1. Download the SOA001XDCU.EXE file to a temporary or download directory (please note this directory for reference).
2. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and double-click the SOA001XDCU.EXE file to begin the installation.
3. At the "BIOS 4001 Installation utility For Windows XP - InstallShield Wizard" screen, click Next. Please wait for this update to check your system model.
   NOTE: If the Windows XP Operating System was clean installed, this update will restart the computer. If the computer doesn't restart automatically, please do it manually.

4. After the computer restarts, please continue with the appropriate file system instructions below.

   • FAT32 File System Only
   • NTFS File System Only

For FAT32 File System

1. At the "Information" box , insert the System Recovery CD for this computer, and click OK.
2. At the "InstallShield Wizard Complete" screen, verify that "Yes, I want to restart my computer now" is selected and click Finish. As the computer restarts, it will boot from the Recovery CD instead of the hard drive. The BIOS update utility will launch.
3. The Sony BIOS Flash Program will launch and start the BIOS installation. Please wait as the installation of the BIOS will take one to two minutes to complete. Once the installation is complete, it will return to the A prompt ( A:)
4. Eject the Recovery CD from the DVDROM drive, and power off the computer. Wait for few seconds and turn on the computer again.
5. At the "CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults loaded. Press F1 to continue, F2 to enter SETUP." prompt, press the F1 key. This message is normal and will only appear after the computer restarts for the first time.

After the computer restarts, the installation of the BIOS is complete.

For NTFS File System

1. At the "Information" box, insert your prepared 3½ bootable floppy disk into the drive.
2. Click OK to begin copying the BIOS files onto the bootable floppy disk.
3. At the "InstallShield Wizard Complete" screen, make sure " Yes, I want to restart my computer now." is checked and click Finish. Leave the bootable floppy disk with the BIOS files in the floppy drive. As the computer restarts, it will boot from the floppy disk instead of the hard drive.
4. At the "Do you want to update BIOS(4001) for PCV-LX810 / 910" prompt, press the Y key.
5. The Sony BIOS Flash Program will launch and start the BIOS installation. Please wait as the installation of the BIOS will take one to two minutes to complete. Once the installation is complete, the computer will automatically restart.
6. At the black VAIO screen, eject the bootable BIOS installation disk from the drive.
7. At the "CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults loaded. Press F1 to continue, F2 to enter SETUP." prompt, press the F1 key. This message is normal and will only appear after the computer restarts for the first time.

After the computer restarts, the installation of the BIOS is complete.

This program will install the BIOS Update Utility, Revision 4001 for the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating Systems

• If the Windows XP upgrade is already installed, prior to the installation of this BIOS revision, please identify the file system type of the disk partition or drive containing the WINNT directory.
  1. Click the My Computer icon
  2. At the "My Computer" window, right-click on the "Local Disk" icon which represents the drive containing the WINNT directory. The default is (C:).
  3. From drop-down menu, click Properties.
  4. At the "Local Disk (C:) Properties" window, locate "File System." The file system type will either be listed as FAT32 or NTFS.
     • If the WINNT directory is on a FAT32 disk partition, the "Sony System Recovery CD Disc #1" is needed for this update.
     • If the WINNT directory is on an NTFS disk partition, a USB floppy disk drive and a bootable 3½ floppy diskette are needed for this update.
• This BIOS version is recommended for Windows XP only. If you restore the computer to Windows Me , it is necessary to restore the Windows ME BIOS version.
• Please read the Sony Windows® XP Upgrade Information page, if the computer will be or has been upgraded to the Windows® XP operating system. If the new operating system is not installed or configured correctly, some updates may not install properly.
• If Windows XP is installed, during the installation of this update, be sure that you are logged in as the Administrator or as a user with Administrative rights.
• To ensure that no other program interferes with the installation, save all work and close all other programs. The Taskbar should be clear of applications before proceeding.
• It is highly recommended to print out these instructions as a reference during the installation process.