Quick & Easy Semi-Clean Vista Install for AW Series (Possibly Others) Using Restore DVDs

Let me first start by asking your forgiveness if I have stuffed this quick little guide in the wrong spot. I spent a rather brief 10 minutes searching this forum, and I don't believe I am repeating a write-up someone has already done that follows this simple method. If I am incorrect, I ask a moderator to please place this post in its proper home. As you can see, I am not an avid poster here, and I really don't want to be slammed for not searching with enough gusto, etc.

Alright, on to the quick 'n easy...

I have a new VGN-AW235J, so proceed with courage and fortitude if our letters don't match. I found this as I was trying various ways to cleanse this beautiful machine of it's bloatware. It worked for me, and that is all I will claim.

Note: This method requires that you create the restore DVDs.

If you don't have a handful of restore DVDs, go do that now and come back...and while you're up, bring a snack.

One more disclaimer: I didn't take the greatest notes while doing this, so my instructions may be sufficiently vague to cause minor trepidation on the part of the reader. With that being said, each step should be fairly obvious while in front of your machine...DVDs in hand.

Step 1:
Back up your stuff. We are going to be cleaning off the C: drive (if running with a default setup), so you will lose those handy apps you have installed like RocketDock and CCleaner. Consider yourself warned. If you are all backed up, eat more fiber and/or proceed to Step 2.

Step 2:
Insert disc 1 of your restore DVDs and reboot. The machine should enter the Sony recovery doodad.

Step 3:
Are you sure everything is backed up? Better go check...ok. I believe it is here that you can either choose to restore the C: drive, or restore the entire machine. I used the latter method because I could remove Sony's hidden partition on the drive by unchecking the box that asks if you would like to keep Sony's software stuff. Uncheck that bad boy if you are so inclined and proceed as seems appropriate. It is a simple matter of following the on-screen instructions. I really can't remember how many times you have to confirm, but once you have told it to begin the restore let the discs work their magic. Your machine will walk through all 3 DVDs as it copies and installs Vista.

Step 4:
After a good while, the Sony recovery doodad will eject disc 3 of the restore DVDs and ask you to click "OK" to reboot. Do that. Once it reboots, it will automagically do some final install stuff for Vista. Soon, it will ask you to insert disc 1 of the restore DVDs and click "OK". DO NOT do this. Instead, click "Cancel".

I REPEAT, CLICK CANCEL ON THIS DIALOG!

According to my shoddy notes, your machine will now proceed to do a few more things to finalize the installation of Vista and reboot. You should now have an essentially clean install of Windows Vista with no Sony software, or drivers other than those provided as a default during the Vista install.

Step 5:
Your system should basically resemble what's seen in the following screen shots.


Applications running after reboot


Processes running after reboot

Step 6:
Celebrate!


Step 7:
Go grab another snack and a beverage of your choice. You will want to be prepared for your quest of whatever drivers and applications you feel are necessary. I will leave the bulk of this up to you as there are plenty of guides on this forum (and even Sony's website) that show the magical order of things. I didn't really have any problems. While your newly-clean system is up and running, insert disc 1 of the restore DVDs. You will want to click "OK" on the dialog that pops up after you select the autorun option. The dialog will say something about installing applications and drivers. It will do a couple of things (again, I am sorry this is so vague ) and kick the disc out. This is fine. Once you are in Sony's recovery doodad thing again - now running in Vista - select the option to reinstall drivers and applications on the left. It will then eventually ask you to insert disc 1 and click "OK". You will eventually see something like this:


VAIO Recovery Center

Clicking your way through, you should end up at a screen that looks like this:


Select what you want to install here

Step 8:
Follow the on-screen instructions as you do the installs. I first selected the Sony Shared Library and Settings Utility Series to install and told it to do its thing. After install and reboot, I shoved disc 1 back in and repeated the process, this time selecting VAIO Event Service and VAIO Launcher. After install and reboot, my Fn keys, media buttons, etc. were working fine-and-dandy. Again, these were my choices and seemed to work.

Step 9:
You can pretty much free-form now. I had to install the Intel wireless junk to get wireless working properly, and also selected various Sony/3rd party apps to get other things working as I like them. These included WinDVD, Click to DVD, and the like. Just go for it here. Hint: I would stay away from all the trials. That's why you are doing this in the first place


Step 10:
Celebrate!

You should now have a crisp, clean Sony VAIO AW series laptop. If this worked for you and you are using something else, please chime in. If I have missed a step, or led you astray in any way, definitely chime in. If you have any questions, post 'em and I will do my best to check this on a semi-regular basis.

I hope this worked for you, and that you now have a smoother, cleaner running VAIO!

 

epic. I'd do this if I had the energy. I *just* got this thing how I like it.

 

dnorrell
why do it all like this when i have win vista/7 on dvd's and i only stick discs in drive then i format h-drives and i have installed clean windows

 

Peto - variety is the spice of life. It is nice to have an alternative for those of us that don't want to go out and purchase a separate copy of Vista, or dig one up via torrent I don't reckon this method takes much more effort than using the Window's DVDs. In fact, I would still have to go out and chase down the appropriate drivers after a "clean" install, which is where the bulk of effort happens here. I am glad you were able to do it more simply than those of us with only the OEM version of Vista on hand.