Fz 4000 needs help

So I pretty much messed up my VGNFZ4000, I installed (did a CLEAN install) of Windows7 RC. Then i came to realize i could not install the Nvidia or FN keys so i decided to go back to Vista 32bits.. But i did not make my Recovery DVD soo i managed to install vista home Premium. But I obiously dont have the drivers. Ive been downloading some from the support site...however im not sure if i need all of those, or which ones?
So i was wondering if someone could help me out what is essensial to install to have the best performance

BTW my notebook specs are:
8400 Nvidia graphics card
4gb memory (ram)
I got the HD screen
Blueray reader
intel core 2duo CPU t9300 @ 2.50ghz


Tons of thanks =D

 

I would first pick up and install ALL drivers from eSupport for your model. Make it running first.

cheers ...

 

My FZ clean install guide shows all of the drivers and APPLICATIONS needed and the order you need to install them. See my signature line below for the link.

Gary

 

Thanks guys! I'll look into your guide Gary but hmm I assume that FZ190 is different than FZ4000, so...Im guessing some drivers wont be the same.. no worries ill notice that =D

Thanks =)

 

Yes there may be some differences, but not much. Most of the differentiation of the FZ models was around the video card (driver differences), lcd (no driver differences), BlueRay (difference) and Network cards (differences). Those will all be obvious. The applications are the key though, and they are the same on all the FZ models. These apps like the Sony Notebook Utilities, mentioned in the guide, are basically DLL packages used by one or more of the drivers. That's a gross over simplification but gives you the gist of what they are. The sequence you install them in is VERY important.

Gary

 

Hmm so its important to install drivers in a certain order. The thing is I have already installed some (like 5) drivers.
So is there anyway i can Uninstall them and it will still work, or should i just start all over again. And hmm im running 32bits, therefore it should just recognise 3GB of RAM right? and so it did until i did a couple of windows updates, know it seems to recognise all 4?! any clues why this is happening? I mean it would be great but Im not sure its just recognising all 4 and using 3 or actually using 4?

 

Vista 32-bit with SP1 or later recognizes all 4 GB of RAM but uses 3-3.5 GB of RAM depending upon hardware (PCI bus, GPU, etc).
PS: I have a working 99% Windows 7 64-bit install in my FZ. What trouble did you have installing drivers?

 

When I had Windows 7 I tried to install the Nvidia Driver, however an error came up saying I couldn`t use those drivers for windows 7. I tried the original Sony downloaded ones, I then tried some from Nvidia website...None worked so i decided to switch back to windows vista.
I wonder how what drivers for your graphics card and Backlight/Power management did you use?

 

I use Nvidia 186.82 driver from Microsoft update catalog.

 

Hi again, so i decided to go back to Windows 7 64bits... It is going pretty well, im using Gary's guide, and i got the 186.82 driver for 64bits, however I cant install the Nvidia driver. It says " The Nvidia setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware. Setup will now exit"
I also noticed there are other applications in the folder, (the one that came with the driver I downloaded) Some did run, but did no changes. The others that did not run are the control panel installers. Anyone encountered this and has a solution please?


Btw sorry for bringing this dead thread again.

 

Dig around in some of the other threads, I think the trick is to unpack the installer and then install the drivers using device manager. But I am not well versed in the process. I think Coolguy is the person who can fill in the details. But like I said I know this has been discussed in other threads here with the specifics on how to accomplish what you are attempting.

Gary

 

Shadecell, the driver I had mentioned installed with no problems for my 8400M GT. You should get your driver from Microsoft update catalog.
You can get the latest Nvidia driver (Version 8.16.11.8691) here
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=nvidia+windows+7

(Use IE to open this site and sort the drivers by date and download any 64-bit driver - the larger file size)
Be sure to uninstall your current driver from device manager or Programs. I don't have blue ray, so I don't know how this driver will affect the BR capability.

 

Thanks Rajeesh, I knew (or hoped) you'd chime in on this, since you are the FZ/Win7/64 man. I was thinking, this was one of the drivers you had to unpack and install manuall. My mistake.

Gary

 

You can also install the driver manually from the device manager. Are you running Windows 7 Gary?

 

Not yet. I just haven't had the time.

Gary

 

So far got nothing, Ive tried the Nvidia one (from the website http://http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook_winvista_win7_x64_186.81_whql.html ) no luck, then Ive also downloaded from the Windows catalog. No luck...hmm do you think its another case of Bad Nvidia card?

 

Don't try the driver from Nvidia web site. It won't install. I think that you have a corrupted driver installation, which won't allow the Nvidia card to be detected. First uninstall the graphics adapter or VGA adapter from the device manager (check "delete driver software"), reboot, and then try to install the new driver from MS catalog.

 

Yea i thought that might be the case aswell, but how do i get to install the Nvidia driver, before windows automaticly installs the old one?
Gona try and see if there is an option so it doesnt do automatic updates...

 

Windows won't install the Nvidia driver automatically if you had properly uninstalled the previous driver. What driver does Windows install when you restart your laptop?

 

When I uninstall the standard VGA Graphics adapter. The computer then restarts. And when I log back in (to install the Nvidia driver) it has already (again) installed the standard VGA Graphics adapter.

 

Btw i dont know if its an issue, but i Downloaded 8.15.11.9038 geforce 8400 driver from update catalog. hmmm and i have read somewhere that version may not work. However other versions are Pre releases..what should i do?

 

not best option but just grab 64 bit driver from vaio e support place.it will run fine.

i went through same on hp laptop.

i wish to say i avoid the computer with anything with NVIDIA inside.

better to avoid it for support and driver sake. too much of botheration.

 

You did the mistake of downloading the wrong driver than the one I had mentioned. Go back and read my post.

 

Sony doesn't offer 64-bit Nvidia driver for 8400M GT from esupport.

 

Ok Im gona try download a Version 8.16.11.8691 driver, however none of them are for 8400, Ill just get the 8600M GS instead and try that.

 

Wow finally worked! thanks Rajesh! =D I hope this thread works for other Fz owners.

 

so you used what driver again? and where is it located?

I am going to start over tonight and go with 64bit (win7). I noticed the other drivers you were talking about but assumed it would be incorrect. Does the correct video card info show in your device manager?

Also, does your display appear correctly in device manager? Mine just shows as 'plug n play'. I am supposed to have 'TrueHD' (1080p) and wasn't sure if this would affect it.

as always any help is appreciated, this has been a pain.

Thanks Gary for pointing this thread out to me.

 

Your welcome, but I believe it was Rajesh (coolguy) who steered you here.

Gary

 

I stand corrected.

Thank you coolguy!

I guess I naturally thanked you as a lot of the info out there has your name on it.

 

Look for the driver version and download link in page 2 - post #12.

 

It says under display adapters > Nvidia Geforce 8400M GT
However under monitor it says Generic PnP Monitor, and I assume mine should say TrueHD or something else, (i got the 1080 Full HD screen).
Hmmm I guess that would be another driver update? or maybe as this is not a specific SONY VGN FZ 4000 driver, it just doesn't change the monitor.

 

Well I reinstalled Windows 7 last night (64 bit this time). Needless to say after many attempts, I was unable to locate a driver from any source (laptopvideo2go, sony, windows update catalog and drivers suggested on here) that would work. The best results I received were for two drivers that appeared to go thru the install process. Rebooted and then would show the 'VGA adatper' still and be in 800x600 resolution.

I am at my wits end concerning this Sony. When I bought it I wanted to use XP. Sony didn't make that easy. Then I thought maybe Vista Ultimate would be much better than Vista Home Prem. I was wrong and that install wasn't easy either. Now I'm realizing the ability to run any 64 bit OS on the system may not be possible.

I imagine I am going give it one more whirl tonight and go back to 32 bit. If anyone thinks there is something I'm missing feel free to chime in. I have to admit, I don't think I'll buy Sony again.

 

Has anyone tried the modded INF approach for these video card drivers?

 

Sony doesn't provide any driver for their monitors. It's using default Windows driver.

 

What prevents you from installing the mentioned driver?

 

Nothing acutally prevented me from installing the driver. It was able to complete installation. Every time the system it rebooted to 800x600 and showed the standard VGA adapter label in device manager. I tried this several times and every time had the same result.

I have now, however, found a driver that semi-worked for me.

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/24003-forceware-185-85/

The 'Dox' install worked for me. I now have the correct video card showing in device manager and am able to play Blu Ray discs for the first time. Finally!

But...there's always a but with Windows. It appears the 'aero' functionality isn't working in Windows 7 (64bit). So that's my next step.

I also notice while playing the movie that my audio out plug doesn't seem to work. I can only hear audio via the onboard speakers. I sure hope finding a driver for that isn't as tough as this has been. but one problem at a time

so if you have any ideas about the 'aero' functionality and what would cause that, again chime in!

thanks for everyone's input. I actually feel like I've accomplished something, so I really appreciate it.

 

hi there, i know this post is a few months old but i need help with nvidia drivers for my sony vaio FZ11Z. Which drivers should i download to make it work? Nvidia 8400M GT Win 7 32 bit. Everything else works ok including the hot keys, buetooth, etc.
Please help. Nothing that i install seems to work.