GUIDE: Windows 7 64-bit on FZ-470

This is a guide for installing Windows 7 RTM 64-bit on a Sony VAIO FZ-470 laptop. I highly recommend clean installing Windows 7, whether you are coming from Vista or the Windows 7 RC (as I was). I created this guide using Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, though it should apply to any 64-bit version of Windows 7.

Once you’ve backed up your laptop and collected all the setup files needed, the installation process should take 45 minutes from Step 1 to 12.

I. Why 64-bit?

In a word, efficiency. By utilizing the full 64-bit capabilities of the Intel Core2Duo T8100, your laptop will run many of your programs faster. Besides the performance boost, an efficient laptop also runs cooler.

My Windows Experience Index (WEI) jumped over half a point to 5.3 from 4.7 under the RC. Further, the 8400M GT now idles at 55° C, down from 60° C in the 32-bit RC.

If you purchased a Retail Upgrade License, you are entitled to switch between 32-bit and 64-bit versions at any time, as many times as you’d like. You cannot do an in-place upgrade, however.

II. The Driver Conundrum

The single biggest road-block will be finding correct drivers. 64-bit drivers are finally starting to become commonplace. Before installing 64-bit, I highly recommend visiting the website for the manufacturer of your peripherals and searching the support sections for 64-bit drivers for your printer, scanner, etc. While you can use Vista 64-bit drivers in lieu of proper Windows 7 drivers, you cannot substitute 32-bit drivers from any Windows version. Depending on the nature of the specific hardware/software, you may be able to use Windows XP Mode to use hardware which only has 32-bit drivers.

III. This Guide Does Not Support

• S1 – The factory function is muting, but can be changed to launch a program. I don’t use this feature, so it’s not included. Pressing this key will do nothing.

• Wireless Switch Utility – This software was the only method to turn off your Bluetooth or WiFi radio independently of the other. The hardware switch works to turn off both radios, and the power savings from turning one radio off is measured in mere single-digit minutes.

• AV Mode – Pressing AV Mode when powered off, will boot your FZ to Instant Mode. This is supported by this guide. Pressing AV while powered on will do nothing. The factory function launches the VAIO Control Center. Again, I don’t find this feature useful, so it’s not included.

• Most Sony Branded Software – The functionality of nearly all of the bundled software can be duplicated with high-quality free software. I’ve included a Recommended Software section with links to many of these programs.

IV. The Windows 7 64-bit Installation Guide
**Some or all of steps 8-12 may be skipped, depending on your needs & requirements.

0) Backup your data
Image your Windows partition using DriveImage XML. Use Fast Compression and Split Large Files. The former will make a smaller image of your drive and the latter will split the resulting file into 650mb parts, making it easy to drop the image onto a few DVD-DLs. Alternately, you can simply copy your files to another hard drive.

Link: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
DriveImage XML guide: http://www.darkchip.com/DriveImageXML/Making your First Backup.html

1) Install Windows 7
Boot off the 64 bit disc, click “Install now” then select “Custom (advanced)” for the Installation Type. If you would like to adjust the partitions on your computer, click “Drive options (advanced)” to delete and allocate partitions to your needs.

Reference: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

2) Install all updates from Windows Update
Install all available critical and recommended updates; you may safely ignore any recommended updates for now. Reboot if prompted, check (and install) any remaining updates. Windows Update installed the latest drivers for the Sony Firmware Extension Parser (v8.0.1.1). You should have Media Playback via the media keys and Volume Control via Fn F5/F6, though no Brightness Control.

Reboot if prompted.

3) Install Dox’s Optimized Forceware (v185.85)
Sony has not committed to supporting the nvidia GeForce 8400M GT on Windows 7. This is why the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will “fail” compatibility for the 8400M GT should you run the tool. Similarly, you cannot use the drivers from nvidia’s website, as the Hardware IDs for the 8400M GT on VAIOs are not present. LaptopVideo2Go.com’s moderator Dox tweaks the official nvidia drivers to reinstate those IDs plus reduce the overall install footprint of the driver install. Choose “Windows 7 64bit” under OS and “Standard Single /SLI –Win7” under GPU config.

Link: http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/122-doxs-customized-forceware-releases/

Reboot.

4) Install Sony Shared Library (v5.4.0.05200)

Link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/SONY_SHARED_LIBRARY_5.4_5.4.0.05200.ZIP

5) Install Sony Event Service (v5.0.0.06261)
The Event Service, among other functions, provides Brightness Control via the Fn keys. You must use v5 or later, on Windows 7. The version originally shipped for the FZ (v4) will not work reliably.

Link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/VAIO_EVENT_SERVICE_5.0_A_5.0.0.06261.ZIP

Reboot.

6) Install Texas Instruments Memory Card (v2.0.0.1.9)

Link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/MEMORY CARD READER WRITER DRIVER TI 2.0Q _ 2.0.0.19.ZIP

7) Install SATA AHCI controller driver (v8.9.0.1023)

Link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/SATA_DRIVER_INTEL_RAID_8.9X64_A_8.9.0.1023.ZIP

Reboot.

**8) Install Alps Pointing Device (v7.102)
This is the latest, signed version for Windows 64 bit (originally Vista). If you do not need the side / bottom scrolling features or other advanced features of the ALPS touchpad, you can safely skip this step. The default drivers offer basic point-and-click functionality.

Link: ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/ALDOTH-00164344-64.EXE

**9) Install the Sony Visual Communications Camera VCC8 (v6.1006.211.0)
The VCC8 camera was only shipped on 32-bit systems. However Sony did include a 64-bit setup program inside the 32-bit installer. Download the current driver from the Sony site, and extract the contents of the package using Universal Extractor. Inside the extracted folder TEMPEXE, click “DPInst64.exe” to install the drivers. If you do not use the camera, you may safely skip this step.

Link: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFZ470EB&upd_id=3374&os_id=28 (RIDCAM-14137700-US.EXE)

Link: http://legroom.net/software/uniextract (Use “UniExtract Binary Archive” for a no-install, “portable” version of Universal Extrator)

Alternate Method: http://www.forum.ma-config.com/index.php?showtopic=3525 (Message #6, click “ce dossier” for a ZIP file containing all VCC drivers)

**10) Install Instant Mode (v1.0.5)
Install the Instant Mode feature which allows you to “instantly” boot your FZ to play DVDs, CDs or media files. Blu-ray movies are not compatible with Instant Mode. Instant Mode is independent of media playback inside Windows. If you do not want to use the Instant Mode, you may safely skip this step.

Link: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFZ470EB&upd_id=4406&os_id=28
Update Link: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFZ470EB&upd_id=4063&os_id=28

**11) Install WinDVD BD for VAIO (8.0 DXVA B20.084)
Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center both provide support for watching DVDs. WinDVD is required for viewing Blu-ray discs. If you do not care to watch Blu-ray movies, you may skip this step.

Unfortunately Sony does not provide a reinstallation package for the WinDVD software – it is only reinstalled upon a complete recovery. You can extract the software from your recovery partition. You will need several specialized tools (MOD2WIM), and an extra 4GB of disk space plus a couple of hours. There are a few guides on NBR, if you are so inclined. Otherwise, use the link below to grab an already extracted copy of the software. When installing the update, right click the installer, click on the Compatibility tab and select “Windows Vista (Service Pack 2)” Compatibility Mode and enable “Run as Administrator” Privilege Level.

Install the update from Sony, which updates your AACS key plus provides a few bug fixes.

Note: If your installation generates "Error 1904. Module C:\Program Files (x86)\InterVideo\Common\Bin\IVIVIDEO.ax failed to register. HRESULT -2147220473", you will need to uninstall the WinDVD software. Download and install the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer then re-install WinDVD.

Link: http://anebg.net/2009/09/20/intervideo-windvd-bd-for-vaio/
Update Link: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFZ470EB&upd_id=4866&os_id=28

Reference: http://corel.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/c...rect=&p_srch=1&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=&p_topview=1
DirectX Link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

Reboot.

**12) Install Windows XP Mode
If you have older / incompatible software which does not run using the compatibility features in Windows 7, you can use XP Mode to run the software. Sony locked off the VT bit in the BIOS, and does not provide an option to enable it. You will need to modify your BIOS to enable the VT bit. If you do not any incompatible software, you may omit this step.

VT Guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=189228
FZ470: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=4828225&postcount=170
BIOS List: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5190101&postcount=227

Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Reboot.

Congratulations! You have installed Windows 7 on your Sony VAIO FZ and restored base functionality.

V. Recommended Software

Anti-virus & Malware Protection: Microsoft Security Essentials -- http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
Browser: Mozilla Firefox – http://www.getfirefox.com
Movie Production: Microsoft Windows Live Movie Maker -- http://download.live.com/moviemaker
DVD Production: Microsoft Windows DVD Maker
Media Converter: Handbrake -- http://handbrake.fr/
Photo Management: Google Picasa – http://picasa.google.com/
Image Manipulation: Paint.NET – http://www.getpaint.net
Disc Burning: CDBurner XP -- http://www.cdburnerxp.se
PDF Viewer: Adobe Reader -- http://get.adobe.com/reader/
PDF Printer: doPDF – http://www.dopdf.com
File Recovery: Piriform Recuva -- http://www.piriform.com/recuva
Drive Imaging: runtime DriveImage XML -- http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
Drive Visualization: SpaceMonger -- http://www.sixty-five.cc/sm/v1x.php
Instant Messaging: digsby – http://http://www.digsby.com
Email: Windows Live Mail -- http://download.live.com/wlmail
Office Suite: OpenOffice.org – http://www.openoffice.org

 

Hello, I feel very good your guide. Thank you.
Is there any way to make Wireless Switch Setting Utility in Windows 7 x64?
Is there an alternative software for enabled/disabled the bluetooth separately and the wifi?
Very Thanks.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know of any other software which duplicates the Wireless Switch Setting Utility.

You may want to follow coolguy's thread. He is trying to find a way to get the Wireless Switch Setting Utility working on x64.

coolguy's thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=429745

--L.

 

hey man thanks. but one thing i think this fn brighness control was made for the xbrite-eco i have the xbrite-hi color do you know if there is any way to adjust it to go full brightness cuz it doesnt go up to full brightness i have a vgn-fz4000cto

 

My FZ-470 has the XBRITE-HiColor screen as well and I have control over the full range of brightness.

If you are able to control the brightness with the controls in Windows (Win key + X) but not with the Fn keys, the problem likely lies with your VAIO Event Service and/or Sony Shared Library (both need to be v5.x, not v4.x). If you can't adjust the brightness with Win key + X, check the video driver you are using.

--L.

 

The latest version (5.X) of Vaio event service has problems in adjusting screen brightness (locks at 39%). So use version 4.3.XX (as in my guide).

 

but do you think this would work with the fn key brightness control?...................

Thanks just uninstalled the other one 4.3XX and installed the one in your guide thanks you guys for all the help!!!!!

 

the brightness actually looks like its locking on 17% when i manually put it to full brightness it says 39% but looks like 100 to me.
lbohn do you have the link of the video driver you used?

 

sony7up,

When you state that your brightness locks at 17%, 39%, etc. are you adjusting the brightness with Fn + F5/F6 or with the Brightness panel in the Mobility Center? I ask because this is very similar to the problems I had while running both the Win7 Beta & RC. If I stopped & restarted the VAIO Event Service in the Services MMC control panel, I would regain brightness control but usually lose control of audio via the hardware keys. The brightness typically locked after the OSD indicator moved one or two ticks. So if my brightness was at 100% and I was dimming it when it locked, the level would dim then lock up around 80% or so. A VES restart or a reboot always fixed it for me back then. With RTM, I don't have any of those problems.

As for my video driver, I used Dox's Optimized Forceware drivers from LaptopVideo2Go.com. The version I have installed is v185.85.

First post in this thread: http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/to...-85/page__s__b4492b2851214cc1d588e89352f93d25

Direct Link: http://files.laptopvideo2go.com/Dox/Vistax64/VistaWin7x64_185.85.exe

--L.

 

yea i got it working now thanks. but now the new issue is the camera is working on AIM but the microphone isn't working also at testmywbcam.com and youtube can't hear anything but can see the video working, but when i go to the vaio camera capture utility the mic works but online it doesn't seem to work ..................................................

Never mind i think the audio driver did the trick thank you guys for you help it is greatly appreciated.

 

The Sony utilities in my guide work perfectly in my FZ-190 without any issue. I am using Nvidia 186.91 driver from MS update catalog. You need to install them in the right order to work as expected.

 

First, thanks for your guide. I've done the Win 7 64-bit clean install. I have downloaded my 8400M GT driver for Win 7 64-bit as per your instructions and it seems to work fine. The biggest change I noticed is that the machine is much quieter and runs much cooler.

I have a few 'noob' questions (I have Sony FZ 4000 CTO with Intel core duo T9300 & 4GB RAM):
1. Does this have an impact on video performance or shall it only impact gaming?
2. I notice that video is grainier now as compared to prior to Win 7 64-bit & all the driver downloads. Could the problem possibly be in this driver or would it be somewhere else?
3. Could someone briefly explain why I had to choose 'Standard - single SLI/Win7 as the option while downloading rather than the other two (Hybrid Graphics or Hybrid SLI)?

Thanks for your help Ibohn & coolguy! It is because of you that we can enjoy Win 7 64-bit on our machines despite what Sony says!

 

Glad you are enjoying Windows 7 on your VAIO!

You can certainly try another driver version to see if the grain is diminished. v185.85 was released earlier this year. A newer driver may improve the video grain you are seeing.

Those two options are for laptops with Stamina/Speed switches. When the switch is set for Stamina, the laptop uses an Intel graphics adapter which draws less power and is suitable for everyday tasks (web browsing, Office, etc). When the switch is set for Speed, the system uses a nvidia graphics adapter which is higher powered, and higher performing (gaming, etc.). Hybrid SLI is nearly identical, except the Speed setting selects two nvidia adapters in SLI mode.

 

Thanks lbohn

 

A newer driver is now available from nvidia. since mine had 8400M GT, there was a problem in updating the drivers.

Here is the link to the new drivers for windows 7

64 BIT

32 BIT

the version is 186.91 WHQL

 

I have a problem with WinDVD: I try to download it from Rapidshare (please, for the love of God, can someone re-up that file to a decent site?) and I only get a 16MB RAR file, despite RS listing it as nearly 200. I extract it and it says that it's corrupted, and a whole chunk is missing. regi.exe works, but setup.exe just says it's preparing InstallShield, then it stops. I have five files in ISS Prerequisites. Can anybody help please?

 

No, its a copyrighted applicationso no one here is able to help you obtain a copy even if you have a valid license. Even asking about this is against the forum rules here.

Your only recourse is to get it from Sony and since they are not supporting 64bit, you are pretty much out of luck.

Gary

 

Hi there I have the same problem on c190, before I see your help, I solved the the texas instrument card reader and Fn keys problem but the display brightness still doesn’t work. My display adapter is intel945 express family. I tested windows update, the latest version from intel site and other version from vaio link. Sony esupport didn’t help chating with analist about 2hours as I realized they don’t know more than me. First they your model is out date and isnt compatible. The second way was to find a new vaio with the same diplay adapter but this also didn’t work as the analist said I hve to use 32-bit one.
So any body has any idea on this,
please help me.

 

Farhan2010,

Please don't cross post the same exact post in multiple threads.

Gary

 

Thank you for this great guide and list of drivers, helped me get my VGN-F470E running 7 x64!

 

CanadaDan,

Glad you are enjoying Windows 7 on your VAIO!

For those interested, the previous WHQL drivers for the 8400GT -- v185.85 -- will not support Flash hardware acceleration. If Windows Update has not updated your graphics adapter to v197.45, feel free to do so. This latest WHQL driver will allow you utilize the hardware acceleration available in the upcoming Adobe Flash Player 10.1.

I have noticed using non-WHQL drivers (i.e. drivers downloaded from LaptopVideo2Go with a modified INF) will cause WinDVD-BD to stop playing Blu-Ray discs, but not DVDs. Installing a WHQL signed video driver restores Blu-Ray playback in WinDVD.

--L.