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    100% Working Clean Vista x64 Install on SZ6

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Synthesia, Feb 24, 2008.

  1. Synthesia

    Synthesia Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok guys, I managed a fully working 64-bit Vista install on the SZ6 (SZ680 in my case). ALL hardware is working, including the webcam, as well as all the VAIO utils and S1/S2 buttons, brightness, volume and Fn keys :)

    I got this working thanks to pdudas so mad props to him!

    Here is a quick run-down of how I installed.

    * Backup of my serial key and activation info with ABR
    * Set laptop to Stamina mode.
    * Install of Vista x64 (with SP1 integrated)
    * After install: disable UAC (User Account Control).
    * Installation of the drivers in the following order:
    1. Intel Chipset 965 v8.3.1.1009
    2. Intel Graphics Accelerator v15.73
    3. Marvell Yukon Ethernet Controller (NDIS Miniport Driver)
    4. Toshiba Bluetooth 5.1.12
    5. Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN v11.5.0.32
    6. Texas Instruments Media Card Reader
    Felica
    Fingerprint Reader
    SFEP
    SPIC
    Camera Driver
    Nvidia Forceware 174.13 (Vista x64)

    I would start with the Chipset, and then the Integrated Intel Graphics driver, I don't think the order really matters much for the rest anymore.

    The the utilities:
    Utils Installer 1 SonyUtils DLL
    Utils Installer 2 Sony Shared Library
    Utils Installer 2.5 Sony Video Shared Library 3.1.03
    Utils Installer 3 Battery Checker
    Utils Installer 4 HDD Protection Utility
    Utils Installer 5 Setting Utility Series
    Utils Installer 6 Battery Care Function
    Utils Installer 7 VAIO Control Center
    Utils Installer 8 VAIO Power Management
    Utils Installer 9 VAIO Event Service
    Utils Installer 10 VAIO Status Monitor
    Utils Installer 11 PS QL 5.6
    Utils Installer 12 alpsfp_vst64 touchpad util
    VAIO Hardware Diagnostics

    Update (29th Feb 2008):

    Ok guys, I decided to up the whole pack (all drivers and utilities) to make it easier for you. Download is approx. ~330mb.

    http://rapidshare.com/files/95837023/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part1.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95839478/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part2.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95842198/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part3.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95843149/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part4.rar.html
     
  2. K.L.

    K.L. Notebook Enthusiast

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    So what are the advantages of 64bit except acces to 4GB of ram? Does every 32bit program work as well?
     
  3. PWR

    PWR Notebook Guru

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    Apps/processes are usually faster if you find x64 versions. E.g. video encoding >10% using x264 codec. x64 optimized software is still rare though.

    IMHO the phrase " use x64 to being able to use all 4 GB RAM vs. 3.5 GB" is BS since x64 software is slightly larger (pointer size 8 byte instead of 4). It'll eat up this little RAM gain.
    Also Vista64 already runs fast with only 2 GB, " 4 GB minimum for x64" is just another myth - I've used both Vista 32 & 64 with 2 & 4 GB so I know for real. 4+GB will give you more cache for superfetch (lots of different apps launch faster) but no "real" speed boost unless you use super heavy apps (e.g. CAD, 3D modeling, high res photo editing etc.).

    Most 32bit software runs fine in WoW64 emulation mode ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64), no noticable perf loss though there is probably a slight one.
    Personally I'm not a gamer but America's Army runs fine on 64 - again - no diff noticable.
    So far every app which would work in Vista32 worked in Vista64 but no guarantees...
     
  4. fourier427

    fourier427 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the guide! I'm looking to use vista ultimate 64 to fully utilize my 4gb. Do you mind uploading the drivers and utilities to rapidshare or megaupload?
     
  5. Synthesia

    Synthesia Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok I decided to compress it all (340mb) and will up it on rapidshare tonight :)
     
  6. aralos1999

    aralos1999 Notebook Enthusiast

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    A big thank you to pdudas and Synthesia for doing the research and consolidating the information to get Vista x64 running on the SZ6xx.

    Not all is well though as some of the Sony utilities will install OK, but not run on Vista x64. The event log will show which of the DLLs cannot start. For example, the Sony Shared Utilities installed a Win2K kernel driver (DMICall.sys) which of course does not run in Vista x64.


    Cheers.
     
  7. tias

    tias Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am planning to do this procedure as well. Is it possible after wiping the recovery partition to regain it using the recovery disks? Lets say for example that I might sell the machine, then I want to completely restore it to factory settings.
     
  8. PWR

    PWR Notebook Guru

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    Maybe you SZ guys are lucky because SZ, TZ and some other models seem to have the additional SPIC device in addition to SFEP. Sony provides 64bit drivers for both but e.g. on AR models there's only SFEP – no other unknown device.
    All Sony Shared Library installs I tried resulted in failing DMICall.sys.

    On AR the DMICall.sys driver is supposed to provide special keys whereas on SZ apparently the failing DMICall.sys doesn't matter at all.

    I just did a simple test with the original Sony OS image to get this confirmed:
    Used tool AutoRuns http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx to disable driver DMICall.sys. Reboot - no special keys working anymore (except volume+mute of course), S-Button won't even show up in VAIO Control Center. Enabled DMICall.sys, after reboot everything working again.

    Without a x64 version of DMICall.sys installing any Sony driver or util stuff does not make any sense on my machine. I don't even need volume UI. Also I'm glad there's Windows Mobility Center (Win+X) - not as fast as special keys but at least the system's cleaner, fewer processes...

    If anyone has special keys working on AR with Vista64 plz let me know!
     
  9. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    Cool stuff!!
    Really working?
    What is this DMICall??? Is that really important?
    I have some spare time these days and I'm considering to wipeout my existing 32bits SP1 install and try out this x64 stuff...
     
  10. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    Euh areyou uploading it or not?
    Just to know if I format or not...
     
  11. abelnote

    abelnote Newbie

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    Hi Synthesia!

    Thanks for sharing your work!

    Did you uploaded the drivers and utilities to rapidshare? I will try your sequence as soon i have the drivers! Thanks again!

    []'s

    Abel
     
  12. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    I will too!
    I'm waiting now for the drivers, then it's the direct wipe out! :)
     
  13. sonny_mv

    sonny_mv Notebook Enthusiast

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    hey,
    where do you get the x64 driver for the Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device (SFEP)???? Sony 64-bit FTP Server?? Can you tell me more?

    Thanks a lot,
    best regards :cool:


    ____
    edit:
    already found it:

    http://www.vaio-link.com/os/vista/64bit/
     
  14. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    Yes from there...
    Here is the link to the file you want :
    ftp://vug.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/oth/64/EP0000140021.zip
    And you? Where do you get all the sofware? Along with some specifique drivers like sound or webcam wich I don't seem to find over the ftp...
    I think we should help each other since Synthesia just disappeared...
     
  15. Synthesia

    Synthesia Notebook Evangelist

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    Update: Files are up

    Ok guys, I decided to up the whole pack (all drivers and utilities) to make it easier for you. Download is approx. ~330mb.

    http://rapidshare.com/files/95837023/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part1.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95839478/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part2.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95842198/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part3.rar.html
    http://rapidshare.com/files/95843149/sz6_vista_x64_drivers.part4.rar.html


    So far so good, though I have experienced a couple of completely random blue-screens and I'm not quite sure what they're due to, perhaps the Battery Checker util? Anyways, would be cool if all you guys who install 64-bit post your experience and problems/solutions too. Also, as updated drivers come out, lets use this thread to update each other.
     
  16. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    Cool, ok, as soon as I get home I'll do it...
    Just a question... Are all the apps 64bit versions? Or just 32?
     
  17. sonny_mv

    sonny_mv Notebook Enthusiast

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    okay, now the sony firmware extension parser device works.. thanks to Synthesia :)

    but i installed vista home premium on a europe vaio fz11s.. only 2 problems are still there:

    1) The Fn Keys, (Brightness, LCD-Switch, Zoom-Key) have no function, only the screen for Sound appears. thought, it was the missing sfep driver, but now installed doesn't matter
    Can only adjust the brightness in windows mobile center

    2)there is no driver available from sigmatel or idt and the only one i found for 64bit was from dell, but this one doesn't work for my vaio


    Conclusion: The drivers are almost available, but the specific sony utilities are not fully 64bit compatible.

    Is there a 64bit sony ftp site for the utilities also available?

    Greets from Germany
     
  18. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    I'm fed up of trying, there is always something NOT working!!
    I'll stic with my cleaned up 32bit Business version of Vista, all is ok with it...
    Good luck anyway...
     
  19. sonny_mv

    sonny_mv Notebook Enthusiast

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    same here, quite not the time to get support for a 64bit os
     
  20. abelnote

    abelnote Newbie

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    Thanks!

    []'s

    Abel
     
  21. pdudas

    pdudas Notebook Consultant

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    I have a fully working x64 Vista Business. I use it since december...
    There was no BSOD or other problem. Everything works well. (dmicall has some error in the event log but I dont care..)

    karimnacer and sonny_mv: did you tried the drivers on SZ6? The drivers I sent to Synthesia is only for Vaio SZ680! Maybe your Vaio's are different models than these softwares suitable for...

    Now I got a Lenovo X61s. Core2duo L7500, 1.5Gb ram, 120Gb hd. I dont know why I feel that the X61s is a lot more faster than Sz680.. I installed 32 and 64 bit version of Vista (customized with Vlite) on the Sz680, but the X61 is faster with the factory installed Vista 32 bit....

    Let me explain: My computer>right click>manage It is 2 seconds on X61s till the screen appears.
    On Sz680 this is 3 seconds. When I want to see the event logs, it last 3-5s on Sz680. It is 2 seconds on X61s.

    I dont know why.... There is a faster hard drive in the SZ680, more memory, faster processor... despite these the X61s seems to be more responsiveness....
     
  22. BorjaZD

    BorjaZD Notebook Consultant

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    is that true that there are no virus for 64bit windows?
    so, if I install a 64 bit windows should i have to install antivirus?
    thanks
     
  23. karimnacer

    karimnacer Notebook Consultant

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    I have a SZ650N but still had problems installing everything...
     
  24. pdudas

    pdudas Notebook Consultant

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    If you install all the stuff as Synthesia described above, your system must work well.
    I did it, Synthesia did, you can do it!

    Install the utilities and drivers in the order we described!
     
  25. Synthesia

    Synthesia Notebook Evangelist

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    Strange, at times I'm also a little annoyed about the speeds on my SZ (but that was using both 32-bit and 64-bit) though on the whole the system seems to be running quite fast and stable at the moment. Turning off System Restore did seem to improve things (at least for HD activity), and I did apply the ultra-fast booting with TuneXP.
    Btw pdudas, do you still get an occassional blue screen? I did initially (I think it had something to do with the Battery Checker util - I've switched it off now).
     
  26. pdudas

    pdudas Notebook Consultant

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    I never used battery checker and never had BSOD :)
    (one time I had BSOD: removed the HSDPA card from PCMCIA without turning it off)(this is not the fault of OS)
     
  27. abelnote

    abelnote Newbie

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    Without the Sigmatel Audio driver, my headphone (line out jack) is not working!
    Everything else is working ok!
    I have a SZ660N/C. Anyone has an audio driver that work?

    []'s

    Abel
     
  28. aralos1999

    aralos1999 Notebook Enthusiast

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  29. abelnote

    abelnote Newbie

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    Thanks!

    Worked in Vista64 and Server2008!

    []'s

    Abel
     
  30. EWB

    EWB Newbie

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    Does the built in Microphone on your 680 work?
     
  31. sun.ruben

    sun.ruben Notebook Geek

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    anyone have any luck with either the camera or with "smart wi" / smart network?

    I can install smart wi, but it tends to crash (vista64 reports program incompatibility). also smart wi doesn't allow me to turn off my wireless devices. (I don't have an option to just have WLAN, I only get the options to switch from bluetooth, to WWAN, to bluetooth + wwan).
     
  32. sun.ruben

    sun.ruben Notebook Geek

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    Looks like Smart Wi's lack of WLAN (wifi) has to do with intel's new drivers. So until sony updates smart wi, it won't be working.

    smart network tends to crash outright.

    BUT...

    Wireless sensing switch seems to be A-ok (if you're not interested in using WWAN).
     
  33. teatime0315

    teatime0315 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Quick question, what do i do with the files that aren't .exe. Like .sys , .cat. I"m not sure what to do what those type of files :D THANKS!!
     
  34. Synthesia

    Synthesia Notebook Evangelist

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    If you have uninstalled hardware, go to your device manager, select the hardware for which no driver has bee found yet, right click, update driver software and then select the location of the files and let it find the appropriate drivers.
     
  35. teatime0315

    teatime0315 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Big Thanks Sunthesia for the reply :D
     
  36. ezinfinity

    ezinfinity Notebook Enthusiast

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    no offense, but could U pm me or help me out about the install X86 for SZ6, I tried your version and my Sz6's clean install was successful and work very well; however, I notice some of the softwares I used to use have some problems after using X64. I decide to use your way to install x86 instead of that.

    The problem I faced:
    I can't successful install some drivers such as the Toshiba's Bluetooth drivers, and the card readers' drivers..

    and utilities, I duuno how to find the alps touch pad's utility for X86, could you tell me where did you find the x64 one?

    Or could you help me out with the drivers& utilities for the x86 thx a lot
     
  37. Maverick Enigma

    Maverick Enigma Notebook Enthusiast

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    Have you tried to disable autorestart? It will stay at the BSOD and you can get the crash code and figure out what crashing it
     
  38. kesandal

    kesandal Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,
    can anyone tell me please please how to install the camera-driver (VGP-VCC7) on my VGN-SZ61WN/C?

    I've downloaded already a 64bit driver...
    In the device-manager I choosed USB-> USB-Composite..... -> update driver -> "have disk"....
    But that doesn't work... I always get an error-message... :(

    Thanks for help
    kesandal
     
  39. dz2k

    dz2k Notebook Consultant

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    it seems the camera driver is in part 2 file on the first page of this post. the readme states Have Disk. Point to \driver\R5U870FL_dudu. see if you can find that in the driver that you already have. if not, d/l the file in this post and try.
     
  40. kesandal

    kesandal Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've updated the driver under "image-device"....

    Everything works fine now.. :)
    Vaio Camera Utility, FN-Keys, newest Forceware driver, newest Chipset driver from intel and so on...

    If someone needs a complete "package" just let me know :)


    The only problem I have now is WWAN....
    Don't know how to install it.
    Even after a complete recovery to Vista x86 the Vaio Smart Network doesn't show me WWAN....

    Any idea?
     
  41. kesandal

    kesandal Notebook Enthusiast

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  42. bimap

    bimap Notebook Enthusiast

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    can i have the complete package please, can you just upload it to rapidshare or megaupload, please? thanks a lot

    and is that for 32 or 64bit?
     
  43. kesandal

    kesandal Notebook Enthusiast

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    64bit..
    I'm going to upload it tomorrow...
    It's going to be around 500mb
     
  44. bimap

    bimap Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks a lot im waiting for it :D
     
  45. bimap

    bimap Notebook Enthusiast

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    did you upload it yet? i cant do anything today just cuz i dont have a functional laptop :( thanks a lot dude, really appreciate you upload these drivers for us, cheer. :D
     
  46. kesandal

    kesandal Notebook Enthusiast

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  47. bimap

    bimap Notebook Enthusiast

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    yessssssss it's been like a year to me hahahah, but after i installed everything, i still have 2 unknown device, i have no idea why, can you help me please

    one more thing, there is no "setup" for camera in drivers64bit, so i look through the utilities64bit and found "setup" for camera, so i did that, but it shows up a blue screen, and say "no input" on the side...

    thanks a lot
     
  48. dz2k

    dz2k Notebook Consultant

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    the main drivers in device manager i can think of are: bluetooth, fingerprint sensor, video, memory card reader/writer, SFEP(Sony® Firmware Extension Parser Driver), and SCIP(Sony® Programmable I/O Control Device Driver). i think you may have a camera driver and also a wwan driver possibly? im not sure about that last sentence.
     
  49. bimap

    bimap Notebook Enthusiast

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    i tried to locate the driver for the 2 unknown devices and it's not SFEP and SPIC, these 2 driver are important according to u but i dont think i have them yet.

    the last sentence bout the camera, after i install the software for camera, then i tried it, it shows a bluescreen istead of my face :eek: and there's a line "no input" rite next to it :confused:
     
  50. dz2k

    dz2k Notebook Consultant

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    those are the 2 unknown drivers in your device manager. SFEP and SPIC. go to http://www.vaio-link.com/os/vista/64bit/ ,accept, and find them for your model notebook. they should be there. these drivers are for your Fn keys to work, for your S1 and S2 to work properly providing you install the sony shared library, etc. in the correct order!
     
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