Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651NC clean Vista install

This is a guide to perform a clean install of Windows Vista on Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook. It will also work fine on Sony Vaio VGN-SZ6RX N/C (SZ651 version for Russian market).

It was inspired by this thread started by Mujja.
Wisdom and guidance was also acquired from following threads:

• How to Delete Hidden Recovery Partition on Vista, by hypertrophy.
• Many threads found on this forum revealing this enormously important, time-saving link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/Vaio/Original/.

Thank you guys. You are great.

Many thanks go to Dino Nuhagic, author of amazing program vLite.
As well as to Brian Mathis, author of amazing program ABR (Activation Backup and Restore).

Disclaimer​

1. I imply that you have "above average" knowledge about computer software in general and in Windows operating system in particular.
2. You understand that performing actions described in this article will void your Sony warranty.
3. You know that you should check for malware every file you download from Internet. Just in case.
4. You follow recommendations given in this article at your own discretion. I'm not responsible for any consequences of your actions.

Facts: these recommendations worked fine for me. It will work fine for any other owner of Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook. All files I uploaded are clean from any malware.

 

Initial preparations​

You will need:

1. Your out-of-the-box Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook. It means that its software is in factory condition.
2. Two blank single layer 4.7 Gb DVD recordable disks.
3. One USB Flash media. In my case it was external USB hard drive.
4. Internet connection.

Backup you license key and Vista activation​

1. Turn on your out-of-the-box Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook. Check Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> System -> Windows activation. It should say Windows is activated.
2. Download program ABR (Activation Backup and Restore).
3. Follow instructions shown on the program's page to backup your license key and Vista activation.

Create a set of VAIO Recovery Discs​

Follow these instructions.

Check your set of VAIO Recovery Discs​

This stage may be skipped​

But if you are paranoid, like I am, then perform complete system restore to factory condition using created set of recovery disks. Maybe you will need to restore your VAIO notebook to factory condition some day. It will be a pity if any of the disks will not work, considering that you plan to delete hidden OEM partition. Even if you do not plan to delete this partition, it is a good idea to create backup media. Just in case.

To perform complete system restore to factory condition:

1. During initial boot of your notebook, before VAIO logo appeared, start pressing F2 key. Keep pressing it (in rapid press-release manner) until you hear beep and log into BIOS. In BIOS change boot sequence to make DVD-RW drive first boot device.
2. Start booting from DVD number 1 from your set of recovery disks.
3. Follow on-screen instructions to perform complete restore of drive C: (to factory condition).

If you get your VAIO notebook as it was, then disks are good.

Also, you may check and save quantity of processes running in Windows. To have numeric data for comparison after you make clean install of Vista.

End of stage may be skipped​

Delete hidden partition​

Hidden Partition (OEM) takes away from you 7.4 Gb. Well worth deletion. To delete it follow these instructions.

 

Preparation of your own Vista distributive package​

You will need:

1. Any PC with Windows Vista installed.
2. Official distributive package of Windows Vista. DVD or image. You can rent it out from your friend without license key. You have your own license key.
3. One blank single layer 4.7 Gb DVD rewritable disk.
4. One USB Flash media with ABR program and your backed up registration and activation.
5. Internet connection.

Download drivers and utilities​

I've prepared 7Zip archives containing drivers and utilities for Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook.
Several drivers/utilities are original, downloaded from Sony FTP.
Several updated drivers/utilities are downloaded from Sony Support.
Remaining drivers are updated from equipment manufacturers' websites.

Drivers.7z contains updated drivers. You should download this file to make Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C work properly.

Utilities.7z contains Sony utilities. If folder name starts with - (minus sign), it means I haven't installed this utility since I consider it useless. !ID.txt contains explanations and other info regarding drivers and utilities included in my packages. Pictures are self-explanatory screenshots of my own modifications of Vista.

You can download drivers and utilities and update them by yourself. You have all info and links.

Make your own distributive package of Vista​

1. Download and install vLite. You may need to download Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 for it to work. It is 1.4 Gb download.
2. Extract Drivers.7z.
3. Read instructions for vLite on program's homepage.

I recommend to include drivers for Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C in distributive package. This will allow you to exclude from distributive package tons of Microsoft drivers for these types of hardware. It is about 985 Mb. Use vLite for this.
I recommend to keep drivers for Adaptec and Intel (Matrix) storage controllers when preparing your own ISO of Vista in vLite.
You don't have a choice to install Toshiba Bluetooth drivers at this stage. You will install them manually with utilities later.
Be sure to uncheck drivers for Intel chipset from folder All, and check the one from folder Vista.
If you have Microsoft Mouse (and additional drivers for it, like I do), you may or may not include them in distributive package. You will have to run setup for IntelliPoint later anyway. The mouse will work as generic mouse, if you do not install drivers for it.
It is a good idea to add Sony Utilities setup files to DVD ISO.

Please remember to burn your custom Vista ISO with 2x speed only!​

 

Installation of your own Vista​

Vista installation starting conditions:

• Video Adapter Selector set to Stamina.
• Wireless Communications Selector set to Off.

If you plan to create more than 1 logical drive on your HDD, it is a good chance to do so during initial boot from DVD, prior to Vista install.

After first OS load start installing utilities. Actually, you may install utilities in any order. I checked it. But since Sony recommends specific install order, I named folders with utilities following this order. Folder names that don't begin with number should be installed using alphabetical order. If folder name starts with "-" (minus sign), you may safely skip install of this utility.

Restart Windows here.

Now you need to manually launch Toshiba Bluetooth installation. It will hang up at some point asking to turn Bluetooth device on. At this point set Wireless Communications Selector to On. Drivers will be installed.

Then launch setup of IntelliPoint for your Microsoft Mouse.

You may restart only once, after installation of all drivers and utilities, or when prompted.

Now set Video Adapter Selector to Speed. You should get prompt to restart Windows. Do it. After restart nVidia drivers will be installed and monitor will be adjusted.

 

Checking functionality​

Press S1 and S2 keys. They must be working.
Check Fn key functionality. You should be able to adjust sound volume and display brightness in entire scale by using Fn+Fx button combinations. In case you cannot adjust display brightness in entire scale, restart once more. If still not - disable VAIO Power Management (through program's Options) and restart again.
You should also be able to use other Fn+Fx button combinations.

Congratulations! Now you have your custom fresh install of Vista. And you Sony Vaio VGN-SZ651 N/C notebook is as fast as never before.

You can now check quantity of processes running in Windows and compare it to quantity of processes on default (factory condition) system. It was well worth doing, wasn't it?

 

I am getting an SR. I assume the steps for a clean install for that is similar?

 

Don't count on it, look for a clean instal SR thread, I bleive there should be one.

And DC0, just wondering, how will this void your warranty?
You are not physically changing hardware by yourself. You are only changing software.

Or is there some additional smal print in your warranty conditions.

 

Standard Sony warranty reads:
Warranty does not cover: Damage due to (ii) misuse, including (but not limited to) failure to use the Equipment for its normal purpose in accordance with Sony’s instructions on its proper use and maintenance.

It is nearly impossible to provide warranted support to user, who modified software installation. Because it is very hard to diagnose a problem on non-standard system without using it. You can check at Sony support if clean Vista install will void your warranty.

 

Hmm...
Why do I think someone should write an official complaint about that?

It is normal that certain customers will want to do a clean instal, especially businesses should they chose to use Sony.