Sony SZ750 Win7 64bit clean install (should help on other SZ's)

I was thinking about this just this morning, why some work and some don't.
Electronics can "drift". Voltages change, drives wear out, etc...

Have you tried a memory test? I recommend using the one that comes with Ubuntu.

It could also just be something causing a conflict. Two things trying to address the same memory or something.

That doesn't support brightness is why.

Check the links at the bottom of the guide, there is a link for Sony 64bit stuff, maybe there is a version newer than the SZ750's but older than the current one that will work.

 

I am not the first one, but thank you so much for this, it was sooo helpful.

I have VGN-SZ691N. I guess it is different from what this thread was written for and from what most of you guys have, as most of the files you have here cannot be used on VGN-691N. Once you run them, you get a message - this file is not intended for you machine or something like this. Anyway, I installed 64 bit version first, but didn't want to strugle with the camera (I use skype a lot), so moved to 32 bit. I have almost everyhting working perfectly, except of:

I have a 100% legal copy of WIN 7 32 bit. Bought it in the store myself.

1) Cannot get bluetooth to work at all - DON'T KNOW what to do any more. Older version for VISTA has compability issues and doesn't work. Windows native driver doesn't seem to work either, also I don't get any error messages.
2) Cannot get brightness keys to work - don't need them much, but still..
3) Managed to get Volume FN keys to work, but only after installing older version of the utilities. Once I install new one from SONY desinged for Windows 7, they stop to work.
4) S1,S2 and Stamina - don't work, but I don't think it ever did. Wireless on/off - works fine.

If anyone can suggest any options to fix my issues I will really appreciate!

 

1.
Look in the trouble shooting section of the guide, it links to a bluetooth driver that has been found to work.

2,3,4
Since you couldn't get the utilities to work, those wont work.
What you can do is download Universal Extractor, and open the exe files.

In there you will find a few Sony files, which dictate which model it works on (jerks!) and a subdirectory with the actual program. If you run the installer from the sub-directory it will work.

That explains why some are having issues.
I found some bugs win the guide and plan a good going over it, I might include the extracted utilities, which will help those like you.

 

Folks, keep up the good work.

 

I will try all that.

Does it have to be Universal extractor ONLY? What about any other programm, like power archiver... Is there anything special about Universal Extractor?

 

The one I know to work is Universal Extractor, you can try others. Winrar doesn't work.

U.E. is free by the way.

 

For the latest video driver

Go to http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers
Do not type in thr proper codes or anything, just download the latest and grab the INF and follow the instructions.

Apparently they stopped making special ones and are just including all of them in the new INF.

 

I've tried everything for the bluetooth and can't get it to work. I downloaded the file that you recommend. When I try to run it, I get the following - this updated is not entended for use with your computer model. I downloaded driver for VISTA for my model from SONY support site - TODBL-132322400-US, installed, but got a compibility issue message and it doesn't work. I don't believe that there is no fix for this and I cannot use bluetooth.

Thanks for your ongoing support, maybe you can advise something!

 

I think maybe, if you can, try a re-install.

Win7, like all Windows, sometimes has an occasional bad install. I see it about 1 out of every 10 I do. Otherwise go back through this thread, and also search for others with your model and see what they came up with. Bluetooth is a semi common issue, but not very common.

Also, keep in mind, you can buy a VERY small usb bluetooth for $20 from Ebay, Walmart and other places if all else fails.

 

Got it to work! Maybe this will help someone else

went here http://www.microsoft.com/windows/co...Toshiba&uid=7&pf=0&pi=2&s=bluetooth&os=32-bit

THEN HERE:

http://aps2.toshiba-tro.de/bluetooth/?page=download

I downloaded latest file. Although it says for TOSHIBA Laptops only - it worked. Just synchronized my phone with outlook via bluetooth.

Thanks for the help!

 

I'm glad you got it working.
Toshiba makes much more than just notebooks, though I'm not sure if they make this unit, every time I have seen references to it, it always needed a Toshiba driver.

Next guide update I will include this in the troubleshooting.
My next goal is either the key freeze issue (which I have only had happen on rare occasion) and the GPS.

 

The Toshiba Bluetooth software is a 30 day trial. It installs as a full version only in Toshiba notebooks.

 

I'll tell the true Leslieann ..
I had try it almost 20X on my SZ750 with lots of fails ..
Now I'm using two partitions (like I've told u before): a original vista and a ubuntu 9.10.
Isn't right making a compare ubuntu X vista.
Now I'll try again with some available drivers & sony software to make my win7X64 works.
Then I may be able to compare win7 with ubuntu.
Pretty I'll provide a complete guide for a clean ubuntu 9.10 install .
Cheers,
Fábio

 

This isn't a small project it took me dozens of installs to get a decent setup, and help from others to finish it.

I have been doing this stuff for years and using Win7 since before the public beta. The odds of someone doing it on their own in only a dozen tries is impossible with this notebook. It just has too many idiosyncrasies.

 

Rajesh,

maybe you are right, I am not sure. I guess I will have to tell you in 27 days . While installation, they never mentioned anything about trial version and no messages while using...

Do you know where to get a permanent one? Any other recomendations for bluetooth fix in this case?

 

After 30 days you can no longer use the software (I had used it before). Place your cursor in the taskbar BT icon, it will say xx days remaining. What's wrong with the default Microsoft bluetooth driver? The Vista 64-bit Toshiba bluetooth stack (Sony provided) works fine if you ignore the program compatibility warning.

 

Big upgrade weekend for me

I got an Intel 160GB SSD, so I decided to bite the bullet and finally install Windows 7 x64. I wanted to get the best performance possible out of the Intel SSD so I also enabled AHCI in the BIOS (btw, the Intel SSD flies on small random reads and writes with AHCI enabled due to its taking advantage of NCQ).

As far as Win 7 x64 is concerned, this guide is fantastic. Everything major is working great. One question I have is that in the VAIO Control Center there is an option "Settings for the Behavior When Opening the LCD Screen Lid." In my previous Vista install I had this set so the computer would stay in sleep mode until I pressed the power button; opening the lid wouldn't wake it up. I tried to change it back to waking up as soon as the lid is opened, but when I double-clicked on it I get an error saying "You can't launch."

I also noticed in the VAIO Status Monitor that the "Touch Pad," "Battery Care Function," and "When opening the computer" options all have the error "fail to receive setting information" in the VAIO Status Monitor. The Battery Care does seem to be working when I open it in the Control Center and change the setting, though. The touch pad is working perfectly, also.

These are all minor issues, but does anyone know what I need to install in order to be able to control what makes the computer wake up (lid opening vs. power button)? Thanks for the input.

BTW, the brightness and volume control buttons are all working. I haven't spent any time, yet, trying to get the webcam working, but it doesn't seem to be functioning right now. Hopefully, I can get that working, too. Bluetooth seems to be working fine, as well.

 

If you look at where some of these drivers and software came from, you can see why there is interoperability issues. One driver is from Fujitsu, another from HP, another from Intel, one is custom, another is from a previous Sony product. All mixed and matched to make each item work. Some items simply don't work well together, but they do work, which was more important.

Without Sony's actual help, some of these issues will likely never be 100% fixed but I think we have achieved is very close to the equivalent of what you would get from a brand new computer in a store. Which all things considered is quite an accomplishment.

I'm glad you are most of the way there, I think once you deal with a few minor issues that you will be in good shape and very happy with it. It sounds like you now have pretty much a brand new, near top of the line system for far less (if you haven't yet, put 4gigs of ram in it, or try for 6 or even 8!).


As for Lid opening, I would like to find that, but the one other person who saw it, never got back with what they were using when it worked. What os were you using, which model you have and where did you find the settings. With that,I may be able to find something to fix it.



After all I have learned lately, I am tempted to go back through all of the newer Sony utilities and see if I can find any new features and toys that we can use.

 

leslieann, you don't need any driver from HP for the TI flash controller. It's available in Sony FTP. You can't mix older Sony utilities with the newer ones. The older ones don't work as expected with Win 7 64-bit. You must use all the newer Sony utilities. You can have a read at my guide for the FZ (Sony utilities are common for all Vaio notebooks, except a few difference).

 

Yeah, it's kind of disappointing that Sony's "best" effort is far worse than what this guide delivers. The time you've spent on this is really invaluable to all of us SZ7 owners.

Well, I got the webcam working so I'm pretty much 100% there now. The only issue now is that the brightness controls don't work properly in SPEED mode. That's not a big deal, though, as I'm pretty much always in STAMINA mode anyway.

I already have 4GB of RAM; 6GB will be my next stop but in all honesty having a really fast SSD kind of makes it a non-issue because Windows 7 automatically disables things like SuperFetch and the like. I have much more free RAM available now than I ever have, and my CPU idles at a lower usage than I was used to seeing in Vista x86. I'm sure as I start using more VMs and XP mode going to 6 or 8GB will make more sense.

I had it set to only wake by pressing the power button when I was in Vista x86 and that is what it defaulted to in Win 7 x64. I wonder if changing the setting in Vista x86 to waking when opening the lid will carry over to Win 7 x64??

I have a SZ730E/C. I was using Vista Ultimate x86. The settings are in the VAIO Control Center. It's a setting that is unique to VAIO's and not built into the Windows Power Options, I think, because I've never seen any other laptops that allow one to determine the waking behavior when opening the lid (behavior when closing the lid is available through Windows, however). Let me know if there's anything else you need to know, and I'd be happy to help.

That's a good idea. That is something I wondered about, too. However, I was a chicken and just went step by step through your guide this time because I just wanted to get things working. Now that I have a working system image being more "bold" will be easier

 

I have read your guide. It worked great on a customers computer, thanks.

Yes, you can mix and match, that is how I got so much working on this notebook. Those few differences you mentioned, effect this notebook.

I have used the new Sony stuff for this model, it's horrible! It only enables 1/4 of the features on this notebook. Yes, even when you use ALL OF IT, I did a fresh install with it all and it was a mess. What is posted here works in Win7 64 and 32bit and it all works as expected except a few minor things. It took a long tine to figure out how to make it all play nicely together, I'm not sure I want to do it all over again.


The HP driver I used was far newer than the one I had found (at the time) on Sony's website, that is why it was used. However it has no bearing on any of the Sony utilities.

 

You're very welcome.

YAY!
Install the Nvidia registry patch, that will probably fix the brightness issue. Download the pack and just use the bare version.

Moving from 4 to 6 or 8 will have a negligible effect. Especially with your SSD. Unless you find a killer deal or find things dragging down, I wouldn't bother for the time being.

You cannot upgrade from x86 to 64bit with an upgrade disk. I have yet to see that setting in Win7, but I don't remember seeing it in Vista. I really didn't have Vista on here very long.

I think that section is taken over by Win7.

I may have to do a Vista install and put it side by side and see what is and isn't running. Maybe I can find the EXE and get it to run somehow.

Well as mentioned the new Sony stuff, if you do a bare install with it, results in a crippled system. So those may be a dead end, but there are other versions out now that I haven't tried.

My original goal was just getting the essentials running using as much of the original utilities as possible. Now it may be time to see what else we can get.



I'm glad to see another person happy with their SZ after the upgrade.

 

Already tried that, unfortunately. The brightness OSD shows up when I press the buttons, but they won't actually increase or decrease the brightness settings.

Vista and Win7 handle power management in pretty much the same way. Sony added the option to change the "open lid" behavior because Win7 and Vista don't have such an option. Maybe I installed a different version of VAIO Control Center than you?

I still have the drive with my Vista install on it, so I may take a look and see if there's anything obvious I can find.

 

Found the file. I believe it is called vcclid.exe or something like that (I'm at work right now so I can't check). You also need frn.dll for the program to run.

I tried running it and was able to change the setting, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on the laptop's wake behavior. The problem might be that I installed an older version of the VAIO Control Center (that included a link to the program) but installed a newer version of VAIO Power Management that didn't include the app. Tonight, I'm going to completely uninstall the VAIO Power Management and Control Center apps and will try reinstalling the older versions that are in sync and include the vcclid.exe file. I'm hoping that this will solve the problem, but this could be an issue of this feature simply not working in Win 7 x64.

 

I tried some newer utilities last night and came to the conclusion that as soon as we start going newer than the utilities in this guide we start losing functionality. If you look at the Sony page for Win7 64bit, Sony even admits as much with the newer utilities.

What's here is it in terms of Sony stuff.
They have simply stopped supporting some of the features and hooks we need for everything to work.




Few other notes...
Sony has NOT fixed the camera as I had previously thought. I'm not sure why I thought that.

Those with bluetooth issues, I think there is some issues with Bluetooth. I had forgotten about the problems I have had. Sometimes it simply fails to properly connect to bluetooth items. disconnecting and reconnecting seems to fix it. It took me 3 tries to get my mouse to work last night, but once it connects, it works fine.

Also, the freezing I was seeing with my wireless, I have now fixed.
I have an upgraded wireless, but if you are having wireless issues, go to Intel's site and download the latest driver. It is NOT on Windows updates.


Expect one last update to the guide with updated drivers, better layout, and a bit more troubleshooting. I think that will probably be the last major revision.

 

Strange.

I have had isntalls where odd things happened like that, usually on non-retail releases of Win7, but occasionally on the retail versions too.

Some installs are just not perfect.

Possibly, but I also know that when you install the same power system in Vista, it has different options than in Win7.

This is pretty much what I expect will happen. I may take a peek tonight though with that new info and see. Newer utilities are a bust, but sometimes older ones are better.

 

I uninstalled the VAIO Power Management that was already installed and then installed VAIO Power Management ver. 2.1.00.18080 from my Sony Recovery/Applications DVD. With this version installed, I now have 2 options for the VAIO Power Management Viewer (PMV) listed in the VAIO Control Center, along with 2 options for "Settings for the Behavior When Opening the LCD Screen Lid." Both PMV options seem to work but only one "Lid" setting works. But it does work! I can now select whether or not I want the computer to wake from standby automatically when I open the lid.

I can live with the extra/duplicate options in the VAIO Control Center. I'm just glad to have the option back!

leslieann, here's a link to the version of VAIO Power Management I installed to get this working again. Take a look if you get a chance. I'll take down the link in the next couple days.

Hope that helps.

 

Great!

You could try copying over like the guide does for the battery care and see if that works. Next time I have some time to play I will give that a shot. It sounds like a nice feature.

 

Very strange, last night while doing some tweaking I happened to spot the resume when opening lid setting. I'm not sure if it has always been there and I didn't notice or if something has changed though. I think I just never noticed.

Go into Vaio Control Panel
Then Power Management
The third entry should be "Settings for behavior when opening the LCD Screen Lid"

I like this setting!

 

I ended up just deleting the extra VCCLidOpen.exe that didn't work and that made the duplicate in VAIO Control Center disappear.

 

Hi Guys.
Hi Leslieann.
I've tried almost 5 more times since my last post to put win7 X64 to run at my VGN-SZ 780CN and I keep having problems with:
- camera sometimes work, some times don't (special after a cold boot, I've imagine there is due the firmware problems u guys mentioned before, even in the HP our Fujitsu drivers)
- the HDD security does not work.
- like jtravelers, my brightness OSD dosen't shows up when I press the buttons, and they don't increase or decrease the brightness settings.
- wwan is not working
- also I have some problems with power management and lid setups with vaio control center.
Already try use my older vista drivers and applications (i do have a image from this installation in a external HD).
Already try upgrade win 7x 64 over vista business x86 and get the same results.
Already try more than 30 clear install and follow your guide (religiously step by step) and always got same results.
I even try newer software from win 7x64 new models from sony, and is like u've said: they seems to lose functionality instead of put the old ones to work.
The Sony SZ780CN support page for win7 is a joke. Bad support (not bad, terrible) from sony.
I'm begging to lose hope and may focus to clean my ubuntu 9.10 installation (that gets less bad results as this sony's win 7X64 does) and star to use only ubuntu with wine (windows emulator) or some wmwares.
I'm using Win 7x64 rtm. I imagine that some of the issues from the brightness keys may go if I use a newer version from win7 x64.
The effort that u guys have been expend on this is amazing and it is deeply appreciated for all of us, sz's owners.. but i'm begging to gave up of this thing.

 

I hate recommending this, but you may want to try Win7 32bit, since all of the Vista stuff works there, including drivers. I wouldn't give up yet, but it's something to consider, you could even split your drive with 64 and 32 until you can figure things out.


Anyhow:
The camera, try the drivers listed at the front page. You may have to try one or two. It should work fine. but DO NOT expect the original Sony software to work with these drivers, the new Sony software listed and on their page will work.

HDD security...
Have you changed the drive? Mine worked with 2 different Seagate drives and the original Fujitsu, but does NOT work with my latest Western Digital it seems. I'm not sure if i installed wrong (I doubt it) but I am sure it is not working. I need to look into this more, but my system is running SOOO NICE.

Brightness,
Gahh, this is such a pain. If the registry patch doesn't work, I'm just not sure what to do unless the original Vista utilities for your model will work, you can try those. The SZ had 2 chipsets, and I suspect the software for the 965 chipset is not compatible with yours (I coudl be wrong here, you may have the 965, but could just be the different video cards). Try the original utilities, if that doesn't work add the registry patch. I wish I had the older model here to play with. By the way, if you click on the battery icon, there is an easy way to get to brightness adjustment.

WWAN...
I can get it to to come on but since I have no use for it, I can't say how well it works. check this link where I describe how far I have gotten... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=6052207&postcount=393

Sony's help, to be honest, I wouldn't call it help. They tossed a bunch of crap onto the site. Sort of throwing a bunch of canned foods at kids and saying find a way to fix it yourself. s.

Win7 64 RTM is the newest version of Windows7. RTM is retail, what is/was sold in stores.


I'm not saying give up yet, and I'm not saying don't switch to Linux either (despite how much I may like and praise Win7, I'm not a fangirl, I equally praise and trash all systems, it's just that I hate seeing people give up due to frustration ) but really before you throw in the towel, try a 32bit install and see how that goes. Just use all of the original Vista software for your model. This may give you some insights into the problems you are having r maybe give you a fresh idea or approach.

Keep in mind that the difference in speed with 64bit and 4gigs ram to 32bit and 3gigs or ram is really negligible. If you really need the memory, there are tweaks (I consider them hacks) to enable the last gig if you REALLY need it in 32bit. BUt considering that you seem to NEED the WWAN, that may be your best choice. That or pulling the card entirely, and buying a different one or just going with a USB or expresscard, etc...

 

Hi Leslieann,

Tired of trying to make a clean install(x86 or x64), I did made an upgrade over my original vista! This time, I've used the X86 version instead of the x64 version.

After the upgrade, 100% works really fine ! WWan, HHD Security, Camera, Bluetooth, volume, wireless and brightness keys.

Only Smart Wii was not working, but I've installed again from my sony's home page (the vista 32bits version) and voila !!

I was fighting to not to do it (specially an upgrade over a vista 32bits) but ok. I'll win some time and patience to figure out how to do it in win7 X64.

In this mean time, I was thinking to use some patch or something to enable the extra 1gb and I've found this one on the net:

http://www.pallab.net/2009/12/30/enable-more-than-4gb-memory-in-windows-vista-7/

Have someone checked it ?

Cheers (and tks a lot honney).

Fabiodt

 

All of those guise use the same basic concept so one shouldn't be significantly better or worse.

You're welcome, I'm glad you got things working one way or another.
Sometimes even a glimmer of hope helps.

 

Who you callin' honney?

 

Leslieann..
But I can call you honey as well !

Sorry for my informal way to treat our forum fellows !! Didn't mean to offend no one !

 

Hi all,
I'm planning to majorly upgrade my SZ583N
It's the one with
Win Vista Business edition
Intel C2D T7700
3 Gb DDR2 of Ram 333MHz
Nvidia 8400M GS

As we all may agree, there's no point in installing 64bit Win7 due to the RAM cap at 3Gb. So my questions are

1. What are the recommended top range hardwares I can install into this SZ (what HDD, and what clockspeed RAM)

2. Is it easy to install the HDD?

3. How will it run Win7 Ultimate? (speedy, fine or the same as Win Vista)

4. What sort of HDD connector does it support?

Cheers

*Edit: Any additional extra advices that may help me get through this upgrade are always welcome

 

Put in a Sata SSD.

To get to the drive, ground yourself first. Starting with it upside down, remove the middle screw in the bottom (it sits in a recessed hole), then the 3 screws across the very front of the palmrest. Now flip it over as if you are using the laptop. Remove anything in the Media slot then pop the two clips at the top edge of the keyboard (look in the slot). Now remove the 3 silver screws holding the palmrest, slide in towards you and up. You can now see the drive on the left. With a fingernail, pop the connector off the board, then remove the 2 or 3 screws holding the drive in. It's kind of weird how it wedges in, but it will come out.

For ram you can use 800 but 667 is all you need (I think)

I wouldn't do anything more except install Windows7 32bit and yes, it will run fantastic, even without the hard drive or ram upgrade. Win7 runs much faster and better than Vista.

 

Mmmm... so the RAM slots can take up to 800MHz. I'll see what I can get. SSD is a bit harder for me to find and plus a 128Gb+ SSD would be really really expensive already.

I think I'm just gonna follow your set up, the 500Gb WD Black HDD. Although, I'll see what I can get for SSD first. Would the 800MHz ram make a noticable difference than 667MHzz RAM?

Thanks!

EDIT*: this is the HDD I'm planning to get Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" SATA II 3Gb

EDIT**: IF I put in 2x 2Gb RAM, would it detect it as 3Gb? or 2Gb (the other plate not detected AT ALL). Can It handle DDR3 RAM or 1066MHz RAM?

 

The ram will detect as 3.2gigs.
The original ram was 667, but it can handle 800, so you may see some performance. DDR2 only.

On the hard drive, if you can, look into the 500gig Hitachi, it's faster and uses less power. The Seagate isn't bad though a definite improvement. I'm not sure how much of a speed difference you will see. The WD Black and Hitachi are faster though, with the Hitachi being the fastest.

My setup isn't bad, certainly not the best though, but I'm not complaining.

 

After all of this I found an issue today...
I wondered where I was losing battery juice, and I figured it out, there is no way to power down the DVD, or firewire and such anymore in 64bit (duh).

I need to figure out a way to deal with that. I used to be able to get 5 hours out of this no problem, now it just sucks it down because everything is always running. Still decent battery, but annoying when I am out in the field and don't want to deal with a power supply.

 

Funny, because mine originally came with PC2-5300. Which is 333. This is why I was a bit surprised to know that you said it can handle up to 800 as it is a big jump in frequency.

As for the HDD, how readily available is the Hitachi? I'm just looking for the easiest hardwares to find. I'm even planning to just eBay most of the hardwares (RAM and HDD, even Win7)

My SZ battery NEVER lasted more than 3 hrs (30% processor, browsing, email, productivity only,40% brightness)

Edit*: I'm sorry for being really dumb in this whole RAM thing, but I'm not sure to which number you're referring the 667 & 800 to. My guess you're referring to (DDR2-667 PC2-5300 and DDR-800 PC2-6400)? If you are then I got it and it's all clear =) I know what to get to upgrade now.

Edit**: I think I get it now! My SZ came with the DDR2-667MHz PC5300 and you told me I can install the DDR2-800MHz PC2-6400?

 

I have been struggling for a long time with this brightness issue. Unlike some people report, I have been unable to get the birghtness controls (not only the FN buttons, but also the ones at Power Management in Control Panel) to work non-erractically after sleep or hibernation, even though I have installed Nvidia registry patch. Also tried a couple of the most recent drivers but the results are the same.

My surprise was to discover this morning that if you run "windows mobility center", the brightness controls there actually work!! So far, this upgrade to x64 had been a major disappointment, but now I can run my computer in speed mode decently either on batteries or in a dark room...

Regards,

 

Are you sure you can't power those things down? When I go into VAIO Power Management and turn the DVD off, I can hear the Windows 7 device disconnect system sound. And if I turn it back on through VAIO Power Management, not only can I hear the device connect system sound, but I also hear the optical drive spin up.

Maybe you should try a different version of the VAIO Power Management?

 

I've given up on SPEED mode and just use STAMINA. I don't game, so it's really no big loss for me.

 

In many instances the Intel drivers work just fine in many games.
Intel has done a lot of work on drivers and in many cases narrowed the speed gap tremendously.

 

That is correct.

 

I'm not sure what happened, I used to have some of the options, I need to go back through and look at what has changed. Somehow I lost Vaio power management.

 

For some reason Vaio Power management had failed to install properly last time. I got that sorted and my battery life is now as good as ever.

 

Hello leslieann, long time no post on this thread...

Well my laptop has been very stable since I last posted, everything is working fine. I have had the odd BSOD with messenger though, but nothing to worry about... lol

Anyway, it's time for me to upgrade the HD. You've mentioned the Hitachi. Would you by any chance have the model number?

Many thanks