Installing Vista Clean on a SZ330P/B - My experience

I'm keeping this thread updated as I resolve things so that other people can find all the info in one place. Hope this helps.

You can upgrade your SZ3 series BIOS for more shared video RAM in Vista and just other tweaks to make the SZ3 more Vista compliant

First of all, once you know what you need to do, it's definitely an overall very positive experience. Here is what I did and things that I'm still having trouble with...

1. Created a secondary partition on my harddrive using GParted LiveCD ( http://gparted.sourceforge.net/)

2. Installed Vista Home Premium onto it.


Install the following FIRST:

**a. Sony Utilities DLL Update
**b. Sony Shared Library Update

**Sould be installed first no matter what, they are used by all the other Sony Utilities.

c. VAIO Event Services Update
d. SigmaTel High Def Audio Codec Update
e. VAIO Camera & Camera Utility Update
f. S1/S2 Buttons
g. VAIO Power Management
h. Wireless Switching Utility
i. Texas Instruments® PCI7411 Integrated FlashMedia Controller Driver (XP driver - works fine)
j. Sony® Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 Driver
k. ALPS Pointing Device (Touchpad) Driver and Control Utility (XP driver - works fine)
l. UPek TouchStrip Driver
m. GeForce Go7400 Drivers . There's also an updated Nvidia driver that adds better performance, no video skipping/lag and just better but still works nicely with the Fn Keys and Power Management brightness. It's 100.40 and it's right here.
n. Intel GMA950 (I currently get better performance with the 950 than the GeForce 7400 (subjectively at least which speaks to state of drivers) -> The Intel drivers don't seem to support brightness power management control, even the Sony ones. Manual brightness control does work however.
o. Latest drivers from Intel for Intel Pro Wireless Drivers
p. 1GB MS Duo Pro in the card reader with ReadyBoost - I see activity and some things seem faster but may not be utilized well because it's a regular MS Stick Pro Duo (yellow gaming one from Sandisk). I'm heading to CircuitCity to pick up a 1GB Extreme III MSProDuo - faster read/writes which will probably help Using the ExtremeIII seems to have improved performance.
q. Bluetooth works out of the box - no drivers needed. Didn't install Toshiba BT stack because my Blackberry only works with MS BT stack - works great btw. My BT mouse works great too. Much better BT implementation than XP.
r. HDD Protection
s. SmartWi - From Sony Vista upgrade DVD - This is the real Cingular SmartWi for the SZ series. Works great.
t. Enable playback of DRM audio over SigmaTel
u. To enable brightness control in power management when using Intel graphics (Stamina mode) you have to update your SZ BIOS. This updates your Intel BIOS and fixes the issue!

What still doesn't work as of 4/30/07:
NOTHING!

 

Sounds like you ddn't have much difficulty. Re the brightness settings in pwer management: When I first installed the sony utilities etc, i had a slider in Vista's power management app that allowed me to change the screen brightness when it was plugged in or running on batteries. Sine then, though, it's completely disappeared... I have no idea why. I have an SZ3VP/X by the way.

I'm still not happy with the Wireless LAN switcher utility though. When my machine resumes from sleep, the WLAN connects momentarily to my Wireless network, but then the sony WLAN utility kicks in and disables the WLAN, then re-enables it again. Pretty annoying and completely unnecessary!!

 

i'll try reinstalling the Sony utilities...the WLAN utility didn't seem to install or doesn't run so maybe that's a good thing from what you're saying.

Installing Sony Utilities didn't seem to do anything - the install says it was successful but no slider. Did you upgrade from XP or do a clean install?

Wondering if I need to install the XP version first...

 

Install Nvidia 7400 driver from Sony. Then, FN key will work

 

Wireless Switching Utility: - Install the following -> ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...chSetting_3.5.00.11270/SOAWSU-01290607-UN.exe

VAIO Power Management - Adds the usual XP settings and seems to work well although according to Speedfan since I've installed it my temps are higher than what I remember. In any case, here it is -> ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...anagement_2.0.00.12190/SOAVPM-01298010-UN.exe



For S1/S2 Buttons: - First install Vaio Control Center -> ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...ControlCenter/VAIOControlCenter_2.0.00.11060/
- Then SettingUtilitySeries -> ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...itySeries_2.0.00.11270/SOASUS-01306401-UN.exe

 

In regards to the WLAN Switching Utility that flips your wireless off/on after poweron, resume,etc...

Try and see what happens if you have both 2.4ghz and 5ghz enabled. I had this problem where it would connect then turn the wireless off and on when the WLAN utility loaded but then I enabled both 2.4ghz and 5ghz in the WLAN switching utility and I don't think it's happening anymore.

This would make sense because by default the 3945ABG starts up with a/b/g and if you have 5ghz unchecked the Sony utility has to go turn off 5ghz.

Try it and post your results.

 

Based on info from "Mr. Disc".

Camera and Capture Utility Install:

Camera XP Driver -> ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SODCAM-01074405-US.EXE

Capture Utility Install Instructions:

1. Hit Start and in Search type "%temp%". It should find your Temp folder. Open that.
2. Select All and hit Delete. You may not be able to delete a few items because they're in use but generally almost everything should go.
3. KEEP THE Explorer window of your Temp folder visible! Then run the Sony Camera Utility ->
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...reUtility_2.0.00.13100/SOACCU-01363002-UN.exe
4. As soon as it starts running, switch over to your Explorer window and start hitting F5 (Refresh).
5. At some point you will see a folder created in the Temp folder that wasn't there before.
6. Either using your mouse (Right-Click on folder, drag and select copy) or using keyboard (Ctrl-C and then Ctrl-V should automatically make a copy) make a copy of the folder.
7. Go into that folder and run the install/setup. It should complete and you'll have the app in your start menu.

 

Does any know how to fully uninstall the Sony Utility Series so I can reinstall it? Whenever I uninstall it, it goes through the process, but then it is still there...

 

In regards to the WLAN Switching Utility that flips your wireless off/on after poweron, resume,etc...

Try and see what happens if you have both 2.4ghz and 5ghz enabled. I had this problem where it would connect then turn the wireless off and on when the WLAN utility loaded but then I enabled both 2.4ghz and 5ghz in the WLAN switching utility and I don't think it's happening anymore.

It didn't work for me. I checked both 2.4 and 5ghz and on poweron the wireless is still not activiated. Any other way?

 

Try updating your wireless drivers to the latest ones from Intel's website...I'm running those and it works perfectly.

 

I finally got the hard drive protection to work with Vista. Installed updated driver from EU ftp site. Download original SZ3 series hard drive protection app from EU. Downloaded new vista updated app from EU. I did not run the program. Extracted contents from executable with WinRar. Ran setup from extracted contents. Shook my laptop and the icon in tray showed up saying Hard Drive Protection was working. So far I got everything working on a clean install of Vista Ultimate. Nvidia driver won't work with the FN for brightness control is the last fix I am looking for.

Sony SZ-381P
Vista Ultimate

 

Your post is confusing, you installed the Vista HDD driver from the FTP site I can see but which version of the HDD app did you install, the original SZ3 or the new Vista app?

Also can you provide a link to both the original EU and new EU app you downloaded for us?

 

Sorry for the confusing post. It was late last night. I revised the method. There seems to be an issue with Sony's packaged installer.
Download updated driver and install.

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...Driver/SonyHDDProtectionDriver_1.1.00.09190Q/

Download Vista version of the app.

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/OS/Vist...tionUtlity/HDDProtectionUtility_1.2.00.09040/

Don't run the installer. Instead use Winrar to extract the contents to a folder. Run setup from there. You do not need the original app installed for this to work. I know this works because I shook the laptop a few times and the protection icon does appear in the tray. It also shows up in Vaio Control Center under Security. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

i have the sz370p...
after i install the flashmedia controller driver, it always comes up with two extra removable drives: Memory Stick + SD/MMC.
(and i'm not talking about the VAIO memory card adapter VGP-MCA20)

why is that?

the memory stick drive really goes to the memory stick slot...but where does the SD/MMC drive go to?

btw, the icon patch below will install the memory stick icon: (not sure if you wanted to add this on your first post)
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/Vist...nRegistryPatch_1.0.1.9110-061109/snymsico.msi

 

Congrats for this discovery. I can confirm it works! Seems to be an issue with the Sony installer.

 

Thanks a bunch guys!!! I have all working now (except S1/S2). The HDD protection and the FN keys were the most important. The camera utility is a nicety, never used it before. Lastly, the ALPS driver from DELL rocks! I love that you can set it to disable the touch pad when an external mouse is connected to the USB port. Why wouldn't Sony include these drivers themselves is beyond me...

Thanks again!!!

Don

 

I just install succseful Vista Ultimate on my SZ-110. Everything is working perfectly. I love this forum. PM me if you guy need driver or something.
Briant

 

I am using sz270, the Fn+brightness key can't work, I also can't change brightness in the power management. Anybody help me!

 

you dont really have to shake your laptop to make the icon appear in the tray....if it appears in the tray that means it already went over the treshold...

there is a safer way to check...
Search "VAIO Control Center", open it, then go to the List tab > HDD protection.
there is a setting between Low/Med/High protection.
There is also a real-time X-Y-Z shake meter.
if you move your laptop a bit, blue lines should appear in the meter, but it's still in the safe zone.

 

Mobilehavoc:

How can you install the Nvidia 100.40 driver on 7400? My computer can't install it because it can't support 7400. I can't use Fn+brightness in 7400, but can use it on intel display card.

 

First install the Sony Nvidia driver and get that working...then try installing the 100.40 driver, it should work without an issue. What problem are you having?

 

hELLP PLEASE!!! I can't install "Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family Graphics Driver" on my Vaio VGN-SZ220 for Vista Home Premium!?!?!? It's gives me error: "This computer does't meet the minimum requirements for installing the software."

Also my video memory seems to be to small = 64!?!?!?!?

PLEASE, HELP!!!!

 

Make sure the switch on your laptop is on Stamina and the light is lit under Stamina.

 

I can not get my camera to work. Can anyone please help.

 

Mobilehovac, you are GENIUUUUUUUUUUUUS!!!! Thanks a lot!!!!
But I still have poor video performance? For instance, The Movie Maker works very slow???

 

This is my Adapter info:
Chip type: GeForce Go 7400
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Adapter String: GeForce Go 7400
Bios Information: Version 5.72.22.41.19

Total Available Graphics Memory: 319 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 64 MB
System Video Memory: 0 MB
Shared System Memory: 255 MB

Is that fine?!?!?! Why I have so low video performance????

 

Is the fingerprint scanner working under vista?

 

Are people even reading the first post in this thread? Please read the first post of this thread and most if not all your questions will be your answered.

 

Yes, but I still have only 64 MB video!!! I'm stuck?!?!?!?

 

This thread is awesome! One question:

using the WIndows Mobility Center (Press WIndows-X to bring it up) do you happen to find the wireless network controls? If so, do you have any ideas for how to bring it back?

In addition: My fan seems to be stuck in high gear. Any ideas about that too?

Lastly: On my SZ-370, the Cingular connection manager reports "No Wireless Device Detected" even though SmartWi and Windows Device Manager are working properly and show the sony-Ericsson GPRS modem.

 

JoshuaTree,

Go to Control Panel -> Nvidia Control Panel -> Help -> System Information.

If you're in SPEED mode and using the GeForce Go7400 then you will only have 64MB of dedicated memory but upto 320MB of TurboCache memory from the system.

This is perfectly normal.

 

Can't help with the WWAN but when I hit Windows-X I get the mobility center..one of the things on it is Wireless Network...shows me the signal strength and has a button to turn wireless off.

Is this what you are referring to?

 

I have:

ForceWare version: 100.64
Total available grafics...319 MB
Dedicated video memory: 64 MB
Sistem video memory: 0 MB
Shared system memory 255 MB
Video BIOS version: 5.72.22.41.19
IRQ: 5
Bus: PCI Express x16

IS THAT OK, Mobilehovac????????

 

And whay Windows Movie Maker doesn't work properly?! In the beginning I made one movie without problems, but after that something hapend and Movie Maker works very very slow!?!?!?!

 

Ah, I found that SmartWi was gobbling my CPU time, and keeping the processor pegged....thus the fan speed problem. Killed SmartWi, and the processor speed dropped. As soon as I can manage a full backup, I'll try to remove it and reinstall. (For note, I used the US version instead of the EU version posted at the beginning of this thread).

No matter what I do, I don't get the WiFi in the mobility center, but everything is working properly. (Even using windows to manage my wifi connection.)

The Sony Ericsson adapter device and driver are working correctly, but Cingular Connection Manager shows "No devices". Not sure what to do, but I did get the cingular manager software from the cingular website. I'll try to reinstall that seperately as well.

It's really too bad that Sony can F' up such a great laptop with such bad drivers/software support. How in the blazes of the seven suns did they pass WinHQL?

 

I also think sony did a bad job. I tried a sz-4 series in sony's store. With business edition, every thing include Fn key, toshiba bluetooth, update 3.0 all works fine. Why they didn't do good for upgrade user.

 

I have a SZ 280P

I have everything working except the Vaio Security Center, which I believe includes My Safe under Vista.

Any help would be appriciated.

 

Where did you find SmartWi for Vista and what's its version number? The winXP version isn't compatible.

 

Hi.
I think My Safe included with Protector Suite 5.3 . It not come with Protector Suite 5.6 (the one work with vista now). Hope it will help.
Good Luck.
Briant

 

An Updated Vaio Power Management Application was posted at the US site:

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAVPM-01305802-US.EXE

 

Windows Vista has built-in support for Trusted Platform. So you don't need to install that component anymore. (You're suppoed to use Windows Ultimate edition and BitLocker to keep your files safe.)

I havn't even tried the fingerprint thing yet. I didn't like how it was implemented in XP, so I've just ignored it.

Cross my fingers and hope that sony sends me the express upgrade disks in the next 2 weeks. Otherwise I get this crap half-install for the next 6 months.

Someone asked me whre I got SmartWi from. If you go to the USA site, you can download the WIreless Switch Utility, which includes the stupid switcher that dosn't support my 3G card. Or you can use your original media backup disks. Pop disk 1 in and click ok. Then install the wireless switch utility. This will give you a NEWER version than the one on the website (yes, even if you look in the "updates" section.)

 

Hi, is all this information for the 32-bit version of Windows Vista? I installed the Vista Ultimate 64-bit today, except Sony drivers and utilities it worked pretty good.... But a lot of drivers were just for the 32-bit version.
I think it should be specified in the first post that this information is just for the 32-bit! Does anybody know anything about drivers to 64-bit version?

 

It's correct. 7400 only have 64MB on board.

 

Ok..Thanks

 

The Wireless Switch Utility and SmartWi are not the same. If anyone finds a Vista-compatible version of SmartWi please keep us posted.

 

I am curious about the sz-4 series's SmartWi can work on vista business. Why this one can't work on sz-2 series? Anyone tried this?

 

The SmartWi utility is very smart....unfortunately. It does properly detect which of the wifi/3g/bt devices are present. Unfortunately it is VERY picky about the drivers used with those devices.

There is a SmartWi service which runs and monitors the vaio event service to watch the wireless switch on/off. Then there is a very nice hotkey utility to monitor Fn-F1 toggling. Lastly, there's the interactive tool that runs and gives you the menu in the system tray. This last app is not actually necessary, since you've already got visal feedback from the lights below the screen.

If any of the drivers do not match exactly, when the smartWi service is starting up, it will hide that feature. Unfortunately, I've only ever got the wi-fi device to show up once, and I can't get it to show up again. As it is now, my 3G is visible, and SmartWi can recognize it, but the Cingular Connection Manager is lame and reports "no recognized devices present".

I've also had cases where the SMartWi service has phreaked out Vista Plug-and-Play service and periodically uses 100% CPU. Since my WiFi and BT are stuck on at the moment, I've gone and disabled the SmartWi service and start-up apps. Everything works (even the wireless switch) except 3G. I hope sony gets their act together soon. Sony support says that they're supposed to be shipping their Vista upgrade disks this weekend. (but the company handling the upgrade may take much longer to distribute them. )

 

so far, i have everything working fine on my sz240 but the only problem is that the fan is running at full speed all the time. i don't have smartwi and i already installed the updated power management tool. i don't see any processes taking up a huge chunk of memory.

anyone have any ideas or suggestions? thanks.

 

I switched back to XP.

I used Vista Ultimate, but the boottime went up so much, also my SZ got hotter and the stamina went down from around 3,5h to less than 2,5h.

Dunno what I did wrong, but I´ll wait till everything works absolutely fine.
Some of the crappy Sony-installers are just unbelievable.

Well...
My Workstation runs fine with Vista!

 

Which drivers are those?