I did Vista "half-clean" install using recovery disks on SZ4xx !

Greetings !

Well, I tried to avoid all the bloatware to be installed and it seems that it's working.

First of all, big thanks to BlackG35, who made great thread about semi-clean install of Windows XP http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=44587. I've read his thread and wanted to try something similar with Vista.

It's a bit different because I never came to the step where I can have a choice to install drivers or certain programs (like Black35 succeeded), but I managed to prevent all the bloatware to install without asking me first.
Sure, there are some web links and programs (like Napster) left, but that's not a problem to remove.

It seems that all neccessary drivers and apps got installed. The only thing so far that I've noticed that are missing are Toshiba BT stack (although drivers got installed), Protector Suite QL, Wireless Switch WiFi utility, Vaio recovery center (I guess it's not needed because there is no recovery partition) and some documents.

Important Notes:

- This was done using a USA model SZ series. Perhaps it will also work with euro models but I'm not sure just yet. Perhaps someone will confirm in the future.

- Prior this reinstall you need to make recovery disks via Sony recovery center in Vista.

- If you decide to keep the recovery partition, this method will not work for you. In case you leave it, the system will be restored directly from the partition.

_______________________________________________________________

Insert DVD 1 and restart your notebook.

Make sure that you have correct boot order in BIOS (optical drive before disk drive).
Select this restore option, and choose to remove the recovery partition.

Also choose NOT to leave recovery partition.

After you finish the whole process, it will ask you to remove recovery disk from drive and press OK to reboot. Do that.

After couple of minutes (and few reboots on its own) it will ask you to insert disk 1 to finish installing the rest of the software. Press cancel and when recovery window appear, close it by clicking on X button. After that your SZ will reboot.

Updated info
Small digression here: I tried to actually insert disk 1 at this point because I believe it would install everything without asking. I was right. After this point installation procedure installed everyting without asking, bloatware included.
End of updated info

Again, few minutes of waiting, then it will ask you to enter country, time and currency, keyboard layout, username and all that stuff. Then it will check computer performance, reboot and - voila, you're ready to go !

Here are the screenshots what can you expect after first Vista boot:


Main screen after first boot


All the programs that are installed


All installed software part 1


All installed software part 2


Device manager - everything's OK

Updated infoCouple of essential utilites didn't install.

Those are:

1. Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba (BT driver did get installed but this app didn't) http://aps.toshiba-tro.de/bluetooth/pages/download.php (this links contains 30-day evaluation version only, I yet have to find version for Sony)
2. Protector Suite QL 5.6 (for use with fingerprint reader) ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/UPAPWD-01316403-US.EXE
3. Wireless Switch Setting utility (for turning on and off BT and WiFi) ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAWSU-01290607-US.EXE
End of updated info


Well, that's all for now. Vista feels much more responsive now like it's a whole new system. I'll try to update this thread as often as possible if I find out something that is important. I also ask you guys, if you find something usefull, feel free to respond.
If somone have screenshots of the fresh installation with all bloatware, please post so we can compare.
Also, we need to see are there any essential programs missing here. I know for one that WiFi switching utility is missing. Thanks !


I have a question:

Is it possible to remove stuff from Welcome Screen that aren't on the computer anymore ?

 

Awesome. This is definitely going to help a lot of people...

 

Holy crap! That offers from Sony in your last screenshot is enough to dissuade me from ever using the Sony restore again.

FULL clean install FTW!

 

Those offers only appear in Welcome Centre, but they are NOT installed once you go through the reinstall process I've described.

Is there any way to remove those pictures from Welcome Center ?

 

No clue. Out of curiosity, is there a reason you did a half-clean install instead of a full-clean install? I'm just wondering.

 

So this isn't a fully clean install right? Because I still see some bloatware (like the annoying napster thing in the corner...)

 

Yes, there is. I haven't figure out yet how to do clean install.

I don't have Vista disk (it doesn't come with Vaios), I only have recovery disks and, for now, that's the best I can do.

As you can see on screenshots, ONLY Napster got installed from all bloatware (and it can be easily removed), therefore I consider this way the best for now.

As I said, system is much more responsive now than ever before. All in all, I'm satisfied.

 

OHHHH..so only Napster was installed right? That's good. I thought everything was restored

 

that's interesting, that you pinpointed the exact point all the bloatware gets installed. So technically it (re)installs Vista first, and then does the bloatware. Nice find. For those without a clean copy of Vista, this is really valuable.

I wonder if this will work with other brand recovery disks or just Sony?

 

Many other companies use disk images (OS+Bloatware+other junk already installed) and restore those as part of recovery. In those cases there's no way to stop it from loading...I think Sony is one of the few that first installs the OS and then installs the bloatware.

 

Hey, I noticed you have 2GB installed. Can you please list the scores under the Windows Experience Index?

 

That's good. I sure don't want the useless bloatware. But from the screenshots, Sony sure does have a lot of software that needs to be installed. That whole list was Sony this or Vaio that.

 

Hey all,

I just got he SZ 43gn/b today, its great!!!

But the bloatware is so ****ing annoying!!!

Has someone made a list of all the bloatware that are non-essential and can be uninstalled? I would do a clean install with xp home, but i feel that vista is ok if all the bloatware is gone.

Thanks.

 

Matta
Did you use newer drivers available from the Sony support site? Some of them are as new as March.

 

I was wondering if any of the Vista drivers could work on XP?

And how do you turn off the annoying *beep* noise when you press vol up/down s1/s2 buttons.

 

Thanks sooooooooo much for this thread! I just about to manually uninstall all of the bloatware (which never *really* uninstalls everything...) when I checked online to see if there was some alternative. This process works like a charm! Now my SZ is running like it should!

 

Ok, the two problems that I've had so far:

1. The Upek fingerprint software didn't install (which is kind of a shame because I was enjoying that feature while using my bloatware installation...)

2. The DVD playing software didn't install.

Any ideas on how to reinstall these? The restore DVDs contain no useful looking .exe files.

Also, I'd be curious to know if there are any other useful utilities and software that may be missing when installing Vista like this.

 

Processor: 4,9
Memory: 4,5
Graphics: 3,6
Gaming graphics: 3,3
Primary hard disk: 4,8

All the drivers were installed in the proces therefore I only installed couple utilities that were missing.

Look below this post.

 

Update:

Since couple of essential utilities didn't get installed I tried to insert disk 1 at the point where installation asks. After that I couldn't stop the installation and it goes all the way, with all bloatware. I have updated first post with this info.

Furthermore, couple of essential utilites didn't install.

Those are:

1. Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba
2. Protector Suite QL 5.6
3. Wireless Switch Setting utility

Only those 3 are missing. I've updated first post with this info and download links.

That's all for now, I'm enjoying my SZ without unneccessar bloatware.

 

how can l do restore disk ? no disc on laptop box

 

You need to make Recovery Discs in Windows, with Recovery Center utility.

 

l have sz 450 N/C

l dont' see recovery center utility where can l do on vista

 

I don't have my SZ here ATM but just open help and type "recovery center"

 

Matta,

I have a SN430N/B and had the same problem with the bluetooth stack. The stacks available at Toshiba's site are only 30-day trials.

Get the one from the french sony website:

http://support.vaio.sony.fr/downloa...voe_fr_FR_cons&category=0&serie=VGN-SZ&m=2565

It's the whole utilities package, but worth the download.

Regards,

WildStar.

 

sweeeet!! I'm doing this TONIGHT as my external hard drive should be here. My SZ460 is so screwed up from trying to remove bloatware and installing screwy updates. I'll post how it all works out.

Main reasons for re-install:
-Smart Wi was uninstalled an all functionality of WWAN is now toast. Re-install of Smart Wi did not help.

-Intel wireless card will randomly shut off and basically disappear from the hardware profile randomly. At the same time, Core 1 is running at 100% idle.

-Too much crap in startup that doesn't want to be removed.

 

Here I am, on a "new" system.

I had no problems with the clean restore BUT, I was not able to do it without the bloatware. Maybe I missed something but I couldn't for the life of me find where I had the option to get rid of the restore partition. My menus and options were different than those stated in the original post of this thread. I even printed out a copy to have on hand as I went through it. Is the SZ460 different or am I crazy? Who knows. At least I know which programs to uninstall and which ones not to touch (SmartWi and anything that has to do with hardware functionality...)

So begins the long process of re-installs, updates, and bloatware removal. Ahh but she's running like a champ now.

 

Just wanted to add that I, too, was successful in following this method and doing a semi-clean install on my new SZ450N/C

 

Hi,

I just bought SZ460N/C last week. I was trying to install Windows XP on it and it screwed the pre-installed Vista.
The recovery wizard doesn't show up. I still can see the hidden partition created by Sony. I don't have a Recovery disk too.

What is the procedure to restore it?
ANY help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

I believe your only option is use of recovery disks (which you don't have). Do you know someone who can make a copy of recovery disks for you ?

 

Try pressing F10 before you enter the windows screen on start up. Should boot you into the recovery partition since you stated you still have it.

 

Hi, how much space is saved from doing this semi clean?

 

I don't know any one who has a VIAO. All my friends having DELL or a Toshiba.
Some how I managed to get a VISTA installable disk and used the product code comes with my VAIO. Downloaded all the drivers available at SONY site.

I could install VISTA successfully. Then I installed all the available Vista updates. I could install most of the drivers. though I had issues installing UPEK touchchip drivers but this issue got resolved by installing MS Office. I have o idea how they are related.

Now only Items not installed properly is Wireless WAN and Bluetooth. Wireless LAN works fine. I installed all the provided drivers on SONY site including "SmartWi Firmware update for Cingular Wireless Module".

Note: I'm not using Cingular network. I have no idea if WWAN is designed only to work with Cingular networks.

Any solution???

 

Just wondering what is the name of the wallpaper in the OP screenshots?

 

DTX, here you go:



Enjoy !

 

Why post these enormous images in the thread!!!!!
Makes it necessary to scroll both horizontally and vertically (at least in Firefox it does...)

 

Hi,

Please someone provide me with a VAIO Recovery Disk for SZ460N/C ??

Thanks in advance.
Navin Patro

 

i also need same for my sz450n/c

 

Thanks for that!

 

As for the Toshiba BT stack, is it possible to replace it with a third party one? Would a third party BT stack work on the SZ in Vista? Such as Widcomm?

 

I bought a beautiful VGN-SZ46 TN/C in Taiwan. It came with Chinese Vista. I clean installed English Vista Ultimate from a commercially-sold install disk upon returning to Seattle and -- pleasant surprise -- most of the drivers were installed along with it. I still have problems though, most importantly, can't get the video camera or built-in mic to function, can't work or find the applet for the fingerprint reader biometric security lock, and can't get a couple of functions keys to do what they do (brightness +- and volume +-, for example). Wondering if Bluetooth is working so I can Skype with a headset ...

If anyone has the Sony image that this machine is sold with in US market (for Vista Ultimate) and would send DVD to me, I'd gladly PayPal you $20. I would just love to get this baby running the way it was intended to.

My email is [email protected].

Thanks a lot.

 

hey matta i know how to remove the things from the welcome center
open C:\Windows\System32\oobe\INFO\oobe.xml
and edit the code remove all things you would like to remove, if you dont know how to edit it, i can upload my oobe.xml

 

My experience with the "half-clean" install was different from Matta's, but the end result is the same. Thanks for Matta for the post. Maybe Sony has changed the disk image.

I bought a SZ 450N/C a week ago and have spent many hours over the past week trying different options (i.e., half-clean install, clean install using Vista Ultimate upgrade, upgrade using Vista Ultimate upgrade). The half-clean install is by far the easiest and worked the best for me.

Half-clean install
First make recovery DVDs. I made two sets which turned out to be critical as one set always hangs at 22% of the process no matter what options I select. Boot from the DVD and select VAIO system recovery. Next wipe the harddrive clean to eliminate the backup crapware from the partition. Then select Restored complete system, skip the three lesser options and do complete system restore. You then get a box screen that asks do you want to keep the "VAIO Value-added Contents" (marketing-speak for crapware) in the partition. It tells you that you by saying no you can then only get that stuff from the recovery DVD. Select no. The next screen asks whether you want to keep the factory recommended default partition. Select yes. It will ask you a few times do you really want to do this, say yes and the process starts. Once done it tells you to remove the DVD and say ok. It reboots twice then you come to the screen Matta described - "Reinstall programs or drivers" - cancel. You then see the VAIO Recovery Center screen - x it off which leads to an auto reboot.

The system reboots twice. Only a minimum of crapware is on the system and it is easy to deal with. Uninstall Napster; delete CNN Pipeline, Gametrap and MobiTV files and icons as they are only shortcuts. You will need to reinstall the apps and drivers described in the posts above. I found these at www.esupport.sony.com. My factory install had 125 GB free of 142 GB with a 7 GB partition. The half-clean install with the good apps and drivers installed has 136.5 GB free of 147.5 GB total with a 1.46 GB partition. Everything works great.

Clean install of Vista Ultimate upgrade
I tried to follow the other thread on clean installs but never could get all the drivers working. I gave up.

Upgade install of Vista Ultimate upgrade
I thought Ultimate would not be that different from Business but Sony software has a lot of problems. The problems weren't as great as the clean install, but still a mess.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. It has been a great help.

 

Quick question: I had a look here http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/downloads/select/select.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&category=0&serie=-1&m=2565
and Sony seem to provide all the drivers necessary for installation of bluetooth etc. Is there any problem just using Sony's drivers?

 

Please answer my question above. While this guide is great, I am catious about being able to find all the correct drivers after the semi-clean install.
ALso, what do I need to make the recovery disks? Will regular writable DVDs do? How many do i need?
These might seem dumb questions, but I don't wanna screw up my brand new vaio because of my own ignorance!
Thanks!

 

I'm not sure I follow your first question. The half-clean install includes almost all of the Sony drivers, including Bluetooth. It didn't include the Bluetooth application which I downloaded from the French Sony site. The UK site looks the same as the French site.

Two DVDs were required for the recovery disks. If you look in the online documentation in the section re recovery disks and the section re your DVD, it will tell you what type of disks you need and which are compatable.

 

i'm planning to upgrade to Ultimate too just to get hold of the extras just like the DreamScene thingy which is quite a promising extra. Posts from those upgrading will be much appreciated.

 

Quick question, I'm not sure if anyone asked this yet I don't have a chance to look through the entire thread as of yet. If I delete the recovery partition would that mean that I lose the chance to redo a half clean install in the future? Do the recovery disks act like a copy of Vista or is it just like a disk to run the recovery partition?

I'm really new to installing an OS on laptops because all the ones i've worked with are desktops and all had their own OS disk. Thanks in advance, better get back to work lol.

 

is it possible to partition the hard disk before doing the semi-clean install? O ris it better to use something like partition magic after?
Also vista refuses to read the blank 4.7 gb philips dvd -r disks that i bought. when i try and create recovery disks, it says unknown disk type. any help??????

 

Okay, i have just started the process. I have two copies of the restore disks. However, the option quoted on teh first page doesn't seem to have arisen. So instead i chose 'viao restore utility' and have started erasing all the data from my hard disk. Hopefully i will get the option to remove the restore partition, but i am a little confused as to why my options are different. I am using a UK sony vaio 4mn/b.

 

BTW how can you tell how big your restore partition is? Awilcon says his is 1.7gb, but i thought it was hidden?