I did a semi-restore using recovery discs with SZ

Are the instructions on the first post of this thread still good for the SZ2XX series?

Planning to do it now...

 

Yes, it works for the SZ2XX Series.

 

could someone upload the plug and play patch again? the original link has died...

 

sorry, I forgot I password protected my server.

user: notebook
pass: review

 

thanks! I really appreciate it.

edit:
I ran the patch and this is what shows:
%SystemRoot%\inf;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Intel 915GM_PM_GMS_910GML_Alviso;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Notebook Control;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Ethernet;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\USB Mouse;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Touchpad;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\SonyPi;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\VAIO USB Camera;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Memory Stick Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\VGP-MCA10 registry patch;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Smart MC3Z;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\VDC EGPRS Modem Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Sigma Tel Azalia Audio Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\TPM driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Intel 945G Display;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\VAIO USB Internal Camera;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Bluetooth driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Sony Image Filter Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Sony HDD Protection Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\GeForce Go 7400;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Intel Pro Wireless LAN Driver;%SystemDrive%\Windows\Drivers\Wireless ProSet Path Patch


Im supposed to change it to %SystemRoot%\Inf right? I've been having a problem with windows being unable to find drivers. this should clear it up right?

 

Do we still need to go through all these steps to get a clean windows with the new SZ3XX?

 

the semi-restore was really fast... less than 10mins total.

 

This is a great thread and I really appreciate the hard work everyone has put into this but this is really not 100% clear.

For example, after resealing and inserting disc one for misc driver install, the instructions state: "At this point the only things I had to install were the fingerprint software, wireless switch utility and the bluetooth software.".

This is not remotely clear.

#1 The Vaio recovery shows 2 sections at this point: applications and drivers. I have no idea what I am supposed to use.

#2 The names are not correct. There is nothing called "fingerprint software", "wireless switch utility" or "bluetooth software".

There IS a "wireless connection utility" under applications (as well as a Vaio wireless LAN setup utility). And there is a "bluetooth driver" under drivers. But, then again, there is also a "toshiba bluetooth" under applications.

"Fingerprint software"?? Well, let's see. There is a "fingerprint protector suite" under applications but there is also a "touchchip fingerprint coprocessor" under drivers.

Any help here guys? I can't be the only moron, can I?

 

Yep. No more details to be found in all 21 pages of this thread. I'll be staring at a partially functioning Vaio until someone can give me a hand.

 

The answer is:
1.) Finger Protector Suite
2.) Toshiba Bluetooth
3.) Wireless Connection Utility

These are the names listed from your Vaio Reinstall Application & Driver utility.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it!

 

You can do this without removing hidden partition.

After the restoring process, the system will be booted once, and automatically the system is restarted.

At this time, pree F8 befoe windows starts. Then you can choose, "Safemode with command prompt". With this option, you'll have a MS-DOS like window. In the window, with our old friends, "cd", "dir", "del", remove ALaunchCombo.Ink file, and then reboot.

 

Yes, this was mentioned already.

 

Thanks BlackG35 (^_^)
My Protector Suite went nuts on me and I decided to use that as an excuse for this install.

 

does this method leave all of the worthy software in place?... DVD player, etc?... or is it literally a clean install with all the drivers in place?... (minus the few you mention: bluetooth, et al). Even if it's a clean with just drivers it still rocks.

It sounds like you've hit on the magic mix... that point where Sony said "right, now we have a machine, let's see who'll give us money to add crap on the process from here"



I'm happily awaiting delivery of my SZ, but I'm just fully prepping and making sure of the process to wipe the system clean as the very first thing.


(and as a small thing, you may want to fork a new thread for your method, rather than cloud up responses to the original technique).

 

this is after I create the recovery discs, right?
sorry.. I don't have any experience with computers outside of graphics/coding, so I'm not familiar with recovery partitions, and installing windows, and a lot of these things. its pretty easy to guess what it is, but I'm getting my sz tomorrow, and I'm really busy, so I really really really really want to get this right the first time around. really. =D

 

#216 Ya, you have to make the Discs first

Now, I just started this process myself an hour ago and my laptop has been stuck at 71%(7min remaining) for the past 30+ mins, the drive is making some noise but nothing has moved and it's just sitting. I can move the mouse too.

 

Outstanding guide BlackG35 and great post. I've read through the whole thing and was impressed with all the knowledge and helpful posts.

I recently bought a Vaio TX750P and got a virus I decided wasn't worth trying to cure. I used the system restore to "restore the C: drive". As you know, it also reinstalled all the bloatware (boo!). My next step, which seemed logical, was to go to Sony Support and install all of the updated drivers for my system.

Now everything appears to be working fine except the wireless LAN. When I boot the computer with the Wireless LAN/Bluetooth switch in the On position, the wireless lan light turns off when the system finishes booting. If I leave the switch in the Off position during boot and turn it On after Windows is loaded it works. I've tried reinstalled the original Intel drivers, and the newest ones from their website. No luck. It's a minor annoyance but it's driving me nuts. Any suggestions?

Since I don't have much installed on the notebook yet I'm interested in trying the recovery process suggested here. I'd love to not have all that crap installed and to gain some space back on my HDD. Has anyone tried this process on a TX series or does anyone know if it will work?

First post but not my last. Thanks in advance all.

 

The TX series turns out to be exactly the same and the process worked perfectly. I'm not reloading all my software as I type. I'm reluctant to install the updated drivers from the Sony Support site at that caused all the problems in the first place.

My only remaining question is about the software I can optionally install from the recovery disk I created. Is there any software that's crucial to the operation of certain parts of the notebook? For instance, do I have to have Roxio's software to burn DVDs? Is Click to DVD a decent program? Are any of the Vaio media files worth having on there?

What did you guys put back on and why?

 

Hi i just got my new SZ360 and tried to do this but I have a minor problem now.

Everytime i turn on the computer I geta popup window that says that VCUServe.exe failed to start because MFC710.DLL wan not found. I dno't know what this means.



Help please!!

 

Anyone have basic driver issues after restoring in this way?...

...XP is meant to have a set of basic drivers, USB mouse, mass storage devices, etc etc... but after my install, it seems that my XP is rejecting devices that it should have the basic drivers for. This includes a basic USB mouse, USB storage devices, and even the ExpressCard that came with the SZ.

I'm half resigned to the fact I may need to try it all again... but I really don't want to have to do that.

 

That happend to me too at first. You have to download the registry file at the end of the guide. It fixes it all!

 

...I should have re-read the first post... it most certainly does fix everything.

 

Did anyone tried on a Vaio TX?

 

I just did it on my TX750P and it worked perfectly. No need for the reg fix either.

 

Hi, I did the semi-restore and I just discovered a slight problem. The option to configure the Shortcut buttons seems missing. What should I install to get the option back. Thnks!

 

If you install disk one of the recovery disks you made it should allow you to choose any of the applications you'd like. If the one for the shotcut buttons is not there check the Sony Support site. I'm pretty sure you'll find the app on the DVD though.

 

the problem is that I don't know what the application is called that allows you to set up the shortcut buttons. The last time I tried to experiment it messed up my power management.

Where is the shortcut setup anyway? Thnks

 

If you did the system retore and created the DVDs, then all you have to do is insert the first DVD and it should autoplay the restore program and allow you to pick the apps and drivers you'd like to install. I don't recall what the shortcut buttons program is called but I seem to remember it on the DVD. There's always the Sony Support site for more info. Good luck.

 

Can someone tell me what exactly is on DVD 2? I'm fixing to redo my system and wonder if I can get along with DVD 1 only (I only have the one blank for now). Can I go ahead, or what ends up being on that 2nd DVD? Thanks.

Edit: No Response? So does that mean nobody has had to use DVD2, and it contains the worthless crap?

 

Thank you for a lot of information!
I have a SZ330PB. (American version)
I did semi-install as you instuct.
But my laptap doesn't recongnize a mass storage device (200Gigabytes) through USB. (It's an external hard disk)
A USB mouse is working.
I don't know what the problem is.
In 'device manager', there is a question mark in 'other device' part.
Please let me know what to do.
Thank you~

 

If I delete the hidden partition with the recovery, can I create the partition with my Recovery DVD?

I kinda regret deleting because the DVD's I use for Recovery were the cheap ones. I am afraid they might not work in the future.

 

I just finish a semi-restore on my SZ360

I did exactly what BlackG35 wrote on the first page.

My original restore partition (6gb) deleted.

My setting during semi-restore

-stamina mode
-wireless on
-no usb device

I did encounter a error message during initial boot

Never saw that message again after I reboot.

After I reseal, I install fingerprint software, wireless switch utility and the toshiba bluetooth software.

FN keys work!
S1 S2 work!
Stamina/Speed switch work!
Wireless on/off work!

C drive shows 111.79 GB (Got the 6 GB back!)

I have to uninstall Napster, Roxio and Adobe Reader 7.07!

Went to sony support to download the 2 latest sony update for my Model.

I hope this helps when others want to semi-restore.

Thank You BlackG35.

 

I solved this problem using file you attached.
Thank you so much!!!

 

I just opened and set up my new sz370p/c...

call me crazy, but after running the pc-decrapifier and manually deleting some stuff, I've got this thing running pretty close to perfect. Doesn't seem worth the hassle to do this semi-recovery if you're not getting a 100% clean install.

There is also some new download on the sony sight regarding recovery image something or other.

 

got my 270p/c a month ago, and did the semi restore.
Only installed the wireless driver w/o software and the camera utility, updated the nvidia graphics driver to fix the problem with the power-save setting.
Uninstalled a couple sony components, leaving only the hdd protection, power management, event service, and entertainment platform. uninstalled and ran roxio zap to rid of roxio software, and ran Ccleaner.

At the end, it came out working flawlessly and beautifully.
everything worked flawlessly (except the bluetooth and fingerscan, which I chose not to install)
Semi-restore went seamlessly and smoothly. I only had problems when the first recovery disc I made failed half-way. It ejected the dvd, and I just redid the process with a new dvd.

 

What's with this? Mine did this too... has anyone else ended up making coasters when they go to burn the recovery DVDs? Is this burner that prone to screwing up?

 

Well semi-restore is pretty much like a clean install but without the having to update the driver 1 by 1.

The only down side is it makes C drive 1 huge @ss partition, but that can easily be fix with partition magic.

 

Mine made one but then it was fine. The second DVD has almost nothing on it (as far as I can tell).

 

Where do I get the recovery DVD´s??
Or I should create them from the HDD recovery partition?

 

here http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/categorySearch.do?operation=subCategorySearch&subCategory=109&category=3&subCategoryName=Recovery%20CD&categoryName=Computer

Also found this, but not sure if it's reliable http://www.sonyrecovery.com/

 

It's in your recovery folder.
Vaio Recovery > Vaio Recovery Tools > Create Recovery Disc's

 

I would like to reload my XP today, a few questions before I do. Is there no way to do a semi restore mentioned here unless you delete that parition? I rather keep that parition as a safe keeping. Also if you ever want to reintall XP again, can you do the semi intall again since you no longer have that parition?

 

I have the same laptop and i´ve looking some information. Maybe the Windows vista Home basic would be the version for us.
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win...4-0600262-7723139?ie=UTF8&n=229534&s=software
The only thing i´m worried is about .. will sony make the driver for vista or we will continue living with the old driver of windows xp...

 

Hello, guys. I need some kind of your help. SZ330P.

Everythin looks good, except the fact that I having a hard time to make GPRS modem to work. Major problem is that I can not install drivers for GPRS modem. Any attempt to install recovery disck drivers or dowloaded from the web site drivers are going to nowhere...I am getting unknown device...

Maybe some of you have recommendations and ideas what else should I try or what I am missing.
Thanks.

 

i need help as well
SZ220P

Can someone post the Vaio Recovery Disc here?
I accidently deleted the Recovery Partition and didnt make any recovery discs

please help me

 

I have a problem with the wireless connection. Yesterday I used it fine for a while. But today, after i installed and configured some stuff, The only thing that turnes on with the switch is the bluetooh conection, but not the wireless. I tried reinstalling the driver, but the icon keeps saying "the wireless is off, try with the switch".
HELP!

 

Hi i just did a semi restore for the second time (my laptop was repaired) and I'm having problems with plug and play. I'm not very familiar with working in the registry and the file that's included in the first page can't be downloaded anymore. Can someone please help me.

Regards

 

Ok, so from what I can tell from one or two posts here, its NOT a good idea to use partition magic??

I only want to remove the recovery partiton to free up a few extra gigs... I already burned my recovery discs.

Can I simply remove the hidden recovery partition and then resize the C drive using Partition Magic??

Thanks guys

 

I fixed the link for plug and play fix.