TV Tuner Not Found In Vista

[PRIUSNC]

I'm running a Sony VGC RA842G Desktop which easily passed Microsoft's Vista Requirements Test. Under XP it had MCE 2005 - which worked. Preparing for Vista I updated the TV Tuner Library to Vista from Sony's update site (http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGCRA842G&UpdateType=Migration). The issue boils down to this - Microsoft says it's Sony's issue and Sony says their TV Tuner update works on Vista. So here I sit with "Tuner Not Found" followed by a Media Center Crash. Everything else in MCE works okay. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

[NooNoo]

Welcome to Windrivers Priusnc

The thing that strikes me is that you updated a library... not the tuner driver...

Was this a clean install of vista or an upgrade?

[PRIUSNC]

Noo - This was an upgrade.

[NooNoo]

And device manager says what about the tuner?

[CCT]

Sony apparently wants you to either order (and most times pay for) an upgrade kit and/OR use their "Sony® Discovery Tool for Windows Vista™ Operating System"

{ http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGCRA842G&upd_id=2489&os_id=28 }.

[PRIUSNC]

Noo - It says that the "Sony MPEG RealTime Encoder Board" is working properly.

[PRIUSNC]

Sony apparently wants you to either order (and most times pay for) an upgrade kit and/OR use their "Sony® Discovery Tool for Windows Vista™ Operating System"

{ http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGCRA842G&upd_id=2489&os_id=28 }.
CCT - The link downloads a file which checks your system's ability to upgrade to Vista. I ran it and the message was "Excellent! Your computer meets the requirements for the Windows Vista Home Premium operating system."

[CCT]

Yeah, well, if they guaranteed that I'd be surprised - however, this link:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-info.pl?template_id=1&info_id=141

has the options listed for Vista upgrade - they say, in part:

"Windows™ Vista Express Upgrade DVD Kit
The Windows Vista™ Express Upgrade program helps you upgrade certain Sony® VAIO® Windows® XP computer models to a corresponding version of the new Microsoft® Windows Vista™ operating system for a very low price – in some cases even free!"

[PRIUSNC]

cct - As of today the Sony website lists "The option to order the Companion DVD is not expected to be available until the end of February. Please check back later." The "Companion DVD" is to upgrade applications, utilities and drivers ($9.95 Shipping and Handling not included).

Does this look like it 'MIGHT" include TV Tuner utilities or drivers?

[CCT]

Vista is supposed to contain a similar software group ( http://www.rustylime.com/show_article.php?id=310 ) to the MCE 2005; whether it will work for you and your particular tv tuner is moot.

Read that article anyway - lots of stuff came up when I Googled 'Vista MCE 2005 drivers'.

Basically, you can't expect Vista to work unless all Vista components are installed AND you can't expect all old harware/software to be supported.

Lots of research needed before you jump into new systems.


gl

[slgrieb]

Priusnc, it just so happens that Sony bashing (especially their computers) is one of my favorite hobbies! But I'll tone it down for now and just say that Sony support is rotten, too much of their hardware tends to be a bit weird, and it isn't unusual for their products to fail to perform as advertised. Seriously, my expectation is that you are in the end going to be forced to acquire a new tuner card if you want a quick and simple resolution.

[PRIUSNC]

Vista is supposed to contain a similar software group ( http://www.rustylime.com/show_article.php?id=310 ) to the MCE 2005; whether it will work for you and your particular tv tuner is moot.

Read that article anyway - lots of stuff came up when I Googled 'Vista MCE 2005 drivers'.

Basically, you can't expect Vista to work unless all Vista components are installed AND you can't expect all old harware/software to be supported.

Lots of research needed before you jump into new systems.


gl
CCT - Thanks for the getback. I read the article and also agree that we shouldn't expect old hardware/software to work in a brand new operating system. I'm not sure if any research covered how many less than 2 year old Software Programs won't work or are reduced to limited functionality. Live & learn huh? Thanks for your help.

[PRIUSNC]

Priusnc, it just so happens that Sony bashing (especially their computers) is one of my favorite hobbies! But I'll tone it down for now and just say that Sony support is rotten, too much of their hardware tends to be a bit weird, and it isn't unusual for their products to fail to perform as advertised. Seriously, my expectation is that you are in the end going to be forced to acquire a new tuner card if you want a quick and simple resolution.
slgrieb - I suspect a new tuner card will be needed too. I'm going to keep trying to get the old one fixed for a few more days though. I'll try the "Companion DVD" when Sony releases it. Thanks for your help.

[catstwelve]

My desktop is doing the same, but mine is a new VGC-LT29U, straight out of the box it was able to play HDTV until I change channels. Then the picture freezes and I get tuner not found. To make it worse, restarting the computer does not get a picture back. I have to shut everything down, tuners, router, computer to get a picture back. I sent mine back to Sony after fighting with it for 2 months. Sony, big susprise, does not want to return our money. My plan is to take them to small claims court.
Besides complaining I think I have something to add, I ran into a ATI employee so I asked him if he had tried the tuners. He said he had to switch the 650 to get his system to work. I simply do not think the tuner is compatible According to this ATI employee what we should have gotton is this tuner ATI TV Wonder™ HD 650 COMBO USB for PC. I do not know if he is correct!

Basically we got used as unpaid Vista testers!

[PRIUSNC]

catstwelve - I finally got my tuner working. I reinstalled Vista (a clean reinstall). Takes forever but it fixed a lot of problems, including the "Tuner Not Found."

[NooNoo]

My desktop is doing the same, but mine is a new VGC-LT29U, straight out of the box it was able to play HDTV until I change channels. Then the picture freezes and I get tuner not found. To make it worse, restarting the computer does not get a picture back. I have to shut everything down, tuners, router, computer to get a picture back. I sent mine back to Sony after fighting with it for 2 months. Sony, big susprise, does not want to return our money. My plan is to take them to small claims court.
Besides complaining I think I have something to add, I ran into a ATI employee so I asked him if he had tried the tuners. He said he had to switch the 650 to get his system to work. I simply do not think the tuner is compatible According to this ATI employee what we should have gotton is this tuner ATI TV Wonder™ HD 650 COMBO USB for PC. I do not know if he is correct!

Basically we got used as unpaid Vista testers!

Welcome to Windrivers catstwelve

So right now you have no tuner? Or did you send the entire PC back? If you did and they fixed it, the small claims court are going to find for Sony. It's only if they don't fix it, or have to repeatedly fix it without replacing it will you get anywhere. Before going this route, go to the citizens advice bureau with ALL the paper work, emails, records of phone calls etc and they will be able to tell you what to do next and what your chances are of success.

Are you asking for opinions on the HD650 USB?