SZ - Make your own Vista ISO with integrated drivers

Important Update - If you use the method below you won't be able to install the Vista Service Pack later. Either download and integrate SP1 into vLite or download a Vista+SP1 ISO to mofify with vLite.

A quick intro as some people aren't sure who this guide is for.

This guide will show you how to download a legal copy of Windows Vista (all versions are included) and integrate all the Sony SZ hardware drivers directly in to the install DVD (ISO). You also have the option to remove drivers and components you will never need/use on your SZ saving yourself a few GBs.

During the ISO creation you have the option to choose which Vista version you have a key for or intend to purchase later. Vista can be installed without a key and used for 30 days, useful for evaluating before you decide to buy.

Once the Windows Vista install has finished all hardware in Device Manager is recognised with latest drivers installed. Then you just have to install the Sony Utilies, also included below.

Before you start you'll need two blank DVDs, one for the original Vista ISO and another for the modifed ISO, some patience while all the files download.

1) Download Vista from MS

If you purchase Vista directly from MS you are sent a product key plus the links below to download Vista.

The below links are now dead, check this thread on NBR for updated links.

boot.wim
install.wim
X13-49120.exe


2) Create ISO

2a) Download CDIMAGE.exe
2b) Copy the 3 files from microsoft and CDIMAGE.exe to C:\
2c) Run x13-49120.exe and it will create a folder called C:\vista
2d) At C:\ (in command promt) type the command below

Code:

cdimage.exe -llrmcfree_en_dvd -m -u2 -bc:\vista\boot\etfsboot.com c:\vista\ c:\vistax86.iso

You should now see the ISO called vista86.iso in C:\


3) Burn the ISO to DVD

3a) Download and Install ImgBurn
3b) Select the ISO image and burn


4) Download SZ drivers

4a) Download the complete set of SZ drivers (updated 31 Dec) for Vista

The zip files contains the drivers below. All drivers are the latest from Sony except the Intel GMA and Wireless drivers which were downloaded from Intel.

A newer Nvidia driver is included for later but I've found if the Sony driver isn't installed first the brightness keys won't work with the latest Nvidia drivers.

(Update 31 Dec. The Nvidia driver has now been removed from the driver pack. Micosoft update detects and installs Sony Nvidia driver ver 7.15.11.6743 with working brightness keys)


The drivers will work on all models between SZ1 to SZ5, maybe even SZ6. The only difference in the models is the CPU, HDD and amount of installed RAM. From the SZ3 onwards Sony used a different webcam and the drivers for both are included. Update - Check the 1st link in my signatue for SZ7 drivers and Utils.

(Update 31 Dec. Vista drivers up to SZ6 are now included. The Intel GMA and Chipset drivers support the SZ6 hardware. A new camera driver for the SZ6, VCC7, has also been added)

• Alps Touch Pad (7.0.501.5)
• Conexant Data Fax Modem (7.58.00.50)
• Infineon Trusted Platform Module (2.00) Updated
• Intel Chipset (8.3.1.1009)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (7.14.10.1364) Updated
• Intel Wireless Network Adapter 3945 (11.5.0.32) Updated
• Marvell Yukon Ethernet Controller (10.12.7.3) Updated
• SigmaTel High Definition Audio (6.10.5511) Updated
• Sony HDD Protection (1.1.07.05090)
• Sony Image Conversion (1.1.07.04020)
• Sony Notebook Control (7.0.0.5)
• Sony Programmable IO Control (7.0.4.229)
• Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 (1.0.2.9)
• Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC5 (6.1003.205.0)
• Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC7 (6.1004.210.0) New
• Texas Instruments FlashMedia (2.0.0.18) Updated
• UPEK Fingerprint Reader (1.9.2.0074)

 

5) Integrate the SZ drivers into the Vista ISO

5a) Download vLite . I installed the 1.0 Final version.
5b) Install and run vlite
5c) Browse to and select the Vista DVD
5d) Select or create and empty folder where the Vista files will be copied to.
5e) Select the Vista version you want to install (See vlite_1.jpg)
5f) Select all vLite tasks except Enable before apply (See vlite_2.jpg)
5g) Choose the features you want to keep. I selected everything except IIS and none of the Applications. (See vlite_3.jpg)
5h) Select components to remove. I removed the Drivers, Hardware Support and Languages. Drivers won't be needed as we'll be adding our own. You can leave these in or remove even more. A default install of Vista Ultimate uses almost 10GB. I removed almost everything (leaving in Media Center) and got the Ultimate install down to just over 4GB. (See vlite_4.jpg)
5i) The only tweak I applied was disabling User Account Control (UAC)
5j) To integrate the SZ drivers select Insert, Multiple driver folder and browse to the folder where you extracted the SZ drivers downloaded earlier. (See vlite_5.jpg & vlite_6.jpg)
5k) For Unattended setup I chose to skip the key, activation and EULA to speed up the install. (See vlite_7.jpg)

Note : If you check skip user creation the Admin account is enabled and you can login as Administrator. In XP I used to rename the Admin account and use it as my only account. I tried the same in Vista but found a bug. With the Admin account renamed Protector Suite QL (5.6) still sees the Admin account as "Computer Name\Administrator".

Which means if you setup the fingerprint reader at Power-On and then login to Vista automatically it won't work. Protector Suite is looking for the account "Administrator" for auto-logon when you reach the Welcome screen but it's been renamed, so you have to swipe finger again. This annoyed me so I now have a disabled Admin account and a user account. A small thing but something you should be aware of.

5l) Apply the changes. I chose to rebuild the Image to completely remove components and OS versions I don't want.
5m) The files are now ready to burn direct to DVD or you can create and ISO to mount virtually and test or burn later.

 

6) Sony Utilities

I've created two files for the Sony utilities. The first file includes utilities which you should install and the second are not necessary but included here.

6a) Download the must install utilities . The first six should be installed in the order they are numbered to make sure S1, S2 and FN buttons work. You could change the order a little but it works 100% for me.

1. Sony Utils DLL (7.0.00.11210)
2. Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
3. VAIO Event Service (3.0.00.13110)
4. Setting Utility Series (2.0.00.14270)
5. VAIO Control Center (2.0.00.11060)
6. VAIO Power Management (2.0.00.14020)
7. HDD Protection Utility (2.0.00.11090)
8. VAIO Camera Utility (2.0.00.11140)
9. VAIO Camera Capture Utility (2.1.00.13100)
10. VAIO Update (3.0.00.13220)

6b) The second file contains extra utlities.

• Battery Checker (2.0.00.11110)
• Infineon TPM Professional Package (3.0)
• LAN Setting Utility (1.1.00.11010)
• MemoryStick Icon Registry patch (1.0.1.9110-061109)
• Protector Suite QL (5.6)
• Sony Video Shared Library (3.1.00.10240)
• VAIO Hardware Diagnostics (3)
• Wireless Switch Setting Utility (3.5.00.11270)

 

7) Update Nvidia driver

Nvidia driver removed. Use Microsoft update to download the Sony Nvidia driver ver 7.15.11.6743, 07/11/2007.

 

- placeholder for updates -

 

I've labelled/numbered all the steps to make asking questions easier.

If you find a newer driver or utliity version please leave a reply and I'll update.

If you have problems downloading the files from Rapidshare.com or would like to host for others PM me and I'll send you the link to my FTP share.

 

Wow this is great work. Now I'm tempted to do a clean Vista install...

 

Me too. As soon as I get the thing back from France that is.. : /
Great info Mujja, will be trying this one out as soon as I can.

 

does this installation need a key? would the one on the bottom of the computer work?
thanks

 

The key on the laptop will work. If you have a Vista Business key then step 5e you select Vista Business (see vlite_1.jgp) to configure.

You then enter the key
- in step 5k (see vlite_7.jpg)
- during Vista install
- after install and before you activate

 

There seems to be an issue with the new Nvidia driver (7.15.11.6375) in step 7a. When the laptop resumes from suspend it goes to a BSOD.

Resume works OK with the newest Sony driver (7.15.10.9735) in step 4.

Testing with other drivers downloaded from here to see which one is more stable.

---------------------

Problem solved by downgrading to the latest WHQL certified driver. Guide updated.

 

are you also ableto get back vaio recovery center and vaio help and support (and if could be but certainly not required), the vaio logos in about box of windows vista

 

Following this guide will only give you a clean Vista OS with all SZ hardware recongnised with drivers installed at first boot.

I've included a set of utlities but not recovery centre or help and support. Are these available as downloads from Sony? If yes post the links here and I'll test them for you.

There are ways to add your own logos to Vista but I using the default. If you find a good guide post a link here for other users.

 

Very good tips..

Will try it out when I gonna make the clan install of Vista next time

 

I have a Vaio AR, will those Sony utilities work for me too? Or do they differ depending on what model you have?

 

Thanks for the great write-up!

Question: How will this work out with a SZ6 with the hybrid hard drive?

Thanks!

 

All I know is the SZ6 has a new Intel chipset and the Nvidia 8000 series card. If the Intel and Nvidia drivers used are the same the there's no reason this driver set shouldn't work.

Does the hybrid HD need a driver? If it does then integrate the driver into the vLite rebuild.

 

I guess the AR is just an SZ in a larger case so most/all of the utils will be the same.

The main point of this guide is to get all the hardware drivers installed so you aren't trying to recongnise unkown hardware and finding the correct driver in device manager after a clean Vista install.

 

i really want to thank you for your effort posting this tutorial and uploading all the files...

i only want to say that i had to download drivers for bluetooh that wasnt here...

but besides that all was perfect!!!

Thanks from Venezuela (gracias)

P.D. sorry if my english is not so good...

 

this is a great tutorial. does anybody know how to do this for xp?

 

Very nice tutorial. Thanks.

 

hi dear MUJJA
Before all i must thank you for your super tutorial.
I cannot download that files from rapidshare.
Please send me your refered FTP links for following files only that i needed:

1 - SZ_Drivers__7_Nov_.zip
2 - SZ_Utilities__7_Nov_.zip
3 - SZ_Utilities_Plus__7_Nov_.zip


Please send the answer directly to one of my Emails listed below:

[email protected]
OR
[email protected]

 

hi guys,

the laptopvideo2go links don't work. can anybody upload a the manual, please?

 

wow wish I could just buy a disk like this from Sony

 

Guys, if the above steps seem too complicated for some, would you like to me upload an iso to rapidshare with all the drivers already integrated?

I thought people would want to download directly from the MS source so they know they have a genuine copy with no spyware etc.

 

Well I'll make my own disc but would ofc be alot faster if I could dl a ready copy I'll use it if you upload!

EDIT: Thats when I get the thing back.. : /

EDIT2: Cant seem to dl the install.wim

EDIT3: I have SZ6 so I wont be needing that .iso

 

I been reading all these threads before I order a SZ680
I want to do a clean install using the vista Business key on a the bottom of the SZ6, an iso with a clean vista would have been a great included with laptop, Im still trying to figuer out how to slipstream sata drivers into to a xp pro 2 disk for bootable installs without a floppy, I really need to make this laptop dual boot xp pro for work. I have not done any slipstreaming since I intergrated SP2 into my xp pro install

why would Hunningolla not need this above?

 

The Intel Chipset, Intel Wireless Adapter and the Nvidia chipset was changed from models SZ5 or SZ6.

However, the included Vista drivers are the same for the Intel and Nvidia chipsets and the Intel WLAN Adapter.

Camera drivers are included for VCC2 and VCC5, again newer models covered.

Unless there are some other hardware differences which I'm not aware of the included drivers package with work for SZ6 models.

 

All links working fine here.

 

Cool. So you think it would work? If so, then yes, I want your .iso. Still ain't getting the install.wim.

 

Im would be all for the perfect iso provided my key will be reuseable for future drive upgrades or reinstalls, I have never delt with vista
or any authorizations on Xp except with one of my laptops
after a few years it crashed and I used my works corp edition of xp pro
as long as I stay there and use the laptop for work I can use that license and its always passes WGA, if I need to put xp dual boot on this I need the sata drivers or I cant even install it.

 

vLite makes you choose an OS ver to config, my own ISO is Vista Ultimate.
If you key is for Vista Business I'll have to redo the ISO.

Which OS ver ISO do you need?

 

Got Business atm. Got any other place I can fetch the install.wim? What browser are you using? I'd be happy with the install.wim, dont need rdy .iso, I can make that if I get this 1 file : /

EDIT: I've tried IE,Firefox,Opera

 

I'm using IE7 and tested the links less than 30 mins ago. All three work.

 

I assume that the steps described on page1 can be executed on XP machine.

 

It simply wont start dling

EDIT: Actually it does start, dl's 1,2 kt and stops

 

For XP you need to use nLite and XP drivers. Most of the linked drivers are Vista only.

 

sorry, my question was can I create the vaio disc on a machine running xp.

 

Yes you can

 

Aargh.. Still no install.wim. I can get 1.2kt at a time by pausing and resuming the file but doing that for 2.3gb is suicide.

 

Dudes.. I had problem to mount the file to ISO. So I did go other way to get to large x86 Vista ISO file , that was alot bigger how ever..Did vlite it.. seems it works great.. time to get a freash Clean install soon of my vaio..

 

Ok after some hazzle got the install.wim. Now for next problem: I'm running a sz61xn/c, and thats an EU version. The only drivers I can get from my "own" sony support site is a 120mb package and some smaller ones. Are those all I need? And are they in the right format, I mean when I get the smaller ones I get a neat 1 file package but when I unzip the zip file it's more or less 15 files / folder, ranging from text files to executables. VLITE seems to pick up a couple of these files / folder and puts them into the drivers section, do you think they'll work seeing as it doesn't load the other 14 files in that folder at all.

 

Thank you Mujja, you solved long time issue for me. Now I wish to do the same thing to my TZ-150N but do not know how can I get the drivers be install since most of the drivers in EXE type. any ideas.

 

Hunningolla,

Use the attached drivers. The zip file contains all the drivers you will need, import the whole folder into vLite.

I'm also in the EU, UK to be exact, and you don't need any specific drivers for the EU models.

 

heartq8

Nice to hear a success story
Did all the steps work for you first time? Do I need to make any changes to the guide?

 

Qualia9,

Which step are you stuck on? If you give me the step number I'll see if I can help.

 

I got the X86vista ISO file from a torrent file.. how ever.. that's still works to mount with Vlite..

Thanks for great topic

 

Mujja, is this an upgrade (from XP to Vista) or a full Vista installation. After running X13-49120.exe, it starts with upgrate setup.

 

Mujja: Ok thanks I'll take those then

sdh: Following the steps you should end up with an installation disc that installs a tweaked Vista from scratch. The X13-49120.exe you can terminate after launching it once it's created the Vista folder. Atleast thats what I did.

 

Yup, there's problems causing the ISO not to mount! That bows. I guess i'm going to have to download the iso from a torrent or something. i'd search for one, but does anybody know a good site for the torrent?!? If yeah, send it private to just me!

Thanks!