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Windows 7's XP Mode to be Disabled on Sony Laptops

Posted 08/10/09 at 04:33:19 PM  by Andy Salisbury

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For those of you that are looking to get a Windows 7 Vaio from Sony, don’t plan on using the Windows XP mode to run applications, because it won’t be included with the systems.

According to Sony’s Xavier Lauwaert Windows 7’s XP mode will be disabled due to security reasons. According to one of Sony’s engineers, they’re “very concerned that enabling VT would expose our systems to malicious code that could go very deep in the Operating System structure of the PC and completely disable the latter.”

Apparently Sony still plans to enable XP mode on some machines, but as to which models they choose or when it’ll be available, nobody knows.

 

Image Credit: Sony

COMMENTS:12
TAGS: windows, microsoft, Software, laptop, sony, XP, hardware, consumer electronics, Vaio, virtual, 7, Mode
COMMENTS
avatarSony

Submitted by Ace of Spades on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 4:26pm

I think it might be a security risk with their Playstation 3. Sony is very careful at trying to cover security inside the PS3. Just an idea though.

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avatarDavid Manning strikes again!

Submitted by QUINTIX256 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 3:51pm

Virtualization Technology, a security risk. That's special.

This just begs the question. Why would the creators of rootkits from the Sony BMG "lets require them to sign up for bulk email to uninstall" DRM to inSecurom care a bit about security? 

 

You can have your recession. I'm not participating.

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avatarIf they disable it in the

Submitted by wolf17 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:39pm

If they disable it in the hardware (say taking the option to enable hardware accelerated virtualization out of the BIOS), then this also means no vm ware or virtualbox?

"Life is about living, not stressing" - a very smart girl :)

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avatarwell...

Submitted by Danielw719 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 1:53pm

Whats stopping me from installing a retail copy of Windows 7? Is XP Mode being disabled on a hardware basis?

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avatarUnless they somehow crack

Submitted by SEALBoy on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:10pm

Unless they somehow crack open the CPU cores and disable the virtualization technology, I don't see how they could disable it in the hardware.

Torrent an OEM fresh copy of Win 7 and use the license key on the bottom of your laptop... no need to bother with Sony's restrictions and bloatware.

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avatarThey disable it right in the

Submitted by Pentium 0 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:16pm

They disable it right in the Bios. For example my laptop has an option to disable VT in the Bios but if they take away this option your out of luck.

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avatarI stand corrected. Still...

Submitted by SEALBoy on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:34pm

I stand corrected.

Still... all it will take is someone to mod the BIOS and for everyone else to flash it. 

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avatarAnd void your warranty. On a

Submitted by lunchbox73 on Tue, 08/11/2009 - 4:14am

And void your warranty. On a brand new notebook. That's overpriced for some reason.

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avatar Hi

Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 1:51pm

 Hi Apple!

------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.

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avatar Right, because you were

Submitted by Caboose on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 2:37pm

 Right, because you were going to buy a Sony Vaio laptop?

Yes, one company disabling a feature is reason enough to throw your arms in the air, cry foul and run crying to Apple...

Honestly... 

 

-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-

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avatarI think he's comparing Sony

Submitted by dag1992 on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 3:19pm

I think he's comparing Sony to Apple.  Either way I just bought a VAIO too...

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avatar EGG-Zaxtly ----------------

Submitted by nekollx on Mon, 08/10/2009 - 3:29pm

 EGG-Zaxtly

------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.

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