Download Complete Set of Drivers, Fixes & a Couple of Applications (SZ 120PB)

UPDATE: Please see at the bottom of the post for a newly uploaded file containing just the hot fixes and a few applications needed after a clean install

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My Clean Install Process:

[Have Edited the Installation Sequence, so Please Note]

Preparation:

1. I first went to the Sony Support Site... (change the model number on top right hand corner to your specific model)
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-swu.pl?mdl=VGNSZ120PB

2. Downloaded Everything (Original Drivers + Updates)...there is a way by which you can download all at once (the download taxi utility...its cool..check out)...

3. Checked out this tutorial:

http://esupport.sony.com/EN/osmig/xpclean.html

Actually just this part of it:

"....Install the driver packages.

CAUTION: You must install the driver packages in the following order for your computer to operate normally:....."

(I have modified this list a bit based on my experience after 2 Clean Installs)

THIS WILL ALSO BE YOUR INSTALL SEQUENCE.

1. Intel® Chipset
2. Sony Control Device Driver
3. Sony Programmable I/O
4. Sony Shared Library
5. Sony Notebook Utilities
6. Video
7. Audio
8. Modem
9. Network
10. Wireless
11. WebCam (Please install the Hotfix, referred in the post below before this if you want to avoid Shutdown Freeze)
12. Memory Stick® (Check below for getting back the Memory Stick Icon)
13. Memory Stick Registry
14. UPEK TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor
15. Infineon® Trusted Platform Module
16. Bluetooth USB Controller
17. USB Mouse Controller
18. Protector Suite
19. Touchpad
20. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Utility
21. SmartWi
22. BIOS Update
23. Repeat steps 2 to 5 (reinstall those drivers for your Fn and Soft Keys to work Properly)

NOTE:
FOR NEWER MODELS (MARCH 25 ONWARDS APPROX) YOU DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH STEPS 22 & 23 SINCE THE BIOS IS ALREADY UPDATED.

4. Created folders with these names (except No. 23 ofcourse on my Hard Drive and numbered them in sequence (for current as well as future usage, since I would burn all these on a disc later

On the Drivers page (given above), clicked each driver (Download Now button), checked the description and put them into respective folders.

5. Burn this on a CD

Actual Install:

1. Boot from CD and install new version of XP Pro (I also completely formatted my disk and partitioned it during the process...100 GB as one single partition is just too unhealthy IMO)

2. Once that is done, just start installing the drivers in the suggested sequence (above) from the CD you burnt.

Notes:
- You will have to be in Stamina Mode to install Intel Graphics Driver and in Speed mode to install NVidia Graphics Driver (other things can be installed in any mode)

Also, Intel Graphics driver on the Sony site has some problems. Pick it up from the Intel Site ( http://support.intel.com/support/chi.../CS-009247.htm Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family)

- You will have to install a Hotfix for the Webcam driver otherwise your computer will freeze on Shutdown (Have included the fix in the Uploaded Files (see bottom of post))

- Memory Stick icon on the drive will not show (Have included the fix in the Uploaded Files (see bottom of post))

To install the Sony VAIO Applications (if you want, I don't find them too useful), you will need to have your recovery disc. Once you are done with the clean install, insert your Disc No. 1 and system will prompt you to install Applications and Drivers. Select 'Ok' and it will prompt you with a list of Applications and Drivers. Now just 'select' the applications you want to install (your drivers are already installed by now so you don't need to check anything there).

I only installed the following:

VAIO Power Management Utility ... also available as a standalone application at the following link:
http://rapidshare.de/files/16424637/snypm.zip.html)

VAIO HDD Protection thing ... also available as a standalone application at the following link:
http://rapidshare.de/files/16441543/snyhdp.zip.html)

(Big thanks DCP for these links).

VAIO Camera Utility and Wireless Switching Utility MIGHT (Will) NOT WORK after clean install. Download the standalone latest versions from the links provided below:

Wireless Switching Utility (Thanks KNOP)

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/downloads/Patches/WLAN/SOAWSU-01181800-UN.exe

VAIO Camera Utility.

ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/download/SP-011461-01/SOAOTH-01146101-UN.exe

In place of Wireless Switching Utility, you can also use SmartWi application (my personal preference). Its a nifty application and has a great Fn+F1 functionality to switch between WLAN / BT/ WLAN+BT modes... Also take care that you turn OFF the main SmartWi application (it should not show in your system tray)... also set it to NOT turn on when Windows Starts or when you switch your wireless modes (through its 'settings'). The reason is that it is a major drain on your CPU (mine goes up to 50%)... and turning it off is not a problem coz even with the main application manager closed, the Fn+F1 functionality works, which is basically what you need.

Thats all... you will have your system up and running.
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Thats my original post in one of the threads. Having done clean install almost 4 times now (twice in my first laptop which I got exchanged and twice in this new one)... and I know what a Pain in the A$$ it is, especially finding the right drivers and those minor fixes for problems... so thought of putting this up, might help a few people with clean install...

I have uploaded the complete set of drivers for SZ 120 PB. It is in three parts (A, B & C) coz rapidshare won't allow me to upload 200 MB at once... It contains the following:

1. All Drivers (see list above)
2. Minor fixes (hotfix for shutdown freeze caused due to Webcam driver, dll file to get back Memory Stick Icon etc)
3. Couple of standalone VAIO applications that I thought was important (VAIO Power Management & VAIO HDD Protection) so you won't need the recovery disk for these.

A few of these have been provided by other forum members. A big thanks goes out to them. I just thought combining everything in one place would save people lot of trouble.

I have not included the Protector Suite as it was 220 MB in size. Please download it from Sony Support Site. Have left a link for the same in the respective folder.

Here are the download links: (Had uploaded the same on yousendit.com earlier but I guess the link there expires in 7 days or so)... so here it is...

http://rapidshare.de/files/16523064/Sony_VAIO_SZ_120_PB_Drivers_Part_A.zip.html

http://rapidshare.de/files/16521819/Sony_VAIO_SZ_120_PB_Drivers_Part_B.zip.html

http://rapidshare.de/files/16522469/Sony_VAIO_SZ_120_PB_Drivers_Part_C.zip.html

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On Repeated request, I am uploading a new file which contains just the Hot Fixes and a few Applications...this is for people who have downloaded (or can download) drivers from Sony Support site and just want the hot fixes and applications that are required after a clean install...

Its just an 11 MB file and includes the following:

1. Web Cam Freeze Hotfix
2. Memory Stick Icon Hotfix
3. VAIO Hard Drive Protection Utility
4. Wireless Switch Utility
5. VAIO Camera Utility

http://rapidshare.de/files/18947885/Hot_Fixes___Application.zip.html

 

thanks alot ronin with everything in one place and a good set of instructions i am now highly considering to do a clean install.

however one question is there a GREAT difference in performance

thanks

 

The reasons I ALWAYS do a clean install on a new system...

1. Clean OS with just the things I need and hence clean registry/no useless files etc... which may/may not create problems in the future...
2. Disk Partition (40 gigs + 40 gigs + whatever remains is for the system (13 gigs approx)... coz its too risky to keep a single 100 GB partition and I really don't prefer partition magic kind of apps)

Performance wise, with a Core Duo, there really won't be a GREAT difference... I THINK!!

Frankly, its really upto how you like your lappy to be... bloated/clean/nicely maintained (I mean apps)/easy on resources to an extent only as much as necessary... I think these things help in the long run... Just a personal preference.

I know you could just uninstall the bloatware, but I hate the traces they leave behind... and 100 gigs in one partition is just too uncomfortable for me... so there you go ...

 

yeh i am highly considering it as i do like my notebook to be clean with apps i want and need not useless junk bloatware. just wondered if there was any direct improvement.

100 GB un-partitioned?!?

i didnt realise that it came unpartitioned, my SZ18 came witha 20GB C Drive and a 60GB D Drive so i had no need for that but if i was in ur situation i would have definitly done the same.

thanks again for the guide

 

No need to partition these days unless you're doing some sort of video/audio where you have reasons. A 20GB system disk is way too small ... you can easily fill it. Since the partitions are on the same disk, you get no real performance benefit per se.

I haven't partitioned a laptop hard drive in years. If you're worried, make backups. That's what I do.

 

thanks for the detailed guide.

rapidshare sucks though, it wont even let me download part B, until 1 hour later.

 

I would disagree. If you even do one partition, you can reformat your computer without having to backup any of your data files on DVDs or external HD. The OS can die but you'll still have all your files.

 

I've never had that problem and I even run Windows Server 2003 on laptops sometimes. If the OS dies, just take out the HD and put it in an external case so you can see the drive and attach it to another computer.

My way and your way does not protect you from drive failure, though. If the whole drive dies, no amount of partitioning will help you.

 

What rk_cr has said is among my prime reasons for partitionining frankly... now see, there are lot of files I add and remove from my hard disk on a daily/weekly basis. And its not practical to take a backup everyday (I normally backup my complete HD every 6 weeks or so)... and I have personally had experience of OS getting completely F***** up taking down all files with it.

Another reason is performance... I know with Dual Cores and stuff, performance is generally very high, but a separate system drive is something I strongly prefer. The simple reason is the way HD works where it accesses only the logical partition depending on what apps it wants to access instead of scurrying all over the place for simple things like booting my computer (if files are split all over)... so just a small containment. Atleast psychologically I feel better )

Besides, the size of partition is just based on personal experience...I mean, you could have 20 GB for System or 40 GB based on your past experience of apps you use. I have never ever filled up more than 8-10 GB with all the apps I need fully loaded so for me 20 GB is more than enough. I am a small business user and don't do lot of gaming or heavy duty apps.

 

If your disk was already partitioned, I would suggest just uninstall all the apps you don't need, clean up the program files folder of useless files and also your registry with any registry cleaning tool (take a backup of registry before that though). I would really not suggest you do a clean install. But you can always download these files and keep it in case you need it anytime in the future.

 

To maximise the benefit of doing that, you need to make sure that everything needed at boot is on the system drive, not on the application/data drive.

Windows XP watches the boot process and, in the background, moves files used during boot to the beginning of the partition(s) to reduce boot times. Some 3rd party disk defragmentation tools (PerfectDisk for instance) use XP's monitoring data to do a more thorough job of this.

If some the files required for boot are scattered across multiple partitions, then there will be more seeking during boot, slowing it down.

 

Yep, I agree, and thats what I do. All my boot files on System Drive & Defragmented once a week or two.

 

ronin that's very good work, thanks.

btw where did you get those executable files for each device?
I downloaded the drivers pack from sony and most of them are only device drivers (dll's, inf) and not executable.

I just finnished a clean install before I read this and I have 3 problems:

- Can't get Fn keys to work (brightness, volume, etc)
- Can't get the wireless device switch working (bluetooth, 5ghz, 2.4ghz)
- Can't find the fingerprint application

help appreciated here
I'm willing to format and install everything again with your guide and drivers if you tell me everything works

thanks a lot

 

Fn Keys:
- Look at my instructions and repeat steps 2 to 5 (i.e. install drivers 2 to 5) in that order. Will work.
Pick up the drivers from here: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNSZ120PB&UpdateType=Everything

Wireless Switching:
- Will not work with clean install. Use the SmartWi Utility instead. Its on the support site here: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNSZ120PB&upd_id=2092&os_id=7

Once you install this utilty, do the following:
- Go to settings and uncheck all the options (if you don't do this, this utiltiy will start everytime you start Windows and use 50% CPU...it did so in my case)
What this utility gives is something really nice... its the Fn+F1 key combination which you can use to toggle between Wifi->Bluetooth->Wifi+Bluetooth

Fingerprint Application:
Install this driver:
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNSZ120PB&upd_id=2029&os_id=7

And this application:
http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNSZ120PB&upd_id=2094&os_id=7

in THAT ORDER. Fingerprint thing will work.

I don't think you need to do a clean install again... don't worry. If you have any more problems, get back.

 

I assume this great tutorial doesn't apply to the European models of Sony Vaio?

 

just reinstalled everything like ronin's guide says and everything works.

mine is an UK vgn-sz1vp so the guide also applies to the european models.

once again thanks for your work ronin.

ps: in my case there's no bios update needed.

 

I tried to enter the name of my VAIO (FE11M; the European counterpart of the FE550G) into the box to obtain the necessary drivers. Unfortunately the .com site won't recognize that type, so no drivers

 

sony.com is for the US, so ofcourse you won't find support for
european models there.

if you try the UK site for instance, you won't have that problem.

good luck

 

I got a little probleam, when I try to install the chipset drivers, its say"This update is not intended for use with your computer model", its suppose that that chipset drivers its usefull for any model, isnt it? My Vaio model is a japanese version, VGN-SZ70B/B, help with that plz, ive just done a clean xp install and the first thing of the list is not working

:cry:

 

have you tried the sony.jp driver page?

always try the local site for your laptop first =]

 

Yes, of course, but i dont understand japanense, so i cant find where the drivers are...

 

Use Google Translate or Babelfish ;-)

It would look something like this:
http://www.google.com/translate?u=h.../list/index.html&langpair=ja|en&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Though I think this is the updates page and not the original set of drivers.

Besides, you could also download and install the Intel chipset driver from Intel's website...

 

I'll assume you mean the Intel Graphics Chipset drivers.. as mentioned in the very first post on this thread, download the drivers right off Intel's site and they'll go right on

 

and btw to the original poster for:

"- Memory Stick icon on the drive will not show (Please see the post above on how to get it back)..."

That was annoying the **** outta me... got the fix from "Part B".... thanks again

 

Thanks for poitning that out Had copy-Pasted it from my original post in another thread where it actually made sense !! Have now edited the post in this thread.

 

does the hard drive shock protection utility actually work? i did this last week but it never worked. i can launch the app but the protection feature never came on no matter what setting it had it at. works fine if i do semi restore...

 

How did you test it? I mean did you actually expose your hard drive to shocks?

 

open the protection utility and tap on the palm rest. you should see the hazzard level move. depends on how hard u type, it sometimes pickes it up as well
or set the sensitivity level on high then just shake the laptop a lil bit and it should engage..

 

Ok I did tap and shake (not too hard though)... had the HDD protection thing open... and saw the blue light emerging from bottom... and I didn't have the heart to force it across the set-level to bring up the warning. Am hoping that since I see the blue light, it is (hopefully) working.

 

hmm that's weird, mine never came on when i did a clean install with the hdd app you have included...

i used my lappy to do alot of car tuning and the hdd warning comes on all the time lol

 

Hello guys.

I have a new SZ1XP here and facing webcam related shutdown freeze problems. I've tried the "hotfix" from the first post but it's not working.

Any help?

 

The first time you try shutting it down after implementing the hotfix, it will still freeze. So you have to force the shutdown. But from next time onwards it should work fine. This has been a consistent behavior every time I have done a clean install (4 times till now)

 

Nope, aint working for me

What about setting up an little icon for a "Memory stick" drive..that one is missing too...

 

If you have downloaded the stuff that I uploaded, in the "Memory Stick" folder you would have found a "Memory Stick Icon" folder, inside which there is a zipped file (which containts snymsico.dll file)

Extract the attached zipped snymsico.dll file to C:\windows and reboot.

 

I don't even think you have to reboot...

 

This is interested..

I've finaly downloaded the "big driver pack" from rapidshare .. argh

And in webcam directory I found 3 files, or..2 normal files and a "hotfix" file in a special directory. This file seems a lot different from the one you have on your first page as a direct link. The direct link goes to file "SODCAM-01074405-US.EXE" and the filename from the "hotfix" is "KB909667.exe"

Could this be the problem, I have been installing the wrong file?

I dont have a laptop here, i am at work so i wont be home for about 10 hours now, but still am very nervous about it and would like to know if this will finaly work

 

Dude!!! So you have been installing the wrong file up till now

And where is the direct link that you are talking about? If you are talking about the links on Sony Support Sites... there are two drivers that are required for Webcam...
- SODCAM-00457801-US.EXE
- SODCAM-01074405-US.EXE

One of them is the Camera Driver Utility and the other one is the Driver itself...

In addition to that, you have the Hotfix that you have now discovered in the "Big Driver Pack"...

Now when you go home...
- Install this hotfix
- Shutdown/Restart (most probably there will be a freeze... so you will need to force a shutdown)
- Start

Next time when you shutdown there shouldn't be a problem... HOPEFULLY though I am pretty positive...

 

OMG!!!

I've been referring to this:

VAIO Camera Utility.

ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/d...1146101-UN.exe

This sux, I've wasted about 5 hours yesterday trygin to get this thing to work, **** rapidshare and their "not free-pay-else wait 2 hours" system

OK, if it works not i wont complain no more will report later!

BTW, how to get the vaio update 2 thing to work? I get the unable to connect to server error...

 

I haven't installed the VAIO update thing... I will just do the update myself as and when something doesn't work I guess ... so have no idea about this problem... maybe someone who uses it could help.

 

Could you guy help me with the drivers of the SZ70B/B, i cant get it in anywhere...

so bad

 

If someone was able to complete this guide with an FE11* model, please let me know, because I sure as h*ll can't figure it out.

Not only are the names of the drivers different on the European Sony support site, but they're not simple .exe files like the US ones. They are folders which you have to extract. Within those folders you find tons of dll, dl and other weird files and when you do find some sort of exe, you can't do sh*t with it.

I tried doing it with the US files for the FE550g (US counterpart), but then it just says "this file isn't for your model...".

Really getting frustrated. Can anyone please clear some fog for us Europeans?

Thanks in advance.

 

For those that have non-US models (including Japan) you can find the drivers here. Just download SZ1_Drivers.zip and SZ1_Utilities.zip.

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/Vaio/Original

I don't have a clear set of instructions for installing - basically I went through a similar order as you've seen here.

The first three utilities are Sony Shared Library, Sony Utilities DLL and Sony Vaio Power Management. They each tell you what they are before starting the install, so always check.

Also, there are two ways to install drivers - either find the device in Device Manager, click Update driver and browse to the relevant folder, or by right clicking on the INF file and choosing Install. Either way seems to work, but the first is much preferred.

Hope this helps people at least a little. Any specific questions I can probably answer.

Now my turn to pose a question - where can I get the Protector Suite for a non-US model? I don't have it and now my fingerprint scanner is sitting here useless. US version install fails saying it is not for my hardware.

 

So does anyone have the Protector Suite install for a non-US version? Any non-US version?

 

Gread instructions Ronin.
I have installed everything and have one Unknown device in Device Manager (check the attached screenshots).
It's related to Intel's south bridge.
But everything is working properly.
What could it be?
My VAIO is SZ1XP (analog of 170P/C).

Regards.

 

gooni,

You can find it here: http://www.vaio-link.com/downloads/info/info.asp?l=en&url=Vaio/Original/ProtectorSuiteQL_5.zip

 

http://rapidshare.de/files/16521819/Sony_VAIO_SZ_120_PB_Drivers_Part_B.zip.html
http://rapidshare.de/files/16522469/Sony_VAIO_SZ_120_PB_Drivers_Part_C.zip.html[/QUOTE]
Could you please give me more details what have you included in these files please. Thanks a lot for your help, it's veryhelpful. Does anyone know how to install VAIO Central in clean installed XP Pro? It's not in the recovery CD and I've no idea how to install it. Has anyone figured out how to make Wireless Switch Utility and VAIO Camera Utility to work in clean installed XP Pro?Cheers mate.

 

I found what was my problem: I missed to install "Infineon Trusted Platform Module".
Now everything is in place
Sony VAIO SZ rules

 

I have provided links from where you can download the Wireless Switch Utility and VAIO Camera Utility directly. See the original (first) post in this thread. They work in a clean install.

For your convenience though...

Wireless Switching Utility (Thanks KNOP)

http://www.css.ap.sony.com/vaio/down...1181800-UN.exe

VAIO Camera Utility.

ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/d...1146101-UN.exe

 

Why you did not download the Latest Intel Chipset Drivers ?, the current ones (sony website) are 7.1.0.1014, and in the Intel website you can find 7.2.2.1006 ?, thanks

 

This was a month back. These drivers were the latest then