(Semi-) clean install/restore on european SZ?

Hello

Did anybody achieve a a clean install or a semi-clean restore:

• On an european SZ (SZ1XP)
• Using only the two restore DVDs and maybe the sony website but no "normal" installation disks for Windows XP
• With full functionality (camera, fingerprints, switch off...)
• Without all the useless sofware?

Thanks for helping!
Patrick

 

You need to run the restore as you would normally - it will ask you for DVD 2 which you need to put in. When it has finished the restore and is going to boot into Windows for the first time make sure the 2nd DVD isn't in the drive. Windows will then launch an application that attempts to restore all of the applications - junk - you just need to do the following:

Start - run - msconfig - select the startup tab - untick the Application Restore box (I can't remember the exact name)

This will stop the application restorer bugging you and stop most of the junk being installed.

You still get some rubbish installed unfortunately, but if you google for the tool "SymNRT" it will remove all Norton products for you and then it's a case of a few uninstalls.

Best you can do with the European restore...

 

Also to note, this may not install the Protector Suite QL software I can't remember. If it doesn't you cansimply download it from the VAIO link site and install it yourself.

Everything else works though.