Windows 7 Build 7000 on my Vaio SZ680

I decided to bite the bullet on trying Windows 7 Build 7000 on my SZ680. I got encouraged from this thread.
As stated in his thread, you can Google how to get Windows 7.

I just wanted to document my progress installing this version. I will post updates as I progress.
Notes: Started from complete power off. Switch set to Stamina (so as to start with basic Intel Graphics). Wireless kept ON.

1. Boot from DVD
   • Windows is loading files progress bar
   • Starting Windows (Entire screen not used - 800x600 maybe?)
   • Install Windows window (language, time and currency, keyboard)
   • Install now ->
   • Setup is starting
   • Accept Software License
   • Select Upgrade or Custom (i did Custom for a clean install)
   • Selected my 60G partition
   • Chose advanced options to format partition (it appears to be a quick format)
   • Installing Windows...
     • Copying Files (checked off almost instantly)
     • Expanding files (took a couple of minutes to get off of 0%)
     • Expanding completed in approx. 10 minutes
     • Computer rebooted
     • Returned to Installing Windows...
     • Installing Features and Installing Updates checked off
     • Completing installation (screen reset to all of display) (took approx. 10 min)
   • Computer reboots
2. Boot from hard drive
   • Set Up Windows window - user name and computer name
   • password
   • product key (didn't have one, you can still continue)
   • Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically (I chose Use recommended settings)
   • Time zone
   • Joining a wireless network
     • I have a non-broadcast SSID with WPA2 and AES.
     • No matter how many times I tried to set this up, i get invalid key.
     • I skipped this
     • After installation completes, the same wireless setup works fine.
   • Windows is finalzing
   • Welcome
   • Preparing desktop...
3. At this point your desktop with the cute little fishy is up and running
4. I next setup my wirless network which failed during the initial install
5. I chose to reboot at this time to see if any changes would happen
6. Bootup is quicker than Vista-32 and there's no hard drive chunking after the desktop appears
7. Pulled up device manager and got the following devices with the exclamation (!)
   • Fingerprint Sensor
   • Mass Storage Controller (this is for the memory stick slot)
   • Unknown device (this is firmware extension parser)
   • Unknown device (this is Sony Programmable I/I Control Device driver)
8. While looking at these, Windows Updater notified me there were two updates which I installed.
   • Definition Update for Windows Defender
   • Sony Corporation driver update for Sony Progammable I/O Control Device
9. After the updates, one of the Unknown devices disappeared
10. The other Uknown device says "on Intel(R) ICH8M-E LPC Interface Controller-2815

At this point, I will start to get drivers updated that have the (!) and install Sony libraries and utils.
There are approx. 30-33 processes. It eventually settles out to 30 4 minutes after login.
Physical memory (I have 2G of RAM) is at 25%
There is approx. 10G of disk space used.

Interestingly enough, there are devices recognized by Windows 7 such as the bluetooth radio, camera (generic USB device), and the mobile graphics chipset)
Based on the driver version, I left the Mobile Intel alone since it seemed to be higher than the Sony ones.

• Display adapters
  • Mobile Intel(R)965 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM1.1)
  • Driver version number shows 8.15.10.1590 dated 10/28/2008

The following drivers can be updated (I'm pretty confident the order does NOT matter here):
I only did the ones up to and including Security Devices.
Windows 7 has built-in bluetoooth and recognized my Sony bluetooth mouse. That's all I really use, and I save 9 processes.
I never use the modem, so I don't know why I need to change what Windows 7 sees.
I may update the Alps touchpad, but I use the touchpad rarely, so I don't really need to customize it. Saves 3-4 processes.

1. Sony Processor Patch (?) - Not sure, but I ran this update
2. Human Interface Devices
   • Sony Programmable I/O Control Device driver
     • From: 7.0.3.820 8/20/2002 to 7.0.4.229 10/5/2006
   • Sony Firmware Extension Parser
     • From: Unknown Device to 7.0.0.5
3. Mass storage controller changed to Memory technology driver
   • Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller (driver: 2.0.0.18 - Texas Instruments Inc)
4. Fingerprint Sensor changed to Biometric Devices
   • TouchChip Fingerprint Coprocessor (driver version 1.9.2.74)
5. Imaging Devices
   • USB Video Device (6.1.7000.1) changed to Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC7 (6.1004.210.0)
6. Sounds, video and game controllers
   • High Definition Audio Device (6.1.7000.0) changed to SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC (6.10.5511.0)
7. Security Devices
   • Trusted Platform Module 1.2 changed and moved under System Devices as Infineon Trusted Platform Module (2.0.0.0)
8. Modems
   • Conexant Type2 Modem (7.39.61) changed to HDAUDIO SoftV92 Data Fax Modem with SmartCP (7.58.0.50)
   • Note: This adds a process XAudio.exe (Modem Audio Service), but removes the WUDFHost (Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver framework process)
9. Generic Bluetooth Adapter changed to Bluetooth
   • Decided to update this as well.
   • It gave me 4 sub devices
     • Bluetooth RFBUS (driver: 5.0.1623.0 - Toshiba)
     • Bluetooth RFCOMM (driver: 4.0.2108.0 - Toshiba)
     • Bluetooth RFHID (driver: 5.0.1501.0 - Toshiba)
     • Bluetooth USB Controller (ALPS/UGPZ6) (driver: 5.0.1624.0 - Toshiba)
     • Gross: Toshiba bluetooth drivers add about 8 more processes. 9 when I sync my Sony bluetooth mouse. Not sure why I need these.
10. Mice and other pointing devices
    • HID-compliant mouse changed to Alps Pointing-device for VAIO (driver: 7.0.501.5 - Alps)
    • Gross: It also adds about 3 processes as well, but it does give you touchpoint customization. Seems to have added conhost.exe (Console Window Host) process as well.

Right now, there are no more unknown drivers.
Before I do the Sony Utils and such, I shut down the system and switched my mode from Stamina to Speed.
This starts the the vaio with the nVidia 8400M GS card.
Windows starts in stretched 640x480 but then automatically updates the driver.
Although it doesn't say, I would reboot. Windows starts in the correct resolution, and you get a Device Driver installed successfully popup.
It should show: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS (Prerelease - WDDM 1.1)
A few more processes get started with the nVidia stuff. nvvsvc.exe (NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 179.23) and few others I'll try to identify.

If you install the Toshiba and Alps drivers, you should be at about 46-50 processes depending on which graphics driver you're using.
I'm at about 32-35 because I did not do those.

So at this point, you have a fully functioning Windows 7 machine without any Sony swith or FN capabilities.
This always seems to be a headache, and you need to ask yourself if you really need it.
I will try to install them simply to figure out the correct order, but I can get to most all those features fairly easy even without them.

Here's the working order. Note: I reboot between each install whether it says so or not.
I got this from Sony support site under my machine support. It comes bundeled as Sony Notebook Utilities 1.0 and I extracted them because I did not want to install everything.

1. Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
2. Sony Utilities DLL (7.1.00.16050)
3. Sony Utility Series (2.1.00.16040)
4. Vaio Event Services (3.1.00.16230) - Adds two processes VESMgr.exe (VAIO Event Service (Service Module)) and VESMgrSub.exe (VAIO Event Service (Service Sub Module))

The following functions work after this:
FN5/FN6 - Brightness
S1/S2 - Control window pops up after holding button for 5 seconds to define button function
F7 - Screen output control
F10 - Zoom - but really does nothing other than shrink desktop
F12 - Sleep
Volume control FN2/FN3/FN4 is NOT working as others have posted. Mute doesn't work from S1/S2 panel as well.

Update 01-Feb-2009: Many people have now found that disabling UAC gets you your volume keys back. I can confirm that this worked for me. However if you disable your UAC, you can lose your desktop gadgets. For those of you, like me, who like some of these gadgets, you can get them back by modifying your registry. Use the following steps, but be warned now, I am not responsible if you mess up your registry:

1. Open the Registry Editor, or regedit.exe. You can search for regedit in the Start Menu.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Settings
3. Right-click and create a new DWORD (32-Bit) Value called AllowElevatedProcess.
4. Right-click AllowElevatedProcess and click Modify. Set the value to 1. Close the registry editor.
Your gadgets should work with UAC off now.

5. VAIO Power Management (2.1.00.18080) - This enables Stamina/Speed settings. Adds SPMgr.exe process
Not sure I would install this again. Battery life seems worse and fan speeds seem higher
I also think that it has screwed up the Windows Assesment tool. It never seems to finish. Need to do more checking on this
6. Sony Video Shared Library (3.1.03.01220) - Not sure what this is needed for.
7. Fingerprint Protector Suite QL (5.6.0.3278) - Adds psqltray.exe and upeksvr.exe processes
After rebooting and registering fingerprints, I rebooted again.
- Although the login screen doesn't show the fingerprint logon icon, I swiped my finger and it worked.
- After a second reboot, the Fingerprint Logon icon appeared.

Warning: Install this patch for Windows Media Player or risk losing a few seconds at the beginning of your songs if Media Player tries to update the ID3 information.

 

only 33 processes?
it looks like it's really nice, faster bootup, no more hdd after startup..
I have big hopes for it .. but I am sure some hopes will die later on when the system is out.
this is beta and of course there are drivers issues, but it seems as a much better system overall (reading from others, news, etc)
I didn't make the time to install it, nor will, since I will be really busy in the following weeks, plus this beta is really a start up beta, it will take a few more betas for a stable windows.
thanks a lot for taking the time to post it all !!!!!!!!

 

Yes, that was interesting. Thank you for documenting it!

 

Simlar experience on my SZ3 as detailed here. Runs quickly, improves battery life, only the Volume Fn keys not working just yet. Looking forward to Windows 7 being finalised. When I tihnk of the amount of trouble getting Vista working on the SZ.. Windows 7 was dead simple.

 

I've been running about 1 week with my install, and I'm basically happy with how things turned out. I am convinced Windows 7 is better than Vista. Bootup, shutdown, sleep, hibernate are all faster than Vista. Memory usage is less and overall UI tweeks are nice.

There are still some install issues, but for a beta, this OS is great. Of course it's not as major an update as XP->Vista. Frankly, this should have been Vista. Instead Vista was probably delivered by the same people who did Millenium

For my install, I did NOT install Toshiba bluetooth drivers and alps drivers. This was just a silly point for not wanting to add more processes. And since 7 appears to have built-in bluetooth support, I'm happy with it. It syncs my bluetooth mouse and that's all that really matters to me. I saved myself about 13 processes not installing Toshiba and Alps drivers. Don't know if it really means anything or not.

As for Vaio power management, I don't think I would install it again. The battery life doesn't seem to be all that great. I might redo the install one more time and stop after Vaio event services. Although I would add back the fingerprint reader. It seems to work well.

Also, can someone tell me what the video shared library is? Do I really need to install it?

My apps have been minimal, but the ones I did add worked fine.

iTunes, Firefox, Skype, DivX, Sling, vLan, WinRAR have been working great. My iPhone has been syncing just fine. I will try my Pinnacle HD mini stick soon.

Also, can someone tell me what the Video shared library is for? Do I really need to install it?

 

FYI, found this link for an updated Protector Suite 2009 Preview for the fingerprint reader.

Even though the reader on my SZ3VP is apparently supported, it doesn't work. I get a winbioenroll error when I try to enroll a finger. Still, one to keep an eye on.

Anybody have any luck getting the Volume fn keys working? This is the only issue preventing me from totally loving Windows 7 ;-)

 

I've installed it on my Vaio SZ55GN but it seems to be a bit unstable, not sure if its because of the drivers or what. Also without power management you cant turn off sound/cd/lan like you can with ultimate battery.

When installing, remember to turn on bluetooth with smart network, mine wasn't on and i had to go back into vista to turn it on for it to be seen in windows 7 (before i had installed smart network)

 

For those of us who installed Windows 7, there is a patch from Microsoft that does not yet show up in Windows Update.

If you use Media Player and update your MP3 headers, you may lose a few seconds of the beginning of the song. I noticed this on one of my songs, but convinced myself the song was always like that...grrr.

Get the patch here and install.

Naturally, this is a good lesson that you have backups of all your critical data before you start using it with a beta anything. Fortunately, I have backups of all my MP3's.

 

Volume Keys work if you disable UAC in the control panel.

But if you disable UAC then you can't use desktop gadgets.

 

Ah, I noticed that about the desktop gadgets. I wonder why?

 

Maybe to prevent malicious gadgets of modifying/copying files in the Windows folder.
It could also be a bug

Maybe someone will figure out how to use volume keys with UAC on, changing permissions or running the application in administrator mode... or we can simply wait for Sony to release an updated version of event service

 

For my CR520, the memory cards, the brightness keys, and the camera aren't working. I've tried running the installer many times with compatibility set to Vista to no avail.

Is it because I'm trying to install 32 bit drivers on a 64 bit OS? On the Sony support site, they only have Vista 32 bit listed...

 

After trying different settings in Win7 7000 32bit....

UAC ON, all files with default permissions:
- Brightness keys work on Stamina mode.
- Brightness keys don't work in Speed mode (popup appears but it doesn't work. However, you can change brightness in the power options)
- Audio keys don't work in any mode. (But you can change volume with the taskbar icon)
- Desktop Gadgets can be used.

UAC OFF, all files with default permissions:
- Brightness keys work on Stamina mode.
- Brightness keys don't work in Speed mode (popup appears but it doesn't work. However, you can change brightness in the power options)
- Audio keys work in both modes.
- Desktop Gadgets can NOT be used.

UAC ON, all executable files in "Program Files/Sony/VAIO event service" set to "Run as administrator":
- Brightness keys work on Stamina mode.
- Brightness keys work on Speed mode.
- Audio keys don't work in any mode. (But you can change volume with the taskbar icon)
- Desktop Gadgets can be used.

UAC OFF, all executable files in "Program Files/Sony/VAIO event service" set to "Run as administrator":
- Brightness keys work on Stamina mode.
- Brightness keys work on Speed mode.
- Audio keys work in both modes.
- Desktop Gadgets can NOT be used.

 

Amro thanks for detailing your install so thoroughly.... It really helped.

I installed the latest beta release on a second partition on my sz750 and its running smoothly.... I was finally getting adjusted to vista but this is leaps and bounds better... I'm actually enjoying using this computer again over my Desktop running xp

I have tried to limit the amount of Sony services installed to keep the number of processes down (I'm around 37) so i didn't install any of the Sony utilities or event services. I have 99% of everything working fine (except the known function key issue, which really doesn't bother me but even with uac turned on my volume keys are working fine) But i haven't been able to use the fingerprint scanner. You mentioned that windows 7 has finger print scanning functions built in so its not necessary to install the entire protection suite but i did install the UPEK driver... Is there a way to get the basic fingerprint functions (windows login, etc) working without installing additional Sony services? Thanks again for all the great info..

 

That's a good question. I don't know the answer. I didn't think the fingerprint scanner was part of the Vaio services, but maybe it is.

Maybe someone else can answer that.

 

The fingerprint scanner is not related to Vaio Services, it's controlled by the UPEK Protector Suite services. Vista doesn't provide native support for fingerprint scanners, which is why under Vista you need both the UPEK vista driver and the UPEK Protector Suite software.

Windows 7 now has a biometric platform built in for managing fingerprint scanners and the like (type "biometric" into the Start menu search box), but it needs an updated UPEK driver to integrate properly (the Vista one is therefore not suitable). Upek have provided a new preview Windows 7 driver for many of their laptop fingerpint scanners that allows basic fingerprint functionality in Windows 7, but they also provide an updated Protector Suite 2009 that wil give additional functions (such as password bank, page registration in IE8 and Firefox, etc). Available here.

The Windows 7 driver doesn't yet work on my SZ3VP however, either using the Windows 7 utilities or the Protector Suite 2009 utilities. UPEK have promised future support for all fingerprint scanners. So for now I've gone back to using the Vista driver and Protector Suite 5.8.

Maybe those of you with newer SZ models will have newer fingerprint scanners and the new drivers will work.

EDIT By the way, the basic UPEK Windows 7 driver (without Protector Suite) should allow for logging in with the fingerprint scanner. Which is all I really use it for anyway

 

Well, I'm using the Upek driver and software from Vista. I tried the beta ones and the Upek software didn't recognize it's own driver. Went back to the Vista one and everything works fine. I login with my finger swipe. Just use your password every now and then so you don't forget it

 

Wow thanks for this post amro!
I have a question tho, you said you got the touchpad customization from the alps driver. I installed the driver downloaded from sony support website but I couldn't get the customization menu anywhere. I need that menu so that I can disable tap-click thing.....

Btw did you try 64bit? I just installed 32bit because I couldn't get anything working with 64bit vista(camera, Fn keys) I have 4g ram so if 64bit works I'm ready to jump on that.

 

amro, where did you get the updated drivers from?

And also, has somebody tried a dual boot install with Vista yet (where you want to keep Vista on your system and just add Windows 7 as an option).

And has somebody gotten a 64-bit version of Windows 7 fully working on their SZ?

 

Anyone get the WWAN card to work under windows 7? When I try to turn it on I get failed activation.

That's the only item besides the volume keys that I can't get to work (I don't use Fingerprint Sensor). I wonder if there is a file on my old install that I can copy over (installed new hard drive). I'm running windows 7 on SZ680.

 

deaffob,
As far as I remember, the Upek drivers and Upek software were different. The software was under my utilities installation. I Installed "Fingerprint Protector Suite QL (5.6.0.3278)".
After rebooting and registering fingerprints, I rebooted again.
- Although the login screen doesn't show the fingerprint logon icon, I swiped my finger and it worked.
- After a second reboot, the Fingerprint Logon icon appeared.

Synth,
I replied to your PM, but as far as I remember, I got them from the standard Sony support site. I will go back and see if there are differences.

As to 64-bit, I tried to install it, but ran out of time due to some extended business travel I'm on. There is a link somewhere to Vista 64-bit drivers from Sony which are "unsupported". Found them here: http://www.vaio-link.com/os/vista/64bit/. It's a long list of items with all Vaio models supported under each item. I searched for sz680 and downloaded those. The initial basic install worked fine. I was able to do the firmware extension parser, but failed at the camera driver. I really needed this because I Skype with my family, and although 7 shows a camera in the devices list, Skype could not connect to it. I had to travel in two days, so I went back to 32-bit. Shame, because I recently upgraded to 4G of RAM.

For the rest of you, I have to say I'm very happy with Windows 7. The taskbar has been greatly improved. Gizmodo has a good discussion here: http://i.gizmodo.com/5131933/giz-explains-why-the-windows-7-taskbar-beats-mac-os-xs-dock, although I'm not sure if really "beats" Apple's Dock. The OS boots up quickly and doesn't "feel" as lethargic. If this is a simple tweak of Vista, fine with me. It works so well, I now enjoy my laptop and applications as opposed to cursing the machine to finish whatever the heck it keeps doing. I don't really think about the OS much more now.

As for issues, I have the following (none of which bothers me):
1. FN4, FN5 and FN2. (volume stuff). I like my gadgets, so I won't disable UAC.

2. After the machine resumes from a sleep, the fingerprint reader sometimes doesn't work or takes a couple of swipes before it "wakes up"

3. NVidia graphics crashes on a regular basis when using VLC VLAN video player. I restart fine and everything continues, but it is a bit annoying. You can tell when this starts to happen because the background image slowly disappears in random blocks starting from the top of the screen.

There is nice link to Windows 7 Tweaks and Tips here: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/20_windows_7_tweaks_tips_%E2%80%93_every_secret_uncovered_date

 

UPEK have updated their Windows 7 beta drivers again:

http://www.upek.com/support/downloads/windows7/w7x86.asp

This new version now works with my SZ3VP.

Works very well; the fingerprint reader now "wakes up" immediately after resuming from sleep. With the Vista drivers I'd usually have to wait a few seconds before trying a swipe. And of course Protector Suite doesn't have to be installed unless you want the extra features.

 

Wow, that's good to know. Thanks JD.

 

Are there any updated versions of the following:

1. Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
2. Sony Utilities DLL (7.1.00.16050)
3. Sony Utility Series (2.1.00.16040)
4. Vaio Event Services (3.1.00.16230)

Also, how can I extract them from Notebook Utilities 1.0?

 

my congratulations !

 

Anybody tried for the shared library and Sony Utilities the following 2?

Sony Shared Library: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&upd_id=3630&os_id=30

Sony Notebook Utils (incl Event Services): http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&upd_id=3725&os_id=30

 

I tried the Z series drivers on my Sony FE (the SZ drivers work fine, but UAC has to be off). Doesn't work at all. Shame, since the Z users seem to be reporting 100% Win7 compatibility.

 

Anybody tried the UAC / sidebar solution here?

I'm not on my Windows 7 laptop right now, but if the above tweak works, then it means working volume Fn keys WITH sidebar gadgets running as normal...

That's the last thing that seems to be "broken" on my SZ with Windows 7.

EDIT: The above tweak does indeed work: with UAC turned off, volume Fn keys work and the sidebar gadgets are still there. Happy days, my SZ is now pretty much 100% working with Windows 7

 

Little late reply but here is the update on my windows 7 32bit installation. I got everything working, yes everything! All Fn buttons and camera and so on but I still get this bug that makes my touchpad go inverse motion sometimes. I don't know if this is an hardware issue. Anyway, windows 7 is a lot faster and smoother. I noticed some bugs here and there but nothing major. It doesn't do that annoying HD reading thing that Vista does ALL the time. BTW anyone know how to fix this inverse touchpad bug that happens time to time?

 

The touchpad going inverse is hardware not software.
Had to have the touchpad replaced on my SZ780 after about 6 months. I believe it is related to the touchpad not being completely insulated and shorting out to the aluminum palm rest on the SZ. I saw found a guide to fixing it somewhere, maybe on this site, but since mine was still under warranty I sent it in to Sony to have it fixed.

 

trust me there isn't 100% perfect combatibility with the Z series....the hot keys aren't functioning correctly. Volume doesn't work unless you turn UAC completely off then you lose gadgets unless u perform a registry hack and the brightness hot keys don't work in "speed" mode.

 

Oh man. Hopefully Sony releases drivers when Windows 7 comes out, and NOT just for their new laptops that come with 7. I really want to keep UAC on =(.

 

So, how do you notice your power use? I got the feeling that Vaio power management was worse than the Windows 7 default. I don't have any real data to back that up other than by a few tries of the laptop unplugged.

 

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but if you upgrade from vista the volume keys and brightness keys work with UAC on. Although, it does not display the volume OSD.

If only I could get my wwan to work it would be good enough for me...Looks like I will have to dual boot.

 

Just a quick update which I will also change on my original thread:

Most of you have probably seen that turning off UAC allows volume buttons to work, but disables gadgets. And most of you have seen how to re-enable gadgets even without UAC. I just tried this and all my keys now work.

If you still want gadgets like me, try this:
Warning: Modifying your registry can be risky, so be careful and don't blame me

1. Open the Registry Editor, or regedit.exe. You can search for regedit in the Start Menu.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Sidebar\Settings
3. Right-click and create a new DWORD (32-Bit) Value called AllowElevatedProcess.
4. Right-click AllowElevatedProcess and click Modify. Set the value to 1. Close the registry editor.

Your gadgets should work with UAC off now.

If you turn UAC off, you'll have to reboot.

 

This is working perfectly for me too, although its a little disconcerting knowing UAC is fully turned off.

FYI, for those using Win7 as their primary OS, something to watch out for: up until a few days ago I was using AVG Free as it was MS recommended. I started getting blue screens (ie BSOD), related to the network adapter, every 20 minutes or so. After a quick google, it seems to happen to lots of Win7 Beta users that have particular antivirus products and NAS shares (aka SAMBA shares on a network). I removed AVG and the BSOD disappeared. I've been using the simple Avira antivirus (free) as it does not have the antivirus feature that was causing the BSOD.

 

Another nice tidbit from JD. Thanks

I really haven't been running any anti-virus apps. I was never a fan of Norton and I sort of gave up on McAfee as well. Although I don't think it was near the resource hog Norton was. I'll check out Avira.

 

one problem though...
I tried using open VPN,,,,the open vpn will not conect to remote desktop if UAC is on..however will work perfectly of UAC is off...anyone any ideeas how can i make open VPN work WITH UAC on?
I feel unconfortable leaving UAC off???please PM me @ [email protected]

 

Quick update: did a fresh install with build 7057 recently and things are running even sweeter. IE8 is at a practically finished state, some quirks have been ironed out, and performance is just that little bit more refined. You still have to turn off UAC to get the volume keys to work, but UAC being off no longer disables gadgets (so you don't need the regedit previously mentioned).

As further proof of the quality of Windows 7, I haven't actually been using my Vista partition since Christmas (dual booting), so I've just removed it now altogether and will use build 7057 as my main OS until a retail copy becomes available.

 

How about the Windows Media update to prevent MP3 corruption?

 

That is included in builds newer than the Beta.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

 

I'm going to try build 7057. Anyone have any luck with that on the SZ? I still want to to 64-bit, but not sure about the drivers.

 

Hi Everyone

Have just finished installing Windows 7 on my Sony Vaio SZ3HP/B

Everything is working perfectly apart from I have 2 exclamation marks in Device Manager

1. Mass Storage Controller
2. Unknown Device

I cannot find the driver for the camera either.

If anybody knows how I can fix these things that would be superb.

Thanks for a great guide and I think Windows 7 is a really nice OS, how Vista should have been as people have said.

Cheers.

 

1. Mass storage controller changed to Memory technology driver
* Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller (driver: 2.0.0.18 - Texas Instruments Inc)

2. Unknown device could be:
* Sony Programmable I/O Control Device driver
o From: 7.0.3.820 8/20/2002 to 7.0.4.229 10/5/2006
or
* Sony Firmware Extension Parser
o From: Unknown Device to 7.0.0.5

don't know what camera is in your computer

 

Hi

Thanks for the quick response.

Googled for the Texas Instruments driver and that sorted the Mass Storage Controller.

Tried all three of the drivers you mentioned for the other Unknown Device, but none worked as they are only compatible with US models, I have a UK model.

Turns out, however, that the other Unknown device was in fact the camera and I found the driver for that in a pack of drivers from this guide for installing Vista:
LINK

The camera for my model is the "Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2"

Thanks everyone, hopefully this might help someone else who is having trouble getting everything working on Windows 7 and their SZ3.

Cheers

 

Glad it worked out Rich. I'm currently on assignment in Bedford in the UK for several months. Love the country. Hate the services I'm in Sky hell right now . Been trying to get Sky broadband since 03-Feb. What a nightmare. Its almost sorted though.

 

I am just about to install 64 bit latest W7 build on my SZ6XN - european version.

Will keep you posted if everything works.

 

All drivers seems to be working, only this one is not:

on Intel(R) ICH8M LPC Interface Controller - 2815

Seems like ACPI, but dont know where to ger drivers for it.

 

Legacy PC interface? Camera driver ok?