Sony Vaio Z11 Series and Windows 7 thread

I want to install Windows 7 on my UK Sony VGN-Z11VN, however, cannot find the Windows 7 drivers inc Globetrotter WWAN driver.

People are discussing newer Z models in other threads and cannot find much info about installing it on the Z11 and I'm sure lots of Z11 owners also want to install Windows 7.

Therefore I'm creating this dedicated thread for us Z11 owners how to install Windows 7.

Thanks

 

Well I can't help just yet, but have exactly the same setup and am looking for some advice. Will be watching this thread closely and pray someone can help.

 

I'm still piecing together what I need to do to get everything installed, but I can help with the WWAN. First of all go to the Options website (the Globetrotter manufacturer) and enter your IMEI number in the following page:

http://www.option.com/en/support/software-download/

The drivers include 32bit and (the one's I'm using right now) 64bit versions with a few variations I don't understand and are Windows 7 certified. I installed the tcp schema 2 with service version (whatever that means).

Next get the Globetrotter connect software that you would use with XP:

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDO...WAN CONNECTION MANAGER FOR XP 2.3 _ 2.3.0.ZIP

Which seems to work. I'll see if I can find some 64bit software...

Hope that helps
Finn

 

i have alrdy extracted the drivers out...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=427883


kinda strange that everyone is posting everywhere to hunting for drivers, when most of it are consolidated in a thread already

 

The drivers we're talking about aren't included in your list...

 

hmm.. weird... the way i read it...

it states that you can't find windows 7 drivers including the hsdpa

 

Hi, another owner of Z11. Good idea bbsara +1.

I have some questions: If I upgrade from Vista to W7, do I also need to install manually all the drivers or it does it automatically? Another issue is that Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor says to uninstall Intel Pro Set Wireless Wifi before upgrading and reinstall after..but how will I download drivers/windows updates without the wifi working? So, the drive of the WWAN is not working?

 

Nobody here got a Z11 and installed Windows 7?

I will do mine at the end of Nov as i have more time then.

 

I've got a Z11MN/B with Windows 7 32bit. I installed the drivers for the Z3's and I haven't had a problem. Infact the graphics especially are doing great.

 

Good to hear this planto. I contacted Sony to ask if they will put some drivers for the Z11xx and they told me that only from Z2xx there are available drivers in their website!
Could you please post a step by step installation of Windows 7 32-bit? I want to do an upgrade from Vista, not clean install. Did you upgrade the BIOS (R2170M3) before the installation of Windows 7? Did you download the drivers to a USB key before as well?

Thanks in advance

 

I just installed it on my old Z12MN (Asian Version)..

So a few points..

Sony seems only to be making the x64 drivers available
Here at least only the Z1x and SRx came with x32 Vista, all others since its x64.

I upgraded the Bios to the latest for the Z2x models, and hey presto goy everything up and working including Brightness in SPEED mode.

The list of drivers refereed to here in this thread and posted in another thread, does not have all the required files for the Z1x Asian..

Sony Firmware parser
Athos wireless
Sony I/O

but these were magically updated after going online via windows update

there is a link to sony ftp site where they have the latest WAN drivers..

(here is the posting http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5362836&postcount=1 )

hope that helps )

 

I agree with jack sparrow, we need a step by step guide for the first generation of Z. I am also curious if you guys download the drivers in a DVD before the installation of Windows 7?

Also, is it worth it a clean install or is better to go the safe way of the upgrade without losing any files?

 

I'd personally only ever do a clean install...

 

i don't have the time right now otherwise I'd be doing it. Sorry.

 

Hi bbasra & all. I'm just starting a Win 7 upgrade on a vgn-z11wn/b. I'm nervous about upgrading the BIOS using a Z3 upgrade. Did you do this when you upgraded, or did you simply upgrade the drivers?

Anyone other advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Don't worry about the BIOS R2170M3 , just install it. I did it before the installation of W7 and it worked great. For the drivers it helped a lot that I did an upgrade, not a clean install. You MUST use the NVidia Graphics uninstall update BEFORE the install of the NVIDIA update, but otherwise you're good to go. Run also the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and follow its advice.

 

No problem with the BIOS update for me...

 

Hi armadilo,

Thanks for a quick reply. I had previously been running the XP downgrade, and had upgraded the BIOS to the R2169M3b when it was supplied on Sony Europe site. W7 installed OK, and then

Do you still think I need to upgrade the BIOS to the R2170M3? Also, should I revert to Vista and then upgrade to W7 form there again?

Thanks!

 

...Still trying to get the upgrade to fly... main problem at the moment is that I can't download anything from the SOny Europe site. Their server seems to be at a crawl, and downloads start at a few kb per second, then slowly die.

Does anyone know of a mirror site for sony drivers that would be quicker?

Thanks!

 

I still haven't got the time and windows 7 license anymore. When i renew my technet subscription and passed my vsphere certification, i'll have time to do it.

 

Thanks for the help with Windows 7 upgrade on VGN-Z11. It's been working well for a few days now.

However, now I have come upon a first problem. The HDMI audio no longer works. I installed the win-7 drivers, uninstalling the old one using Nvidia remove tool first, but now the control panel says:

HDMI Output
Realtek High Definition Audio
Not Plugged in

However, there is an HDMI cable plugged in, and I have the image perfectly on my TV.

Any ideas much appreciated.

 

Hello,
May this thread help me !

I tried to instal Windows 7 64b on my laptop
1 - upgrade the bios to R2171M3 as on the Sony's download page
2 - installation of a new HDD (cause I want a clean installation)
3 - installation of W7 64b from a DVD
4 - waiting...!
5 - trying to install an antivirus
And first blue screen...

Restart and trying to download drivers on sony's website. Some were OK (PCI Express), some other offer me new bluescreens. Nothing logical for blue screens : sometimes just one clic on a web page launch a blue screen.
I downloaded the NVidia's driver W7 don't want to install it (without bluescreen !)

I contacted Sony's hotline and they just tell me that the W7's upgrade for Z1x serie is not supported by Sony.

With this thread, i will try this this evening :
- install Z2x bios nammed 7UPG_BIOS (?)
- install Z2x's drivers

I you have any advice, do not hesitate ; I'll tell you if it's OK !

 

Well, I install Windows 7 in a Z11wn and I have no problem. Maybe it's because you installed it in EFI mode

 

Thanks for your answer NHT.
What is EFI Mode ?
I don't remember those letters anywhere during the installation.

I saw other threads on NR.com, I'll try different solutions tonight !

Be sure I'll tell you if I still have my bluescreens !

 

Look at your Disk management, if you have 2 hidden partitions of 100MB and 128MB, it's mean you are in EFI boot mode.

 

Hi,

I've already updated to the BIOS - R2169M3c 27/11/2009.

1. Which bios did you install. Do need to install 7UPG_BIOS 23/10/2009 and what does it do as I've already installed the R2169M3c
2. Which Z model drivers did you install? Is it okay to use the VGN-Z21VN/X drivers?

Thanks.

 

1. I installed R5030M3, but you can use R2170M3 or R2171M3 as well. R2169M3c won't work, I think. the 7UPG_BIOS is R2170M3.
2. The hardware is the same, so you can use any Z model's driver, except the WWAN. Try the Z5's driver.

 

You're right NHT ! I've got a 100Mo EFI partition...
I will format (NTFS) the HDD and install W7 again. How can I be sure this partition will not be automatically created again ?

 

You only have one hidden partition?
Do you have another MSR partition (64MB ou 128MB) ?

 

Just one named "partition du systeme EFI" and is 100Mo (100% free).
Let me tell you how I see that :
My laptop is in Vista with a 200Go HDD.
For the installation of W7, I put a new 160Go in the Z11 and let the W7's DVD format the HDD and instal W7 (then blue screens...).
As I need my laptop today, I put the 200Go in.
I connect the 160Go with usb port to look at disk management a see just the 100Mo EFI partition. I see a 6,8Go EISA partition on the 200Go, but I think it's normal.
No other partition...
I will open again my Z11 (using an other computer to look at the thread !) and try install again.
Other ideas ?

 

It seems like R2171M3 is the newest one so will install that. Before i do though,

1. R2171M3 will work on a UK Z11?
2. I have 2 years warranty remaining. What will installing a different bios from a newer model do to the warranty?

 

The 2171 bios is on the download page on sony's'website. So I hope there is no problem with warranty.

When I want to instal W7 again, and create space on hdd, w7 automatically creates :
100Mo part (EFI)
128Mo part (MSR)
Rest of space for principal partition.

I can't have just one partition. Thoses partitions are necessary or not ?

 

I believe that R2171M3 is the newest BIOS version FOR Z11, so no problem here. I recommend this guide for no problem installation. Before installation I checked all Sony support pages (eu, us, asia) and downloaded always just the newest ones.

 

So !
A completly new installation and a success !
I deleted everything on the disk information in the beginning of W7 installation and let W7 do what it wants !
I use all the drivers from this thread : http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=427883 and all is OK except the touch pad : it looses all its useful functions.
Too late now to search a solution. I'll put back my Vista HDD and I will continue the installation...when I will have time...
Thanks for your helps, I'll be back with other comments

 

For newest Alps driver download installation files here and do this registry hack to make it work properly:

 

Thanks METSN.
I'll try this tonight.
I couldn't find the vaio update software for W7/64. Any idea ?

 

Personally I don't use it, but Vaio Update Software can be found here. Use the UniExtract to bypass the system version check

 

Too much work before my holidays...not enough time to finish my instal :-(
The end next week !
Thanks everybody.