Sony Z series 32bit Vista Clean Install Guide (full functions & no windows activation)

I found it to be different for the Z, having done clean installs on other SONY models. This was VERY helpful to me.

 

thanks for the answer,

I did the clean instal and, well, the DVD only accept french, too bad.

anyway, the system seems much faster !

 

I have everything working except for WWAN.

I installed the Novatel drivers - there is the Novatel folder in Program Files - but no WWAN-related device shows up in the device manager, and nothing shows up in the SmartFi utility.

Any ideas?

 

Well, at least your system is faster...and you get more hard drive space now

WWAN is enable through the SmartFi Utility...you just turn on the WWAN from there.

 

MegaMan or anyone else please help me here.
I did a clean install with vista ultimate got the drivers installed along with the video drivers.
My question is which firmware extension parser and programmable i/o control should i be installing? the ones from the sony's website, from recovery center, from the apps download link, or from the utilities download link.

The reason why i am asking is because everytime i try to install the utilities and get to the sony vaio event service it will error out telling that it cannot register and un-register some dll files. this in turn prevents me from getting the Fn keys to work.

Another question is which set of utilities do i need to install from: recovery center, apps download link, or the utilities download link.

and finally, do i need to install other sony vaio software to get the event service to work? because in the past i believe i installed everything vaio related in the recovery center to get the event service to install properly. oh, and fyi i am following the order which you have stated in page 1 of this thread.

Please someone help me, i have spent 3 days reinstalling vista and trying to get my keyboard functioning again with brightness and volume controls.

 

Doesn't matter, but if you've already downloaded the Z utility zip file, just use those, and get rid of the hassle.

(Service Pack 1 needs to be installed prior to this)
1. Sony Shared Library
2. Sony Setting Utility
3. Sony VAIO Event Service
4. VAIO Control Center
5. VAIO Power Management
6. Sony ISB Utility
7. Sprint WWAN Driver
8. Sony HDD Protection Filter Driver

Do you see that Sony Shared Library and Sony Setting Utility needs to be installed before Sony Vaio Event Service?

Also, you might want to start over from scratch. You installing and uninstalling is messing up vista each time you do that. Make sure you also have service pack 1 for vista installed before you attempt this.

 

i finally got it to work.
the problem was sp1.
i have a non-sp1 ultimate disk.
all that hassle for nothing.....

 

GREAT GUIDE! i got the fingerprint scanner drivers installed but i was wonder how to set it up to use on the login screen.

 

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/UPAPWD-14406100-US.EXE

Install and use that to set it up

 

You're awesome dude, thanks for all the effort and time you put into this Mega-Man!! +50000000000000000 repped

 

Hey i was wondering if this all would work if i wanted to upgrade to 64 bit. Would i just have to use a 64 bit anytime upgrade disc?? or would this not work??? thanks

 

thanks for the guide! works great! just one thing is that i cant get smartfi to disable like entirely turn off my wifi , but it turns off bluetooth fine though for some reason.. when i was installing it , it said error or something , but after restart it pop up fine. I just could not really turn off my wifi , it just turn off the wifi ability that it.. not the device itself.

and my autoplay does not work at all haha. i tried reg. and enabling auto - play all in default menu and such. no go.. x.x

UPDATE: Okay i just tried to reinstall smartfi program again , it gave me this msg.. c/windows/panther/OOBE_UNATTEND.xml half way , but the installation went though
fine..

Also another similar question is that if i use the wifi swtich to turn off both bluetooth and wifi , would it physically power off the device? i notce that even using the switch , i only notice that that only bluetooth is disable , but not intel wifi card in device manager. and there also no sound when disabling the wifi but sound when bluetooth turns off.. this is important , because i use verzion broadband card , so i really switch on the fly if i have to from wifi to pci-e ... only way i got it to work well was to turn it off in device manager.

 

Hmmm Okay so I'm having two issues at the moment -

1) I have 'Network Controller' as a device without drivers apearing in Device Manager under 'Other Devices'. Also my Wireless is not working (and the wireless card is not under 'Network Adapters') I've tried using all the provided drivers above but windows wont recognise the device...

2) When ever I start windows I get 4 security warnings for the intel graphics driver saying 'do you want to run this file: System32\igfxtray.exe' ect.....

Any ideas?

Using Vista SP1

 

I ended up having to go to the intel website and downloading the latest Wifi Link 5100 installer drivers - and it seems to work. It's also got rid of the unknown Network Controller in device manager.

What is the Wireless card model in the Z-Series out of interest?

 

Does '7. Sprint WWAN Driver' work for the UK models too?
Cheers!

 

Yea, if you wanted to have a 64bit operating system, you COULD use a 64bit anytime upgrade disc instead of a 32bit. You would just not have working FN buttons or stamina/speed functions since there are no 64bit drivers. I believe WWAN would not work either.

You can also use vista's "Network and Sharing Center" to manage your connections

Where did you get the drivers for the Intel X4500? Did you also install the Intel Chipset Drivers as well? Maybe thats what causing the problem.

It is a Wifi Link 5100 abgn card. Did the drivers from the Sony Style support site or Recovery Center DVDs or links included in the guide not work for you in the first place?

I believe UK models comes with HSPDA WWAN and not Sprint's CDMA WWAN modules installed, so it wouldn't work.

 

Okay here's an update on my issues Megaman (using UK Z Model Z11VM/B)

I never installed the chipset driver as windows wasn't compaining it wanted it. Got around the intel graphics problem by starting the install fresh again and this time appying the SP1 update AFTER the intel graphics driver.

Well I guess it was a lucky guess with the intel wireless driver! On the UK model it only appeared as 'Unknown Network Controller' and refuses to find an online driver or take any drivers from the files you provided. The UK Sony links to drivers for the 'preinstalled drivers' on the support site are incomplete. There is not wireless driver. PLEASE NOTE we in the UK cannot use your pre-packaged sony .exe installers from the US site as it does a model check and sees we're using a UK model and refuses to run. So for example the link you posted to Protection Suite wont even run on UK models. (I had to download Protection Suite from the UK sony support site for the SZ6 - similar for the TMP Software).

I tried using your recovery files above to grab the drivers of my recovery CD however that didn't work ( It loaded up and gave me a menu of all the drivers and apps - but when I selected them to install them it just gave an error code...

Finally about the WWAN. I DOn't think we have this 'SmartFi' program with our UK models? Is this the program that gives the floating grey box with all the wireless connections that you can turn off and on? If so then I got around this by Going to the UK driver stie for the TZ31VN/X and grabing Version 2 of VAIO Smart Network Program. Installing this First ID'd my WWAN as a GlobalTrotter HSPDA device that needed a driver (and then it poped up in device manager as a driverless network device) - I chose install driver later and then it installed that floating grey wireless VAIO network manager that my laptop shipped with.

I went back to device manager to try to install the driver for the device - no luck online or on the UK sony driver site - so I pointed it to the apps folder which I downloaded in this thread and it worked! I installed 6 devices in Device Manager including Network Divice, Diagnostics Device, Modem Device, Card Reader Device and others.

I now needed some WWAN connection softwarre - so I went to the UK sony driver site. No luck, however I then went to the XP Downgrade Apps section and found 'Option Connect' Manager for WWAN (Option being the manufacturer of Globaltrotter products). Downloaded this - put in my mobile SIM - booted up. The software detected my SIM, Mobile Operaor and gave me a signal strength for GPRS so I'm assuming it al works!

 

Right my final update for you UK'ers. I think my system is fully operational.

I tried my o2 sim in the WWAN and it worked fine - connected with an internet connection (so the method for getting the WWAN to work on UK models in my post above works). Also FYI UK people- 3 offers Pay as you Go mobile Broadband now. £25 for 7Gb Sim - use when you want, no contract. Great to have in your Z as a back up for on the train etc.


Right onto my final problem which is now solved - earlier I said I used the TMP and Protection Suite 5.6 installers from the SZ6 vista download page. The TMP is fine - the PS is NOT OK. Why? even though it is version 5.6 (the latest) the SZ uses a different sensor driver and Sony customizes all of the Protection Suite installers. So you need to use a Protection Suite Installer 5.6 built for the Z series (otherwise whilst it will install fine, it will never scan your finger). You can get this by going to the UK Support site - selecting your Z model, then selecting the XP Downgrade files and apps and choosing the PS 5.6 installer there.

Sorted. (until i spot something else).

Thanks for everyones help in getting this operational!

 

So the only way I can do a clean install is if I already have a Vista CD from somewhere else? Seems kind of silly Sony lets you make Recovery discs with the OS but you can't do a clean install with it...

Also, if I backed up the key with ABR, then I do a clean install with a Vista Ultimate disc, can I restore it my original backed up key?

 

Yea, you can only do a clean install if you have some kind of vista disc in possession already. The recovery discs lets you restore the system to its factory state.

That is the purpose with ABR, so you can back up your original key and apply it to your clean install.

 

I got the fn and s1/s2 keys working in vista 64bit by using the guide regarding SR (somewhere in this forum)

 

where did you get a 64bit sony shared library and 64bit vaio control center and other 64bit utilities?

 

ok im having a problem with the Vista anytime upgrade disc... Wen it asks for the serial i do not enter anything and continue..then an error msg appears 'The file install.win is either corrupt or broken' . And then it stops and doesnt work...any ideas??

 

okay i'm not sure with vista but my cpu usage keep moving contstantly.. from 1 to like 15 tops most of the time sometimes spike at 35 - 65.. is that normal? reason im asking is that because i am concern with my battery life.. i normally get around 4 30min tops is that normal? i was hoping more.

 

Honestly...it seems like your disc is corrupt with a bad sector or something...and it could be anything like a scratch, or a badly burnt DVD that's causing the problem, and you really can't do anything about it except get another one.

It could be a background process that's sucking your resources. Antivirus scanner or something else vista might be doing...

I can't tell you about battery life because I have the extended battery only.

 

where r i can find Vista anytime upgrade disc.. ?!

 

it might be.. can any of yah guys please post your idle cpu usage? like as far as it jumping around from to 1 percent to whatever.

i'm thinking of putting xp on mind now. but not sure if hdmi would work, that really my only concern, since i have to do countless presentation with hdmi .

 

Hey, thanks for the guide - it's worked awesome for me so far on both a VGN-550N and a VGN-591U!

Only thing I may have missed, on the 550 what do I need to install to get dvd playback, and on the 591 what do I need to install for bluray?

Thanks again

 

An asian sony-Z site quoted elsewhere listed "HDMI MAY POSSIBLY NOT WORK WITH XP"

I would seriously wait for reviews from Z-owners who downgraded first

 

I know that the vista discs have all versions in every disc. So if i have a disc from the ultimate package it will still give me the option of hoosing which version to install right? To make this simpler, im asking if i can install home premium from an ultimate disc? Thanks

 

Hey MegaMan, I followed your guide and it's very helpful, but just a couple of questions

1. Sony Shared Library
2. Sony Setting Utility
3. Sony VAIO Event Service
4. VAIO Control Center
5. VAIO Power Management
6. Sony ISB Utility
7. Sprint WWAN Driver
8. Sony HDD Protection Filter Driver

I followed that install order and the last item I installed was VAIO Power Management. I did not install 6, 7, 8 and everything on my laptop is working fine (The S keys, Functions, etc.) My Z is the Asian version and I would install the Sony ISB Utility and HDD Protection Filter, but I could not find it on the driver page here... any idea which ones it could be?

http://www.sony.com.sg/support/download/274220/product/vgn-z16gn/sectionfirst?subpage=detail

Also, how do I get the driver for all the touchpad functions? I was able to scroll pages using the right side of the touchpad but after the clean install I can't do it anymore.

Thanks, really appreciate this guide

 

Well, on the guide I posted a link to my website where I am hosting all these utilities:

http://nextlevelcomputer.com/temp/online/vaio/Z Utilities.zip

For touchpad functions, go ahead and install this:

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/ALDOTH-14617900-US.EXE

 

MegaMan,

That touchpad function installer doesn't work with my version of the Z. It says something about the software not being meant for this computer.

Is there another way to get it? I did make recover DVDs before I did the clean install...

 

http://www.sony.com.sg/support/download/271035/product/vgn-z17gn/sectionfirst?subpage=detail

go down to #10: To install Alps Pointing device for VAIO

See if that works for your asian touchpad

 

Thanks, that XP driver did the trick (I didn't even think of looking in the XP section )

One last question... before I did the clean install I noticed an icon in the taskbar for updating VAIO software I think. Is there a way to get something similar now after the clean install? Or do I just need to check Sony's website once in a while?

 

i finally did this clean install.. and it worked nicely. I was just wondering where i can get the fingerprint suite for loggin into windows and shortcuts and stuff...

edit: i have a couple problems wen installing the drivers it said network controller one could not be found in the folder. is this ok??? and secondly, how do i install the hdd protection utility thing, there is no setup file...
thanks

 

I have this vista CD that came with inspiron desktop and I was wondering if it'd work. Does it need a modification?

 

i bought a sony Z and format the whole hard drive be4 i read this forum ...
is there anyway i can get the full function of the sony Z...even though i did not make the recovery CD? ...i am worried now

Do i have to return the sony Z or talk to Sony?
because after the reinstall of the vista 32bit home P
the Fn keys does not work and the toggle change video card mode. please help

thanks so much

 

Just check once a while, but the only thing that really needs updating drive wise is GPU drivers, the other drivers will probably not be updated for a while, and only if there is a serious problem.

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/UPAPWD-14406100-US.EXE

Install and use that to set it up for fingerprint software.

HDD protection utility is in the Utility Zip file I posted on the 1st post. There is a setup file in there.

I think need to modify it, use Vlite to modify it into a standard Vista installation disc

http://www.vlite.net/

That is what this thread is for...just follow the instructions on the front page, and you'll get all your functionality back.

I can't help you if you don't read.

 

yes, thanks for replying
but i did not make any recover CD
and now my harddrive is empty.

i tried once without the recover CD
installing the Z unities step by step
i can get 50% of the fn keys.
but not the other stuff !

 

The first page lists in RED BOLD - *if it doesnt, it should* YOU NEEEEEEEEEEEEED to make RECOVERY discs BEFORE you DO CLEAN install

 

I am going to buy the z series soon. Where did u get the windows anytime upgrade from sg? Does it come with the z series? I am from sg also. If I cannot do a clean install then I will not buy a sony laptop- plse help

 

I tried the above instruction to do clean instal but it didn't work. Now I am trying to reset to factory settings my recovery dvds and it keeps asking for the recovery disk 2 when it is already in there. It's stuck on 9%. Any advice. thanks

 

I already told you, all the the Utilities and Drivers are listed on the 1st post. You can download them there if you didn't make a Recovery DVD. I can NOT help you if you continue to be ignorant and not read.

You can get the anytime upgrade disc from ebay or amazon

eg.

http://www.amazon.com/441643-001-Mi..._1_7?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1221413746&sr=8-7
http://www.amazon.com/441643-001-Mi..._1_8?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1221413746&sr=8-8
http://search.ebay.com/anytime-upgrade-disc_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturnedZ300

What went wrong in the installation, and what didn't work? Perhaps we could work through it if you're stuck. That's why this forum is here!

 

Alright i got everything to work nicely. But i noticed that i couldnt delete the recovery partition wen installing windows. I would like to use the extra 10gb if possible. Would you know how to delete that partition in windows install or even without formatting aggain?

Also, how would i create an image of the hdd so that next time i want to restore i could just restore to my current state with all programs installed? Wat program would you recommend? Thanks again

 

There was a part in the installation that would have let you deleted that partition. It is listed in Step 11 and 12 in the installation guide below.

To create an image, follow step 26-28 using TrueImage or similar program to make an disk image.

Quick Run Through Instructions With Pictures

1. Download the Activation Backup and Restore program in the 1st post of this thread.
2. Open the file and copy the ABR folder to your USB flash drive, external drive, or second internal hard drive.
3. Double click activation_backup.exe. This will open a cmd window and extract the OEM Vista key. If all goes OK you will see two new files in the ABR folder.

* backup-cert.xrm-ms: Backed up activation
* backup-key.txt: Backed-up product key

4. Insert the Vista Anytime Upgrade DVD.
5. Reboot your computer. Your computer should boot to CD/DVD. If not change the option in your BIOS



6. Choose your language, Time/Currency, and country. Click Next.



7. Click on Install Now



8. The next screen is for your Vista key. DO NOT enter anything in this box. Be sure to UNCHECK the activate box. Click Next. The installation program won't believe you, so it will ask you again if you want to enter your key. Choose NO.



9. You will be asked which version of Vista you have purchased. Highlight the version that came with your computer. Check the box that says "I have selected the edition of Windows that I purchased". Click Next.



10. Accept Microsoft's license terms. Click Next.
11. Choose Custom (Advanced) Installation.



12. Choose where you want to install Vista.
* Disk 0 is your primary drive and where you should install.
* If your manufacturer has included a recovery partition you will see Disk 0 Partition 1 and Disk 0 Partition 2. Choose Partition 1.
* Highlight Disk 0 Partition 1 (should be the first choice.
* Click on Drive Options (Advanced).
* Choose Format. This will completely erase your old installation, including all bloatware!
* The default settings for formatting will be fine. This will take some time depending on the size of your drive.
* More experienced users my delete the recovery partition and gain back the 10GB of space.
* If your computer did not come with recovery disks DO NOT remove the recovery partition unless you have burnt the disks yourself!



13. The installation program will now begin copying files



14. The installation program will reboot the computer. You can remove the DVD from the drive now.



15. Choose a username and password.



16. Choose a computer name and desktop background.



17. Choose an automatic updates option.



18. Choose a time zone, set date and time.



19. The gears of Vista will whirl for a few moments and Vista will start! Go to Control Panel>System and Maintenance>System. You will see that Vista is NOT activated. Close this window.



20. Insert your USB flash drive and navigate to activation_restore.exe. Double click the file to start.
21. A cmd window will open and you will see it doing it's thing. It should say "Successful". Close the cmd window.
22. Go to Control Panel>System and Maintenance>System again. Notice the difference?



23. Install the device drivers you downloaded before. You will probably be asked to reboot and it is OK to do so. Be careful not to install any bloatware, or unnecessary helper applications.
24. Open Control Panel>System and Maintenance>System again. Click on Windows Experience Index half way down the window.
25. This will open the Windows Experience Index window. Click Update My Score. Vista uses this score to determine if it will be able to handle the Aero interface.



There you have it! A fresh, clean Vista installation with NO extra crap. Guaranteed to make for a faster and more enjoyable computing experience! I know the instructions are lengthy, but it really on takes a fraction of the time you would spend removing the extra crap manufacturers add to a new computer.

If at any time you make a mistake you can you the recovery disk(s) or your manufacturers recovery method to restore your computer.

26. Use True Image or a similar program to make an disk image. This will now take the place of your recovery DVD(s) and allow you to recover your system to this exact point if you ever need to.
27. Install all of your programs and customize Vista to your liking.
28. Make another disk image with True Image.

Images are courtesy and property of: http://www.davescomputertips.com/

 

I know the basics of partitioning but wen vista does not show the partition then i have a problem... This is why i asked... not so that i could look at the tutorial again...thanks though...

 

any updates on the x64 drivers? i've gotten just about everything except the nvidia driver and the function keys to work. If i can find an x64 driver i'll be happy. FN keys aren't terribly usefull anyways. on top of that...there HAS to be a way to map them through some other program. the drivers for the sony ext. parser and the other thing install fine with x64, so if there is something out there that can use those drivers it should be able to handle the FN and stamina/speed buttons, as well as eject and s1/s2

 

Great guide, thanks for doing this. I followed it completely but has at least one issue and a few questions:

1. I have one item in Device Manager that does not have a driver: "Network Controller". I have tried several times for it to look for the right driver from your driver download files but it does not find it.

Plus I think the following items that I want to install would be answered by my question about how to get drivers from the restore DVDs. Please tell me how do I do that (from the restor DVDs)

1. Sprint WWAN Driver (this I might have been able to install but am not sure)
2. Sony HDD Protection Filter Driver (this I tried from the files that you recommended but there is no executable there that would launch this)
3. SmartFi

Also you mention the "Sony Control Center" in one post, I am not sure what that is or how do I install it on the machine after the clean install.

Thanks again for a great guide and all you help, Megaman and all others who contributed.

Thanks!

 

This is a guide for 32bit vista clean installation. Sony's FN, S1, S2, Stamin/Speed toggle is all software controlled, and there are no official Sony X64 software that has been released that enables this.

Network Drivers:
ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/INDETH-15021800-US.EXE

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/INDWLL-15373700-US.EXE

Sprint WWAN Driver:
ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/NODOTH-15319700-US.EXE

Sony HD Protection Filter:
ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SODOTH-14514300-US.EXE

Other Utilities Here:
ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-42300000-US.EXE