Installing Vista Clean on a SZ330P/B - My experience

Took the plunge on my sZ260 this weekend. Vista Business upgrade from XP (which was fresh from last week). Bought the companion DVD from Sony and found an express Vista upgrade dvd on ebay for $85. Running with everything working fine tonight. Took me about 6 hours to do the total upgrade following the instructions in the companion dvd. Make sure if you are ugrading that you have a fairly clean XP install with all updates. Unistall all antivirus software and follow instructions. It is really a straight forward process but it takes almost all day. I like it. I have a T7600 processor and 2 gigs of ram. I can't wait to get a 4gig ms duo pro sandisk card try readyboost.... It isn't like when people were installing Vista in Jan and Feb. All drivers are available and I found plenty of info.

 

I'm about ready to give up on the Vista thing for my Vaio. I've tried pretty much every method in this Sony forum on my VGN SZ-390P. I even tried the trick of changing my model name Model.txt file (yes, and I am denying write permissions). Then, when I install the drivers, I keep getting this message saying that the update can only be run on Microsoft Windows Vista (which of course I'm running). Any ideas?

I'm just trying to install the Utilities, Utilities Update, Shared Library, and Notebook Control (crucial to the FN keys, or so I'm told)

 

Purchase the Vista Companion DVD from Sony. It was released a few weeks ago and has all the drivers, as well as, an auto update feature that will make installing Vista a lot easier. Here is some additional information about the DVD.

Sony will providing a DVD kit to upgrade applications, utilities and drivers ($9.95 Shipping and Handling not included).

For the Vista operating system

Item - ( VISTA UPGRADE COMPANION DVD ), Y8316222A, $9.95 ea.

You may place your order using the link below or call 1-800-488-7669.
Shipping charges and local taxes will be added to your order at checkout.

Sony Direct Accessories & Parts Center web site - http://www.sony.com/accessorie

 

Could you please post an inventory of the "companion" CD? filenames would be great, since the sony drivers all have horribly-un-user-friendly-but-very-useful filenames.

 

Are you saying that we have to pay to have a complete set of working, hassle-free drivers for Vista? That's pretty bogus... Anyone know where there is an image of the Vista Upgrade Companion DVD for download (which, as far as I know is NOT illegal, since all drivers are free anyway)?

 

guys do you have any link where i can download WINDVD for SZ series?

btw, i do semi-install vista.

thank you

 

Wow....Anyway, the drivers are posted on the www.esupport.sony.com website. There are more than just the drivers and Vista versions of software on the DVD. It is an automated program that will prepare and install all the necessary drivers and software eliminating the chance for errors and the same dvd works with most newer Sony computers. It is the easy way to upgrade your system to Vista.

 

I dunno; you pay a premium for a Sony laptop, it has the Vista-ready sticker on it, it SHOULD be hassle-free to upgrade, but it's not... unless you buy the Companion DVD, which, even at $10, is still too expensive for something that should be included/free to begin with (or readily available electronically.)

 

I agree, why force us to pay $10? At the very least, allow the option to DOWNLOAD the files. I am ticked that Sony is forcing us to "buy" free drivers.

 

BTW, is this Sony I/O Device Driver will provide functionality on the FN keys?
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNS460PB&upd_id=2764&os_id=7

It says that it's compatible with Vista and the file is dated 5/22/07

 

Thanks for the suggestion, MxMoney. I'm determined to get Vista working on my VGN SZ390P, so I ordered the companion DVD from Sony. I'll post results here when I get this week.

 

The link to the BIOS that adds more (shared) video RAM in the OP is invalid... can I just update to the latest BIOS for the 330P/B and still get the total 320MB of vram?

 

All,

Not sure if this has been addressed in this forum or not but I was wondering if you guys have any updated NVIDIA GeForceGO 7400 drivers that will work on the Vaio Model VGN-SZ110/B with Vista Ultimate installed. I tried all the drivers suggested here and none of them seem to work. Everytime I play a game, watch a movie, run Windows Dreamscene, etc., the screen blackouts and my laptop shutsdown. Not really sure why this is happening and I am not sure if you guys have experienced the same problem as well. Let me know if you have any suggestions on how to fix this.

Thanks in advance.

 

Dude, maybe you should post it in torrent and share the drivers to the world. It's free except for the S/H, right?

 

First, Props to mobliehavoc. I feel I owe this thread after several installs of Vista Buisness and ultimate on my SZ150P/C trying to get it just right. This is totally the best order and guide for this install. That being said, i recently upgraded my hard drive and saw where sony was selling the Vista companion DVD's. I took a chance and got it. Wow. It really is worth cost. I mean, it unloads stuff on the front end, and then turns around and installs it on the back end in the right order and everything. Completely automated. Agreed, you can get the same results yourself using mobilehavoc's guide, but it can take a few hours of installing updates, and realistically, an hour of anyone's life is worth $10 bucks. Great job, but after 6 months of waiting, it looks like sony finally got their act together on the vista upgrade scene.

 

Can you give me a link?
I was looking for them, too.

Thanks

EDIT: OK, found it.

Is it a Recovery Version?

 

No, it's actually called the Vista Upgrade Companion. it works with several diffrent models of Vaio.

 

The Vista Upgrade Companion DVD is well-worth purchasing. Let me just say that I, too, am one who likes to "beat the system" when it comes to computers. I'll spend hours trying to get something to work the hard way.. when there's actually an easier way.

However, I don't even want to know how many hours I spent trying to get Vista drivers right on my SZ-390P. I had done at least 6 or 7 fresh installs, and a good 3 hours with each of those installing drivers in weird orders, changing the model.txt file, etc. I was tired.. really tired and annoyed.

The Companion DVD was a lifesaver. I used KillDisk (free hard drive formatting utility) to kill Vista and downgrade to XP, because the Vista Upgrade Companion DVD has to first work off of an XP install. It'll install some stuff, then you install Vista, and run the Companion DVD again. It took a couple hours for it to install everything, but wow everything looks flawlessly now including the much-desired volume and brightness controls on the function keys!

It cost $9.99 from sony.com, plus $4.00-$5.00 for shipping. I now regret wasting all that time before hand trying all the hacks to make Vista work on my model. I know that I have a stable version of Vista now without having to trick the system and use weird drivers and such.

It's worth the $14. It really is.

 

Hi all,

Can anyone help me regarding the Sony VISTA UPGRADE COMPANION DVD?

The problem is that i have a US Sony Vaio VGN-SZ220, it was bought from CompUSA last Sept when i was on hols in CA. I live in the UK, so Sony UK will not support that model here, and Sony US will not post the VISTA UPGRADE COMPANION DVD out to me! I dont know anyone that lives in the US. Has anyone got a copy of it? If they have, i am willing to paypal them the cost of the DVD and/or the shipping to the UK if they dont want to use the net to send it to me?

I would appreciate it if someone could help me out with this problem. Post, posts on here and i will then work out a way for us to communicate to work something out.

Thanks all for your time in reading this and helping

Stephen

 

i can't make my S buttons work on sz3 with win xp.
where can i find the XP version driver for those buttons?
i also have another question, how can i make FN+volume key combination work?
thank you for tour help
Borjazd

 

Does anyone have that driver DVD that sony is making people pay for.... lets get the disc image posted

 

Also I am getting problems with PCMCIA in Vista... when i hot plug a device it wont work, and my wifi shuts off... what gives? anyone else having this problem off a clean install?

the only way pcmcia works is when i boot with the device in already

 

I second that. I'll post it in Torrent if needed to. I got 1 Mbps UPLOAD speed. It's FREE drivers, so it's free to distribute for LEGAL VAIO Owner.

 

gemini8200, please I need speak with you very urgentily and my mail is: [email protected]
Thank you

 

I got fed up with trying to fix everything after installing vista too. I have a Sony Vaio SZ230p/b and I also decided to order a vista companion dvd. I am willing to image the dvd and post it online, but i would like to sell the dvd for a dollar or two until i make up for the 14 bucks i lost before i post it online for free. Maybe i'll send a copy of dvd once i've recieved two dollars in the mail or something.

I really hate sony for trying to earn a few bucks through such a cheap way, but i dislike freeloaders even more so i guess this is the best solution.

 

seems like you are trying to make a few bucks through such a cheap way yourself. we are not freeloading - we paid 2k+ for these systems. we shouldn't have to pay more to get the drivers. for those who realize that we are getting ripped off and understand our plight, then they would post immediately. for those who can only see their $14, then they will try to make a few bucks through such a cheap way.

 

I'm only trying to break even or spread the loss of 14 bucks to a minimum as possible. I'm the one doing the work of ordering the dvd, I'm the one doing the imaging and posting of the dvd so there's a small sacrifice to be made by me.

YOU (oxide) on the other case, if i uploaded the dvd for free, will be the freeloader who just waited for someone else to buy it because you're too cheap to just buy it yourself.

I'm not trying to make profit out of this, and even if i was, it'd be better for people to fork over a buck or two to get a copy of the dvd then pay 14 bucks to Sony. And btw, I also paid near 2k for my system, and im not affiliated with Sony in anyway.

 

Also, i decided earlier that there's no good way of collecting money from people so i decided to image the disk for free once i get mine in few days. Send me a private message for a copy. (not you oxide)

 

I understand you want to recoup your money, but distributing someone else's software free is a problem already from Sony's point of view, but if you start charging for it, that could really put you in a world of hurt. Fair use is fine until money gets involved.

 

Just out of curiosity, how big is data? I assume it's not a full CD (600MB)?

 

The only reason people are having a problem with me trying to minimize my loss is because they want a free copy of the dvd, pure and simple. It wasn't like i was going to open up a business with the dvd. Free or not, i don't really think it's completely legit anyways.

I already said i'll help people out for free so i hope we can drop this conversation.

 

Hi ginsengjin,
I'm thinking of paying you a dollar to download it. can you please drop me an email @ [email protected]

 

can u please guide me for my inbuilt camera
my notebook is vgn-sz240
o triedwht u said but its not working for me any how
so please help me thanks

 

hey i am realy interested in buying ur dvd
just email me at [email protected]
if u hav pay pal account i can pay u buy it
thanks
i m realy in need of it
thanks

 

i m realy interested in this u can contact me
thnaks

 

Here is the link to the torrent of sony vista companion dvd that i * found *. Don't be selfish and make sure to upload at least a ratio of 1 to 1. Also do not message me for any questions.

http://www.mininova.org/get/796936

btw. Installing this dvd takes a crap load of time, it'd be near impossible for anyone to install and uninstall all the stuff this dvd does.

 

hm... i wonder why the torrent isn't working. I'll try to fix it.

 

i will pay $1 as well

 

Is that the same DVD Companion? I don't know how many types Sony issued.

Ginseng,
If it's possible, can you open the torrent file (where it will list the content of the DVD) and compare it with your DVD?

 

please help me

it is showing battery nat conected

i am dieing to get rid of it
please someone help me in this case

 

you need to update Sony Notebook Control and Sony Programmable I/O to the latest. It is provided by Windows Update or go to support website of Sony SZ Series and download & install those two items...

 

This forum is a life saver, thank you for doing really nice job.
I am having problem with my laptop Sony vaio vgn-sz330p
After I’ve installed Vista, during the boot I can see some strange text right before Vista’s graphic boot up process. I can see it only for 2-3 seconds. Is it ok???
Before installation, I did all the needed steps such as updating bios, formatting hard drive, removing hidden partition.
What else I have to do?
It’s really annoying to see all this crap during the boot.
Any ideas?

 

vertigo that is the vista in-box video driver
once you do a windows update or after u update the nvidia video driver to a later one that bug will be eradicated...

 

2 Surefire:

Well, even after reinstalling video driver I can see it, no matter what mode I am using (stamina/speed)
The text I can see is:

C:\windows\aspi.sys
Loading… and bla bla bla
And later on it shows some weird symbols right before graphic boot kicks in.
When XP is installed I don’t see it, it goes straight to the graphic boot up process.
Maybe the problem is the bios? But XP works fine, so the problem is in Vista or Drivers. That’s what I think. I guess my laptop is not fully compatible with vista……
:-(

btw: here is the video:

<object width='425' height='350'> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceFsCT8QMvk"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ceFsCT8QMvk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='425' height='350'> </embed> </object>

 

Maybe this is the information from a boot manager or the vista boot manager?

 

I wonder where to get the Vaio recovery utility from, that would extract the hidden partition content after clean Vista Ultimate install...

I bought the SZ38GP second hand and would like to create a set of factory recovery discs. The partition is still on the drive.

Any help will be highly appreciated!

 

If this is Vista’s boot manager, do you know how to hide it, or disable?

 

in the steps i will describe below u will have to backup important data before we continue cause the only way to create those recovery DVD's will be to install XP. depressing, i know but dont worry u dont need any XP cd's. all u need to do is:

-restart or boot your notebook
-a split second after the welcome screen quickly press F10 or just start mashing/pounding(you know what i mean. take it easy) on the F10 key right from startup/boot so as not to miss it
-this will load up or bring you to the vaio entire HDD recovery screen. just follow the wizard. this will format the HDD and install XP

so now when XP has finished installing, u can now create the recovery DVD's by going to start > all programs > vaio recovery center (2 DVD's or 8 CD's)
after creating the DVD's u can now format wipeout the entire HDD including hidden partition and reinstall Vista and reload your backup data

note
this will only work if the hidden recovery partition has not been damaged!
if u plan on dual booting u have to create 2 seperate partitions for each OS and u have to install XP before Vista because XP's boot manager is old and wont recognise Vista. whichever OS u install last will also install and overwrite the previous BM with it own boot manager you see

 

2 SureFire
Thank you for your help.
I have tried all these steps already.
I even went further and updated bios to the latest version which was mentioned in the first post as a last step to enable FN functions:
(Here: 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!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=103875 )
But still I see exactly the same boot up crap. Don’t get me wrong Vista is booting up fine.
Now, what I tried, I wiped out hidden partition (I have a full image of original hard drive including hidden partition and windows install. I am using “Acronis”, so restoring XP is not a problem just a matter of 30 min  ) I reset bios to original settings. Installed Vista, but still I can see this crappy boot up stuff right before the graphic boot kicks in.
Now, like I said before, when I am running XP Pro it doesn’t happen. So I guess it is related to drivers or Bios. I even called Sony tech support, some stupid guy told me it’s a problem with windows installation, and he tried convincing me buying their Compilation CD for 9.95$ + shipping.
So now I am downloading this CD from mininova.org (It was mentioned in previous posts)
I will try it and see what happens next….
Anyway thank you for your help.

 

Vertigo, have you attempted upgrading your DVD RW drive firmware?

This suggests that an application is loading the ASPI layer drivers prior to the GUI Vista interface. I would explore all your Vista startup files (*.ini) and the registry for this specific string and see where is it coming from. It would also help to advise you better if you posted all text that appears (try pressing Pause button to capture)

Nickolai