Guide to installing W7(64) on Vaio VGN Z

For those still struggling to get W7 (64) working on the Z, here is my brief guide. I documented everything I did while I was installing and I've provided links to the sites I obtained the drivers from.

My install works completely with mostly the latest W7 drivers installed. Although I state an order here, I expect other orders would work but certainly orders seems to be fairly important.

I'd appreciate if even the experienced would glance this as I've a few questions of my own at the bottom.

My model is a Z11, which is a first generation Z. This is equivalent to the Z590 USA model. There are a few differences, primarily the Z11VN comes with an Option integrated mobile broadband card.

I left UAC default. I installed all drivers by right clicking and choosing install as administrator, but this is probably unnecessary. If a driver asked for a restart, I did one. Windows update installed quite a bit by default including the firmware parser. I left these alone as no update was required.

- Upgrade to latest BIOS ( R2170M3)
- Ensure all integrated components are switched on in currently installed OS
- Put switch into speed mode
- Clean install of Z with W7, 64 Bit
- Allowed all Windows Update updates to install, which required a few restarts
- Installed GFX driver and restarted ( NVDVID-00208041-764.exe)
- Sony Shared Library 5.4 ( Sony_Shared_Library_5.4_5.4.0.05200.zip)
- Restarted and changed to STAMINA mode
- Vaio Event Service 5.0 ( VAIO_Event_Service_5.0_5.0.0.07010.zip)
- Restarted and changed back to SPEED
- Vaio Smart Network 3.0 ( VAIO_Smart_Network_3.0_3.0.0.09080.zip)
- WWAN drivers from option website. Had to input my IMEI to get the download (153_Driver-4_0_17_0-Installer.zip) - I used the installer in TCPSCHEMA0/Without service folder.
- Vaio control centre 4.0 ( VAIO_Control_Center_4.0_4.0.0.06120.zip)
- Setting utility series 5.0 ( Setting_Utility_Series_5.0_5.0.0.07300.zip)
- Finger print software ( 7UPG_PROTECTOR_SUITE_QL_UPEK_64 5.9_5.9.2.5739.ZIP)
- Alps touch pad driver ( POINTING_DRIVER_ALPS_7.102A_64_7.102.505.201.ZIP)
- Vaio power management 4.0 ( VAIO_Power_Management_4.0_4.0.0.08240.zip)
- Memory stick reader driver ( MEMORY_CARD_READER_WRITER_DRIVER_RICOH_MS_6.3X64_I_6.3.0.61.ZIP)
- Memory card reader driver ( MEMORY_CARD_READER_WRITER_DRIVER_RICOH_SD_6.3X64_K_6.3.2.28.ZIP)

Everything works that I've tried:
- Brightness in SPEED and STAMINA
- Volume in both modes
- S1 and S2
- Eject
- Memory card slot and memory stick
- Web camera
- Setting utility is fully populated including functioning HDD protection
- I've not tested HDMI

Some observations
-------------------
I tried a newer version ( POINTING_DRIVER_ALPS_7.202B_64_7.202.505.108.ZIP)of the touch pad driver and it supported scrolling by circular gestures on the touch pad. It worked really well but it caused the mouse cursors to stop animating. For example the busy win 7 cursor would not rotate. I couldn't find a way to have the gestures and animated cursors.

I like the newer version of the smart network software that bases itself in the notification area, instead of the top of the screen. One quirk is that Wireless WAN is always turned on after a reboot. Previously, Smart Network respected the state it was in prior to a reboot (like it still does with wifi and bluetooth).

If any of you have circular gestures AND animated cursors I'd like to know how.
If any of you have the new Smart Network software (V3+) and it does not always turn WWAN on after a reboot, I'd like to know how

Hope this helps some of you.

 

How do the sony power management utilities compare to the built in win7 ones?

My Z has a blu-ray...I'm wondering what I need to install to get that to work fine.

 

They're certainly not essential, but they do allow you to automatically power down the optical drive and other feature automatically. There is also balance, performance and silent modes, though I'm not sure if they come with the power management or one of the other utilities. I don't see that they replace the windows 7 power management features, they just add some extras.
I have read that they can have a negative impact on the battery life, but I've not seen any evidence to substantiate this.

I only have the DVD drive, so I can't say from first hand experience but I'm virtually certain no specific drivers are required. You may need extra software to be able to play movies.

 

For the Alps latest driver cursor freezing issue, I followed the solution workaround 1 mentioned here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=409794

 

Thx sigma957 for this guide.

I've got the Z11VN/B (german model). I want to install a windows 7 professional 64bit version.
Is there any chance to reinstall the preinstalled software Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Roxio Easy Media Creator?

 

Thank you sigma957. This looks like the ultimate guide. I'm planning to install Win7 x64 on my Z90US (Japanese equivalent to yours), so this thread is very helpful +rep

 

Thanks coolguy. I used the registry fudge in the thread you provided and it did the trick. I've now got circular gestures and spinning cursors - bliss

+1 Rep

 

I've not been in a rush to reinstall that software as I have alternatives I'm happy with. I think you can re-install them from the recovery DVD though. You'd first need to create the DVDs from the factory installed vista. I'm pretty sure you can then use the DVDs to re-install the 3rd party software. I don't know this for sure though as I've not tried it.

 

I've already tried installing the 3rd party software from the recovery DVDs, but it quit with an error.
I thought it is a problem installing 32bit software on an 64bit OS.

 

Oh, that's a shame. I would think your thoughts about 32/64 bit software are probably right. Sorry, I have no other suggestions.
Anyone else...

 

soooo.....i can do a clean install with the upgrade discs right ? just pick custom?

 

Yes, absolutely.

Backup anything required, turn all the wifi, bluetooth, wlan etc. on and do it.

 

ok problemo#1

i cant install the bios...it says not compatible with this model.. I downloaded it straight from sony after typing in the number on the bottom of my laptop...then i try the compatibility thing and it says this update can only run on Microsfot Vista...i tried run in admin mode and I get the same thing..

 

What's the number of the bios you've downloaded?

It needs to be one of the 4 bios files listed near the top if this webpage
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/WIN7UPGRADE/

It's fine to wait until you've installed 7 to upgrade the bios.

Only the correct version for your machine will install

 

404m3... i have the z790...its listed on sony's site as the correct bios...lol...sony is a hot mess when it comes to drivers.

 

just installed the graphics driver negative...my screen is all garbled up... this is taking a turn for the worse.

 

update for anyone who cares. Got through the clean install. I will admit the laptop is blazing fast...botting in 30 secs in windows 7 clean. Windows 7 created a windows.old folder that I had to delete which gave me almost 20 gigs of space back. i think that was my issue.

 

The screen gets garbled if the bios isn't up to date, there is a kind of split screen effect. If you are getting that, your bios is not right.
You wrote 404m3
Do you mean R4043M3, from the link I posted?

 

Yeah, it does that if you don't format the partition first. It's just the old OS bundled up. Deleting is the right thing to do.

Did you get the bios/gfx issue sorted?
Email notification of your past few messages failed, so I only just saw them.

 

im still fighting the good fight....still wrestling with the graphics card...it gets through the garbled screen now and asks me to restart, but i have been staring at a Please Wait screen for the last 10 minutes... There is no way i see possible to update my bios other than putting in that companion dvd but that will install he drivers AND all the applications...there is now way i can do one without the other.

 

I'm not clear on the sequence you've used. If you've not already installed the GFX driver the display shouldn't be garbled. If you have installed the GFX drivers, I presume you had already tried to update the bios?
If you have the GFX driver installed move the stamina/speed switch on reboot, it may let you get to a state where you can reinstall the bios.
Forgive me if that sound inappropriate as I've not got a handle on exactly what you've done so far, and in what order.

 

thankx for your help. I basically did this after tying over an dover to update the bios to no avail :

1. Upgrade disc in, picked custom = clean install
2. Installed your driver that you posted. Screen garbled on first try. Second try worked. Now the light is on like its in Stamina mode. The switch does nothing.
3. Still trying to get the bios upgraded...no dice...same errors... should i try safe mode?

when i reboot in speed mode the screen is garbled and split in two.

 

What BIOS do you have already? I wouldn't bother with safe mode just yet.
To find bios type 'system' into the start button search (without quotes). First on the list should be 'system information'
load that. Bios version is about half way down. e.g.
BIOS Version/Date INSYDE R2170M3, 24/08/2009

 

it says Insyde R4040M3, 4/8/2009

 

FREAK!!! i think i figured it out... I didnt get the bios form your post I got it from the sony site!!! eventhough it is for my exact model it wont install...your link did tho however.....

 

Glad you're going in the right direction again. I was getting very confused over here. My next post was going to be:
Are you SURE you've tried the file from the page I linked to

 

im pretty much done and my FN keys or speed stamina switch is not working. I think you may want to add the parser files to the list...Im thinking that is why i dont have the function keys and stamina switch working. Windows just caught it in an update and im downloading it now...hopefully this works.

 

As I stated in my guide, I allowed update to do all available updates BEFORE I started installing any other drivers. This took a few reboot cycles. I had to check and recheck. The parser was therefore installed very early on. I did mention that I think. It's been said that it's fairly important to get the parser installed early on.

The guide already says...

Fingers crossed

 

I was wondering if anyone knows where to get the x64 version of SonicStage Audio Filter installer? I would like that on W7 since WMP on it doesn't seem to have an equaliser...

Also, my Z, a 2nd gen from the Oceania region, came preinstalled with Photoshop and Premiere elements. I am planning a clean x64 windows 7 install, meaning I will be losing those programmes (which I use alot, and costs a fair bit to buy seperately). Does anyone here know where the installers for those 2x apps are in the recovery discs...?

Cheers in advance

 

Hi: I came across this guide after I already upgraded to Windows 7 Professional 32bit. Earlier I was using Vista Business, and the laptop is the VaioZ690C. Everything works for me except brightness keys in Speed/Stamina. Also, when I use the brightness slider in the power settings area, it doesn't change the brightness either. I'm currently using the bios which you provided, hoping it would work, but still no luck. Do you know how I can get the brightness keys to work? I've tried all the things like disabling uac, and I tried different Vaio Event Services with still no luck.

 

Can you please describe where is located this file windows.old? I did an upgrade (not clean install) from Vista and I really see no difference.

 

I just wanted to throw this in to save someone the 4-5 hours I wasted trying to figure this out. In you have 32 windows vista and want to upgrade to 64 bit windows 7:

FIRST: Do not bother with other methods such as "shrinking" the primary drive and then booting. I did this with Windows Vista and Gparted (linux) with no luck. Wasted hours.

now, to start:

Turn computer on.

Hit F2 to enter Bios on boot and make sure in the bios has "disabled" network boot and external device boot. Save and restart.

When the computer is rebooting (with the Windows 7 64 bit disk in the tray) start hitting Esc like a mad man until you get to the boot manager. I had to keep hitting EVEN AFTER the "if you want to boot from the CD/DVD Rom hit any Key" message. Hit hitting.

Once the Boot manager is up select the "drive" you want to boot from. DO NOT select the ACPI DVD ROM. SELECT the DVD-RAM drive (the other option and yes it said DVD-RAM). THIS option will boot the computer in a state that will allow you to install Windows 7 64bit and not have any GPT issues. When it boots you want to "press a key" to boot from the Windows 7 Install disk when that message come up and then perform a custom install.

Also, a note. I have the Costco Z-590UBB. There is a bios replacement in this thread for a "Z-590U". It works fine (I was a little worried but it was ok). You MUST after installing windows 7 flash the new Bios (it works like a champ) in the thread before you install the new Graphics Driver for Windows 7. If you do not you will get the "messed up screen" with lines and may need to enter safe mode to fix it. Also all the drivers here are not for the Z-590UBB (explicitly) but they also WORK (same hardware).

Long story short, without the thread I would not have had this work. I hope this post helps others as my payment for the help in post #1.

The only thing that may not be working (I don't use it) is the Sprint Wireless WWAN. It could probably work but I simply don't care. All the touchpad, gfx drivers, finger print drivers are MUCH Newer than what the Sony Z-590 UBB website had for the 32bit Z-590UBB and are of course 64 bit (see post one for links).

Windows 7 64 Pro is snappy as hell for me. Boots 1/2 the time of the previous Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit. Windows also disabled defrag automatically because I have SSD Drives.

Good luck everyone!!

(Oh, and for the record, I used Windows 7 Pro Upgrade -- retail not anything Sony Sent me. My computer is officially Sony debranded in the OS).

 

Difficult. If the problems with brightness control are ONLY in SPEED mode, then the problem is likely just a need to install the latest Windows 7 compliant graphics driver. If the brightness problems are in both SPEED and STAMINA then the problems will at least be due to improper sony driver installation (event service and maybe others). Unless you have a good installation sequence, with the right drivers it can be very hard to get everything running later.
Note that the bios I gave is just for the older Z's. The one for the more recent Zs is R4043M3. I have heard you may be able to use that one on the older models too.

The drivers I link to are mostly for 64 bit, so be cautious if trying to follow my guide on a 32 bit version on Win 7.
Also, I'm not clear if you did an upgrade or clean install. If you did an upgrade it SHOULD just be the BIOS and the GRAPHICS driver that you need to update. Better still do an clean install and find a nice guide for the 32 bit version.

 

I did an upgrade to 32bit windows7, and when you say update the nvidia graphics driver, how would I do so? Because I thought the only updated nvidia driver was for 64bit. So should I remove all my drivers and then reinstall them in order?

 

Yeah, sorry about that, Sony have only released W7 GFX drivers for 64 bit, like you said. I've not been keeping up with 32 bit stuff and I assumed there now was a suitable 32 bit driver.
This thread is probably the best
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342947&page=41
As Nautis has made several custom drivers, but I stopped following that thread when a functioning W64 graphics driver came out.

As you're having problems in both speed and stamina that could help. Problem is, I've never been sure if uninstalling an then reinstalling works. Further, I don't know how well the guide I wrote applies to W32.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

Personally, I wouldn't mind Windows 7 OS being Sony branded - kind of a novelty thing I guess...

Anyway, I have been rummaging through my recovery discs and found the installers for Photoshop and Premiere Elements - they are in recovery disc 2. The problem, they have a .mod file extension, which Windows (in my case since I work with alot of media formats) detects as a movie file, which obviously fails to play.

I have tried changing the extensions to .msi but have error messages come up. Does anyone have any suggestions? I would like to have these two apps (or Photoshop at the very least) up and running in Windows 7 x64 Pro.

In case this matters, my Z is a 2nd gen Oceania model.

ALSO
Anyone know where I could get a x64 installer for SonicStage Audio filter?

Cheers in advance

 

Anyone can confirm GPS and HDMI are working CORRECTLY after this install guide?
GPS is one of the mail reasons i got this computer vgn-Z750!!

 

Hi folks,

I followed this guide to the T and everything works great - the only question I have is - has anyone gotten a2dp working on 64-bit Win7? So far, I've been able to successfully pair my bluetooth stereo headset (HBH-IS800) but I can't select it as an audio device anywhere... Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks!

*edit*
nevermind - I downloaded the Z890's Win7x64 bluetooth driver and it worked!

 

Guys! Can someone tell me the way to put WinDVD BD back on my Z after 7 clean install? It seems impossible....

 

Didn't try it by myself yet, but this seems to be working.

 

Yes, thank you for the reply, but every time I install it it shows this error (picture attached) in the end of the install process and then the program does not open, but says installed... Has anyone experienced something like this? Thank you in advance.

UPDATE: After installing latest Microsoft DirectX all became working 100%.

 

I am coming back to a Z i purchased a used Z590 as i started missing having a Z but there are no deals on new ones and i don't want to shell out the cost of a brand new one. Anyhow, it's only 3GB ram so I was thinking to put Win 7 32bit on it, however, since all the new Z's run 64bit the drivers will probably be for 64 bit. My question is when i get it and wipe to do a clean install shoul;d i use 32 or 64 bit and should i just run with drivers off a 690 series page from sony support?

 

Just picked up a shiny new Z850 with W7(64) pre-installed but am thinking of doing a clean install regardless. Currently running 89 freaking processes straight out of the box.

 

Absolutely incredible thread and forum.

Thanks a ton to Sigma957. Following the steps for installing W7 x64, and the instructions elsewhere on this site for opening the Z590, I now have a fully (nearly) functioning Z590 with a new Scorpio Blue 640GB drive! Love it.

Only thing I am a little puzzled by is the exclamation in six entries under "Other devices" in Device Manager. Each of these is labeled "Data Interface"

Maybe it is the WAN Drivers? If so, any suggestions for what to use with a US Z590 would be great. SIGMA used something that is specific to his notebook, I think. Thanks again.

 

Good to hear. Getting ready to start my Z591U right now. Only thing I am concerned about is my build in Sprint Wan card. What should I be using for that?

 

I am using Vaio Smart Network 3.0 as most of you probably.
WWAN does not seem to work properly with the 2.x version.

The only issue I have (despite of the lacking floating panel) is the fact that WWAN is always turned on when starting my Vaio Z.
Is there any way to prevent this from happening?

Thanks in advance!

 

As the original author of this thread I felt I should chime in, even though I have nothing useful to add at this stage.

I'm glad several of you have found the guide helpful. Regarding issues of installing WWAN cards of types different from my own, I have little to suggest. There are a number of other threads in the Sony forum that pertain to the Z. I've linked to a couple of popular ones below. I'm sure there are answers to the questions about other WWAN cards are buried in there somewhere.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342562

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=426295

I also have noticed V3 of Smart Network always turning the WWAN on after a reboot. I have no solution. I don't know if this is the default behavior even on Zs that come with V3 as standard. If that's the case it would suggest it's a bug in V3 and there is some hope it will be remedied in the next version.

 

This is a beautiful post! I just recently put windows 7 64bit on my gfs vaio. Thankfully I haven't run into problems, other than the fact I need to figure out which of sony's software told u the volume level after u changed it.

 

Ok my FN sound keys work but S1, S2, Brightness and eject do not. what did I miss and what hould I try to reinstall for those?

 

Did you install ALL the windows updates available? This usually takes several download, install, reboot cycles. If you otherwise followed the guide that's probably the problem. Windows update installs 2 sony drivers itself. 1 is the hardware parser. I can't remember the name of the other and my Z is currently with Sony for a screen repair.