Vista SP1 disables WiFi adapter

No. We have a Vista machine with an AR5007 adapter and had no problems with the SP1 installation.

That gives me hope. Mine also has an Atheros adapter.

Sony support suggested that I reinstall SP1 and if the problem occurs again to reinstall the adapter's driver.

If you're really in Alaska, the only real way to go is south.

I have two customers with current Sony laptops. I installed Vista SP1 when it arrived and have seen no problems. However, I also went through the trouble of downloading all applicable driver updates. Start here:

Apparently there are some hardware conflicts that break things in Vista with SP1. For example:

However, the wireless device is not one of those listed. I don't think this applies.

In the past, when I have such hardware issues, I almost immediately go for the BIOS updates. I just fixed a Toshiba laptop that was disabling the wireless card if I switched to an external monitor. The BIOS update fixed it. However, I don't see any MB BIOS updates in the list of Sony downloads, so that's not going to happen. I guess you wait for Sony to figure it out.

The problem was apparently with that particular laptop or model.

The WiFi adapter stopped working again, without SP 1 installed. Same symptoms as earlier.

I returned it to Best Buy and selected another Sony Vaio. The sales rep mentioned that they have "discovered" that there was a problem with the WiFi adapters in the model that I had purchased a week ago. The model I got this time has an Intel b/g/n adapter, and SP 1 was already installed. It works fine.

Q: What's the difference between a used car salesman and a computer saleman?

A: The used car salesman KNOWS when he's lying to you.