Confirmed issue regarding Sony SZ and a clean XP install

There is at least one confirmed issue involving a clean XP install onto a Sony SZ. Specifically, the driver for the SZ's internal webcam indirectly prevents XP from powering down the SZ during shutdown. There's a long story behind how I found this issue, so I won't bore you with all the details. But here are some key links:

Sony® Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 Driver

How to Install the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System and VAIO® Applications

A Windows XP-based computer stops responding during standby or hibernation operations or when you try to use the Shut Down command

After a few issue escalations, I was contacted by a Sony technician that was familiar with the issue itself. He told me that there are several hot fixes applied to the SZ that are not publicly available (neither via Sony nor Microsoft). But the only hot fix he could disclose to me was the one mentioned in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article above (KB909667), as it involved the issue I reported.

Specifically, he said the hot fixed Stream.sys file had been applied to my SZ140 during the initial build. But since I had reformatted my hard drive for the clean XP install, that install's version of Stream.sys was causing the power-down problems. Yet he said that due to Microsoft's policies, Sony could not re-distribute the hot fix.

So the only solution he could offer was for me to perform a full system restore (via the 9 system restore CDs I had created). Then copy the hot fixed Stream.sys file to a CD. Then re-perform the clean install of XP. And then copy the hot fixed Stream.sys from the CD back to the SZ. So instead of doing all that, I contacted Microsoft in hopes they can release the hot fix to me directly.

FYI, I should note there seems to be a condition related to the webcam/power-down issue. If I power-up the SZ, then activate the webcam's video, and then shutdown XP -- the power-down works as expected. But if I power-up the SZ, but I don't activate the webcam's video, and then shutdown XP -- the power-down does not work.

Also, the Sony technician did not explicitly identify the other hot fixes applied to the SZ. But he did imply the hot fix for the following issue might also be applied, too:

Computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features may experience decreased performance

 

Thanks - now I'm REALLY going to wait before upgrading to XP pro...

Javier

 

I should also note that I experienced a few other problems with the clean XP install:

1) The following Intel-related drivers available on Sony's support site cannot be installed on the SZ (at least not with the original BIOS):

Intel® 945GM Chipset Driver

Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family Graphics Controller Driver

... so you'll need to download the equivalent drivers directly from Intel's web site.


2) The updated BIOS is available via the following link, but it can only be installed after the Intel chipset driver has been installed

BIOS Update

This contradicts the install sequence as specified within Sony's "Windows XP Clean Install" instructions. FYI, this BIOS update seems to improve the responsiveness and tracking of the SZ's touchpad

 

lol, I wish I saw this thread before, I spent an hour figuring out how to install everything


guys do you know which driver to use so I can switch between stamina and speed and driver for 7400?

Funny thing, I am having dejavue, I was going through similar thing with my HP MCE Z552 last week

 

I hope you guys get it all figured out before I get mine tomorrow.

 

also I only noticed BIOS update just now and I can't upgrade... hm... maybe I need to reinstall everything again will not let me do system restore

also whoever still has original windows installed should have Stream.sys file. Can someone e-mail it to me please: [email protected]

 

Klas, I just emailed you that file.

Javier

 

awesome thank you for the file!

There are 2 instances where the file is located one is in the folder system32 and I tried to replace that without any success, it recreates itself as soon as I delete or update it, but it's also located in a cab file and I am not sure if that matters. I replaced stream.sys in cab file, still no results. Anyone has more expertise in modifying windows system files?

 

anyway I give up on trying to figuire out how to hack it so newer stream.sys file would stay in drivers folder. Anyone else want's to take the challenge?

btw. a little off topic I just love the speed of the notebook! it's definetely the keeper for me

Update: Calling Microsoft for hotfix...

 

Just got home with mine. I will start the clean install later tonight and can hopefully be of some help getting things up and running.

 

so far for me everything is up and running except this bug, but hopefully Microsoft will send it to me

 

well after spending almost an hour with Microsoft support they sent me a hotfix and it worked (Computer no longer freezes when trying to restart or shutdown)!!!!! so if you want one you can either call them 1-800-936-4900 (select option 5). When you get customer service rep who will be asking you bunch of questions just tell him/her that you need a hotfix for KB Article 909667

...or see bellow for the link

Also can you guys tell me how do I get Stamina-Speed switch to work. I only got prompt to restart computer once and now it doesn't work. Does anyone know what driver needs to be updated? It's not a big deal but it would be nice to get it to work. Second thing is not a problem I guess, I am just curious how do I use biometric scan. I did install drivers, but not sure how to use it

 

Sent you an email. Thanks!

 

Please note that this was sent for Windows XP PRO, they might have other hotfixes if you have different version of Windows:

The hot fix for your issue has been packaged and placed on an HTTP site for you to download.

WARNING: This fix is not publicly available through the Microsoft website as it has not gone
through full Microsoft regression testing. If you would like confirmation that this fix is
designed to address your specific problem, or if you would like to confirm whether there are any
special compatibility or installation issues associated with this fix, you are encouraged to
speak to a Support Professional in Product Support Services.

The package is password protected so be sure to enter the appropriate password for each package.
To ensure the right password is provided cut and paste the password from this mail.

NOTE: Passwords expire every 7 days so download the package within that period to insure you can
extract the files. If you receive two passwords it means you are receiving the fix during a
password change cycle. Use the second password if you download after the indicated password
change date.

Package:
-----------------------------------------------------------
KB Article Number(s): 909667
Language: English
Platform: i386
Location:
(h-ttp://hotfixv4.microsoft.com/Windows%20XP/sp3/Fix171241/2600/free/255055_ENU_i386_zip.exe)
Password: I@$OqUl3IE

NOTE: Be sure to include all text between '(' and ')' when navigating to this hot fix location!

Thanks!


Remove "-" from "http"

 

You know - I just thought of something. I am a power user, but I don't connect my notebook to any active directories or use any of the uber-advanced features of XP Pro - roaming profiles, Intellimirror, EFS, etc... In the past, I wouldn't even consider using XP home because of how many features were stripped out (specifically backup, TCP/IP and multiprocessor support). Since Microsoft has stuck a lot of these features back into home, is it really worth it now to upgrade to XP? I've been trying to find a feature that I use in XP Pro that is not present in this latest iteration of XP home, and I can't seem to find any. Can someone give me a reason to go through the apparently ridiculous process of installing XP Pro, since XP home apparently now fully supports multiple processors? At this point, I'm afraid of even UPGRADING, much less doing a clean install...

Javier

 

So who has successfully completed a clean install? I'm having a hard time following what I'm supposed to do.

 

honestly it's now not a pain to reinstall, the instructions are available and the hotfix did the job. The things I gained on WinXP Pro are clean installation and IIS. I am intending to do it again, because I've been making a lot of changes and this time I have instructions to follow through. It's not scary anymore.

 

looks like the link no longer works

 

http://rapidshare.de/files/11297617/KB909667.exe.html

 

Is this the correct driver I have to download in place of the above two?

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2301&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go%21

 

dcp thanks for hosting the file!

 

I am working on my clean install and I am down to

"Mass Storage Controller" as my only device that is not working. Anyone have any ideas? What did I miss?

 

PC EXPress slot?

 

Found it - I must be tired after driving 245 miles round trip to get this laptop. It was the memory stick controller.

 

Did anyone apply the registry edit for the USB 2.0 battery drain problem? I have read that the Duo Core processors have a glitch where if you have a USB device plugged in the battery will drain much faster.

It has been hard to find the actual fix for this - do any of you know about this? If so what needs to be done?

 

Here is a link to the registry fix

http://it.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=175466&cid=14588517

 

Can anyone post links to what drivers I'm supposed to install from intel? thx

 

Anyone install that registry fix for the USB 2.0? Did you see any difference?

 

This is how sony wants you to install their drivers and software

a. BIOS update (if available)
b. Intel® Chipset (if applicable)
c. Sony Notebook Control (if applicable)
d. Sony Programmable I/O (if applicable)
e. Sony Shared Library
f. Video
g. Audio
h. Modem
i. Network
j. Wireless
k. MPEG
l. Memory Stick®
m. Memory Stick Registry
n. UPEK TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor
o. Infineon® Trusted Platform Module
p. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse utility
q. SmartWi™ Utility
r. Cingular Connection Utility
s. WWAN driver
t. Any other Sony Utilities

How important is it to install them in this order? I also noticed some drivers and software on the sony support site isn't on the above list such as the bluetooth USB Controller Driver, and the sony visual comm camera driver. When do you install those? One last thing, what are the drivers for step k and r? thanks guys.

 

Are these the intel drivers that are supposed to be installed in place of the sony drivers?

http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-022034.htm

 

Yes, it is a good idea to install the drivers off of Intel's site over Sony's, the ones on Sony's won't even let you install them.

You need the

Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection

 

sorry, thats a bit confusing, you need the

chipset, graphics controler, and wireless, no storage controler

 

Thanks, so I can install the controller from the one listed on sony's site? And what about the order it is to be installed in, do we have to install it in that order? thanks again.

 

The steps on Sony's site are generic - the SZ drivers page does not have drivers for some of these and other don't really map from the driver name to the name listed below:

# MPEG
# Memory Stick®
# Memory Stick Registry
# UPEK TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor
# Wireless Keyboard and Mouse utility
# SmartWi™ Utility
# Cingular Connection Utility
# WWAN driver

Has anyone figured out what to use for these?

Thanks!

 

My model came with XP Home and I am doing a fresh install of XP Pro.

Those of you that are doing the same, are you using the Sony drivers from your original model page (i.e. for XP Home)?

 

I have noticed that plugging in ANY USB device or the memory card adapter that comes with the SZ before standing by or hibernating will get around the problem.

 

bump for some help

 

I found the BIOS update would not run unless the Sony Shared Library was already installed.

Also, install the Bluetooth driver early in the sequence - I did it immediately after the various Sony libraries (e.g. maybe as step f above). I'm not sure what conflicts exactly, but installation failed for me if I did it later in the sequence.

 

I just got my sz120 and realized they didn't give us a windows cd! Can this be made in one of the vaio recovery applications, or did everyone just have their own copy?

 

Use the Sony Recovery Applet in the control panel and create your own... You will need 9 blank CDs or 2 blank DVDs... Once you do they are actually pretty useful... I removed the Intel WIFI drivers that loaded some stupid thing in the icon tray... I just popped disk 1 and it launched the application to install just a driver... worked like a champ...

Don

 

Clean Install Issues
A few things that happened to me during a clean install (SZ120PB, Windows XP Professional): I also was not able to install the BIOS update until after the Shared Library. Secondly, my keyboard keys were not behaving properly, most likely due to the fact that I couldn't find the keyboard driver that is listed in the install order on the Sony site, but that is not available for download. For example, my "i" key gave me an "*," an "e" gave me a "2", etc.

If anyone has located the keyboard driver, please post it!! Thanks.

Overall, the post-clean install of all Sony drivers is not difficult, just a little time-consuming (about 90 minutes for me.)

Impressions of VGNSZ120P/B
I picked this up on Thursday night from Circuit City in Yonkers for $2099 and a $250 rebate = $1849. Not bad, not exactly the config I wanted (would have liked the 256mb nVidia instead of the 128mb, and was thinking about the 2gb processor), but hey, they had it and I needed it immediately.

The keyboard issue is a NON-ISSUE for me. I was surprised to see all the strong negative opinions on this. I'm in IT, have deployed ThinkPads, Toshibas, and Dells, and yes, it's less sturdy than a Thinkpad's keyboard, but not bad whatsoever.

The screen is very good. Even on the 120. I must have a lower standard or something, but I find it to be crisp and easy on the eyes. I have the Toshiba P15 as well as the Dell 2405FPW for my desktop, and I'm not disappointed in the 120's screen. I was expecting to see the notebook in person and be disappointed, fully expecting to order the 160 instead, but I found the screen on the 120 just fine and probably not worth the $500 extra for the 160's screen.

The 120 is fast, but I agree with previous comments that it is bloated with unnecessary pre-installed software.

 

I didn't need a special keyboard driver. Mine's using 'Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS2 Keyboard' and everything's according to Hoyle.

Meaning, I don't think there actually is a special keyboard driver you need. I did think I had a similar issue for about 5 secs, then I realized num lock was on and slapped myself.

The install took longer for me, my restore discs wouldn't burn successfully (with 2 different burners and 3 different writing apps). I had a friend who bought a 120 (to my 110), so I was able to get some of what I needed with his, but basically they're hardware keyed, so half the crap wouldn't run successfully.

Using a combination of the eSupport page's drivers, the 120 restore discs and the 945 drivers direct from intel, I think I have everything straight now.

Sony should be ashamed for making the process of getting a nice clean install accomplished akin to a ritualistic beating. Dear Sony, of getting rid of your excessive bloatware lowers the price and gives you more time to perform QA on your restore disc writing applications, sounds like win-win?

I ended up keeping only the Protector Suite, that's really the only thing that's of any use beyond the drivers.

The hardware is a mixed bag. I can live with the keyboard, but the power button is slightly tilted, the mouse buttons are too small and their action feels cheap, and the cd tray is pretty loose and I'm starting a pool on when it will snap off.

The screen is nice although the 160 is brighter side x side. Just not $500 brighter (plus the lid feels like it's cardboard on the 160--I don't want two pools running at the same time). The form factor and speed are great. I'm probably locked into this machine for a while now, but the overall experience was pretty annoying compared to recent experiences with Apple and Dell notebooks. I will definitely have to be more motivated in the future to buy another piece of Sony h/w.

 

I'm doing a clean install of my sz160 and was wondering when do you install the nvidia 7400. I'm almost done install everything except the fingerprint & sony control utilities. I install everything in stamina mode and tried running nvidia 7400 but said update failed. So I switched over to Speed mode and install it. It install fine but I keep asking for the PCI-PCI bridge driver. In device manager there are question mark next to monitor & nvidia default flat panel. Any idea guys? Should I have install everything in Speed mode? And do you install it in the beginning? Thanks guys

 

I installed everything in stamina mode and then switched over to speed mode to install the nVidia driver. Make sure you get the intel chipset driver installed first thing (either mode) or some chipset features will not be seen.

I can't imagine any other drivers care what mode you are in.

 

I thought I did install the chipset first but I have somehow goofed as there is a version on Sony's website and from Intel. I think I install Intel's first but I may have installed Sony's. At any rate the clean install was taking up too much time to download driver, trying to figure out what device driver to use, and it seemed there are more drivers originally installed (compared to what you can download), and the order that you'll need to install them in. In the end I decided to restore from recovery disk and remove junks and image the hard disk. If I have time this weekend I may try to do a clean install again. Thanks. BTW beside install intel chipset first, is there any other software I need to install first? Thanks

 

Slapping myself also. It was the NumLock issue. It's still strange behavior, though... why should having this on change the non-numeric characters for normal typing?? Anyway...

 

I realize this is a subjective and thus somewhat ridiculous question, but can you quantify the improvement at all? Is it a night and day difference, or is it subtle enough that you're not positive there's been an improvement?

Thanks--touchpad responsiveness is the main issue blocking me from purchasing this laptop.

 

its is because if you notice on those keys in some different colour usually the same colour as you FN key it will haev a numpad equivalent scrawled across your keyboard on the right hand side. Just for those people that need it (accountants maybe) and cant live without a numpad.

it is however stpuid that they even place it has such becasue it is on an angle and impossible to use effectively

this applies to almost all laptops

 

OK, so I searched and searched on the internet for this file, but finally gave in and called M$ re: this hotfix. They sent it to me and it's only for SP2 and won't install on my machine! Can someone post or send me the stupid stream.sys and I'll stick it in the folder myself, please???

Thanks in advance for any who can help.

-N

 

my god...this seems impossible...with my current HP its takes a minute to reboot the whole windows with no complications whatsoever.

Though this sony seems like a trip...Ill try to uninstall whatever I can on my SZ (soon getting it) before even giving a thought to the reboot.