I did a semi-restore using recovery discs with SZ

No, it's a complete reformat, a clean slate. You have to delete the recovery partition because otherwise you wouldn't be able to interrupt the restore process and select which bundled apps to install.

You get an branded OEM version of XP with all the drivers pre-installed, and a few other apps that you can uninstall afterwards. It's probably pretty close to a genuine clean install, without all the pain of figuring out which drivers to install, in what order.

 

What do I need to reinstall to play DVDs?

I cant seem to get any of my dvd's to play

 

Tried to do the restore WITHOUT the recovery partition, but still
- couldn't find the file that needed to be deleted in 'startup'
- got alot of unwanted software, norton/yahoo/adobe etc.
- had to install the second disc in order to make all the functions work like bluetooth,biometric thingy etc.

I bought the Laptop in Holland so i guess the recovery process and contents differs from the US (or any other region) SZ series.

Decided to install everything and manually delete all unnecessary and there are some software that i'm not sure of if its safe to delete, anyone know what the following are used for ?

- Sony MP4 shared library
- Sony video shared library
- Vaio event service

 

Install WinDVD for VAIO from application recovery utility.

 

Well I'm sorry it didn't work for you, I didn't know you bought it outside the USA.

It's obviously not the same recovery program.

I would keep all 3 instaled on your computer.

 

No prob

Anyway, its as far as i could go with a 'clean-install'.
Had to manually de-install everything and went into the registry to delete some norton stuff...

At least i can safely say that all the functions on the laptop work as intended

 

You probably don't need the first two if you don't use Sony's media tools, but the event service is used for the switches above the keyboard, among other things.

 

I just completed the reboot. A few questions...

1. Even after deleting the recovery partition, it still shows that I have 87gb free out of 93gb available. This was before installing all of the software. Was everyone's disk space the same?

2. I am missing the wireless switch that enables me to turn on bluetooth. I installed the wireless switch utility and nothing is there. What am I missing?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=45104

 

I deleted the recover partition supposedly, but it still shows 87gb.

I installed the wireless switch utitlity and still don't see the icon in the taskbar to turn on bluetooth.

One more issue I came up with...when I turn on the wifi switch bluetooth turns on, but when I search for a wireless connection, no wireless connection is found. There is nothing wrong with my wireless router or my neighbor's router for that matter. Did I forget to install something?

If all else fails, I'll try this again.

 

Did you read the thread I posted? A 100gb hdd will only show capacity of 93gb.

If you still had the recovery partition, it will only show a capacity of 87GB.

Not sure why your wireless switch utility isnt showing. Did you try reinstalling it?

I had this problem when trying a clean install, I've done a semi-restore twice with no problems.

 

I did read the thread and I realize that 100gb is really only about 93gb. But after deleting the recovery partition, why is it still only showing 87gb? If I kept the recovery partition, I wouldn't be able to do the semi-restore. I'm going to try reinstalling the apps I need. Did you have to install any drivers?

 

From your first post, I understood that you had 93gb capacity.

If you kept the recovery partition, it will show 80gb free out of 87gb available.

Nope, the only driver I installed was the fingerprint driver.

 

Okay, I see now. A little miscommunication. This entire process seems harder than it is, but it is actually pretty simple. I'll try this again when I get home.

 

When I put in the dvd discs, it shows disc 2 as being 500 some MB.

And disc one is about 3.84 gigs... Is this right?

Edit:
Are all the drivers already installed or no?
If they arent which ones do install?

 

*edit* Never mind, everything works.

 

Hey BLACKG35 ...

Was curious to know if I could partition my Hard Drive during this restore?

How about partitioning during complete restore using the Disks?? Is that possible?

 

u can partition it with a 3rd party s/w before the recovery. then run the recovery disc, and only recoverc c:

 

How do I find that registry thing? I just tried hooking up my ipod and it wont pick it up. It charges from the USB port and everything but it doesnt show up under my computer or in itunes....

 

it should have no effect on recognizing your ipod. Have you installed the ipod drivers?

 

I have it set as enable hard disk also. My desktop reconigzes it but the laptop doesnt. When I plug it in, it sounds like the plug and play thing that makes that do-dun noise, but it stutters. When i remeove it, the sound is the same as any usb device hooked up. Ihave downloaded the ipodupdater on the laptop but it still says please connect an ipod.

 

Same thing on both usb ports?

 

yes same on both USB

I dontk now if this helps, but when i reboot the laptop with the ipod connected, it comes up with the Do not disconnect, but once it passes the Windows screen it goes back to the ipod screen with the recharging battery.

 

There is something wrogn with my drivers im assuming. It sends out power to the USB devices, but doenst respond with them.... Where do i go about from here?

 

try disabling the disc option for the ipod? does that cause it to behave any different?

 

no nothing changes. Im on the phone with sony tech support right now actually ive been on hold for like 15 so minutes....

 

good luck.

 

I had the same problems you had with usb devices. I redid the semi-clean install and everything works fine now.

 

just got done with tech support whihc toook a total of 1hr and 10 minutes....

The guy sent me back throuhg for a reinstall.... He said that if it doesnt work then its going to need some repiaring. Im hoping this reinstall will work so that i can reinstall everything else i did today.

not to happy rgiht now

 

i tried this, but i ended up with no sound nor did the program for the
fingerprint-scanner seem to work.

i'm running restore while i sleep - i just hope it will give a prompt before
it reboots into windows, or i'll have to do it over in the morning

 

If it's anything like the US version, it will ask you to swap discs about a dozen times during the process. Thought I'd escaped from that pain when my Amiga finally died.

 

Just an update..

I finally got everything to work properly!

I hope everything is smooth sailing from here.

 

just woke up and it asked me for disk 2, now it's starting
windows to continue installation; i hope it's like the US
version in the sense that i can force it to not install a lot
of software

*update* hm.. european version seems quite a bit diffe-
rent; no shortcut, it just asks for the application restore
cd and norton and adobe premiere are already installed.

oh well..

time to break out **** cleaner and regsupreme

 

I figured out the main cause of this problem. The reason my USB devices werent working right was becasue I installed 2 unassigned drivers while doing the application and driver install.

Now i have to find a way to delete these two.

 

Would this procedure work also when installing a new os (not the one that was pre-installed)? Or do I have to do a complete format and fresh install for that?

 

I did a clean install, but never tried the restore disk to recover drivers an applications, I just downloaded them. I never got everything working just right, so I went back to the partial recovery, and finally got it where I'm happy, pretty much. After going through it all, I think I could get a clean install working.

Had anyone done a clean install, and achieved FULL functionality of all switches and buttons? I may try it again.

 

So when you do the partial recovery, that's always with the original OS right?

 

Correct. You recover the original, then you interrupt the recovery operation after booting into windows during the driver/software install. At that point there are still SOME Sony things installed, but it is relatively clean. The bloatware is not installed at that point. Then you can use the recovery utility to install the remaining drivers, and whatever software you choose.

 

this kind of Instalation should work for the FE590 too?? Any one have already tryied????

 

I managed to get a clean install going. The only thing that would not work is shutting the sLaptop down. It would not shutdown. The message sutting down just stayed on.

I have to shut it down via the power button for 5 secs. Approx.


RIP

 

Yes, I was wondering the same thing. I'd like to try this on my FE590 too. I've just been uninstalling some of the bloatware. I have the 120gb hard drive and it says I only have 105gb capacity and 40.6 gb of that is used. Only 65.1gb free, does this sound correct? If I do this semi-restore, I should get back much of this space?

 

Hi guys, just wondring at what positions were your stam/speed and wireless on/off when doing semi-clean install?
Does it makes any difference? I just started the reinstall and realized they I am in speed with wireless on...
Thanks

 

Great tutorial. i hope this works with the FE590 too.

 

...later on:
Nope, it really does not make any difference. Everything went fine with semiclean install. Thanks again for this post!!!

 

I would like to know what model corresponden my SZ70B/B (Japanese Version) in the USA version, and does this guide work for this version?

Thx.

 

Where do go to check the registry entry?

 

you will use regedit to check this key. if you are not familiar with regedit, be very careful. accidentally deleting or changing the wrong thing can break your windows installation, or other software, and you may be getting more practice using the restore discs.

goto start>run
type regedit
click ok
navigate to the key (folder) and make the changes outlined above if necessary.

be careful!

 

You truly are amazing - I should have done this the first day I got my SZ rather then uninstall the software.

Thanks a lot.

p.s - installing the everyday software atm and everything seems to be in order and working and also I didnt need to install the registry fix.

 

hey

my name is michael, i am from austria (so sorry for my bad english!) and i have serious problems after installing a new WinXP on my Vaio SZ1. Unfortunately i've done it before reading this threat! but finally it works except the soundcard. but i really need it, i am in japan now as an exchange student, i need sound for skype and for radio!

when i try to install soundcard driver (i downloaded thr driver from sony homepage - it's in a bundle with all the other ones) the error "device object not found" appears. also i the "hardware-manager" (don't know the correct term in englisch, sorry) there is a yellow question-mark next to "PCI Device". I guess that's the sound card, but if i press "update driver" it can't find one.

maybe someone knows what to do, it would be great, i have no ideas what to do!

best regards from osaka / japan,

mike

 

Great post, I did this on my SZ and everything is working fine. Only problem I was having on my laptop was with the wireless. I managed to fix that and after doing this its still working fine. Everything else is also working.