VAIO FW Clean Windows 7 Install Guide

VAIO FW Clean Windows 7 Install Guide
by mcgregor


Screenshot

Demo Video:

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This guide is based in technical sony support articles and the excellent work of roninwz's Vaio FW Clean Vista Install Guide, adapted to get Clean Windows 7 Beta Install (bloatware free) with the complete functionality of the built in shortcut and Fn keys(volume +/-, mute, magnify, brightness control).

Although, it differs from Vista, in the order and the install methods for the drivers. The installation order is crucial, I spend a lot of hours finding the correct order/method.

1. First of all, create your restore DVD using VAIO Recovery Center.
   
2. Now, get Windows 7 Beta x86 from Microsoft Customer Preview Program and Get Your Windows 7 Beta Product Key.
   
   NOTICE: The Beta will stop working on August 1, 2009 [more info]
   
3. Go to sony support and download all the VISTA drivers for your VAIO FW. Extract all the installers in a folder, using Uniextract, just like roninwz explained. [see the Instructions section, numbers: 3), 4) and 5)]. Although you may no need the SATA driver, because Windows 7 already have it.
   
4. Save your drivers in a thumb USB drive or CD-R/DVD-R.
   
5. Create your Windows 7 Beta x86 Install DVD, burning the ISO that you got from microsoft site. Use Nero, or ImgBurn.
   
6. Boot up your laptop through Windows 7 DVD.
   
7. Choose your language, region.Then press the Install button. Choose Custom Installation (NO UPDATE).
   
   You will see all the partitions in your hard disk. Leave "Recovery" partition alone! do not touch it is your Recovery OEM.
   Select your C:\ partition, click in Drive Options and Format the partition. Finally select C:\ and click Next.
   
   Let windows 7 Installation completes, it will restart several times before you have control.
   
8. Run Windows Update and install all the recommended Updates.

Install Methods Explained

• manual. This is the most complicated method using the device manager. Press windows key + R, write: devmgmt.msc. From the device tree, select the device and click with the right mouse button and click in Update driver option. Then choose install from a file or location, and browse and select the folder driver manually (often TEMPEXEFOLDER or TEMPEXEFOLDER\Vista), press OK and the installation begins and completes automatically.
  
• compatibility mode You need to run the Installer using compatibility mode set to Vista [more info]. The drivers are compatible, so you don't have to worry about it.
  
• Installer. Just run the Installer in the TEMPEXEFOLDER.

Installation Order

Now, this is the tricky part you MUST install the drivers and VAIO Utilities in the following order and specific [method]:

1. Sony Shared Library [installer]
2. Sony Utility / Notebook Utilities
   
   3.1. BC (no install, no needed, yagh)​
   3.2. SUS, aka Setting Utility Series. Go to the Folder Extracted from the Notebook Utilities Installer (P.E. G:\DriversFWVista\SNUtilities\TEMPEXEFOLDER\SUS), \SUS and run the [installer]​
   3.3. VCC aka VAIO Control Center. Go to the Folder Extracted from the Notebook Utilities Installer (P.E. G:\DriversFWVista\SNUtilities\TEMPEXEFOLDER\VCC), \VCC and run the [installer]​
3. Chipset Intel Driver [compatibility mode]
4. ICH9-E/M SATA AHCI do the [manual] method, this device is on the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section in the device manager
5. Video: ATI Driver [installer]
6. Realtek Audio Driver
   
   6.1. Realtek Sound Card Driver [compatibility mode]​
   6.2. Realtek HDMI Sound Driver [compatibility mode]​
7. Ethernet [manual])
8. Intel Wireless. Download latest Intel Wireless drivers from their site, and do the manual install.
9. Modem [manual]
10. Bluetooth [compatibility mode]
11. Touch pad [manual]
12. Memory Stick Driver. Is the “Base System Device” in the Unknown Device section, do [manual] install.
13. Memory SD Driver [manual]
14. ATTENTION: Go to Power Options in Control Panel, check if the brightness control slide is working OK.
    
    Now, at this point you have:
    

    • Multimedia Audio controls (Vol +/-, Mute, etc) working OK through Windows Native device handler, (no process needed)
    • Brightness Control working OK, using the brightness control slide in Power Options.

    You can leave it here, and don’t install VAIO Event Service saving about 15MB of Memory, that this process use. BUT if you want the Fn Key functionality Mute, Vol+/- and Brightness +/- , etc, do the following:​
15. Install VAIO Event Service. Go to the Folder Extracted from the Notebook Utilities Installer (P.E. G:\DriversFWVista\SNUtilities\TEMPEXEFOLDER\VES2), \VES2 and run the [installer]
16. Install Firmware extensión Parser [manual]
17. Install VAIO Power Manager [Go to the Folder Extracted from the Notebook Utilities Installer (P.E. G:\DriversFWVista\SNUtilities\TEMPEXEFOLDER\VPM), \VPM and run the [installer]
18. Activate your Windows 7
    
    NOTICE Get Your Windows 7 Beta Product Key​
19. OPTIONAL / RECOMMENDED: get Acronis True Image Home 2009 and made a Backup, so the next time you don’t need to do this all over again. Only takes about 4 min to create the backup file, and about 3.8GB, recovery from backup takes only a few minutes!.
20. Install your Antivirus Software (Try Threatfire Highly Recommended) and Applications.

UPDATE:
was successfully completed in 2 VAIO VGN-FW's and 1 VGN-TX.

My VAIO FW, is running a triple boot system flawlessly : Windows 7, Windows XP3 and Linux Ubuntu 8.10.

Well, that's all I hope it works for you too .


UPDATE:
Hi everyone!, today I'm gonna try Windows 7 RTM in my FW. More feedback soon.

SEE My Lastest Mini-Guide HERE: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=429623 - VAIO FW Windows 7 Final x64 Clean Install

Greetings!
-Greg

 

I'm going to give this a try. good job on the guide, +rep!

 

Great guide!!!

What are steps 3.1 through 3.3?

Should steps 7.1 and 7.2 really read 6.1 and 6.2?

Gary

 

Thanks!

Sorry , Fixed

steps 3.1 - 3.3.

When you extract the Notebook Utilities Installer, you get:

TEMPEXEFOLDER it contains the following folders:

• BC. Battery Care skip it, its only an annoying nag checker services from Sony VAIO.
  
• SUS. Setting Utilities Series, needed to get FN Keys and Vaio Control Center working.
  
• VCC. VAIO Control Center, program to set up your VAIO. It allows you to configure the shortcut button, to launch programs.
  
• VES2. VAIO Event Service, needed to get Fn Keys functionality, Wireless Switcher Utility(XP install, applies to other models) and VAIO Power Management. VES its a Sony process that runs in memory, takes about 15MB.
  
  
• VL. VAIO Launcher, more bloatware, skip it.
  
• VPM. VAIO Power Management., manufacture profile and utility to manage the power options for your laptop. However, Windows generic Power Options profiles do the work. If you have installed VES, install VPM too.

​

NOTICE: If you want a REAL CLEAN WINDOWS 7 Install, do not install:

• Sony Shared Library
• Sony Notebook Utilities: BC, SUS, VCC, VES2, VL and VPM

.

Volume, audio controls buttons works, you can use a generic Windows Power profile. Although, brightness control can only adjust through the brightness slide in Control Panel\Power Options.

 

valid for any sony series model? specifically the AW series


Thanks

 

Well, I made this guide specifically for the FW series. However, I based my findings in whitepapers (clean install articles) from Sony. Then I follow the same order for a clean install in a VAIO VGN-TX750FP and Z successfully. I pretty sure that works in others models too.

 

nice guide.

aleicgrant, it should work the same for you, you might have to install slightly different drivers like nvidia 9xxx series instead of ATI. and maybe a TV tuner

 

They're still giving windows 7 keys?

 

No.

Gary

 

I just tried the Windows 7 download page, and it looks like the are still offering keys, but not the actual downloads the os. So if you downloaded windows 7 earlier, you might still get the key. Tho I have a feeling that terrace meant 'keys' as shorthand for 'downloads', and in that case he's out of luck (unless you go to underground sites and take yer chances with tampered/dirty/virus-filled excutables).

 

i did a clean install but my resolution looks like it's 1600x900. my ati radeon hd3650 on the oem vista hp 64-bit was at 1920x1080.

does anyone currently have windows 7 on sony fw running 1920x1080, please let me know how you did it.

 

brain boy,

Yep, you are right. Mea culpa. 'Twas a classic case of ready... shoot... aim... on MY part.

Gary

 

On my European model FW21E, installation went smoothly. Here is what I did:

1) Installed Windows 7 beta, updated it via Windows Update. (At this point, the laptop was 100% usable - screen resolution was correct, sound was working, WiFi too etc. I needed to set volume and brightness via Windows control panels but it was all working fine.)
2) Installed Sony Shared Library
3) Installed VAIO event service (it was directly downloadable from Czech Sony support website)
4) Installed chipset driver
5) Installed firmware extension parser

and that was it. At this point, all devices in the device manager had correct driver installed and were working fine.

Problems:
- ATI driver was installed automatically by Windows but there was no Catalyst Control Center. When I tried to run either the default graphics driver from Sony website or the Win7 beta CCC from ATI website, it always crashed and didn't install. I don't mind missing CCC but the PowerPlay settings in power saving options are important to me and I am currently unable to set them.
- Volume buttons are not working (Fn keys are). I'm not sure what I did wrong - I though that installing VAIO event service will make this work but it evidently didn't.

The notebook runs a little quieter with Win7 although I would really like to install CCC to enable control over the GPU performance with the chance of further reducing heat and the need to use fan.

 

Has anyone installed Catalyst Control Center on Windows 7 successfully?

 

I got it working OK perfectly. Just follow the guide, the order is the key.

 

European models may have slightly different hardware specs and the drivers are packaged differently (for instance, I was able to download VAIO Event Service installer separately which I understand is impossible on US Sony support website).

Can you provide a direct link to the drivers page that worked for you?

Thanks,
Borek

 

I don't quite get what the UInstaller part means. Am I supposed to extract the actual installers and get for example the files (CHECKMODEL, EULA_FILE_ARG, EULA_FILE_CHI,...etc). or am I supposed to just keep the installers themselves?

 

I got a CR11 and i cant install the Card Reader driver.
It says "Driver is not intended for this platform."
does anyone know how to install it on windows 7

solved
http://www.vaio-link.com/os/vista/64bit/

 

With this set of drivers (which are appropriate for my FW21E): http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down...d.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&c=0&s=VGN-FW&m=3824 , I couldn't get the volume buttons working (with Setting Utility Series, VAIO Event Service and VAIO Control Center installed). Also, the brightness control, though working sometimes, is not 100% reliable.

The last problem is that Windows Experience Index is reporting that my HDD performance is 2.0 although the read speed is around 50MB/s according to HD Tune and the same score was about 4.7 on the preinstalled Win Vista. I don't worry about it too much but am still wondering what may be the reason for distorted view in WEI.

Other than that, I didn't need to install most of the official drivers as various parts were working out of the box (bluetooth, card reader etc.). What I needed to install, though, was the WiFi driver. With the default one, I was getting unpredictable cut offs in connection. Official Intel driver fixed this.

Final thoughts: Win7 runs quite fine on my FW21E. Hardware buttons are not working 100% but I don't adjust volume too often (and usually can do it via the player application). Other than that, there are no problems with stability or any other issues. I don't find the experience too much better than Vista though (clean Vista, obviously; the crap from Sony slows things down). The battery lasts approximately for the same time and the responsiveness of the system is also approx. the same. Of course Win7 has some nice new features that I like but from the "performance" point of view, Win7 and Vista are pretty close on my VAIO.

 

While I do have an FW, I think I will pass for now on upgrading Vista to Windows 7 until it's final release and they've worked out the bugs in the installation process.

But I did install Windows 7 on my older VGN-A290, and I gotta tell you, it runs equivalent or faster than XP and is very engaging to interact with and looks really great. Also in the package is an upgrade to IE 8 and thus far, that's pretty interesting as well.

So, my suggestion is that people keep an eye on how Windows 7 development evolves and consider it a compelling alternative for both older machines as well as an eventual upgrade from Windows Vista

 

I followed the instruction strictly but the volume button on my FW40E also dosn't work anymore.
Anyone got the same problem like me and borekb

 

Hi Guys!

I'm getting Unknown Device
Location: on Intel ICH9M LPC Interface Controller 2919

What is this?
Tried with Chipset Drivers?

My Model is VGN-FW21Z

 

Intel Matrix Storage Manager v8.8.0.1009

 

It´s the Sony® Firmware Extension Parser

 

Hi Guys!

I'm getting Unknown Device
Location: on Intel ICH9M LPC Interface Controller 2919

What is this?
Tried with Chipset Drivers?

My Model is VGN-FW21Z


- It´s the Sony® Firmware Extension Parser

 

Hi guys!

I followed the guide point to point.

I have VGN-FW21Z (European Model)

The drivers are working like a charm on Windows 7 Build 7077 x64
No unknown devices.

But what´s not working is the sony applications like Sony Control Center.
Plus the Fn buttons for brightness, S1 button, Media buttons.
Even though i have 64bit drivers and applications.

The Volume buttons and Fn mute button are working.

I´v looked for drivers and applications at the US sony site but i can´t seem to find out what US model is equal to mine.

Don´t get me wrong. Windows 7 is a nice OS. And my VAIO is working great!! But i would like to get the Sony applications to work. Like they were in Vista.

Any hints??

 

can i use this same guide if i want to install windows 7 64 bit on my vaio? On the european model website it doesnt specify whether the drivers are 32 or 64 bit.

http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down...d.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&c=0&s=VGN-FW&m=3824

 

I absolutely 100% agree - Windows 7 RC build 7100 64-bit is working pretty well on my UK Vaio VGN-FW11ZU, but with some annoying niggles.

The Fn+F5 and F6 buttons for brightness, the S1 button (which I set as a mute button), and the Media control buttons are not working, same as you.

I couldnt get the Firmware extension parser to do anything. I am left with 1 unknown device under other devices in Device Manager.

Also, as I was using Sony Battery Care from Vista to limit my battery to 80%, it now won't charge higher than 80% in Win 7. There doesnt seem to be a way to install battery care from the UK drivers site.

So with these niggles, I'm struggling to decide whether to put back my other hard drive with a properly working Vista SP1 install, before I get too carried away with installing all my applications and copying my data over.

I know these functions are not essential, but I kind of feel cheated that they arent working, as I used them all daily in Vista. Plus, I adjust the brightness so often (that dual lamp screen is blinding in a dark room!) using the FN keys it's almost a habit.

I have tried the drivers from the US Sony site, without success. When trying to install them it says they won't work on this model.

Does this really mean, that in a few months time when Win 7 is released properly, my FN keys won't work?

Any help, however small would be SO greatly appreciated!

 

Does Windows RC have an expiration date ?

 

I've just installed Windows 7 RC1 7100 64-Bit

I've got all the buttons to work!!!!
Even the Fn keys. I'm also able to set up the S1 button.

The problem was that in the guide it says that

When you extract the Notebook Utilities Installer, you get:

TEMPEXEFOLDER it contains the following folders:

* BC. Battery Care skip it, its only an annoying nag checker services from Sony VAIO.
* SUS. Setting Utilities Series, needed to get FN Keys and Vaio Control Center working.
* VCC. VAIO Control Center, program to set up your VAIO. It allows you to configure the shortcut button, to launch programs.
* VES2. VAIO Event Service, needed to get Fn Keys functionality, Wireless Switcher Utility(XP install, applies to other models) and VAIO Power Management. VES its a Sony process that runs in memory, takes about 15MB.

* VL. VAIO Launcher, more bloatware, skip it.
* VPM. VAIO Power Management., manufacture profile and utility to manage the power options for your laptop. However, Windows generic Power Options profiles do the work. If you have installed VES, install VPM too.

NOTICE: If you want a REAL CLEAN WINDOWS 7 Install, do not install:

* Sony Shared Library
* Sony Notebook Utilities: BC, SUS, VCC, VES2, VL and VPM


I installed all VAIO programs except VL,BC
didn't even have any install order like in the guide. Just install them and it shall work(Did for me?!?).
My model is VGN-FW21Z But...

I used the VGN-FW31ZJ Drivers. It comes with Vista x64 out of the box.
The two have same components except that the FW31ZJ has faster processor and has more assigned RAM to the Graphics Card.

Hope this Helps!!!

Good Luck!

 

Hey Phixiys, thanks for your reply!

I've given up for the moment, as I spent about 4 evenings trying to get it sorted, so I am back to Vista for the moment. However, after your comments, I'll be giving it another go soon.

Thanks again!

 

Do you, guys, know if I can clean install Windows 7 32bit RC on FW355?

Thank you!

 

hi,

i think i might not be in the right thread but i am sure it will help anyone who got VGN-FW21Z.

i was having problem with FN keys with WINDOWS 7 RC1 but i recovered my laptop using Sony VAIO recovery tools and upgraded to WINDOWS 7 build 7127 (released after RC1).

Everything is just perfect.

i hope it will help you guys

 

Recently followed this procedure for an FW290CTO and found that you must download the updated ATI HDMI audio drivers from Realteks website in order for it to function properly when hooked to an external display.

 

Where to get Notebook Utilities Installer?

 

I'm not able to get the VAIO Power Management tab to show up in advanced power options. Is anyone having this issue?

 

I have gotten everything to work fine except the touchpad (no side scrolling) I couldn't find where in the device manager to put the driver any help? This is of course using Windows 7 RC

Edit: there is only one device listed that's unknown and it says "Base System Device" tried to install the touchpad driver onto there and no luck, can't see where else it would go. =\ Help GREATLY appreciated!

 

I just installed the OS but when I tried to do the drivers and utilities from the recovery disc it errored out

it looks like my recovery discs didn't work out... weird I made them this morning, oh well I got my volume keys everything else mostly is accessable

 

How big of a DVD do i need to burn windows 7 64 bit?

 

You really don't need to double post.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5034265#post5034265

cheers ...

 

ICH9-E/M SATA AHCI do the [manual] method, this device is on the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section in the device manager

Whats ICH9-E/M SATA AHCI? I downloaded all the drivers and i'm looking at them but i don't see anything like that for the FW465JB. Can anyone help me out?

Not sure if this would be it,"Original Intel SATA Non RAID Driver"

Also the FW465JB doesn't have any "Realtek Audio Driver", for audio it only has Original ATI HDMI Audio Driver...?

 

If you look closer to the inlay that i wrote. You will see the Notebook Utilities ar the following programs.

* BC. Battery Care skip it, its only an annoying nag checker services from Sony VAIO.
* SUS. Setting Utilities Series, needed to get FN Keys and Vaio Control Center working.
* VCC. VAIO Control Center, program to set up your VAIO. It allows you to configure the shortcut button, to launch programs.
* VES2. VAIO Event Service, needed to get Fn Keys functionality, Wireless Switcher Utility(XP install, applies to other models) and VAIO Power Management. VES its a Sony process that runs in memory, takes about 15MB.

* VL. VAIO Launcher, more bloatware, skip it.
* VPM. VAIO Power Management., manufacture profile and utility to manage the power options for your laptop. However, Windows generic Power Options profiles do the work. If you have installed VES, install VPM too.

Thus you need an app called UNIextract.

But if you look closely on Sonys site you will see that the programs are as seperate installers. At least for my model.
Compare your model to others. Mine as an example is FW-21Z and running Vista x86. FW-31ZJ has mainly the same components and running Vista x64. So i used those drivers.

Hope this helps!!!

 

For the ICH9-E/M SATA AHCI you need Sony Firmware Extencion Parser.

 

Hi guys

Ive got a fw21m sony laptop and am looking at installing the latest windows 7 RC which expires in march 2010.

Does the ethernet,bluetooth,wireless icon that sits at the top of the desktop work, i found this quite usefull for turning on connections etc.

Also does anyone know if the media center works like the vista/sony version and my FW has bluray so would be intersted if i could use the same windvd_Bluray on windows 7 and hopefully not have to purchase a new serial no! as its included with the sony install.

I think vista too slow and from what i have read windows 7 is as quick if not quicker than xp.

 

Okay so im trying to install the 2.Sony Utility / Notebook Utilities on my sony vaio fw 465 but the Sony Utility Notebook Utilities drivers is just some cam driver..... the TEMPEXEFOLDER only has one setup and it turned out to be a cam driver so i'm really confused. I tried looking up the sony utility/notebook utilities driver from the fw 390 and i uniextracted it and tried to run the setup but it said i couldn't upgrade because i didn't have the innitial one. Again the TEMPEXEFOLDER didn't even have BC, SUS, VCC....i really need those files =(

 

nvm i found the files in the actual cam driver folder... this is kind of weird but w/e lol


Okay so i'm still having problems with getting:

S1, AV mode, brightness, and the touch pad scrolling to work.

 

Ive downloaded my installer files for my fw21m and i have used uniextrack16 to unzip the files, so i now have the unziped folders.

For example in the settings_utility_series_4.1 folder there is the setup installer when i use Universal extrator v1.6 to extract the files, first i get a box with 3 options, isxunpack extraction,Installsheild /b switch, Not an intershield installer, i then get the error message 'setup.exe cannot be extracted-filetype return was:Microsoft Visual C++ [overlay]
Click OK if you like to analyse the file yourself or cancel to exit'

Any ideas whats going on here, doesnt seem the same as outlined in the clean vista install guide.

My pc im extracting on is Xp service pack3.

 

thank you so much for this superb, accurate guide!!! i bought a vaio fw 41 m/h just two days ago, bringing it home after being attracted by the sleek look and impressive specs and features. then, after having to make five recovery cds, install different os'es more than ten times, and going on a manhunt for proper drivers, i was nearly on the verge of tears. this product turned out to be my worst buy. i was a little apprehensive about installing windows 7 since its still not yet at rtm or final but i gave it a shot since i had no other options left - IT WORKED GREAT!!! i could use all the drivers from the sony website under my model [except for the mobility radeon-i got those from ati website] and the performance looks fluid. even the fn keys worked - all of them!!!thanks so much for making the guide - i only know too well what a fiasco it must have been.

 

Extremely helpful thread! It is!
10x.

 

i have one small problem though - how do i get the webcam working???