Sony VGN-Z850G -- upgrade to Windows 8 ??

I ran the upgrade assistant for win 8 pro, and aside for a minor issue or two, it looks like I'd be OK to proceed upgrading from Win 7 pro.

When I went to the Sony site for my model, it says that mine is not a supported model (for updated drivers and such I assume).

Has anyone updated this model yet - or one close to it?

Just wanting to avoid major problems, assuming any really exist.

THANKS

 

I've done a fresh install successfully (couldn't upgrade - going from 32 bit to 64 bit) using Windows 7 drivers. I just followed Sony's instructions (the one for my model is here - Windows 7 Individual Drivers and Utilities (32 Bit and 64 Bit) : Download : Sony Asia Pacific - note some were not relevant e.g. Marvell Ethernet driver since I have Intel Ethernet).

Very happy with Windows 8. I'm using it for work daily. As far as I can tell everything works for me including function keys, speed switching, S1/S2 buttons, etc.

EDIT: I should note that Protection Suite needed .NET 3.5 install. I think I got webcam software and a later version Alps driver (7.106.529.210) from a Sony support site in US. I didn't like the Windows 8 swipe thing so didn't use the latest Alps drivers (they do work, however).

I ended up removing VAIO Smart Network (didn't need it).

 

Thanks.

What model do you have?

 

VGN-Z17GN, which is Asia-Pacific model, older than yours I think.

 

Thanks.

Wanting to pull the trigger on the upgrade, though I am always overly cautious!!

 

Your model's driver seem to be here - Sony eSupport - VGN-Z850G - Support

Some of the drivers (e.g. Alps, Video) are newer than the ones I'm using. I might try them out, too ;-)

 

Ahhh -- yes, some of those updates are rather recent. When I get back home this evening I'll check to see if I have some updating to do.

My main concern was if the touchpad was going to function well. Since the Upgrade Assistant software indicated that the protector suite would not work, it looks like my fingerprint sensor may become non-functional (and I REALLY like having that -- looking at other laptops all the time and I'm surprised that so few come with one).

 

Like I mentioned earlier, you may need to install .NET 3.5 as instructed by the Protector Suite installer. You may also need to update the AuthenTec software from here - AuthenTec Customer Support > Downloads > Windows > ProtectorSuite

I can confirm that the fingerprint login, etc, works for me in Windows 8.

 

Will I be able to update to the new Protector Suite (full version) at no cost? From their forums it appears that the sale of the company has caused some support issues.

 

YMMV, but I was able to update the new S/W on top of the old one.

 

Athentec also has TrueSuite which is free. Unless you want the really advanced features, this 'lite' version is good enough.

 

I was able to update (Protector Suite) without apparent issue.

The only remaining flags that the Upgrade Assistant put up are for the Bluetooth Driver, Alps Touchpad Utility (though the Alps Pointer driver is listed separately as OK), Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files, and the Canon IJ Network Scan Utility.

Still interested to see if anyone with this model has taken the plunge!

Thanks

 

I wonder if we could open up this thread to "all" vgn-z models?

I'm VERY interested to see that windows 8 appears to work on vgn-z using the windows 7 drivers as suggested above.

I'd like to take the plunge with a vgn-z21wn/b (early european model). But it's still running vista business 32 bit - staggering more like .
I'd like to (clean install i suppose) windows 8 64 bit - without going through a windows 7 interim install.

There's A LOT of info about going to win7 64bit on the vgn-z at http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/431357-guide-installing-w7-64-vaio-vgn-z.html.

I'd be interested to learn if anyone has followed those hints with a win8 dvd instead of a win7 dvd?
(usual questions, battery usage ok? HDMI working? stamina and speed modes working? ... )

Thanks

 

I have a different series, but the instructions for installing Windows 7 should work for Windows 8 too. If anything fails to install, use the compatibility mode for Windows 7 and install again. If it still won't install, use the compatibility mode for Windows 7 plus administrator privileges.

 

please ignore!!!!

 

Downloaded Win8Pro last night -- took about 5 minutes.

It had issues at start of install saying that the alps utility would not work with Win8. It then asked if I wanted to uninstall it (otherwise, no progress)! So, after a little more time I was up and running.

The BEST thing I did was pick up a Logitech T650 touchpad. I had ordered it on Amazon (Prime) for under $60 on Monday, but up through yesterday it was still showing out of stock, while at the same time their price had increased by $20!! Decided to just pick one up in town. Was lucky to find it online at Staples (none local) for $59.99 and Office Depot matched the price. Couldn't imagine using Win8 without (at least!) a touchpad like this gem!

Still learning all the gestures and different ways of navigating Win8, but I like it.

 

I have the first series of VGN-Z...preordered before its release and have been running Win8 Pro on them for quite a few days already without any problems. I got fed up with obsolete hybrid graphics drivers though, so I switched to static mode and enjoying the latest Intel and Nvidia drivers

 

Could you elaborate as to how you did that, and why? I have noticed many artifacts when switching open applications, and often related to the desktop (which I have to clear with a 3 finger swipe down on my touchpad), I was not sure if it was my computer or Win8 !!

Thanks

 

Do you mean the static setup or installation of Windows 8?

 

Static setup.

 

I've followed this guide. Just changed those drivers with newest ones from laptopvideo2go.com.

 

Thanks for the link

 

Hallo Metsn,

I've been following your posts for a few years(!)
We have very similar machines and I know you have made a lot of modifications to your machine.
As I'm not really a hardware person I'm quite cautious and so I have a "few" questions.

I'm hoping to do a win8pro clean install initially on an EXTERNAL Samsung 830 SSD.
I'm assuming the win8pro upgrade DVD will work for this (currently still "running" vista business(!)) Licences etc.
I hoping to test the install by then booting from the SSD/USB (is this even possible?) - this just to check things before actually installing the SSD - (another big step for me - not a hardware guy).

I'm going to swap the ODD for either the SSD or the old HDD. What's best, placing the SSD in the HDD location or placing it where the ODD now is (as shown on the sven.killig page you posted) (does it make a difference?). I'm thinking I could power down the HDD if it's in the ODD slot via power options. Is that right?

At the same time I'm going install 8GB RAM. Is the CT2KIT51264BC1067 the best option here.

The link you posted for the static install mentions 10% power loss per day. Is this still the case? Does anyone know why? What happens if you just unplug the battery overnight?
Also at what point do I actually install the BIOS - "now" in Vista Business or later sometime during/after the win8pro. Can I revert to the old BIOS if things go wrong (how exactly).

What are the chances of bricking the machine during all of this?!

Lastly I notice there is some movement on getting the hybrid graphics to work

Thanks for any answers or pointers in the right direction.

 

Hello jamescook2,

I didn't even realize I was here already for a few years...you just made me and my beautiful Z feel old

Unfortunately I'm not sure if I'll be any help for you.

1) Installing on external SSD. Never did that. I booted from a flash drive with linux or MSDos on it several time, so booting should be possible. Another question is, if Windows will let you install system on a drive connected through USB. Well it's easy to give it a try

2) I actually kept my ODD (Blu-ray burner), so I don't have any personal experience. If I would do that, I would probably invest in two SSDs as I really don't like to have HDD in my laptop. HDD always produces heat, vibrations and noise.

3) RAM. Again, not too helpful. I couldn't buy the recommended RAM in my local shop, so I contacted them for help. They contacted Sony and recommended this "Kingston for Panasonic/Sony, 4GB, DDR3, 1066MHz, SODIMM (CF-BAC04GU, CF-WMB,A904G)" x2 Gotta say it works well

4) I believe that "10% power loss per day" is a general problem for all VGN-Z, as many people complained about it from very beginning. I don't think it's static setup specific problem. I don't really care as I always charge through night though.

5) It's better to upgrade the BIOS before OS installation. There should be a way back, but I actually never had to do that and I upgraded my BIOS several times.

6) I was also watching the progress with hybrid graphics...but I'm actually so excited about the fact I can use latest drivers with static setup, that I didn't feel like testing. VGN-Z is already my secondary PC after all, as I built a silent desktop for myself

Good luck!

 

Hallo metsn, thanks for your reply.

I'm finally gearing up to make the changes. Your idea of just having the best drivers - without switch - seems good to me. With SSD a switch would be fairly quick anyway.

Your points:
4) Isn't this just an old battery problem - which I have had too - old battery not keeping charge? - (i.e. has anyone checked if the 10% is lost even if you remove the battery)

5) What's the correct order for doing this? I'm on Vista Business - with the "correct" Bios INSYDE R2169M3 - see: ( VGN-Z21WN).

If I update to the "Killig" bios update what happens exactly? Will Vista Business still work?

If it doesn't how do I proceed? And (worst case) Can I go back to the old bios.
( FYI : Sony recommends bios 7UPG_BIOS for Win7 for my machine - see the link to sony above).

Reading the "killig" readme it seems i just rename the line in the batch file "fla R4043M3adv(2.1).rom /all" to "fla R2169M3c.rom /all"

BTW - The current bios was an update to enable VT on the laptop - for e.g. VMWare - which I do use. Does the Sven Killig Bios - (above) enable you to enable VT too?

 

Hi! I really need some help.

I have a Vaio VGN-AR71M and I've instaled the win7 but the keys that operate de CD/DVD slot just don't work. What can I do? I'll be greatfull.
Thanks!

 

Thought I'd share my experience.

I have upgraded an SZ from the built in Vista Business 32bit to Windows 8 pro 64bit with great results.
I have thoroughly tested and have been running it for about about a month now - everything is working perfectly.

I had to do a clean install as I was moving from 32 to 64 bit and I used a usb to do it. I had to enable the USB boot option in the BIOS for this.

The install worked perfectly and I would say 90% of things worked right away when it finished. The noticeable exceptions being the fn keys, s buttons, speed switch, wireless switch and the bluetooth light being on despite bluetooth not being on,

To fix everything I simply used the 64bit drivers (and some utilities such as SmartWI) from the latest SZ model from Sony with a few key exceptions.

I used the latest manufacturers driver for the built in motion eye camera as the default windows driver wouldn't recognize the camera in certain applications. The manufacturers driver works perfectly.

I used a custom driver for the Nvidia card from laptopvideo2go for the video, basically the latest compatible with my card.

I also used the latest 64bit ALPS driver for the touch pad. The touch pad worked perfectly, but I wanted to add the gesture support from the later driver. The ALPS driver supports gestures especially for Windows 8 (swipe left for charms, down for menus, etc) as well as browser back/forward, zoom, scroll, scroll +circle, etc. For the extra functions I originally tried the Dell ALPS driver, which worked great, scrolling etc, but the generic ALPS driver has much better functionality specifically for Windows 8. It makes using the new OS a joy and genuinely makes it feel like the laptop was actually designed for Windows 8.

All in all it was much less painful that I thought it might be trying to find drivers, etc, but everything is working (fn buttons, s buttons, bluetooth, etc) and the machine feel brand new again despite being about 5 years old.

 

Installed Windows 8 on my VGN Z1, everything is working perfectly, swich,keys.... only grip is that Sony control center open correctly on the first time when closing it i can t open it again.
I reinstalled the last Version=4.0.0.07280 but still same issue.
I found an update for win8 should it works for the VGN Z?

 

Anyone got WWAN working? I can't get the right WIN8 drivers for my VGn-Z45 .
Thinking about upgrading the WWAN card to GOBI 3000

 

And another thing: seems Hyper V is not running on the T9900 because of the lack of SLAT..

 

Finally got it working, I used a program called driverstoreexplorer and cleared all the drivers I tried to install before.
Then, I used the Windows 7 WWAN drivers and replaced the DIFXAPI.dll in the source and installed the drivers succesfully.
Now, WIN8 running with full functionality except Hyper V.

 

I'm trying to use the guide mentioned by metsn (in this thread) - for a "static" (reboot to change from STAMINA to SPEED etc.) installation.

(Current: VGN-Z21WN - Vista Business, BIOS R2169M3, 2x2GB RAM, Future: SSD (already built into DVD slot), Win8 (clean install to SSD), 6 or 8GB RAM)

He recommends using the guide at Sony VAIO VGN-Z.

I'm stuck on step 2(!):
2. Flash BIOS with graphics switching policy hack (VGN-Z41WD), set it to static

I've created the bootable usb.
I've "corrected" f.bat to say:
> fla R4044M3adv(2.1).rom /all (was fla R4043M3adv(2.1).rom /all)

and on calling f.bat I get:
> initializing
> this fd file can not load

I'm sure I'm missing something REALLY BASIC

Any help appreciated

 

I added a link on my website.