Win7 64bit Clean Install Guide for VGN-AR, VGN-FE and others

Hi everybody!

I went through the process of installing Win 7 64-bit from scratch. I based my process on the guide by coolguy.
My machine is an AR760U, now running with 8GB RAM and two SSDs. My only problem is, that for some unkown reason the RAID capability of my AR is removed from the BIOS

To make your life easier, I compiled ONE BIG PACKAGE including all the current files needed to make the AR work flawlessly under Win 7, 64bit.

The Clean Install process is very simple:

1. Install Win 7, 64 bit and download the big file here: vgn-ar_win7_drivers_clean_install.zip

2. Follow steps 02-20, rebooting EVERY TIME windows requests a reboot.

There are very few steps in where you have to be cautious:

STEP 05 (touchpad)
Figure out if you have Synaptics (very likely on AR) or Alps
If Synaptics, install Sony Synaptics Driver (A) first. Reboot
Update to latest Synaptics Driver (B). DO NOT REMOVE OLD DRIVER BEFORE UPGRADE. ANY OTHER INSTALL PROCEDURE WILL RENDER YOUR KEYBOARD USELESS.

STEP 08 (camera)
Most likely it is a VCC-6... could be a VCC-4 on older AR or a VCC-8 on newer ones. Confirm through checking VAIO eSupport site.

In exchange for my efforts, I would like EVERYBODY WITH AN AR series to create a Backup Bios using the Universal BIOS Backup ToolKit 2.0. Download here: Universal_BIOS_Backup_ToolKit_2.0, install, run and save backup bios file. Either post the ROM file in this thread or send me a PM...


I am working on a solution to my RAID problem, as well as a way to incorporate SLIC 2.1 (to support WIN 7 OEM R2) into AR bioses and then flash them back...



This package should work on other VAIO too, like VGN-FE ( with Core 2 Duo for 64bit), VGN-FZ, etc. NOTE: THIS PACKAGE IS 64bit ONLY. You can grab 32bit drivers from coolguy's guide and replace them if you want to give 32bit a try ...

The following steps below include detailed installation instructions:

01.
Install your edition of Windows 7. I chose to change the UAC setting to never notify. If you leave it in the default setting, various prompts may open when installing the drivers and utilities. Open "Computer", click the "Organize" tab, navigate to "folder and search options", click "View" tab, and uncheck "Hide empty drives in the computer folder". Also uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types". There will be two exclamation marks for the "Mass storage controller" and "Unknown device" in the device manager. Intel 4965 Wifi, Marvell network controller, and Conexant modem drivers are included in Windows 7. You can update them if necessary. Download the appropriate 32/ 64-bit drivers wherever applicable.

02.
Intel PM965/ GM965 chipset driver

03.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology (SATA/AHCI)
From the device manager, right click the "Intel(R) ICH8M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller" (Standard AHCI controller - clean install) and update the driver by browsing to the downloaded "f6flpy-x86/x64.zip" folder. Reboot as required.

04.
Nvidia 260.89 WHQL driver. ".inf" file already modded to work with AR.

05.
Synaptics or Alps Touchpad. If you have a Synaptics touchpad, the latest driver gives you multi-touch gestures for scrolling, flicking, etc, innertia and lots more. REALLY COOL.
(C) is optional: Scrybe for Synaptics. ontrol functions by gestures.

06.
Texas Instruments Memory card driver 2.0.0.19

07.
REALTEK and IDT / Sigmatel Audio modded driver 6.10.5921.0 (With Stereo Mix support).
First install Realtek. Reboot. Then install Sigmatel.

08.
Ricoh (Sony VGP-VCC6)

09.
Sony image filter driver 1.1.7.4020 (only needed for Vaio camera capture utility-optional)

10.
Sony Shared Library 5.4.0.05200:
REBOOT!

11.
SFEP (Sony Firmware Extension Parser driver) 8.0.1.2:
REBOOT!

12.
Setting Utility Series 5.0.0.07280/5.0.1.10300 :
Install A. Reboot. Install B. Reboot.

13.
Vaio Event Service 5.0.0.07130/5.0.2.03030:
Install A. Reboot. Install B. Reboot.

14.
Vaio Camera Capture Utility 2.2.00.22110 (optional)

15.
Broadcom Bluetooth Stack 6.3.0.5600:

16.
Vaio Power Management 4.0.0.08240 (optional - not needed):

17.
Vaio Control Center 4.0.0.07130:

18.
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Run the exe file to install the driver.

19.
Marvell Network Controller driver update (optional):
Update using device manager.

20.A.
WebCam Companion® 3 Software (Replaces Sony image filter driver and Vaio Camera utility
20.B.
ArcSoft Magic-i™ Visual Effects Software 2.0.1.83 (Optional - for adding special effects)

 

Hi there ,
thanks for your efforts,i have vgn-ar71m with windows 64 bit installed successfully with steps from Coolgay thread,i will attach my bios backup R2090J8,hope that we could introduce slic in bios ...

http://www.mediafire.com/?gmsr6g960inlthe

 

i downloaded your package for the drivres,and the sigmatel drivers in folder 07 is 04/11/2008,6.10.5921.0 not version 6.10.6224.7.

 

@samozen: I edited the entry. Thanks.

 

can i ask if you find a way to introduce slic 2.1 in our bios and enable other futuers in bios(hidden)?thanks

 

@samozen

Still working on it. Not an easy task... As soon as I have a way which yields a satisfying result I will post it here along with the bios...

 

thanks a lo and a Happy new year.

 

So it's a new year and I had some new ideas... Now I need help from people who know more about BIOS than I do...

I will move this to my original BIOS hacking thread...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/543688-sony-vgn-ar760u-raid-bios-hacking.html

 

@Samozen

SUCCESS!

I patched my R2080J8 with the platform data from another BIOS, integrated Slic 2.1 into it, build a working .wph package and flashed it

Download link in my other thread

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/543688-sony-vgn-ar760u-raid-bios-hacking.html

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

For those VGN-FE users among you, I have performed the SLIC 2.1 patch for the latest known FE BIOS R0200J3.

 

Hi,
And how to install :
1. "Vaio content importer/exporter" ?
2. "Click to DVD"


Thanks,

 

Good Question: I have never used either of them, sorry...

 

Win7 64bit Clean Install Guide for VGN-AR, VGN-FE and others

!!super
INSTALLED on VGN-AR51SU with correct drivers!
saved lot of time

thanks

p.s.

Is sony TV tuner compatible with MPEG4 DVB-TV?
location for win7 64 vaio content import software?
what is mpeg2 built in encoder?

 

@rs4rs

Glad it worked...
Which Sony TV Tuner do you have? There are 3-4 different models...



I have never used the VAIO Content importer/exporter... I use my own software...

You can check if any of the stuff here: Sony eSupport - VPCEF37FX/BI - Software Updates & Drivers works for you.

Picture Motion Browser - 5 file(s)
VAIO Media Software - 1 file(s)
VAIO® Entertainment - 1 file(s)

 

VGN-AR51SU , win7, 64
device: AVerMedia M115S MiniPCI Hybrid DVBT:


TV (MPEG4 TV) tuner works with "EP0000156187"



what is best choise for capture DV video on VGN-AR?

 

Thank you for such nice job.
My Bios is R2090J8, too.
My model is AR770. If you need the bios. I will attach it.
By the way...
I can't find "Intel(R) ICH8M-E/M SATA AHCI Controller" in my device manager.
Only ICH8M Ultra Ata Storage controller-2850 (MS driver)
and
Intel Mobile express chipset Sata Raid Driver(Intel Driver).
Is this due to that I can't find any option about AHCI in my bios??
Thank you again.

 

Hi bugLiao!

You obviously have the RAID version of the SATA chipset... Install the Raid Driver and enjoy...

You can try Kizwan's build of my bios for some more options in the menus:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ace...ix-bios-bios-mod-request-128.html#post7037062

 

wellcome back hippotek,good to see you here again

 

yep good to see you back hippotek, keep the work going!

 

Thanks guys!

I just posted a little guide on how to create flashable bios from a backup bios

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...e-flashable-bios-backup-bios.html#post7098492

 

Hi,

Now: VGN-AR51SU, raid0, 2x250gb hdd, win 7 64bit
next to: seagate momentus XT, raid0.

It is possible with Ghost?
Or need clean installation


Thanks,

Aivars

 

I recommend a clean install... You might run into some problems trying to get the RAID 0 running from your ghost boot medium...

Also: Try our new BIOS (R2090J8), modded by Kizwan for plenty extra BIOS options (like VT)

 

Flashed two AR51SU withR2090J8

how remove bios password. Lost pasword on one.

 

You can try any of these backdoor passwords:

Reported Phoenix BIOS backdoor passwords include BIOS, CMOS, phoenix, and PHOENIX.

You can try this software: http://www.cgsecurity.org/cmospwd-5.0.zip...

Usually a complete reset by unplugging the battery should do the trick, but you have to disassemble your AR to get there.

 

Or try this: YouTube - SONY VAIO ALL PCG AND VGN MODELS Bios password Unlock Bypass Remove HOW TO

Or better: DON't trust these guys... Malware alert

 

It appears Sony stores the password in the TP module

You can try these guys: Sony VAIO Laptop BIOS Password Help

 

Hello and thanks a lot for your help hippotek!

I have a vgn-ar870, with a vgn-ar770 mobo (the old one broke down), T9500, 80GB Vertex 2 & 320GB WD, and 4GB memory. Thanks to you I have been able to install Windows 7 x64, and most of the hardware is working great. The camera, which I believe is a VCC6 freezes everytime I open it. It shows the image for a cuople of seconds, and then freezes. Could you advice me on that???

I see that you have installed 8GB on your 760U, would that work on mine. I have also installed the modified Bios. It works to perfection.

Thanks in advance.

 

OK. I found this driver. Everything is golden.
ForceWare 186.91 WHQL Win 7 | Vista (64-bit) download from Guru3D.com

 

I am trying to cleanup my old Vaio VGN-FE 550G (Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU [email protected], 1667 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies LTD R0174J3, 5/24/2007. Original OS: Win XP Mediacenter) for my son. I am installing Win 7 Home Premium on it and was pulling my hair out until I ran into this post by you.

This can really simplify my life but unfortunately the download link
"http://hotfile.com/dl/92717351/e36ff5b/vgn-ar_win7_drivers_clean_install.zip.html" is no longer working. Is there somewhere else I can download this package from? All help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Mizu

 

Hello,
I buy a old sony AR71ZU. I would like to intall win7 64 bit on this computer but your link: http://hotfile.com/dl/92717351/e36ff5b/vgn-ar_win7_drivers_clean_install.zip.html don't work.
It's possible that you send me an another link to download this file.
Thank,
Felicien

 

I have the same model, I got all drivers from Internet, please contact me.

 

Hi!
Could you provide download link to download the file?
It seems it is not anymore available in the internet.
Br,
Markku

 

Hello,
can someone upload the file because it is not available anymore.
I have a VGN-AR51SU and i want to install the 64bit version of Windows 7 and i can not find the graphics driver.
Thank you

 

I am also interested in trying the drivers package. The link does not work so if anyone has a copy or an updated link I would appreciate it. I have a VAIO ar890u

 

Very useful post, however link is invalid which is strange.

 

I have an AR61ZU and would like the package also.

 

maybe someone knows what files here that may be useful? ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/VAIO/

 

Found another guide with working links! All but the Broadcom Bluetooth-link but you can get that here.

Here is the guide! link.

Ill reply when I've tried it. Will take a couple of weeks...

 

Where I found the file vgn-ar_win7_drivers_clean_install.zip?

I have this Pc with windows 7 64bit updated.
It's works now?

Thanks