Impossible to do a fully functional clean install of vista

As of right now, it is impossible to do a fully functional clean install of vista on the SZ 6xx Series.

I tried three different methods:
1. Copying the C:/windows/Drivers folder and using all the setup.exe when possible, and substituting missing drivers with those downloaded on the internet
2. reformating, and then just using the internet drivers from sony
3. Just using the recovery disk option, "reinstall drivers and software" and using just the internet graphics nvidia driver because it wasnt listed on the recovery disk

This is the best I can get it to function:
Everything works except:
1) S1 and S2 programmable buttons
2) some functions (fn and brightness doesn't work for example)
3) graphics switch from speed to stamina
4) Vaio power management utility (this is a weird case, it installs all the power profiles but when i click on the power management tab, it gives me a run32dll error)


and other problems as I get test this out. Unlike monstermaxx, my fingerprinting scanner and the alps touchpad drivers work fine.

until Sony provides the ACTUAL drivers used to install rather than some crap drivers currently on their support site, i've reached the conclusion that its impossible to do a full clean install. I would be happy with the various semi-clean installs posted online, except for one problem: You are stuck with vista business. I want to use this vista ultimate license I bought but I can't if I do the semi-clean install. Anyone know how i can solve this problem?

Let's also make this the official thread of when sony will post the ACTUAL drivers used on their factory default installation

 

stop trying to make clean installs of vista, only like one or two people ive read about have done it TOTALLY right, and ive read at least a hundred, everybody is looking for some little drivers, etc.

the uninstallers do work! they search the system for anything left, if something IS left after that, is only going to take some KBs of space at most, and that doesnt affect at all.

everybody talks about clean install as if it is easy and convinient for everybody. it might make your computer 3 seconds faster, but nobody NEEDS those 3 seconds, and it sure is a lot more difficuld than just using an uninstaller.

 

In all fairness you can win much more than just 3 seconds. Making a clean install on my last 2 notebooks gave me a quicker boot time of about maybe 30-40 seconds (from bios start up to no harddisk activity). Sometimes even more. It all depends on the amount of bloatware, processes, services, etc that you avoid. Installing wrong version programs can severely slow your system down as well.

However, you are right, it might not be as easy and convenient as most people would like to think. It all depends on how computer savy you are. But I think quite a lot of people have managed to get it working 100%. If not they most likely just didn't have the stamina or the skills to finalize it. Most tech savy people should have no major issue with it - especially not when you have some excellent guides as those on NBR.
There is not one single notebook or PC that I haven't managed to carry out a so-called clean install on (including the drivers, function programs, etc).

As mentioned, there are some excellent threads on NBR which explains just about everything you should be aware of. In johnation33's case it does seem a bit strange. Especially when it comes to him using the recovery disk option. In any case, it would also be very relevant if he would post which notebook he is talking about.

One last remark is that needless to say, one needs some basic understanding of PC configuration before jumping in to the abyss. If not, one is just asking for trouble.

 

ah sorry, I meant this thread to refer to SZ6xx series

 

NONE of those things are controlled by drivers. They are all controlled by application dlls. Yes I am picking nits here but the issue may be you are looking in the wrong place for what you need. On the FZ1x0 series of machines there is a tab in the recovery tool for drivers and a different tab for applications. What you are looking for with the fn keys is the "Sony Notebook Utilities". Again, on the FZ series it installs application dll's for ALL of the items you mentioned above.

Gary

 

I have already finished a full clen install of vista with my vista ultimate version.
All te function are there without any rubbish software.
S1/S2, fn and all the key funtion are remained.
Anyone who encounted problems can contact me for help.

 

If you have the luxury of having a retail Vista disc, a clean install is a piece of cake.

 

do you mean that we could not clean install the Vista home basic or Vista home premium w/o problem by any chance @@"??

hey I would like to know how to get all things work and clean install the Vista...

 

You have the key on the back so just find a vista DVD and install it and then all the drivers and utilities.

 

hi bio96, which software is for the battery care. before i clean install the vista ultimate, I some how set the battery care to charge only when battery is less than 50%. after a clean installation, the setting remains and i cannot have a full installation now.

 

If you find a Vista Ultimate DVD (OEM version)...

Can you do a clean install on the SZ6, and activate it using the keys provided with the Sony Vista Business Edition?

 

No you cannot.

 

I've done a clean install on the SZ6 and everything works except the S1&S2 (though they may work and I just haven't found the app to control them - anyone know what they are supposed to do?)

Battery management also appears to not be on the Sony site.

I do have full brightness and volume Fn control.

the graphics switch is hardware (of course you do need to reboot when switching), if it's not working for you, you have a mechanical malfunction

 

i had the same problem the first time i attempt a clean install in my sz483.

the trick to solve this problem is to install the sony provided applications (namely, shared library, utilities dll, event services, etc), in the right sequence. do a search on the forum for some of the clean installation thread. it helps in my case.

take note i base this on my experience with sz483, which i suspect does not differ much than sz6xx series.

 

If you want to get a retail Vista disc, all you really need is the cheaper upgrade disc. You can do a full install with it using this workaround:

http://news.com.com/Vista+upgrade+workaround+revealed/2100-1016_3-6159318.html