VAIO TT Windows Vista / Windows 7 Install Procedure

Sorry for my delay in writing this up. I've been busy building and setting up a server (Mini-ITX RAID 10+Win 2008 machine).

As I mentioned before, the TT can be fully functional with Windows 7 Beta 1, so long as the drivers and Sony support programs are set up correctly. As far as setting up Windows 7 properly, the following things need to be installed (you may have luck installing fewer programs and drivers). Please note I don't have an optical drive, TPM or fingerprint reader on my TT, but these seem to install without difficulty for people. There may be some slight difference between Windows 7 and Vista hardware installation, but for the most part they're the same.

Before beginning with the install, be sure to copy the drivers from the original hard disk installation that the TT came with. Some of these drivers are not available to download (particularly things like the customized Realtek audio driver with noise canceling headphone support). Those drivers are included in C:\Windows\Drivers on the factory installation. Also, depending on your country, you may need to extract various programs from the Recovery DVDs (or from the Recovery Partition on the factory install). This is a very tedious procedure (covered in this thread), and is all thanks to Sony's decision not to publish its drivers and support software for download (the software that does exist seems arbitrary to me).

If your machine came with a 32-bit OS, upgrading to 64-bit may be difficult. Likewise, switching from 64-bit to 32-bit may be difficult.

After installing Windows Vista or 7 (which is beyond the scope of this writeup), you'll have to install the following programs:

• Chipset Driver (Intel) - EXE
• Graphics Driver (Intel) - EXE
• Pointing Driver (Alps) - EXE
• Memory Card Reader (Ricoh) - EXE
• Realtek Audio Driver - EXE <--This is important!

After installing these drivers through the EXE, there will still be some drivers that need installing, so you'll have to go to the Control Panel (I prefer "Classic View"), and Device Manager. Locate what still needs installing (the tree will be expanded to display hardware that isn't installed), and follow this procedure for each item that needs installing:

1. Double-click the item
2. Click the "Driver" tab
3. Click "Update Driver"
4. Click "Browse my computer for driver software"
5. Select the entire "Drivers" folder you copied from the original installation (and include subfolders)

Windows should automatically add each driver and install it. Be sure every piece of hardware has proper drivers, as the drivers form the basis for Sony's function support software. Both Vista and 7 use the same drivers, so there should be no difference between the two.

After the drivers are fully installed and the TT is rebooted, the rest of the software needs to be installed. The software I installed to get everything working is as follows:

• Intel PROSet Wireless
• ISB Utility (Battery support utility)
• Setting Utility Series
• Sony Shared Library
• VAIO Control Center
• VAIO Control Color Setting
• VAIO Event Service
• VAIO Original Function Setting
• VAIO Power Management
• VAIO Presentation Support

You can decide how much or how little of any additional programs you want to install (for me in Japan, the FeliCa RFID chip software is useful, so I installed various programs using that hardware function). To me, all the other thousands of programs installed on VAIOs are of dubious utility, frankly.

In the end, I switched back to Vista from Windows 7 Beta 1. In the course of about a week, I had at least 4 blue screens, and I had to restart at least 2-3 times a day for various reasons (explorer hanging and not being able to restart, etc.). Perhaps Beta 2 will be a better match for this laptop.

As a side note, if you ever have difficulty running software (particularly driver support software) in Windows 7, just right click it and choose "Software Compatibility" and set it to "Vista". That usually solves problems like "Your operating system is invalid".

 

Just installed Win7RC x86 on my second partition as new install for dual boot, for playing with. It took all the empty disk space of this partition. But if I run Vista, it still show it as empty.

Right off, function keys do not work, so cannot control screen brightness. Installed all of the drivers from sony esupport, but still does not work. Not sure if HDD protection works since there is no way to test it safely.

It does boot faster, 1.0 minutes (there is practically no programs installed) vs 1.5 minutes for my Vista install. But resume from sleep is much much faster. No BSOD so far. Just noticed that battery charges to 80% and stopped charging, and I did not have the program installed to control it yet (VAIO control center not installed).

I think I have enough fun with it, and will delete it. So, How do I delete it?

 

I'm typing this now from Windows 7 RC1, and want to confirm that all drivers are 100% working for the TT in 64-bit. Make sure you install all the programs listed above, and you'll be fine (it sounds like your "Sony Original Function Setting" and "Control Center" applications aren't installed). Everything listed above really needs to be installed, as Sony's programs rely on each other quite a bit. The system is currently very reliable, with the exception of my Fujitsu scanner (ScanSnap S300), with which scanning results in a blue screen 100% of the time.

 

I just re-partitioned my HDD using gparted, installed 32 bit win7 rc in new partition as new install. Proceeded to install drivers, until I installed Sony Notebook Utilities. It restarted, and a message came on that my battery is not Sony and need to press ok to hibernate. Also, I, as a user with administrator rights, cannot continue to install drivers. I had to invoke administrator to install the Notebook utilities again, but same ISB problem. I finally went to msconfig to stop ISB from loading.

Any suggestions of what I can do? Where can I find a new copy of ISB utility? The function keys still does not work.

 

The only function of the ISB utility is to check if your battery is a "genuine" Sony battery or not, if not it will shut down or hibernate the laptop.

 

So, I format the new paritition again, and re-install windows 7 rc again. The secret to stop the ISB error is to take the battery off, connect to AC only, and install Sony Notebook Utilities, and right after that, the Setting Utilities, then, everything is fine. The only 2 I cannot install is Sony Programmable I/O Control and Sony Shared Library. I don't know what these 2 are for, but everything seems to be working with no problem now.

 

Hi,

Thank You for install procedure. Installed Win 7 RC on my TT as only OS and all working very well. It is significantly faster, especial copying operatons. OS starting with all installed aplication about 40 seconds. Highly recommend

 

Did anybody succeed fully installing Windows 7 RC1 64 bits on TT21, namely the function keys drivers?

 

Did you have to do anything special to get it to work? I'm trying to install 64-bit Win7, but it reboots every time; resulting in an incomplete install.

 

Delete all existing partitions and don't create any during setup, Windows setup will create one that works.

 

So, I did what was suggest; however, my dvd drive is not showing up and this is the error shown in device manager. Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. (Code 19)

I un-installed the drivers and then restarted the comp. Once it detected the dvd drivers the same error arose. Any ideas?

 

I tried this procedure, but it always restart after a BSOD. Do you have any suggestion?

BTW: which edition of Win7 RC1 did you install? Ultimate, Professional, Home, ...?

 

After installing the Win7 RC x64, I got my TT booted up. But when I tried to install the drivers etc, only few can be installed successfully...sigh

 

Hi there!

I have the TT11WN/B and am running Windows 7 build 7600 (almost final) 64 bit.

I installed all the VAIO Control software etc., everything works, except two things:
- light sensor does not work. it's enabled in the vaio control center, but no function. maybe i need to install some sort of driver manually?
- option globetrotter hsupa modem does not work. sony's globetrotter drivers are 32 bit only, so i downloaded the latest from the vendor (option) which are 64 bit as well, it installed drivers but the globetrotter connect software does not find the device. also, it is nowhere to be found in the device manager, and yes, wwan is enabled in the vaio smartnetwork utility

anyone has gotten these things to work?
greets

hal

 

Where did you find the 64 bit VAIO software for the TT?

 

basically, most of the TT software you download actually also has 64 bit support, except the umts modem.
also, you can download software for a newer Z model which are newer versions, should be the same.
there are 64 bit drivers for the umts modem on option.com but they dont seem to work properly in windows 7. nor do their 32 bit counterparts.

 

Where can I get the sony media software that has PSP like interface?

 

Angus I have the RTM 64bit and i tried to download the latest drivers but the FN buttons still wont work and i have 2 unknown devices in device manager. Any tips?

 

yes, basically you download everything for vista, then you extract all the zip files (in separate folders) and make sure all the folders are in the same place.
now go to the device manager and and select those unknown devices, click on update driver, and manually select the folder in which you extracted all the zip files... that way it will find the correct drivers and install them.

if you install all the vaio-* software the fn buttons should work, they do work for me. everything works except the light sensor and the umts modem.

if you go to the download page of a recent vaio Z model which comes with 64 bit vista, you can see tehre is vaio software with more recent version numbers. you can get those, they also work on the TT.

cheers

 

Thanks, didnt think of copying it all into one folder.
the FN buttons actually work, but the FN-F5 & F6 that should dim the backlight dont work. Is that the same problem as the light sensor? Ill try it once more (and for the last time), thanks again.

 

they work here... so make sure you really install all of the vaio software control center, power management, etc. etc...
btw i had a little problem with a card reader failing to start (disabled in device manager). i also did a manual update of the driver and since then it works fine.
even hd protection and fingerprint sensor etc. all works wonderfully
for the fingerprint i downloaded the latest software from the manufacturer.

 

I got most of the things to work but couldnt figure out how to get rid of the 2 unknown devices + FN+f5/f6 .
I install VAIO event services, shared library, control centre, settings utility. The newest versions i could get. But still the dimming with the FN buttons doesnt work and even the battery care function is unavailable. Could you give me a contact so i don't have to spam this forum? (adam.abonyi (at) gmail -dot- com).

I have an TT11XN/B thats similar to WX/B but without the wwan module i think.

edit: I have also disabled UAC that causes FN problems

 

Problem Solved: I used the latest Z-notebook software downloads. Installed in this order:
event services
power managment
control center
sony shared libraries
sony settings utility.

All works now hurray thanks for all of your advice

 

I think the issue is caused by Display driver.
You can try to download the driver for Windows7 here ( http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNTT299P&upd_id=5017&os_id=48 ).
After installing, the sensor can work normally~^ ^

 

Anyone has solved the problem with option globetrotter wwan module ?
Thanks in adv

ConteMax

 

I didn't have any problems with the WWAN. I have a slightly different card a GTM382E but it should work in the same way. I just got the drivers from the Option website for my module and that was it.

Sony have now also added a WWAN 32bit/64bit driver to the TT4 drivers list on the EU website. I've opened the package and the driver listed is an Option driver. It is worth a try anyway.

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computi...ALL.zip&m=VGN-TT4&ip=Preinstalled_Drivers.htm

 

Sorry, but i've installed windows 7 64 business and i can't find the way to use wwan module. The system give me an error message on modem like "device installation failed". I don't know what to do.......

Many thanks anyway..
ConteMax

 

Hi all,

I installed Windows 7 Business on my Vaio TT and since then my volume/eject buttons don't work and I'm getting the system base device in device manager.

I thought I had installed all the drivers but maybe I'm missing one.

Could someone point me in the right direction please?

 

In many cases someone has solved upgrading "Firmware Extension Parser". You can find it on vaio support site.

Regards

 

Hi,

I'm still looking for a solution to install wwlan option card driver with windows 7 64 bits. Is this issue solved by someone?

 

Hi all, my SmartWi is working Finally, I have Windows 7 ultimate in a Sony VAIO VGN-TT170FN.

Install the suggestions in this post, the difference was that i used the compatibility feature to install XP or Vista support according to the version of the driver, this is done by right clicking on the installer and go to the Compatibility tab and choose XP or Vista as the case and then proceed to install them.

1.Sony Notebook Utilities for XP
2.Sony Programmable I / O Driver for XP
3.Sony Shared Library for XP
4.MODEM Driver for Vista
5.SmartWi for Vista

Greetings.

 

I know some people were having issues getting the Option card to work with the connection tool but after several attempts i figured it out. This was with W7 64bit. This will also work over W7 32bit also. If you've not downloaded any Option software previously then just go to Option website and see part 7 below.

To get the Option card working with the connection software in W7 .

1.First, the Sony software for W7 64bit OS for the TT4 model does not include the Option connection software. To use the Sony software you'll need to connect via W7's in built network centre.

2.If you prefer to use the Option connection software then remove any Option software from your c program files. You'll need to make sure it is not open anywhere first in order to delete it so you may need to switch it of via smart network and use ctrl alt del to stop any Option services from running. Also, uninstall the drivers under modem, network and under ports and check delete the software in the device manager. It's also worth it to empty your temp files.

3.Delete any drivers you may have downloaded for it also.

4.Then uninstall it and restart to make sure that you see driver install faliure when you reboot instead of W7 auto installing the drivers.

5.Use your IMEI number at the base of your laptop or on the card itself and go to the Option website.

6.Only download the connection software, the first option. If you download any of the drivers it will create a conflict.

7.Only intstall this, open it and go to the folder you want be it 32bit or 64bit and then restart and that's it-
GlobeTrotter® Connect 3.1 for Modules 3.1d0-1107_P Hokku 3.1 for Option standard modules
Multilanguage

..
I kept on installing the drivers as i never read the description fully so it created a conflict. It took me a while to figure it out. Those Sony drivers on top of the connection software will also cause that same conflict.

 

Folks, I have a simple W7 upgrade question: does it matter how much memory (4GB vs. 8GB) I have in a machine when installing W7? In other words, if I install W7 with 4GB, can I still upgrade to 8GB later (without performance hit) or am I better off doing the W7 install with the 8GB already on board? Does it matter at all if I have 4GB or 8GB when I install W7 for the first time? Will the configuration of W7 be any different performace-wise, in one case, or the other? Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

 

afaik the TT does not support 8 GB ram.
anyway, you can change the amount any time.
windows 7 will be just as fast with 4gg or 8gb.

 

All TT1-TT4 models support up to 8GB of ram. There have been TT1 owners who upgraded to 8GB. I myself own a TT3 and have upgraded to 8GB of ram. Of course to address 8GB of ram you need to be running a 64bit OS.

I don't think it matters if you have 4/8GB when you install W7.