Installing Vista Clean on a SZ330P/B - My experience

Excellent advice, thank you!

 

i also have the companion DVD
hope it contains the necessary drivers to fix your particular problem
not much use for me since it doesnt support my older model S5 series
funny cause sony online chart support has been trying to do the same thing to everybody
i think its a new tactic
extort and make more money out of we the 'poor' customers with bad/poor unoptimised drivers they provide
i think i will soon get out of the sony game/business
i dont care how much more sexy their laptops can and will get
i am tired spending too much time trying to get my computer optimized.
that is supposed to be their job not ours
a computer is a tool and its meant to get the 'job' done not me trying and suffering just to get the tool to even work

 

Agreed. I grew tired of this craps Sony has been shoving. I meant, 1.73 GB for Vista "drivers"?? They probably include some video editing tools, but why not just put the drivers ONLY at their website for customer to download?

I am selling my S430/P on eBay and will be buying ASUS instead.

 

Good NEWS!!!

Finally after reading newsgroups and some other forums I’ve found solution for my problem.
Just to remind you:
“I had a problem with Vista boot loader, right before graphic boot up screen I was getting some weird message (my laptop is VAIO VGN-SZ330P):
After turning on the PC, it's meant to boot GRLDR....but it takes about 40 seconds before the 'Booting GRLDR' line kicks in...
...it then immediately runs 'Resetting the boot drive...' file.....which takes another 30 seconds or so before it says 'failure!'.

Then the A20 line kicks in successfully and it starts loading Windows..... “

Now, the solution is very simple, all I had to do is to rebuild BCD file.
Microsoft article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392
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How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 927392
Last Review : March 20, 2007
Revision : 3.0
On This Page
INTRODUCTION
MORE INFORMATION
Bootrec.exe options
/FixMbr
/FixBoot
/ScanOs
/RebuildBcd
INTRODUCTION
You can use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to troubleshoot and repair the following items in Windows Vista:
• A master boot record (MBR)
• A boot sector
• A Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store
Note When you are troubleshooting startup issues by using the Windows RE, you should first try the Startup Repair option in the System Recovery Options dialog box. If the Startup Repair option does not resolve the issue, or if you must troubleshoot more steps manually, use the Bootrec.exe tool.

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MORE INFORMATION
To run the Bootrec.exe tool, you must start Windows RE. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Put the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
2. Press a key when you are prompted.
3. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
4. Click Repair your computer.
5. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
6. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
7. Type Bootrec.exe, and then press ENTER.
Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

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Bootrec.exe options
The Bootrec.exe tool supports the following options. Use the option that is appropriate for your situation.

Note If rebuilding the BCD does not resolve the startup issue, you can export and delete the BCD, and then run this option again. By doing this, you make sure that the BCD is completely rebuilt. To do this, type the following commands at the Windows RE command prompt:
• bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
• c:
• cd boot
• attrib bcd -s -h -r
• ren c:\boot\bcd bcd.old
• bootrec /RebuildBcd
/FixMbr
The /FixMbr option writes a Windows Vista-compatible MBR to the system partition. This option does not overwrite the existing partition table. Use this option when you must resolve MBR corruption issues, or when you have to remove non-standard code from the MBR.
/FixBoot
The /FixBoot option writes a new boot sector to the system partition by using a boot sector that is compatible with Windows Vista. Use this option if one of the following conditions is true:
• The boot sector has been replaced with a non-standard Windows Vista boot sector.
• The boot sector is damaged.
• An earlier Windows operating system has been installed after Windows Vista was installed. In this scenario, the computer starts by using Windows NT Loader (NTLDR) instead of Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr.exe).
/ScanOs
The /ScanOs option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista. Additionally, this option displays the entries that are currently not in the BCD store. Use this option when there are Windows Vista installations that the Boot Manager menu does not list.
/RebuildBcd
The /RebuildBcd option scans all disks for installations that are compatible with Windows Vista. Additionally, this option lets you select the installations that you want to add to the BCD store. Use this option when you must completely rebuild the BCD.

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APPLIES TO
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition

NOW I AM REALLY HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Good finding man!

Geez, how would a "normal" users (i.e. not geek) can do the above... Sony or MS fault? Sorry, just ranting because my friends was asking about upgrading to Vista ...

 

Well, it looks like Sony has bad BIOS update for my specific model. For some reason, Windows cannot configure SATA drive properly during clean install. That’s why; I had to configure boot loader using windows recovery tools. This is my last Sony laptop and I mean it. I don’t care about nice design anymore. Too bad Sony produce really cool looking laptops, but their tech support and hardware support sucks big time.

 

I've read through all the pages, and don't see a final solution to the Cingular wireless problem. I upgraded recently to Vista ultimate (bought a new copy instead of using Sony's service as it would only have upgraded me to Vista Business), and can't get the software to recognize the wireless device. I've seen a few threads about Vista not supporting SmartWi, but no definitive fixes (one person mentioned using the smartwi from the TX, but when I downloaded it, it wouldn't install since I had a different computer). I really want to use the Cingular modem and am very frustrated. Any solutions???

 

wow thanks

i have a sz430 n/b.....and this worked for me

 

Sorry to bring this thread back up. What is the latest and best vista video driver for the 330p/b? I need one that works well and also allows us to change brightness and all.

 

I try to install the sony shared library update and the utilities DLL update, but i get an error saying that it isnt meant for my computer model.

 

Hi guys,

I have done everything reported in this thread to install Vista in my machine, but I still have some problems.

Although all the required programs are installed correctly, I cannot get the s1/s2 buttons to work. I have associated them with some actions in the control center, but they dont really do much when pressed.

Also, I still havent got the fn combinations to work.

These two problems are driving me crazy and I really need some help finding a solution. Thanks in advance.

 

I did a truly clean install of Vista Home Premium, followed by an anytime upgrade to Vista Ultimate with on an FZ240E/B for my daughter. (I needed Ultimate because I run an ActiveDirectory Domain in the house and Vista home premium can't talk to a domain)

I did things rather oddly - but this worked really well and the machine is in great shape at this point.

Note: This is the order I did things in and it worked great and resulted in a fabulously-clean and stable system. As such it is a right answer but not necessarily "the" right answer. Change things around as you see fit.

Assumptions
1) you have a generic Vista DVD available. It does not matter whether it is an upgrade DVD or a full one - or an OEM copy, since the key determines that anyway and all of the 32-bit DVDs are actually pretty-much the same.

2) you have a sticker on the bottom of your PC with the license key on it.

3) You have a wired network to plug into during the install process. Once this is done, the wireless will work.

4) The SONY site has drivers for the following items on the driver page:
(you can dowload these in advance and stick them on a CD or flash card if you like)

- AHCI/SATA driver : "INDOTH... .exe"
- Sony Shared Libray : "SOASSL... .exe"
- Sony Utilities: "SOAOTH... .exe" (40+MB)
- Flash Reader Driver: "TIDMSC... .exe"
- Camera Driver: "RIDCAM... .exe"
- Sony button Driver: "SODSNC... .exe"
- Bluetooth Driver: "BRDBLT... .exe"​

Steps

1) If you care about the stuff already on your hard drive, back it up, or Ghost it, or make the recovery DVDs, or whatever.

2) Plug your PC into the wired network and boot it up to be sure it is working and internet access works. DO NOT proceed until this is set up.

3) Reboot the PC with the aformentioned Vista DVD in the drive and boot off the DVD.

4) When asked where to do the install, select the advanced disk tools and format the install partition, or recreate it - as you see fit. If you made recovery media, you can consider using a partitioning tool to nuke the recovery partition too.

Note: In my experience (20 years of building PCs ), the recovery partitions are useless. Usually the first thing to cack-off on a pc or laptop is the hard drive and, lets face it, if the hard drive croaks then the recovery partition has " less utility than one might initially think." Make recovery media and kill that thing...even if you are keeping the factory install.​

4) When you are asked for a license key, enter the one on the aforementioned sticker (hopefully, that is the last time I will use the word "aformentioned" in this posting :GEEK: )

5) Go through the entire install as you normally would for a fresh clean install on a spanky-new computer.

- the install will use Vista-included default drivers for most everything it can, including a generic VGA card, generic AHCI/SATA driver, the sound card drivers, and network drivers for the wired network port. These WORK on the FZ240, so you can use them. Some you will keep, since the "SONY" drivers are no better and are in some cases worse.

6) When you get through all the "What time zone are you in", "make an account", etc stuff, let Vista install any updates it wants. See why you need the wired net controller yet?

-This will install the windows update version of the Intel Graphics driver if you are on an Intel graphics platform. Stick with this one and screw the one from SONY if this is the case. It works great.​

8) Set the screen resolution to a sane level so you don't go insane:confused2:

7) Go to the SONY site and get the downloads page for your model (if you have not done so already) and download the drivers listed above.

8) Go to the INTEL site to get the driver for the wireless.

9) Install drivers in the following order...reboot between EACH driver install, even if not prompted to do so:

a) AHCI/SATA Disk Driver
b) Wireless Driver
c) Shared Library
d) Sony Utilities
e) Flash Memory Driver
f) Camera Driver
g) Button Driver
h) Bluetooth Driver​

10) test a few things:

a) go through media center setup/config. Just launch media center and it will ask you to go through the setup anyway
b) run the sony capture utility and make sure the camera is working
c) configure the wireless and make sure it works​

11) CALL MS and register (in the US 866 870-1256). You HAVE to call, and you HAVE to deal with a person. SONY already activated your key, and the key is locked out. Tell them that SONY squatted in your PC and left a bunch of crap there, so you had to do a fresh install to flush it all away. They will happily help you through the activation process with no issues.

[begin rant]
all the complaining about Windows activation is unfounded. The phone call takes 10 minutes on the outside. I am an obsessive tinkerer and wear out the keys on my (legitimate) licenses often. MS has NEVER given me a hard time about reactivation. They ask, I have a good reason, and they activate with no issues. So if you are pissing and moaning about a 10-minute phone call, get a life - or get a legitimate copy in the first place
[end rant]

At this point, you have a stripped-down, reasonably-efficient Vista home premium install working and activated. You and pretend it came that way and install anything else you like from here. Personally, I would Ghost or backup from here.

Good Luck

-Laird

 

Hello All.

I've read numerous threads regarding vaio's fn keys not working in vista.
I do believe I may be in the right one, I dont really know if we're still talking about it on this one... I do hope so!!

Neways, I have a Vgn-S570.. After many attemps, I still can't get the FN brightness keys working.. and im pretty sure my video playback quality is somewhat distorted, watching The Office in WMP11 is not that fun nemore!

Any help on this, would be greatly appreciatted !!!

 

I am planning to do a clean install of vista using my self made windows upgrade dvd (created a bootable iso of the wau folder in c:\windows\sonysys). Actaually you need not call MS for activation if you use ur pre-activated product key hidden in Windows registry (lots of progs are available yo read that key).

Will the alps touchpad work immediately after the clean install? I am kind of worried about that, beacuse I can't do anything only with the keyboard.

 

Sony vaio FZ users, you can do a clean install of vista if you have the following folder in your laptop.
c:\windows\sonysys\WAU(hidden) with 2.52 Gb of data. Go vlite.com to download the software and then you can burn a bootable dvd which will contain the iso image of the WAU folder (thanks to orev, seven11). It works, I tested this.

P.S: This might work in the SZ series too.

 

i have a few querries

doesnt vista require the intel chipset drivers? also network drivers? LAN card ones?
and most of the drivers given in the 1st post are UK drivers.. wont that pose a problem on my US sz330p?
pls help..

 

chipset drivers are not necessarily required as windows has certain standard drivers, but to increase system stability and performance you should install them. network drivers have to be installed manually (wireless + lan). you can also download them @intel.com.

the drivers will work for both models because the hardware under the hood is very similar.

 

ok... i finally just installed a copy of vista.

Now i have a few things that are not working. Hopefully, you ppl will be able to help me out. Here are the few tings that wont work.

Fn keys
Camera
s1/s2 keys
hdd protection

i have installed all the drivers mentioned then too i am unable to get these things working. Please help me.

Also, the VAIO power management is there, but i am unable to set the brightness of the screen. This will ruin my battery life! Any solutions for this? Thanks in advance...

 

I'm having the same problem with VAIO power management! It's there, but there's no available options for me to change...

 

any solutions to this guys??

i installed the camera and the hdd protection drivers as mentoined in this thread i.e. extracting them and running setup. This way, they did install properly, but still i dont see hdd protection or security tab in the VAIO control center nor the camera option in start menu or My computer. i can see the s1/s2 buttons, and program them, but on pressing nothing happens. Also the speed/stamina switch is not working coz of which i cant install nvidia driver. Any way the brightness can be altered? Power management shows same values for every power scheme...

Please help me out.. otherwise the experience is very positive...

 

**a. Sony Utilities DLL Update
**b. Sony Shared Library Update
thanks to help from Mobilehavoc the above two download is a must for sz 2&3
now my fn-keys all working plus s1&s2 . to everyboday you need to upgrade your bois .

 

Hi I am very new to this Forum and have read some of the posts.

Question at what stage do you install a virus checker? As you seem to be downloading a lot of stuff without one!!

Question how often do you reinstall Vista?

 

Thanks for this!
I have everything working fine and great except for the VCC2.
The XP driver you linked to doesn't install however the Camera Utilities installed and now work just fine.
I have Vista Ultimate x64.
Can anyone help me out with this?

You trying to be funny?

 

Dear Havoc,

I a sony vaio vgn sz 340p model laptop the problem is after clean install of windows vista untilmate the following are not working.

1. Camera
2. HDD protection
3. Sony Recovery application not able to load
4. NVidia drivers not working in speed mode.

Please help me with the above issue i shall be greatful to you.

 

If you get your hands on the companion cd you will be fine.

You can buy it if you live in the US for $10.

I am in Australia so no such luck for me - Hopefully I will find a seed soon enough

 

what is the companion cd? and is it available for vista business sz6 series?

 

It does works!! for me.. Thanks for the info Mobilehavoc

 

I am looking for this Sony Vista Companion DVD. I have found this posted torrent link, but it has been idle for several days now. Does anyone have this on their system that could/would allow me to access it?

Thank You Very Much!

 

Im having problems with my US 330p too.. have u solved the cam problem?

 

Ok, who wants to have a go getting Windows 7 working on their SZ?

Update: Results on Windows 7 beta 7000

My results so far: not bad! My first go, with beta 6956, was not so good, where Windows didn't seem to want to install the driver for Sony Notebook Control, but the 7000 beta has no trouble at all it would seem.

Working:
-Audio, video, wireless, touchpad
-Fingerprint reader
-TPM
-DVD drive
-All Fn keys (brightness, S1 and S2, hibernation etc) except, oddly, volume up and down
-Hard drive protection
-SD card reader
-Built in MS card reader
-Power management
-Webcam

Not Working:
-Fn volume keys, as mentioned. Might need an updated audio driver

I'm quite impressed. Vista was always slower on my SZ than the factory-installed XP, but Windows 7 flies along with great battery life, great interface tweaks, no random and intensive disc-access adventures, and great boot and sleep times. And its only in beta! (build 7000)

When Windows 7 is officially on sale, I'd be fairly keen to run it on my SZ, which is more than capable of handling it. But will the drivers and utilities be an issue? Sony would hardly provide updated utilities for an SZ would they? Anybody have any thoughts?

 

I have an SZ340P still running windows XP.

If I were to try out Windows 7, would I used XP drivers or Vista drivers?

 

hmm any support for windows 7?

 

if anything it would be vista drivers. but it really depends. try not to use windows 7 64bit as it is even harder to find compat drivers.

 

I want to install Windows 7 Professional final version on my SZ330P/B as well. Have you done that since trying the beta 7000 version?

 

Hello guys!
I have Sony VAIO VGN-SZ330P I would like to install Windows 7 32bit
Please tell me if it's possible to do using Windows Vista drivers?

 

I have everything working fine. I did an in-place upgrade from Vista Business, but decided to redo everything from scratch to get rid of lots of old XP and Vista stuff (even though everything worked well, except the F5-F6 brightness keys that also hadn't worked under Vista). I installed only 5 Vista driver packages to get everything to work after the initial install. A few packages also were downloaded from Microsoft Update in the first days afterward, so I am a bit unclear which drivers came from which at this point, but now even the F5-F6 keys work fine.

I also upgraded my disk to a 500 Gig 7200 rpm Seagate, and that also works well. The overall effect is a quicker and more stable system.

I don't have time just now to gather all my notes, but I could do so if there is demand.

 

jpnelson40, thank you for info!
So all I have to do is to download vista drivers from Sony's support site and install them?

 

I had previously installed the PHBSYS-0141231-US.EXE BIOS Update Utility to R0096NO under Vista, so I suppose that sticks.

The drivers I installed, in this order (but I didn't test any other order):

NVDVID-01422000-US.EXE which is version 7.15.10.9746, or better the one currently on the Vaio site NVDVID-01422002-US.EXE which is version 7.15.10.9813 and which I think fixed the F5-F6 brightness control. I later installed version 8.16.11.8762 from laptops2go, but that one caused the F5-F6 keys to not work again, and I saw no other change to the display functions, so I reverted to the 9813.

INDVID-01355607-US.EXE Mobile Intel® Express Chipset Family Graphics Driver: probably the non-accelerated motherboard video stuff which gets used in Stamina mode; that gets display performance of 3.0 versus 3.6 for the GEForce Speed Mode drivers.

SOASNU-01298604-US.EXE which is labeled Sony Utility Setup 7.0.00.11210

SOASSL-A1298203-US.EXE Shared Library v 3.0.00.10180

SOAVES-01302701-US.EXE Event Service v 3.0.00.13110 which made the function keys F2 F3 F4 and F7 work

SOASUS-01306401-UN.EXE Setting Utility Series Update: I am not sure, but my S1 & S2 buttons worked after this, but I didn't test them before I think.

Sony Programmable I/O Control Device: was downloaded by Windows Update when I first ran it

Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device: was downloaded by Windows Update when I first ran it

SOASVL-01597200-US.EXE Sony Video Shared Library Update 3.1.02.01170: not sure what this did if anything, but maybe the F5 F6 keys were fixed by it.

I don't think I installed the Hard Disk protector stuff, nor do I know how to test it. I didn't touch the audio or video or networking files either, yet the camera and sound seem to work fine. I don't use the embedded EDGE module, as I have an USB-Mercury 3G with runs with AT&T Communication Manager software and drivers from SIerra Wireless.

Probably there are other things that could be improved, but I haven't found them yet.

Aero Peek didn't work until I ran the Windows Experience wizard in the Performance section of the Control Panel.

I tried several Infineon Trusted Platform Module drivers from Sony, and I am not sure at this point which one finally worked. My device driver now shows Touchchip Fingerprint Coprocessor driver 1.9.2.155, and that does work. I may have gotten that from the UPEK legacy 2.18_package20090821.zip "non-WBF mode" as well, as well as version 5.6.0 build 3278 of the UPEK Protector Suite software; anyway, the fingerprint stuff works for me. The WBF mode did not work, however, for me. So you might want to take note and improve this section of my memory.

 

jpnelson40
Thank you so mush for your help! Next weekend I'll try installing Win7 on my laptop and post my results here!

 

jpnelson40

...Ok, here is my installation story:

I followed your tutorial, and got almost everything working fine, except the following things:

1. Wireless switcher AKA SmartWi is is not working correctly, I've downloaded the latest version from sony website, installed it, it works fine, but when I am trying to shut down laptop, windows 7 hangs up But it's working, I can switch Wife on/off, BT on/off, WWan on/off. Also I've installed Cingular Connection Manager and it works fine. I went ahead and installed SmartWii and everything worked smoothly again, I can shut down laptop without any problem. So now I am in search for another Wireless Switcher.

2. Sony's original Power Management tool is not working, but I managed to resolve the issue installing the newer version which is originall version for VGN-SZ7** series. You can download it here:
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/241786/product/vgn-sz75gn/modelfirst?subpage=detail
After install, when I press S1 I can choose Sony original power saving power scheme! Or I can use Windows 7 Balanced scheme.

========================

Also I have installed:

Hard Drive Protection - Works fine!
Sony Ericson modem driver - ok
Web Cam - I used Win XP driver - worked! Skype video call is working!!!

Basically I need to find that Wireless Switching Software and I am good to go!

 

As I mentioned, I don't use the built-in EDGE module, but have a USB 3G device instead. I gave up on Smart-Wi however long before that.

For me, AT&T Communication Manager, the latest version 7.0... does the switching between my "mobile" USB 3G device, and the built-in wireless ethernet module, though with Windows 7 it seems both can be on at the same time.

If you are hooked on the built-in module, I would try uninstalling the Vista stuff for that and just try the AT&T software. I think Windows 7 works quite differently with such devices.

 

jpnelson40
I see. Where can I download AT&T software?
I am not using EDGE all the time, but I would like to have it as an option Also I've tried using the old style utility (without Fn+F1 support) and it worked, but it works only with BT and Wifi, no WWAN support
I'll try installing different utilities, maybe I'll find working one.

Anyway, I like Windows 7, it is fast, responsive and smooth comparing to XP/Vista. It looks like it gave a completely new life to my old Vaio

 

I got it from: http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/solutions/wireless-laptop/software.jsp

By the way, the following works well for me:
VAIO Power Management 2.5u - 2.5.0.06250
From Sony Windows 7 upgrade: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/WIN7UPGRADE/
It seems to install smoothly. Reboot. Works well: in Control Panel > Power Options: the Power Managment tab offers fan controls 1-5 or Adaptive, which seem to work, and other detail controls of hardware power usage.

 

jpnelson40
Did you isntall BT Toshiba drivers? Or you are using Windows 7 original BT drivers?
I got almost everything up and running, except the WWAN module and SmartWi.

 

I kept the Windows 7 Bluetooth drivers, which seem to work well with my Palm 680, but that is the only device I have tested.

 

Has any body succeeded in installing the webcam in windows 7 64 bit? Everything else works fine for me...

 

what about smartwii ??? is it working properly?