Vaio VGN-SZ640 - Idiot Needs Help

Want to re-format my drive to clean it up. Running slow and gets bogged down somtimes... I do this every few years on my laptops always to factory settings...

Curently running Vista with Ser Pack 2. Thinking of upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium while Im at it.

My System:
Intel (R) Core(TM) 2 Duo CPU
(T7500 @2.20 GHZ 2.20GHZ
Memory 3.00GB
32 Bit system

QUESTIONS/ISSUES:
1. I read of many problems in getting full functionality back after the upgrade. Driver problems, buttons not working etc... Sony site has instrucitons but their "list" of drivers to install does not seem to be located in the list of drivers they have to download/provide...? Also, I have read dont follow their instructions....?

2. Some of the SZ640 specific threads are from 2009. Wondering if there is new info on win 7 upgrading. Do see this thread and wonder if it is "the ticket":
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...4bit-clean-install-should-help-other-szs.html

3. Have done an "Image" backup of entire system via windows Vista.

2. Would love to do a clean install to get all the Sony promo crap off my machine, but am affraid I dont have the knowledge to jump through hoops. Should I just click the Sony recovery button and reboot to the "out of the box" factory settings and keep going with Vista? Considering my level of knowledge? Will a clean win 7 install prevent me form going back to the Sony reset to "out of box" settings... Isn't that on the partition? Does clean install erase that?

Is there any "one thing" I should not do that will totaly screw me...?

Confused and afraid to make a move....

 

Do your research. You'll either find success after several hours or conclude it can't be done. It all boils down to whether you can get the drivers to do what they're supposed to.

You could try a clean install. I'm pretty sure any recovery partition will be labeled as such when you go to pick what drive you want to install Windows to. Just don't delete or format that partition or modify it in any way. Most recovery options are meant to be triggered by a key or key combination on startup, so as long as you don't mess with it, you should have the ability to restore after running into failure.

 

For the SZ6 series there is nothing newer than that thread, no. That thread was a work in progress but read the first post which Lesliann updated and the last few pages.

As you've read the Sony drivers will provide you with minimal functionality.

I've always erased my recovery partition and it's been a long time ago and at this point wouldn't like to give you advise on that. You should though make your recovery discs before you do a clean install.

 

Rachel has it correct, that thread, while a bit dated, little has changed, just a few newer drivers from Intel and Laptopvideo2go for the most part. The rest is still as applicable today as it was when the info was last updated.

Do it.
You should get all or nearly full functionality.
I too killed my original partition, if you are concerned, image the drive first. I did, then deleted the image after a while as I knew I wasn't going back.

I think most of the people that used the guide are quite pleased with their upgrade, it seems like it. Only a few reverted back, the rest left apparently happy, or commented they were happy.

Personally, I won't go back to Xp, much less Vista. I will go with Linux before either of them at this point. XP was great, but it's day has passed. Vista, is, well, it's Vista. Besides, my Sz works like a factory Win7 install (all working like factory).

The newer SZ models like you have tend to prefer Windows7 64bit, though 64bit is a bit more troublesome. 32bit you can use Sony's Vista Business drivers and software for a factory style install, however these systems really seem to run better on 64bit.

Whatever you do, skip the Sony Windows 7 stuff, it's junk, and they provide no drivers at all.

If you have trouble ask in the thread, we probably have an answer for it. More than a few have subscribed to it and will come help, including Rachel (who contribute to the guide and the thread) and myself. Don't be scared, with an image of the drive, you are safe, but I really doubt you will need it.

Good luck.