Have FZ4000 CTO - but no drivers online! Now What?

When I type in FZ4000 @ esupport, I only get a few generic type drivers/updates. Do I just try and pick the next closest model to my configuration? Or am I missing something somewhere?

 

That's my advice, you might need to go through a few FZ models before you find all of your drivers.

 

Darn - I only have a 64-bit Vista DVD, the download at digital river does not seem to work, so I can't to a clean install right now anyway. Guess I am going to have to de-crappify the old fashion way.

 

Make sure you create your Recovery DVD set BEFORE you start removing things!

Gary

 

Thanks Gary - yes, that's the FIRST thing I do when I get a new system. I'll totally forgot about Ninja's semi-clean install. For some reaosn I thought you needed Vista DVD's for that too. I am at least going to do that later today. I really wanted to partition as you have suggested. I would move on to 64-bit if more of the drivers were readily available. It seems we are still a few short - or there are enough ?'s to keep me from going to the trouble right now.

Oh well, not the end of the world! And this is a SWEET laptop. I can't believe how bright and clear the screen is.

BTW - would BOOTIT still allow me to partition w/o doing a clean install. I mean I am sure it will, but would it be worth the effort?

 

There may be another way for you to do a clean install. There is a thread hare on finding the Vista installation files on you laptop right now. Some of the FZ models come with a Windows Anytime Update directory. I don't have the specifics at hand, but if you use the searchbox at the top of the page and search for "WAU" without the quotes you should be able to find the thread. That info coupled with my "FZ190 clean install" document and thread should allow you to do a clean install. The thread (see my signature line below) is now scoped beyond just the 190 model and includes most of the newer FZ models.

Yes BootIT NG can be used to partition without a clean install. Now wait. I am not sure to be honest. I just realized I have NOT used it to repartition a running Vista system only an XP system. It SHOULD work, but I would be sure I had a ghost image of the partition BEFORE I attempted anything. It is POSSIBLE to repartition the drive using Vista. You may have to disable the page file temporarily before you do. Again there are some thread here about that process as well. Basically the Pagefile is marked as "unmovable" and there is another file Vista uses that is similarly marked. (It's name escapes me.) You disable those two files and then Vista can shrink it's own partition. The searchbox is your friend and will help you find that info.

Gary

 

As always -thanks for your replies.

Yes, I have been through all known ways to get a Vista disk on this forum. My FZ CTO does not have any WAU files - that is all handled online now. You click on the WAU link and it takes you to the website to purchase and dl. I was also able to get 2 of the 3 files needed to make my own, but did not get the largest. That link at digital river is now dead. I even tried purchasing 32-bit CD's but neither of the keys on this computer will work (key on the bottom of the lappy and the key via magicjellybean).

I'll keep snooping for the INSTALL.WIM file or another way!

 

All FZ4 drivers are identical. Just download from any FZ4 models and you should be fine.

 

I think you will find the drivers across the entire FZ line to be pretty much the same, as long as you get the ones from the proper region. That is to say that the Japanese drivers won't install on a US model for example.

Gary

 

Thanks guys - yes, I have found all the drivers between the various FZ's. However, I still don't have a Vista Disk!

 

Does the fz4 support the WinXP?

 

search around - XP will work, but I think you will loose some of the Sony function key capabilities.

 

Hi, i just received my fz4000 and installed xp fine. I would like to know where you get your drivers for xp? I cant seem to find any, my lack of searching skills brings me to this fourm post. Also what kind of drivers would i need to download? The only thing i can think of is one to make the wireless and lan to work and also one to make the camera work. Thanks!

edit: wrongg, so i lied, i didn't install xp fine. Everything was going perfectly when i posted this but now I am having a problem. Whenever I try to install xp, the setup says i don't have any hdd's. I shrunk my vista hd and created 100gb worth of space for xp. Anyone know whats wrong?

 

Yes, I know what is wrong. You haven't found the search box at the top of every page here. Once you find it, you will find the answer to this question.

Gary

 

Gary, you have been around too long! LOL!

 

Too long? Nah, just long enough to see the same questions asked an answered numerous times because folks try to use one of the search drop down boxes here, which SUCK. The won't allow two character search words like FZ and XP. Duh, hello, who was the Einstein that made THAT decision. Anyway, many "newbies" come here, try one of those searches, give up and ask the same old questions. Pointing them to the EXCELLENT search box at the top of the page enables the newbies. It's the old story, feed a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish. [big ol' grin]

Gary

 

Was just goshing with you. I am a "teach a man to fish" guy too. I totally agree on the search problem - but apparently it is a problem that comes with the forum format they choose - I see this problem on many forums. It really should not be hard to allow the addition of key terms (i.e. "FZ", "XP") to the database....ah, I digress..

BTW - your suggestion to use the Google search box was one of the best suggestions I received on this site. It is all I use now before I ask a question.

Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks for the reply. I was able to install Xp using the slipstream technique. But i had some problems on the way which created both a xp and vista recovery option when i boot up. Is it safe to always be booting up from these two options. (i mean is it a temporary option or something permanent that replaces the nonworking ones) If I try just windows xp and vista, i would get an error saying there is something wrong with winlogin.exe or ntldr and i would need to repair it.

 

I installed European applications for Sony notebooks on US versions and everything worked fine. Some applications can be only found on European web site, like power mangement applet.

 

Im looking at the European website right now. Which model number has xp? All the FZ models that i have seen so far are only vista.