOT change the name of theinstallation folder from "\WINNT". If Windows 2000 is not installedin the "\WINNT" folder, many of the Sony Windows 2000 devicedrivers and software updates will not install correctly.
• Click the box next to "I want to choose the installationpartition during Setup" to check it and then click OK.
• At the "Select Special Options" screen, click Next.
  Please wait as the installation files are copied to computer.
• At the "Restarting the Computer" screen, click Finish or wait15 seconds for the computer to restart.
• As the computer restarts, a Windows boot menu will appearbriefly and then the Windows 2000 setup will continue. The systemhardware will be scanned and the setup process will start.
• At the "Windows 2000 Professional Setup - Welcome to Setup"screen, press ENTER (the default selection) to set up Windows2000.
• At the next "Windows 2000 Professional Setup" screen, verifythat the boot partition (C:) is highlighted. Press ENTER (thedefault) to install Windows 2000 in this partition.
  NOTE: DO NOT install Windows 2000 into anyother hard drive partition. If Windows 2000 is not installed in theboot partition (C:), many of the Sony Windows 2000 software updateswill not install correctly.
• At the next "Windows 2000 Professional Setup" screen, therewill be a list of file system options. By default, "Leave thecurrent file system intact (no changes)" will be highlighted. PressENTER to accept this selection.
  NOTE: DO NOT convert the boot partition (C:)to NTFS. If the boot partition is converted to NTFS, Windows98/98SE will be rendered inoperable! Once Windows 2000 has beensuccessfully installed and Windows 98/98SE has been removed, youwill be able to convert the hard drive partitions to NTFS fromwithin Windows 2000.
  The setup program will scan the hard drive for errors and begincopying the Windows 2000 files to the hard drive.
• When the file copying is complete, press ENTER to restart thecomputer or wait 15 seconds for the computer to restartautomatically.
• When the computer restarts, a "Press any key to boot from CD"message will appear. DO NOT press any key.
• At the "Welcome to the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard" screen, clickNext.
• Please wait as the Setup program will detect and installdrivers for the computer hardware.
• At the "Regional Settings" screen, click Next.
• At the "Personalize Your Software" screen, fill in the "Name"(and "Organization", if applicable) box and click Next.
• At the "Computer Name and Administrator Password" screen, fillin the specified blanks and click Next.
  NOTE: If an Administrator password is notspecified, any user will have full access to make systemchanges.
• At the "Modem Dialing Information" screen, fill in the "areacode" box (and "outside line" box, if applicable).
• Verify that the correct dialing type (either "Tone dialing" or"Pulse dialing") is selected for your phone system, and then clickNext.
• At the "Date and Time Settings" screen, confirm that thedisplayed date, time, and time zone are correct and then clickNext.
• If a "Network Settings" screen appears, follow the steps below.Otherwise, continue with step 27.
• At the Network Settings screen, verify that "Typical settings"is selected and click Next.
• At the "Workgroup Computer Domain screen, verify that "No, thiscomputer is not on a network..." is selected and click Next.
  NOTE: Consult the Windows 2000 Professionaldocumentation and online help for additional assistance inconfiguring your network.
  Please wait as the Setup utility continues installing andconfiguring the remaining Windows 2000 components.
• At the "Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard" screen, ejectthe Windows 2000 CD from the drive.
• After removing the CD, click Finish.
• The computer will restart to the Windows 2000 boot menu and"Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" will be highlighted. PressENTER to start Windows 2000.
• At the "Welcome to Network Identification Wizard" screen, clickNext.
• At the "Users of This Computer" screen, select whether allusers must log in or if Windows assumes the user is the oneselected by default.
• Fill in both password blanks with a password for the user (orleave blank for no password) and then click Next.
• At the "Completing the Network Identification Wizard" screen,click Finish.
  The installation of Windows 2000 Professional is now complete.Continue installing all applicable Sony device drivers and softwarefor Windows 2000 and the Windows 2000 Service packs. Consult theWindows 2000 Professional documentation for further assistanceconfiguring and optimizing the operating system.