Vaio Z2 Owners - Windows 8 Experience

Hey there,


I thought it would be a good idea to open this thread for all Windows 8 issues, concerning the Vaio Z2 Models.
Please post any questions, experiences and further concerns regarding windows 8 here.

I am owning a Vaio VPC21(Q9E) myself, running windows 8 pro at the moment, but haven't figured out how to make it work flawlessly so far.



Thanks a lot,
Richard

PS: If someone figured out how to get Windows 8 and the drivers installed flawlessly, it would be simply tremendous to see a small guide posted here!! (Update: See post of jdbrookes)

CONFLICTS with windows 8 conerning drivers:

- PDM - Not working out of the box, leshcat drivers can be an option with the downturn of the need to shut down the computer at each connect/disconnect.

- Fingerprint Sensor - Just download and install the "AuthenTec® AES1660 Fingerprint Sensor" driver.

- "Intel(R) HM67 Express Chipset Family LPC Interface Controller - 1C4B" - See guide!

- FN-Keys - Only Volume ones work out the box. See guide!

--------------

Positive:

+ Much faster bootup and general performance increase!
+ Increased battery life (at least thats what I experienced)


--------------------


If anyone whants to contribute to the list, or offer a fix, please do so here.
Or you maybe even figured out how to do a clean install with windows 8 with all functions working - I URGE you to post your approach here as well!



Kind regards,
Richard

 

Hi all,

I've managed a pretty successful clean install of Windows 8 on my Z21 without any serious limitations (well, from my point of view). I don't have a PMD or WWAN, so those are non-issues for me

But I do have VAIO Control Centre, Power Management, Fast BIOS, brightness controls, auto brightness, keyboard backlight, Smart Network, all Fn keys, touchpad and Bluetooth etc working fine.

I've attached a fairly detailed How-To guide to this post. Would like to hear feedback on how this works for people as I have installed and uninstalled various other utilities over the last few weeks which may have affected my current setup.

Generally speaking though, it doesn't yet seem possible to do a clean install without also including some older Windows 7 drivers / utilities.

 

Thank you so much for putting so much effort in creating this guide! Can't tell you how thankfull I am.
This will definitely not only help me but many others as well!
You are the hero of tonight ;-)

I can only recommend using your guide, performing a clean install myself tonight with this guide.

 

Clean install on my SVZ was easier than expected. I expected doom and gloom from all the problems people have been posting, everything is working and no devices listed as unknown in my device tree. The only spot I was hung up on was that the W8 version of Smart Network wasn't working, but I read thru jd's walkthough and used his suggested version of Smart Connect and it's working just fine now.

I was fed up with the mountain of processes/services I had running compared to my wife's Z2 which I did do a clean install of W7. Her battery life seems to be a lot better than mine, so I'm hoping this helps even things up.

 

I recently ordered a Vaio Z2 (VPCZ2390X) and was wondering if it ever came with a 7670M. Every source I have read said it only came with a 6650M, but my specs on my order say otherwise. Did Sony just trick me, or did I get lucky? Thanks in advance. Attached is a screenshot of my order comfirmation (cropped to save space).
View attachment 86628

 

they're the same card.

 

Just looked that up. Thanks. I saw it was better in benchmarks but it appears that there was a difference in drivers.

Now to figure out how this ended up in this thread (I actually posted in a different thread, but it appeared in 3 threads...)

 

With an awful lot of thanks to jdbrookes for an excellent guide.

I am now running Windows 8 pro 64 and have nearly everything working now on my Z2 (VPCZ21C5E). Where I do have an issue is with bluetooth.

Can anone advise which bluetooth drivers I need to install and in which order? I have tried various combinations but am now starting to go round in circles.


Drivers I have gathered:


Pre-installed drivers from sony.co.uk page for my model (Win7 64)

1. Intel Centrino Wireless Bluetooth Adapter 1.0.67.2056 Intel_Bluetooth_Wireless_Driver_1.0.67.20566
2. Bluetooth Driver 6.3.0.6300 BRDBLT-00249578-0042


Updated drivers from sony.co.uk page for my model (Win7 64)

3. Bluetooth Driver (Intel) 1.0.90.20620


Windows 8 driver from esupport.sony.com/US for model VPCZ21CGX

4. Intel Bluetooth Driver 2.6.23.40059


Windows 8 driver from Intel website

5. Intel PROSetWireless Bluetooth Software 64 bits 2.6.1210



I have been taking images of my laptop during the install and have restored to a starting point which has the stock Microsoft bluetooth drivers only.

Generic Bluetooth Adaptor Microsoft 6.2.9200.16420 21/06/2006
Microsfot Bluetooth Enumerator Microsoft 6.2.9200.16420 21/06/2006

I upgraded the Intel wireless driver that the windows 8 install left me with to the latest version (Intel PROSetWireless Drivers - 64 bits - 15.3.50) and wireless internet is working ok.

Any advice or pointers would be gratefully received.

 

Has anyone tried the "Sony windows 8 upgrade tool" white 8gb flash drive... I installed this on a "Clean Win8 pro" but when finished the "VAIO PCZ21tgx/x" on its last of 3 Reboots kept "Battery is not right , need to hibernate" then OK shuts system off?

 

Thank you so much jdbrookes! I was so annoyed with all the missing features after my clean install but now everything I need is back! Much appreciated!!!

@Jobsagoodun: I had the same problem as you but since following the guide, bluetooth works fine now. It's the last 2 steps. The only thing I did differently was instead of using the Win7 bluetooth driver, I used the Win 8 version, i.e. Intel® PROSet/Wireless Bluetooth Software for Windows 8, version 2.6.1210.
After that I just installed Smart Network 3.6 for Win 7 as per jdbrookes instructions.

 

Thanks dubtee. All working now.

 

The latest Leshcat drivers install a lot smoother than before and even remove the watermark.

 

Has anyone managed to get their PMD to work properly? When I power an external display via the PMD the external monitor shows a black frame around the display (at the top, bottom and sides!). It's wasted space that I can't use.

Also, although device manager shows the display driver as AMD Radeon HD6700M Series, I suspect it's still using the Intel graphics because the Windows Experience Index is the same regardless of whether I'm plugged into the PMD. I'm assuming the graphics performance should be better on AMD. And there's no new driver from AMD because they don't release drivers for Sony switchable graphics.

 

Hi,

where did you get the driver from? For me http://leshcatlabs.org/ won't work, is there another website?

Thanx in advance

 

Anyone got his PMD working properly with Windows 8?

 

Blog ← leshcatlabs.net ← Keeping it simple

is the site, 12.11 Beta 6 is what I used.

While it installed smoothly and without a test mode watermark, I do have a glitch coming out of sleep where the screen stays off. Wasn't happening on a previous version of his driver. Other than that, it works fine although that's a huge deal breaker for most. W8 boots insanely fast, so might not be a big deal to some.

While the integrated HD 4000 are great for Intel graphics, lots of people like to state that the PMD graphics are useless since performance is about equal. While in some games they might be, the PMD can still help in certain other games. XCOM for example gets nearly double the FPS on the PMD than with the HD4000. From unplayble to very playable.

 

I tried the beta 6 but no luck. I get blacked out parts of the start screen or desktop after docking. I installed everything with the PMD in, worked fine. Undocked fine but then docking caused all sorts of problems. Rebooting with the PMD in didn't help. Improved my windows experience score from 5.9 to 6.7 though but I need it to work with docking/undocking.

Installing the 12.10 drivers from leshcat now. Any other suggestions. Also anyone else have serious wifi problems after undocking. Windows wireless service not working?


EDIT: I just tried the 12.10 WHQL drivers and it doesn't even recognize the graphics card and it dropped back down to 5.9.

 

I am a college student and i get free Microsoft and Adobe products. I figured why not give Windows 8 Pro a try on my Z2. I didn't do a clean install (i did the "Keep all files and settings options") because i'm too lazy (i did back everything up though). Install went smoothly via USB 3.0. It took 25 minutes from the Install screen on Windows 7 to logging into Windows 8.

From the get-go all drivers transferred over smoothly and i haven't had any issues with Bluetooth, VAIO software, etc. All the hotkeys and FN buttons work as it did with 7.

I did get ONE compatibility error window pop-up and that was related to the AMD so i take it i will have issues with my PMD. I left home for thanksgiving break and left my PMD at college, so hopefully Monday i'll see if there are any issues. From what i was reading the only known issue is that you have to completely turn off PC in order to connect/disconnect PMD. I am sure that there will be an update for this.

The ONLY driver needed to download was the finger-scan reader from Sony Support.

**EDIT: If you go to Sony Support there is a Windows 8 Upgrade guide/download tool that contains all files (250MB+ big), I advice NOT doing this as it will completely deleted all the FN and touch-pad functions. Link >> http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/os...ge3=VPCZ212GX&month=&day=&year=&mdl=VPCZ212GX

Now if you are doing a CLEAN install then you probably would want to download that Windows 8 Upgrade Pack free from Sony Support and/or follow the guide that is on Page 1 on this thread.

 

I don't have to power off my laptop to disconnect the PMD. The button on the PMD cable works fine. I did a clean install and am using the Windows 8 default drivers. My only problem is I have black bars around the edges of my screen.

 

I upgraded to W8 yesterday and the battery life is simply horrible...around 50% less.

 

That is because your graficcard (The AMD one in your PMD) is not working as there are no drivers for windows 8. If you install the "lashcat" drivers though, you can get it to work again, but with some downsides (like the need to power off).

 

So i just got home from my thanksgiving break, and tested the PMD...of course the Windows 7 Catalyst wouldn't work with Windows 8, hence PMD not working at all. I uninstalled the old one and installed the Leshcatlabs 12.11 version. ( Catalyst 12.11 Beta4/Beta6 UnifL for AMD+Intel Graphics ← leshcatlabs.net ) .. Install went smoothly, although initial install has watermark, it is removable under the install options.

I am able to connect and disconnect PMD without having to restart my computer and without errors (Hitting the Blue PMD Button prior to eject). I also don't have any issues when coming from Sleep Mode directly to screen. Everything works just like it did before.

The ONLY difference now is the FN+F7 button combo no longer works (although it displays on screen it does nothing). You must hit the Windows Button + P to switch.

Also my Windows Graphics rating went from 5.9 to 6.7.

As far as Battery is concerned, i haven't felt a difference, but i'll let y'all know tomorrow as i usually use it all day on campus. Hopefully it isn't worse because that is the main reason why i got the z2.

EDIT: I am able to do all Screen options EXCEPT the Duplicate one, it doesn't really bother me but would like a fix in the future, or maybe someone here can help me out if theirs work.

 

Any news on the battery life?

 

After much testing today, Windows 8 boot time is fairly fast...restarting time is only but 18 seconds. I am not a fan of the W8 Start Screen Menu with all the apps, so i downloaded Classic Start under utilities from www.ninite.com . All in all, if i hadn't gotten this program for free and use it only for office or school use, i honestly don't think i would pay for the upgrade. But then again that's just my opinion. It doesn't give me the big WOW.

Yes and honestly it's about the same, but at least it isn't worse. Today i used it in Balance mode with WiFi on and screen to max bright, and from 11AM until 6PM i am left with 35% or roughly 3 hours left .(I have the extended battery sheet). So 10 hours total with my settings. I never use it in Power Save or mid to low screen brightness but i assume if you did that then you can get a solid 14 hours out of it. Again i am speaking in terms with the Battery Extended Sheet attached.

 

UPDATE: After the latest Windows Update i now have an option under my start menu to "Undock" my laptop from PMD. (note i downloaded the start menu from " Ninite - Install or Update Multiple Apps at Once " called "Classic Start"

 

This looks nice. Which graphics driver did you use?


I installed Windows 8 a week ago. I'm using the latest leshcat drivers.
Overall it works fairly well, but I got a couple issues:
- while in sleep mode the notebook sometimes boots up. Sometimes it crashes and powers off again.
- after shutting down the blue light on the PMD stays on. I need to unplug it's power supply to get rid of that.
- I use my vaio usually with my external monitor, connected via HDMI on the PMD. after rebooting the backlight of the notebook display turns on (with a black background) - I need to change the display to the notebook, then back to the external monitor to turn the backlight off again.
- auto brightness is flawky
- installation of the new bt and intel drivers in the instructions failed



The battery is about the same. Overall windows 8 runs a little faster in my opinion. The bugs are annoying but no dealbraker - and i think most of them are caused by the graphics driver.
Isn't there a win8 display driver with PMD support for the Z3? They should work, too - but I couldn't find one.



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

 

I agree that it does seem to boot up much faster in W8.

When i ran the windows assessment i got a higher score that of the intel graphics so i am assuming i am running the ATi graphics. I have none of the problems that you are describing but i DID have the blue light issue, where it will still be on even after shut-down, but after this latest update from Windows it seems, that no longer is an issue.

When i undock i do not need to press the button, i just go through the start menu and "Undock Computer" and it will do it for me. Now i will say that everything still isn't 100%. Last night the undock wouldn't work neither would it let me eject when pressing the button on AC/USB adapter. However that was one time out of many and i couldn't replicate that issues even if i wanted to.

I also USE to have an issue when connected HDMI via PMD it wasn't able to let me "Duplicate" display to my PC and External Screen, but that seems to have been fixed.

Try and do some Windows 8 update (i couldnt tell you which one because mine updates automatically) and hopefully some of your issues will be fixed such as the Blue Light still on while shutdown.

I downloaded http://leshcatlabs.net/index.php/2012/11/catalyst-12-11-beta4-unifl-for-amdintel-graphics/ for my PMD external graphics to work.

 

Got things working find with Windows 8. Question regarding Smart Network, which the new version on Sony site installed fine but the only option that shows up is GPS. Is this the case for everyone? There is no longer switches for WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth, and am wondering if this is the case for everyone.

Also regarding PMD. Initially I had upgraded to Windows 8 directly from Windows 7 without doing recovery. With this method, my PMD worked fine as with all other functions. The only thing that did not work was Bluetooth, which I tried everything from various drivers, etc. - eventually I gave up and reinstalled Windows 8 using Sony's guidelines of doing a recovery, running their Update program to uninstall certain drivers, and upgrading to Windows 8. With this method, now I have a Yellow Exclamation point within device manager for the PMD graphics card ATI HD 6700M and when I connect to the PMD the external HDMI monitor does not work.

By the way, my initial method kept the older version of Smart Network which seemed to work find and have all options, but using Sony's method and installing the new Smart Network, I only have GPS option.

Regarding the PMD, is there no way I can get that to work without installing the Lescat driver?

 

Hi, is there a guide to do a clean win 7 install? I did a clean install on win 8, wiped the whole hdd and now nothing works I already reinstalled windows 4x times. 2x win7 2x win 8 . Who is installing more than 20 drivers/apps in a specific order?? If there was at least a list with the proper order... My windows experience is now at level -1000 i hate it, i hate sony, anyone wanna buy an svz1311c5e with a not working win 8??

 

Phone up Sony, don't give up! I haven't tried installing Windows 8, so I'm not much help and its a obvious thing to say but phone up technical support

 

Is there a easy way to get brightness controls work after custom install of new OS? I tried the method described in the guide -- . SOAOTH-55900000-0042 WIN7 (Sony Notebook Utilities). Run the EXE in the VES2 folder in Windows 7 compatibility mode to install the software for the additional Fn keys (brightness control, Web and VAIO keys etc);

I can't figure out what is and how to access the VES2 folder;

Any help is appreciated. Custom OS is very fast compared to the stock but my laptop is running on full brightness and battery is dying fast.

Thanks

 

You need to use Uniextract to extract the files out of that EXE. Once you do that you will find the VES2 folder folder inside the TEMPEXEFOLDER

 

Thx for your reply! I was checking this forum few times a day.

I used Uniextract and found VES2 folder and installed all the 3 required files mentioned in the word document. Now, I am able to see the brightness controls but when I press Fn + or - , brightness controls are not moving beyond one bar out of 15 bars total.

Any ideas?

 

I have been able to install all drivers on my VPC Z22 Windows 8, but have 2 problems:
1. If I install Vaio Control Center and then Install Event Service from unarchived VES2 folder of an older driver for Windows 7 then I have all FN keys working, but Battery Care function and Keyboard Backlit setting disappear from Vaio Control Center. If I uninstall VES and VCC and then reinstall VCC I have Battery Care function and Keyboard Backlit setting BACK, but FN keys are not working. This one was resolved by installing VCC from the VCC folder of a Windows 7 Driver which made all buttons working AND all functions available. Is that ok?
2. My USB 3.0 is showing "This device can performer faster" all the time, as if I didn't have a driver, but I installed a fresh renesas USB 3.0 from maufacturer web-site.
Any help?

 

Solved by uninstalling the Renesas driver.