Sony Vaio FW Windows 7

When I upgraded to Windows 7 using the upgrade disks I made the mistake of clicking upgrade instead of custom.
I'm wondering if I can somehow reinstall Windows 7 so I can do a clean install. I don't have an install disc of Vista because it was pre-installed. So, is there a way I can do this or am I condemned to stay with the upgrade version?

 

Yes you can still clean install. just boot from the DVD again and choose custom, format the drive and install. Works like a charm - did it on my FW. Will ask you to enter your code and when all done activate thru control panel - super easy. Vast majority of the drivers are already loaded. The rest are in Sony's support site. They even have some simple instructions on how / which drivers are required:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-info.pl?info_id=508

 

Yeah, I thought that would be all I would have to do, but, when I run the autorun.exe it says that I already have windows 7 installed and then it exits without giving me the option to do the clean install. It also tells me to go on and insert the companion disc but I want to do the clean install first.

 

Boot from the DVD, not into windows. You'll need to delete the old partition/windows installation, format that partition and install it again.

 

Some additional details to assist:
Microsoft has made installing Windows 7 simpler than with any previous version of Windows. You just drop the DVD in the tray, and restart your system. At some point during the boot, you’ll be given the option to “Press any key to boot from CD/DVD,” or something along those lines—do so. (If you don’t get this option, go into the BIOS and move the DVD drive ahead of the hard drive in the boot order). Windows will load files from the disk for a moment, then the installer will launch. Select your language preferences, then click Install Now.
Accept the Windows license agreement and choose to do a Custom install. Now, select the system partition you want to install to. (If you’re installing onto a new drive, you may need to create a partition by pressing the New button). If you’re installing over an old partition, it’s a good idea to format it to remove the remnants of the old OS before you install Win7.

 

My boot order has 1st priority on the optical disc drive and the installation will still not run. It keeps on going right to my desktop.

 

Very odd, does device manager show any issues with the optical drive?
Is this a standard upgrade DVD from MS or something else?
Worst case could scenario is hit F10 when booting, let recovery put back Vista and then re-load that way.(long way around, but might do the trick).
Are you getting the message when the computer starts up about "press any key to boot from CD/DVD..." or just straight into windows?

 

I'll try that. The discs that I got are from Sony and I think that the discs can only be used on VAIO laptops.

 

It worked. Reverted back to Vista and then did the clean installation and it went smoothly. Thanks for the help.

 

That's the long way to get there, but glad it worked out for you.