Vista - NETIO.SYS causes stop error

I am attempting to upgrade Vista Home Premium, OEM Installation, on a Sony VI
AO NS20 laptop. When the installation program gets to the final set up
stages (Select automatic updates and time zone) the restart that occurs
following this is stopped by a stop error indicating the IRQ IS NOT LESS THAN
OR EQUAL and lists NETIO.SYS as the program causing the error. Vista Home
Premium does not have NETIO.SYS so I am unable to locate and download the
hotfix through Help and Support. I can not interrupt the installation, and
installation will not proceed in any safe modes. Help.

Bradwin