VGN-FZ31M: Windows 7 and Fn-keys

Hello,

I've installed Windows 7 x64 (build 7077) successfully on my Sony VAIO VGN-FZ31M. Everything seems to work OK except for the Fn-keys. The volume controls however seem to have somekind of effect, just without the visual volume bar appearing.

I've tried looking at some other threads and downloaded some Sony Notebook Utilities -package from the U.S. VAIO support site but was unable to install it on my laptop since the installer wasn't too happy about my VAIO model (after all, this apparently is an European model).

I was stupid enough to remove the recovery partition while installing Windows 7 and didn't make any recovery discs either so using them is not an option now.

I tried downloading the "Original Utilities Package" from here: http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down...lled.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&c=-1&s=-1&m=3057

The .ZIP package contains:
- AppMon Utility 2.3
- Battery Checker 2.3
- Sony Shared Library 4.1
- Sony Video Shared Library 3.3
- VAIO Control Center 2.1
- VAIO Event Service 3.3
- VAIO Power Management 2.3

However, seems that this utility pack doesn't contain all of the required components for getting the Fn-keys functioning (or I just installed them in wrong order or something).

Would anyone possibly be able to provide me any advice on how to get the Fn-keys working successfully on my VAIO?

 

Sony doesn't provide 64 bit drivers for the FZ series. However you might be able to extract the 64 bit drivers (exe) from other models using the universal extractor software.
Also you might try some 64 bit drivers here ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/
You need to try the newest versions as they support 64 bit Vista.
Search this forum for "fz 64 bit vista drivers", as this was discussed here before.

 

Hi,

Thanks for your response. Sony does provide 64-bit drivers for some devices and I've downloaded some of them for my VAIO too (e.g. memory card reader, touch pad). http://www.vaio-link.com/os/vista/64bit/

There's nothing available for the Fn-keys there though, at least as far as I can see. Besides, isn't it morelike just some piece of software that the Fn-keys require in order to function and not some specific drivers?

 

I think it's the Vaio Event service. You can find a 64 bit version in the ftp link.

 

Vaio Event service is an utility, so it only exists in 32bit and it doesn't matter if you have a 32 or 64bit OS.

 

It matters, because this service is responsible for the Vaio hot key functionality. The newer version of Vaio event service has both 32 and 64 bit OS compatibility.

 

Okay, I managed to get the rest of the Fn-keys working.

First of all I reinstalled the official Release Candidate version of Windows 7. After the installation, I checked out the VAIO-Link FTP server ( ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/ORIGINAL/) and downloaded the latest versions of the following:
- Sony Shared Library
- Sony Video Shared Library
- VAIO Event Service

However, still after I downloaded and installed those, the Fn-keys still didn't work.

I forgot about the Fn-keys for a while and still had one unknown device listed in my Device Manager so I started trying to solve what it was and where to get drivers for it.

It turned out that the unknown device is Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP). So what I did, was downloaded the latest SFEP drivers from the link mentioned earlier, and now after a reboot pretty much all of the Fn-keys are working like a charm for me.

The Zoom key seems to be somehow limited but I guess it just requires some additional Sony software in order to function properly or something.

 

Did you manage to get the special button working in 64-bit? I got everything working except that special button (it requires 32-bit sony firmware extension parser driver).

 

You mean the "S1" button next to the "AV MODE"? If so, then no, it doesn't seem to react anyhow for me.

I'm using Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100) 64-bit.

 

That FTP link doesn't work for me...

 

you are the man!!! Thank you so much

 

its to do with windows uac. as per my experience.their is workaround.

need to search

 

works on VGN-FE31M too!!