Question of Sony SZ Japanese Model

I have questions for those who bought Sony SZ laptop Japanese version from dynamism.com

1. Does the harddrive come with a hidden recovery partition?
2. Does it come with a utility that will copy the hidden recovery partition to a blank DVD which can be used to restore the system to its original factory configuration?
3. Is it possible to install a fresh copy of Win XP retail version into a blank harddrive and install just the necessary drivers and utilities as you please?
4. Can you install the drivers and utilities from Sony U.S. website?
5. Does Dynamism allow you to download the updated drivers from their website?
6. In term of the drivers, utilities and preinstalled software, what is the different between the Japanese version and the U.S. version?

Thanks in advance!

 

No

See #1

Didn't try it, but it's an SZ so it's 100% doable. See the multiple threads in this forum. Dynamism's image is pretty bare and doubt you'd have much tweaking if at all.

Not really. Sony's EXEs check to see if it is the right HW you are installing on. It detects that you have a Japanese model. You can just download most, if not all, of the equivalents from SOny Japan's site. No biggie. I've done it since I got my U70 and now do it for the SZ90.

No. See #4. Just go to Sony Japan's site as I've done for years.

I no longer have Dynamism's base build, but you don't get all of Sony's bloatware in Dynamism's build. If you kept the Japanese OS, you'd get all of Sony's bloatware. Dynamism basically puts the OS and all required drivers, including power mgmt, etc.

 

1. Can I install the Japanese drivers with the English retail version of WinXP Pro?
2. Where is the URL for downloading the drivers?
3. During the installation, will the instruction be in Japanese?
4. Does Dynamism give you a drivers and Sony utilities CD that can be used to install the system from scratch?

 

I've never had an issue to date. Most of the drivers are universal but Sony puts a wrapper in the .exe that checks to see you are installing it on the computer it's intended for. That's why the US ones don't work with the Japanese.

It varies depending on the model of your computer. For mine, it's here http://vcl.vaio.sony.co.jp/support/note/vgn-sz90ps.html. There would be one specific to the model you would buy.

Can't remember. Most if not all were in English.

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On my SZ, they put the files on the hard drive. They will also give you one if you ask.

 

FenderP, have you had any experience using Win XP Japanese version?
I recently ordered a SZ92PS from Japan, still not sure whether to go Linux install, Win XP reinstall or try changing the language on the preinstalled XP home jp.

Also, i noticed the drivers site you mentioned lists "update programs". I assume a base drivers cd was included with your Vaio?

Thanks for your help!

 

No. All of my Japanese laptops (4 of 'em in the past few years) have all come with English XP. The only way to change the language is to reinstall XP.

See my comment above. Dynamism didn't provide the Japanese drivers CD but put them on the hard drive itself.