Windows 7: Microsoft said my Vaio is compatible, but Sony says No

I've been using a Sony Vaio VGC RA826G desktop, which I bought primarily in order to be able to use Windows Media Center, which at the time was the only way to acquire it. I've been able to use it through Windows XP, Windows Vista, but now after being told by Microsoft that my computer was compatible with Windows 7, I now find that Windows 7 is unable to detect a tuner and that's that so far as Windows Media Center is concerned. I spent hours repeatedly taking my Vaio back to square one with the cabling making sure I had everything correctly connected, all to no avail.

So then I went hunting down solutions to this anomaly and came up with nothing. So I went back to the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which disclosed that a Multimedia Video Controller driver was not compatible and then referred me to a Sony web site and there glaring at me were the words "The model VGC RA826G is not eligible for SONY's Windows 7 Upgrade program" followed by "Interested in buying a new computer with Windows 7 ?"

Now I know only too well that because of the economic turn down, we are all asked to chip in with bail out money and stimulus money to help out these poor corporations, but this new wrinkle to extract more money out of my pocket is something else again, don't you think ? Besides this driver that is missing has been missing throughout Windows Vista and has not hampered Windows Media Center in any way nor in any video games or programming. So what little Trojan Horse is lurking in the Sony Windows 7 stables ?

I have a Sony VGC-RA842G and tried updating from Vista to Windows 7 ....it did update but whenever I clicked explorer the computer would crash(blue screen)...eventually I found out that it was specifically Sony MPEG Realtime encoder board that was the issue. So like you I'm looking for any help in solving this problem. I really dont need the media center on this PC so please anyone what are my options?

Windows 7 also installed without any problems and is running fine with the one exception of Windows Media Centre. Here's the reply I got back from Sony this morning, they have essentially put the ball back in Microsoft's court, and I have to paraphrase it:

They suggested that I contact Microsoft since Sony computers are designed for and supported for only the operating system that is installed at their factory. (Remember everything worked fine with Windows Vista.)

Can anyone here suggest to where in the vast emporium of Microsoft I might direct this Windows Media Centre problem ? Thanks.

Thought members might like to see transcript of my conversation with customer service yesterday (still no drivers available at 3.36pm EST Tuesday Oct 27)

Danielle_ > Hi John. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I'm Danielle. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.
Danielle_ > Thanks for waiting, John. I'll be glad to assist you with the information on the Windows 7 Upgrade.
john > Good
john > So the question is where are the Windows 7 Sony drivers?
Danielle_ > I'm sorry that the Drivers will be posted only after checking the compatibilty on the Computer and then will be posted at the Model Specific page of the Computer.
john > So how do I access that?
Danielle_ > I suggest that you bookmark the updates page and check for the updates later, since, the updates are not available at this time.
Danielle_ > I would like to forward a link to a page where you can view the model specific page of the Computer.
Danielle_ > When you receive the link, please click on it to open the page and let me know if you are able to view it.
john > The update drivers for Windows 7?
Danielle_ > Sony eSupport - VGN-Z540 - Software Updates & Drivers
Danielle_ > Are you able to access the page?
john > Sony eSupport - VGN-Z540 - Software Updates & Drivers is the page I already looked at - if you look and specify Windows 7 prefessional 32 bit it gives the message ther are no files etc
Danielle_ > Yes, John.
Danielle_ > Please bookmark the page and then check for the updates at the later point of time.
Danielle_ > We have not been informed when the drivers will be posted and can only recommend you bookmark the model specific website and check for the update at a later point of time.
john > so what happens if I install Windows 7 now without them?
Danielle_ > John, you may install the Windows 7, but some features may not work without the Drivers and the Features.
john > like which features?
Danielle_ > I'm sorry for the delay.
john > it's OK
Danielle_ > The Features like Function Keys, builtin Operating System Features in the Computer.
john > I see; so what's your guess as to when Sony will have the drivers available?
Danielle_ > I'm sorry, John.
Danielle_ > We have no information when the Drivers will be posted at the model specific page.
Danielle_ > Please bookmark the above page and then check for the updates at the later point of time.
john > but you must have a guess based on previous situations like this...
john > a day, a week, a month, three months - what would be reasonablle?
john > I guess there must be drivers if you're already shipping new product with Windows 7
Danielle_ > As the Computers that are preinstalled with the Windows 7 have the Drivers for the Computer.
Danielle_ > The Computer was shipped not shipped with the Windows 7, please check for the updates at the later point of time.
john > That's not much help - does Microsoft know that you don't have the drivers?
Danielle_ > John, the Drivers as will be posted only after checking the compatibilty on the Sony VAIO Computers.
john > I see - that makes sense but it shouldn't take long to do that - a few days at most - and wouldn't that have been done during the testing stage?
Danielle_ > Yes, John.
Danielle_ > As presently Sony is working on this issue to release the Drivers for the Computer that is compatible with windows 7.
john > Can you let me have a copy of this transcript please?

jnerra, you need to find the xp drivers and install them in compatibility mode. When the Windows 7 beta came out I had the same problem and got my stock vaio tuner working. There were some bugs, and it wasn't perfect but it a did work.
Good luck.

Oh, I just read about the function keys that support was talking about. I also got my stock vaio keyboard working with all the fuction keys by installing xp drivers in compatibilty mode.

Much appreciated, hdjunkie. Your post does make me wonder if Microsoft has basically junked the Vista architecture and gone back to the (generally preferred) XP programming. Old wine in a new bottle?

Microsoft has retained the driver model used in Vista for Windows 7 although I understand that the specifications are more tightly enforced.

They have also worked hard to produce a compatibility mode that works for XP users, moving directly to Windows 7.

I have had no issues in using Vista drivers with Windows 7 installs and this includes those for Laptop specific functions.

I would always look first for optimised Windows 7 Drivers, then Vista drivers, and only use XP if no others are available.

One other thing with both software and hardware is the word "Support"

It is often stated by developers that support is not provided for Windows 7 this does not automatically mean that it will not work under Windows 7 but just that if you have problems then the developer does not provide help.

"I have had no issues in using Vista drivers with Windows 7 installs and this includes those for Laptop specific functions."
Nigel:
Does what you say about Vista drivers also apply to Windows Media Centre ? Thanks.

In the absence of any response, I visited the Sony Vaio web site and downloaded and installed all available Windows Vista Media Centre upgrades. No change, still can't use Windows 7 Media Centre.

Just buy a new tuner. Your tuner most likely wasn't designed for vista, let alone Windows 7. They can be had very cheaply, and basically kick ass. I have the hvr-2500 which you can find for under $100, but there are cheaper models too.
You can always take the tuner with you when/if you get a new PC.