Sony screwed me again

I bought a Sony VGN-AR370CTO notebook a couple of years back, standard setup was as follows:
INTEL T7200 PROCESSOR
2GB PC5300 MEMORY
NVIDIA VIDEO
2- 120GB 5400RPM HDD
WINDOWS VISTA BUSINESS

When I received the notebook orginally it run like crap because of Vista, in fact it run so bad I tried unsuccessfully to install XP but could not. Sony acknowledgied there was an issue with the drivers and Vista on this laptop and said that drivers were being developed for XP. This never happen! I been using it like it is for the whole 2 years and suffering.

So excited when news of Windows 7 was coming. I bought a copy and installed today. Some of the drivers did not load so I went to support site and nothing listed for Windows 7 so I called Sony and the guy sent me to a website for drivers

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/os7upgrade.pl?mdl=VGNAR370

as you can see not compatible! I am so angry....

Now I got to thinking, Windows 7 is less resource intensive than Vista, drivers are more compatible. How can windows 7 not be supported?
I will most likely look for other sony computers that are compatible and use those drivers but the fact is I feel like Sony screwed me from the biginning.

Has anyone else had this issue? I know Sony is a big company but if they loose more and more customers then they can suffer greatly like other large corporations that have suffered in this economy. Unless Sony was willing to develop the drivers I need which they are not going to do, or replace this junk piece of a laptop which they are not going to do I will never buy another Sony product.

If this laptop was not purchased through work and I owned it, I would make a good Youtube video with it. I will spread my word all over the internet as much and as quick as I can. This is an injustice to anyone who put faith in Sony and ended up being screwed like this.

 

Same feeling here. Sony decided to disable VT first, and decided to limit the maximum RAM on Z3 down to 6GB regardless of the hardware capability.

There is no need to mention their crap support in drivers, compared against many other big companies.

I will never buy Sony's laptop again unless they can learn to give better support.

I will also spread this out.

 

I will be joining these efforts. I am very upset and have already started sending emails to Sony. I will continue everyday until I hear something good.

As of right now, they have lost a lifetime customer. Anyone interested in putting up a webpage? I noticed that sonyLACKSstyle.com is available.

Wow, I'm so thoroughly annoyed right now. I can't believe I allowed myself to think Sony was a reputable company.

 

I dont have one of those units but what is preventing the 7 install?
If it is a driver issue you should be able to bypass sony and get drivers from component manufacturers ..... it has worked for me on numerous laptops that are supposidly unsupported all the way back to a compaq dv3000

 

I agree crazycanuk and have started a guide for this process. I still need a couple of drivers. I think the point is more to do with support though. We shouldn't have to go through this to get a new OS. Let alone that they knew Vista was crap and didn't provide any alternatives.

 

which drivers do you need, I may have them somewhere around here and I will try to help as much as I can as SONY isnt the only one with these problems

 

I'm still looking for a camera (VCC8 I believe) and bluetooth drivers. I have tried several versions and had no luck so far.

Here's the link to my doc I'm working on....

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=421884&page=8

 

have you tried using the vista drivers, as Acer and HP's vista camers drivers work well.

what BT module do they have in those... so I dont need to look it up please

 

Sony is a joke!

My VGN-498D bought new last year apparently does not meet the minimum requirements for 7 and they wont provide drivers for it. Ha!
We should make a list of drivers and system utilities that we find that will be compatible for these "old" models and try to help each other.

Im done buying anything else from Sony again.

 

well guess my next refresh involves no Sony's either, if you guys can get a list of hardware you need drivers for, it will be easy to setup a working list as we find compatable drivers. if you need I am willing to setup a site or FTP area for all the sony members left in the dark as this is pure BS

 

It is well known that by today there is no working graphics driver for nvidia card to be capable of adjusting screen brightness with the Fn hotkey at all, under Windows 7 x64 or Windows Server 2008 R2 x64.

Edit: this applies to the Z series, forgot to say

 

damn they must have heavily modified their reference drivers for nvidia, that is a real setback

 

Even with official driver

How amazing.....

And it does not work perfectly in speed mode....

 

Not true. I am pretty sure Rajeesh (aka coolguy) has the FN key working for brightness wirh the OSD as well under Win7 on an FZ190E. It is discussed in the FZ owners thread.

Gary

 

It's true on VAIO Z....

nVIDIA 9300M GS....

The hybrid graphic system and single graphic are not the same......

 

The FW1xx is also not supported at all:

"The hardware configuration of this model does not meet the minimum system requirements needed to run and provide the full experience of the Windows® 7 operating system.

Windows® 7 installation is not recommended and Sony will not be providing Windows® 7 drivers for this model."

Seriously?? The FW doesn't meet the minimum requirements? What is Sony smoking?

 

We are lucky with our FZ's not having hybrid GPU's as in the Z models.

 

I want to know the real damn reason for such a reputed company like Sony to provide an abysmal response for Win 7 driver support.

 

This weekend, I'm heading back home and I will be calling Sony Support and I will ask them exactly what component of my laptop does not meet the Windows 7 requirements.

 

I am very much aware of the fact that the hybrid system and single graphic system are not the same. I was replying to the quoted message above which has no stipulation about what model or models the poster was referring to. I wanted to make it clear that the blanket statement that "there is no working graphics driver for nvidia..." was not true. It most assuredly is true of SPECIFIC models and we need to be careful not to mislead folks into giving up their quest, when it CAN be accomplished on some machines today, despite what Sony says.

Gary

 

I agree that normally a driver can be found, in fact I have found Windows 7 to be driver friendly. The point I am making is they should back there equipment, I have Windows 7 on the laptop I am typing this on and it runs better than Vista Business that come on it. I have never had a laptop that run as ruff as this Sony with Vista on it.

As you can see in my original post the system specs are not small enough for Sony to say the hardware is not compatible. The problem with Sony is they want to sell products and not have to pay a programmer to buid drivers to stay up with technology. How much money with Sony make off building drivers for Windows 7's use on this laptop.

What it boils down too is this, Sony sells stuff and wiggles out of support by claiming the systems are not compatible for the new software. Saving money tatics.

****SONY REPRESENTATIVES****
This kind of tactics may save money now but will cripple sales later, if you don't believe it look at Gateway computers........


I would love to cram my laptop up Sony's CEO's A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! side ways

 

Another problem is TPM, for the models that come with a TPM chip. Infineon doesn't sell the drivers directly, and you have to get them through your OEM. The version that came with the Z (3.0) is incompatible with Windows 7, but a newer version that is (3.5) is available, according to Windows' upgrade tool.
It just won't help unless Sony releases the update, cause you can't (legally) get it from anywhere else.

 

And if I call them and ask them like I said before, what part of my laptop is not compatible with Windows 7, what can they say? I'm actually pretty pissed about this issue and I swear, I'm willing to sue Sony on this "compatibility" issue (all depending on what the Sony rep will tell me when I call him).

 

Personally I think it's all the same as VT. But the unrest will be way bigger.

Sony excluded VT from laptops and all who want it should do it by himself. and.. when there's Win 7 on the way Sony makes BIOS and think that's ok: "All models have VT." Like it was from the biginning.
Now the same. sone says there's no support for win7 in old models. and when all the people say: "? We need this and this can be easily done!" There will be a full driver pack for all the models. Like it was from the biginning.

The only difference that VT is required only for a small amount of users. (i'm sure there's some ppl who thinks they really need an XP mode and VT for it, but don't know what VT was designed for.) and W7 is needed by about all the users now. Vista wasn't successful and this makes W7 look even better =)

Hope Sone to realize their mistake soon and make the right descision.

 

I have already sent an email to the Sony support reps. They basically restated it didn't meet the min sys requirements. Here are the requirements they replied with.

System Requirement:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx

1. 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Processor
2. 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
3. 16 GB available Hard Disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
4. DirectX 9 FGaphics Device with WDDM 1.0 or higher Driver

Without doing any research I'm pretty sure the only one on that list that could be an issue is the DirectX item. However that doesn't seem like that should be the case. Anyone else get a response or have any idea how these requirements are not covered by the FZ's?

 

It says the same bull about my sony VGN-130N, which I only bought like a year ago.... and have been running Windows 7 on since leaked alphas were out.

The only thing I was looking for from them was some sony specific drivers for the extra buttons, and power control.

This is just sonys way of saying "F__K You, consumer... buy a new sony laptop". It will be the last Sony product I purchase.

 

And here's link http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/aa905088.aspx to check out what card support WDDM. Check on the right. "Get a list of NVIDIA GPUs that would support WDDM" There's even GeForce 6200. all the newer card support WDDM.

 

When you do this don't waste any more time than necessary with tier one support. They will do nothing but read from a script. Ask, very nicely with LOTS OF HONEY, to be escalated to tier two. Tier two folks are allowed to think for themselves and don't read from scripts. I have had VERY GOOD results talking to them. Be nice, make them your friend, compliment them on how quickly they picked up the call, even if you waited in a queue for an hour. Do everything you can to make them think you aren't upset, and you are happy to be talking to them. Chat them up. They are not used to that sort of attitude and will be much more responsive. I even had one go off line do some research and email me back with some documents! I've done this on three or four occasions with great effect. And I wasn't being phony about it, I DID want to befriend them. I know what it's like to talk to an irate customer versus a friendly one. I know which one I spend the most time with.

Let us know what you find out.

Gary

 

Well according to this link all GeForce 8400M products would support it. They provide a link to test out your card.

http://www.nvidia.com/page/technology_vista_home.html

I tested mine and it failed. I'm pretty sure that it has more to do with the 'unofficial' driver I have currently installed. I would like to point out I used a version of 'Doxs' driver from another forum I found. I have no problems with the Aero functionality and am able to play BluRay DVD's just fine.

I too am very frustrated by this but we'll get through it. I would love to be part of a massive lawsuit against them. Their approach is pathetic. That being said, we will beat them at their own game and figure this all out.

hope everyone's day is a bit better than it started.

 

The Nvidia web page you linked is for desktop cards. Look here http://www.nvidia.com/object/io_1241025430517.html

 

please take a closer look at the page...........

 

Look my post again. Edited. As far as testing Nvidia doesn't support Sony (OEM) cards.

 

The model number was listed on their page though. So I'm sure it's compatible and Sony is just being...well Sony.

 

Never thought to use such approach but I'll keep it in mind.

 

I spoke to Tech support and ask to sent up to tier 2 support which they did and I was told that older notebook drivers such as my VGN-AR370 would recieve drivers at a later date. I have no faith in this because I was told by sony when I got this laptop that so many people had compained about the AR370 and Vista that XP drivers were being developed and would be available on the website within a few weeks. This never happen so why should I put any trust in what Sony says.

This is poor business in respects of support of not only a customer but support of their own products.

I wish there was some way for Sony execs to see this post. I would be curious to see if they even cared?

SONY WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You should have asked for the rep's name. So then in a few weeks' time when the drivers don't show up and you call again, you mention the dude's name who did tell you that.

 

Jarred is all I remember and was told I think.....

 

Sure glad Im not on Sonys tech support today !!!!!!!!

 

So what does it take to get a group lawsuit going against these guys?

 

the easiest would be a CAL if you can prove that buyers were mislead in some fashon

 

I'm either not remembering or don't know what that is? a CAL?

 

Class Action Lawsuit, sorry im in abbreviation mode, just kick me

 

This won't work since Sony always mentions that it doesn't support notebooks with a OS other than the one pre-installed. Doom days are ahead for Sony.

 

But tell me, how can you support the FW2xx - FW5xx series but not FW1xx? They have to prove that the refreshes were fundamentally different from the original release models which somehow made the FW1xx series incompatible with Windows 7 (which we all know is far from true!)

 

Why don't you just install the FW-5xxx series drivers and utilities (atleast available for your model unlike my FZ)? You can extract using Universal Extractor software to bypass model check.

 

They have to prove NOTHING. All they have to do is show the part that Sony clearly states that they only support the original OS sold with the machine. They are very careful about that.

And if you have ever participated in any sort of class action law suit, you'd know that the ONLY folks who win are the lawyers on BOTH sides of the case. By the time the folks affect in the suit see any money, the lawyers fees are paid meaning pennies to those affected.

Our only hope here is to band together and figure this out ourselves. Sony isn't going to help. But the drivers are there for most of the machines we have. Witnessed by the example of coolguy (Ramesh) getting Win7 64 bit installed on a two year old FZ190 model with everything except the "S" button working.

We can all be pissed off with Sony, but it's not going to help. Neither is a class action suit. It might make you feel better, but it isn't going to get Win 7 running on your machine.

Time to roll up our collective sleeves and do this sucker. I suggest a thread for each model family, with someone taking the lead to take ownership of the first message in each thread and keep it updated with specific links to the correct drivers and utilities etc. for 32 bit AND 64 bit versions and most important the ORDER in which these need to be installed. I'd take the FZ thread, but I intend to do an inplace upgrade to WIn7 ultimate 32 bit from my existing Vista Ultimate 32 bit. (I have too much stuff installed to take the time for a clean install right now and then have to track down all the installers etc.) Ramesh, will you take the lead for an FZ thread and get the ball rolling?


Gary

 

I agree, the only true winners will be the lawyers. But some press surrounding this couldn't be bad, could it? An easy way to warn others why they shouldn't go with Sony.

That being said, concerning the guides/threads for each model. I have already put a beginning doc together for the FZ280 E/B. I think we need to be careful of lumping all FZ models into one thread. While going thru this process in the last couple of weeks I found that some things 'coolguy' suggested worked and others didn't for my model. This could cause confusion.

Let me know how I can help.

 

I will post the clean install instructions, drivers and utilities links for 64-bit Windows 7 in FZ-190 soon. I haven't done the clean install of the retail version myself (downloaded last night). Once I am done I will pull the plug.

 

Screw Sony and Windows 7! I'm going to install Snow Leopard on my VGN-SZ 670 N/C instead! Here's how:

Sorry, didn't know it was illegal to talk about this here.

I've taken off the URL.

 

nice spam!

LAME