The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    SZ650N - Cannot install nVidia drivers in Win 7

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Thimk, Mar 7, 2011.

  1. Thimk

    Thimk Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    224
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hi all,

    Was wondering if I could get some assistance with my boss' notebook. The issue is we frequently get BSODs since upgrading to Win 7 Ultimate (x32) due to display drivers issues. It's a hybrid model with both the 950GMA and the 8400 GS.

    I've tried to install the nVidia drivers from the Sony site, but it will not detect the hardware, and will ultimately not install. I've tried to get nVidia hacked drivers, but unfortunately, the 8400 series is not supported due to it's age.

    Other steps competed were an automatic driver update in Windows 7.

    Any ideas?
     
    Thimk, Mar 7, 2011
    #1
  2. ssssssssss

    ssssssssss Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    234
    Messages:
    542
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I got Windows 7 installed on an SZ3, and I remember it being incredibly complex, but I can't remember exactly what I did. Unfortunately the laptop was stolen from me several months ago so I can't even look what driver I was using.

    I do remember that, despite my research indicating it would be able to switch the graphics card without rebooting when I flicked the switch, I had to reboot like under Windows XP before it worked properly.
     
    ssssssssss, Mar 7, 2011
    #2
  3. Thimk

    Thimk Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    224
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Is there a way to just disable the 8400? The issue is that only the Intel chip is being detected under display adapters.
     
    Thimk, Mar 7, 2011
    #3
  4. leslieann

    leslieann Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    830
    Messages:
    1,308
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The 8400 is supported by Nvidia, they just leave out the information from the driver.

    Go here:
    Drivers | laptopvideo2go.com

    1. Download the modified INF

    2. Download the driver.

    3. Extract the driver to the desktop (use a sub folder).

    4. Copy the INF into the folder, make sure it replaces the original INF. Don't just dump it in and expect it to work.

    5. Now, boot into Speed mode, go into control panel, device manager, fin d the display adapter, update the driver, tell it you will select or find the driver manually. Point it at the modified INF file and it should work.

    Keep in mind that letting it search for it, will NOT work. You have to tell it exactly which file to use since it is not signed.


    Also, follow the guide in my signature to disable Intel Display power management as that also can crash the system.
     
    leslieann, Mar 7, 2011
    #4
  5. Thimk

    Thimk Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    224
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    This did it!!! Thanks! I can now hand the laptop over to my boss and not be worried about it.
     
    Thimk, Mar 16, 2011
    #5