VAIO FW Clean Windows 7 Install Guide

Hi
Should I use this guide to install the Release Candidate version of Windows 7 on my Vaio FW 490C?

 

Hi,

All of my drivers are ok but I couldn't get the brightness work. There is no problem with Fn button, Fn+F5, Fn+F6 works but brightness doesn't change, can't adjust from windows either. I've the RC1 version with all updates and installed nvidia driver from sony.

 

I just realized that it works on stamina mode with intel graphic adapter.

 

How about the WEBCAM drivers? Windows 7 RTM doesn't provide generic usb-webcam drivers like earlier beta's and the RC.

So Vaio FW's motion eye web camera doesn't work at all. I tried taking the Microsoft's generic drivers from Vista, but they didn't work. 7RTM is just saying "USB 2870 Device".

EDIT: Nevermind, Windows Update installed it and now it works just fine. Great guide!

 

I installed Win 7 a few days ago, and it works great. All drivers installed flawlessly, except for the ATI driver which refused to work (?!) so I just downloaded 9.7 Beta from ATI's website and everything is fine now.

 

So I cant get the sony Utilities to install for windows 7 RC1. Says its not for my model, but it is....(i have the VGN-FW463J/B) anyways... am i really missing out on much by just using what windows 7 finds drivers for + the ATI drivers?
All i can tell that isnt working is the media buttons and fuction keys... other than that, everything else seems to be working fine.

 

Everything worked well except I have lost my VAIO Media Plus. Can anyone willing to help me with that?

 

How to enable VT in the Sony Vaio VGN-W270AE?

 

sorry but sony disabled virtualization in that laptop

 

Will this info on post # 1 work on the SR laptop?

 

I can somewhat vouch that it works. Important thing is to follow the 'manual' installs by extracting the EXE with universal extractor. I have it working right now, but going to do a clean install because I didn't follow these steps the first time. But all the Fn keys work (including brightness), all devices seem to be recognized. Mode switch thing isn't probably going to work (but I've never used that in the first place). You can actually use the laptop straight out without having to install anything, but with limited function, but still works fine. Used Vista x64 Ultimate drivers from the website.

 

i followed it for the sr and it everything worked

 

If/when Sony releases Windows 7 compatible drivers/utilities, do you think it's best to do a clean install, or an update/upgrade will be fine?

 

well if u want a "new/formated" computer, do a clean install.
if you dont want to mess with reinstalling things, then do an update.

btw, vista drivers work for win7.

 

Ya, I'm aware of that, but they'll probably release the real stuff for Win7, maybe updated, too. Clean install is always best, though, but it'll be 3mon before Sony will actually do that.

 

I have one problem i bought my laptop from Australia and the model is VGN-FW25G. It came with a 32bit Vista installed. I've been trying to download the 64bit drivers of the new model FW but when i try install them it won't let me as it says it's not suitable for this model and it also says it can only be installed on Vista.
What do i do guys?

 

mcgregor, can U tell me how you got your FW configured with XP? Which specific drivers did U use and how did U make the funtions keys work? If you could post a short guise of the steps you took and a download link for each main driver component that would be great. Ive been trying to get rid od Vista and put XP but cannot find all the drivers, including the proper ATI's and other stuff...

Thank you very much!!!

 

Hi,

Thanks alot, it was the SFEP for me using Windows 7 Ultimate RTM Gold on my Sony Vaio VGN-AR840E, it was driving me crazy, was almost going to give Win7 the flick as I hate incomplete installs where something is missing.

I must've not installed on W7 previously, it was displaying on my WinXP SP3 partition OK. I was an idiot, I checked the WinXP and Win7 Device Manager and should've picked it up there, I didn't tick it off as a match.

Thanks again.

Cheerz

 

Hi guys,

just did Win7 RTM installation on my VAIO FW21E (European model) and all you need to install (on top of what Windows / Windows Update does for you) is:

- right-click "Unknown device" in the device manager and install Sony Firmware Extensions Parser (look for SFEP in the file name on Sony's website)
- install Sony Shared Library ( EDIT: Actually I'm not sure if this is 100% required but I installed it just to be safe. Something called "shared library" sounds like it should probably be present on the computer.)
- install Sony VAIO Event Service

That's it, Windows has drivers for everything else. Volume buttons work, brightness via Fn key works etc.

 

Thank you SO much. This is likely the best and most valuable post in the entire thread. I'm still in awe about the first post which basically tells you to install just about every crap Sony offers along with all the drivers which aren't even meant for Win7 (and for the most part not needed because win7 comes with updated drivers and automatically installs proper drivers for a lot of the hardware) - and THEN tells you probably shouldn't install the only really important thing "Brightness Control" because the event service uses 15MB of Ram.

One really has to wonder sometimes. Thanks a lot borekb for making clear what's REALLY needed and what not.

 

Well that's definitely a lot less messy than the first post. I figured something of the sort, because i just clean installed win 7 rtm on my old desktop so i can give it to my younger brother and without even installing any drivers, all the functionality was there, and then some! Just wondering, AnybodyM, have you tried this yourself? I'll prolly end up doing the simpler install myself, but i'm just wondering if the results have been replicated.

 

Yes, I have tried this on a VGN-FW41M/H and those three things are enough to make brightness and audio controls work.

The "AV Mode" and "S1" Buttons don't do anything (probably dependent on additional Sony Software) but I explicitly don't want those.

Win7 RTM already comes with drivers for Video, Audio, Bluetooth, SD-Card Slot, Webcam. Only one unknown item in Device Manager remained after installing Sony's SFEP driver and that missing one was auto-installed by the first run of Windows Update (some Ricoh driver).

After that basically EVERYTHING worked. Nevertheless, what I did in addition to that is:
- I downloaded the latest Realtek HD Audio driver (from Realtek, not from Sony!) and installed it
- I downloaded the latest AMD Catalyst 9.8 (currently only available here but probably in a few days in the regular section of the AMD homepage), applied the Radeon Mobility Modder (download here) to the drivers and installed them. Now I have the most recent Radeon drivers and ATI HDMI Audio Drivers.

EDIT: I have also now tested connecting the TV to the external HDMI port, it all worked beautifully. Switching Display modes with the Win-P keyboard shortcut worked, detailled display configuration in Catalyst Control Center worked. No problems whatsover with the mobility-modded drivers IMHO. And i've tried DXVA Video acceleration for H264 videos using Media Player Classic, worked perfectly fine too.

 

Hello,

I have the VGN-FW21M (European Version) and I can't find Sony Firmware Extensions Parser for my laptop.
Is there a generic version that I can use?
A url will be great.

Thank you all for your time.

 

Hello gibidi,

I had the same problem, the Sony Driver Download page didn't offer this important file. I searched around a bit and finally took the one from here:

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORIGINAL/

Just look for files with SFEP in the name and download the most recent one.
I've also updated my post above to include a link to the SFEP.

any

 

the link you've provided are for what models? 32-bit or 64-bit drivers?

 

I don't know which models have a "Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device". If you really need to have a complete list of models try calling Sony

If you had bothered to look on the FTP or to download the huge 23KB file, you might have noticed that it contains drivers for both x86 and x64.

 

there are a couple with 64 or x64 in the file name, but I hope you realize that a ZIP file doesn't contain both 32 and 64-bit drivers.

And I'm talking about in general, not a driver in particular. That's why I asked.

 

I really have NO clue at all what you are talking about - sorry!

Not a single one of the files on the ftp which have "SFEP" in the name does also have 64 or x64 in the filename.
And every single file named *SFEP* on the ftp does contain both 32bit and 64bit drivers in the ZIP file.

Perhaps thats why I have trouble understanding your questions. I've always only very specifically talked about the SFEP driver that my VGN-FW41 laptop needed (and therefor most likely all VGN-FW laptops need)

I have neither have much of a clue about the other files on the FTP, nor do or did I recommend downloading those. Use the normal drivers from the Sony Webpage Support section for your model, where I recommend getting Sony Shared Library and Sony VAIO Event Service. You may also install other Sony drivers/apps to your liking, but I don't see much reason to do so (as explained in my post above).

If you want up2date Win7 drivers for Audio or Sound, i'd recommend getting them directly from the manufacturer (Realtek, ATI + mod tool from driverheaven) whenever possible.

The issue with SFEP was only that this seems to be - at least for some models or for some countries - not available in the support section even though it's needed for the VAIO Event Service (needed for brightness keys) to work.

 

Midtown, just go to the sony support site and just download the three drivers for a vgnfw490.I easily found them there. No need to go guessing.

 

I did a clean install of Vista x64 and 7 x86 on my FW490 and I found all the drivers. Everything works including function keys and OSD Thanks.

 

I had a FW11M with Vista 32bit and yesterday I installed Seven Ultimate 64bit and I'm experiencing some problems.

Vaio Smart Network doesnt work, Card Reader its sucessfuly instaled but doesnt appear in "My Computer", FN buttons doesnt work and when I change the sound doesnt appear the bar.

I'll try to use this tutorial but I have some doubts. What is this "When you extract the Notebook Utilities Installer" , where I can get it? I've only downloaded all drivers in VAIO SUPPORT and I dont see that there.

 

I think its all working now..
Only S1 and AV MODE keys dont work.

Its any chance to have VAIO SMART NETWORK working in Windows7?

 

why use VAIO Smart Network when Windows 7 comes with an easy internet connection interface.

 

Is not just because internet but also Bluetooth. I like very much VSN.

 

VSN work perfectly.

 

Has anyone installed the newer Sony utilities/software that is available on the FTP site on a system that does not have the update? ie on the eSupport page it lists an older revision, but a newer revision exists on the ftp site. I might try this later this week once I backup my system first.

 

What version you have of VSN?
And its x64?

 

i have vista business x64 now. i wonder if i can opt for a clean install when the w7 disc arrives, or am i stuck with an upgrade?

 

If you did not purchase an upgrade license (I think they exist), then you have a full license, so you can do a clean install, either on a second partition, or overwriting the current Vista install. So you will definitely be able to opt for a clean install, just maybe not the upgrade (I'm not too sure on the upgrade stuff).

 

Sorry -again- for the late update.

I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate RTM on my Sony ]VAIO VGN-FW160FE. The installation was successful.

I recommend extract your drivers with Uniextract and do the Manual installation. If you have some compatibility problem with any Driver auto-installer, try to run it under compatibility mode set to Vista. PM if you need some help.

=)

-mcgregor.

 

I've managed to successfully install and run VSN on Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit. You may possibly have to select right version of VSN. This one (version 2.3.0.12210) worked for mine Z21WN/B:

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/Vaio/Original/VAIO SMART NETWORK 2.3(092Q) - 2.3.0.12210.ZIP

I've even got my WWAN module (Option) powered on and detected properly directly after I installed VSN (has been my last trouble to solve). The only thing not working is brightness adjustments with Nvidia card, Intel works fine. Of course you have to have all the drivers and foundation packages like Sony shared library, Setting utility series, Vaio Event Service installed before you try to install VSN.

This version of VSN didn't work for my older Vaio SZ61XN/C and Win 7 64-bit however...

 

Thanks for the guide - I didn't really need the instructions as it turned out, but it gave me the bright idea to install Win7 on my FW465 while I wait for the upgrade to come in the mail! And if they screw it up, I'm using the Enterprise trial which will give me 3 months to play with it.
As mentioned before, all but two drivers come built in with the OS all of which are newer than the latest ones on Sony's support page, one more comes through Windows Update, and the other one is the firmware parser or whatever it's called. Touchpad driver was a piece of cake to install, working perfectly. Bluetooth worked somewhat with the out of box drivers but one was missing - Windows pointed me to Broadcom's website for software, which wasn't able to validate my hardware so I used the Sony software for that one. Then installing the rest of the Sony utilities got literally every button working. (I didn't even install the drivers in the order you listed, but when I restarted it worked fine). VAIO Launcher is the software that operates the AV MODE button and shows the menu at the top of the screen for music, movies, pictures, webcam, internet etc. Hopefully someone will be able to figure out how to repurpose that button (e.g. launching Windows Media Center).
I would like to have some of the other Sony programs usable in a clean install (media plus, movie story) but I'm loving the speed and the performance of 7 on this laptop. It's great!

 

fw140d. has only 32bit vista drivers. is there a way to get 64bit windows 7 to run all of this? Ive tried just about everything and havent been able to get volume control to run without a 'incorrect battery' error that makes me go into hibernate. (Im guessing its doing this because im installing drivers from vgnfw-170j (since the drivers for that laptop are 64bit). is there a way to make this work, im gonna pull out my hair soon ive been at this for like 5 hours

 

EDIT: Fixed. Installing 64bit windows 7 using 32bit vista drivers from sony website worked for my model vgnfw-140d. What i had to do was uniextract sony notebook utilities installer, and run exe's separetly (VCC, VES2 i think were theo ny ones i ran). then i downloaded SFEP driver from ftp server and followed this post

5 hours of trying everything and i fix it within 10minutes of finding this thread. love you all<3

 

Hi everyone,

I bought my FW490 back when the windows7 free upgrade was made available at the end of June. I've read through this and other threads and it seems that a clean install is not possible. However, I've read about a work around where you bypass entering the product key at installation, then after windows7 is installed, you "upgrade" windows7 by reinstalling it with the product key. Is this what some of you have done? what I don't understand is how some people got the RTM version if it hasn't been released yet, are you guys part of technet/MSDN or are you using a leaked version?

I have a buddy who has an official version for being part of MSDN but he doesn't know anything about my situation. I was wondering if I can use his disk to install windows7 and use my product key to validate...any thoughts?

sorry for the noobish question...

 

Windows 7 is available on TechNet/MSDN/MSDNAA for a while now.

There is a FREE Win7 Trial for 90 days available if you want to test it while waiting for Sony's free Win7 upgrade.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc442495.aspx?ITPID=wtcfeed

 

Thanks fdlazerte,

Unfortunately I have used the RC version before on a different computer. But I want to have a clean install on my FW490 without having to go through the upgrade process (which technically isn't a clean install). Do you think I can use my friends RTM version with my vista x64 product key?

 

Hello guys

Intel(R) ICH9M/M-E Family 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller - 2929

this hardware appears me like that.. is it ok? or it needs drivers?

i tryed to update with SFEP and it says that is up to date...

Edit:

Also i have a FW11M can i download drivers from the FW21M ? seems that the 21M have more drivers available.. is it ok to download from that model?

Edit(2):

How can i add a Memory Card Icon on My Computer like the one that comes when PC is Restored with Recovery Discs ?

 

Not a snowball's chance in ...

A Vista key will NOT work with Win7.

Gary

 

NO. You cannot even use RC keys on RTM versions.

Also, 32bit and 64bit OS has different keys.