Windows 7 Clean install Guide for Vaio FZ

hi there coolguy

can you help me about the special button thing? on the first page

 

What help do you need?

 

a bit confuse on the steps

 

Gee, you think it might help to be just a bit more specific? You really need to spell out what it is that you don't understand.

Gary

 

Hey man, great looking Guide!

the question I have is what you mean with "...and 64 bit Vista", if you do a clean install will it matter what OS you previously had?

thanks!
Raz

 

No. If you do a clean install you are wiping out EVERYTHING on the OS partition. All applications and data are lost in the process.

Gary

 

A question about my new Z1390 but probably applies to all Sony's:

When I booted the computer I burned recovery media DVDs. If I reinstall the computer from these discs, will it be exactly the same as the software that came installed on the machine? Or will it only install some of the software but not all of it (e.g. Adobe's suite)?

Thanks!

 

I think that you misunderstood the title. This guide is for clean installing 32/64-bit Windows 7 and 64-bit Vista.

 

You would be better asking this question in the Z series owners thread. This thread is for the FZ series.

PS: Recovery discs will restore your machine to "out of the box" state.

 

yes it installs but when i restart windows screen starts to flickers

 

nvidia 260.99 driver works with same workaround

broadcom bt driver doesn't work
generic driver won't install and quit

 

1. setting utils 5.3
2. sony shared 5.7
3. sony event service 5.3

install in that priority

from here
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/

 

Did the driver from the Broadcom support install?

 

I found a broadcom driver here
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/BROADCOM BLUETOOTH DRIVER - 6.3.0.5600_X32.ZIP

I can read now Sony Alps device 6.3.0.5560

 

Thanks for the info. What model is your FZ?

 

Vaio FZ31S

 

Hi, great guide and many, many thanks for the updates!

I just wondered if anyone had problems running their FZ off a HDMI monitor? Mine has been working fine since I purchased it Aug 2007 but in the lastweek the laptop doesn't think a monitor is attached anymore.

I've updated the Nvidia drivers to .260, swapped monitors, swapped leads and now it looks like the Vaio is to blame.

Using the Fn + F7 doesn't do anything.

The Nvidia screen only shows the laptop screen and an undetected analogue monitor; no surprise as there isn't one attached.

Anyway, thanks for the help so far. A great forum.

Dan

 

A follow up note. I ran Ubuntu Live CD and could see using DMESG when I plugged and unplugged the HDMI cable. Really, really odd problem.

I also did a EEC reset (leaving the battery and power lead disconnected) for five minutes and still no joy.

 

Does pressing Win+P keys do anything? For the fn key control, you need to install the necessary Sony driver and software.

 

Thanks for the reply, but alas nothing for win+p. I did install most of the items from your guide and has been working very well since reinstalling in Oct 2010.

Its all a bit strange. I turned the computer off like normal the previous evening, then the next morning no more external monitor. The next day the monitor kicked in and had a dual screen setup for two days and then it died again the next day and not been working since. The HDMI port doesn't feel loose and I did jostle the laptop around while it worked.

I've worked in IT for 12 years and did a CompSci for 4 and it's totally perplexed me, looks like a new laptop for Christmas!

 

sorry, got it now...

Am I supposed to leave "Disk 0 Partition 1: Recovery" alone and just format "Disk 0 Partition 2" and install windows 7 on that one?

thanks
Raz

 

You can select partition 2 if you don't want to delete the Sony recovery partition.

 

coolguy, i think your latest driver solve out my problems with Nvidia, so i have really to thank you so much.

Also Elmerb thanks, i did updat for my flash player and dirextX and think is going perfect now.

 

thnx v much.....260.89 for vaio AW-31M u r the man

 

flannell

Some things to check (some pretty obvious!) It looks like you checked most of these but I list them here just to be sure...


1. Right port selected on monitor... don't know if it will detect monitor if port is not selected on monitor. You may want to disconnect the power to the monitor to reset it as well.
2. Right click on desktop and click on Nvidia Control Panel... in the left menu select click setup multiple displays and see if both the flat panel driver and the external monitor show up. If so, setup for the Expand the desktop mode.
3. Bad cable.... it happens... flex the cable ends and look for kink or nicked cable. Look also at the port in the computer for damage.
4. Do you have a friend with a HDMI TV or monitor to eliminate that problem? Use their cable if you can to eliminate that issue as well.
5. Right click on desktop and click Screen Resolution and see if both the flat screen and monitor show up. There is on this screen a "connect to projector " link which should show the same desktop on your external monitor (it may be smaller on your external HDMI screen)
6. You do have the Nvidia video driver installed... somehow you didn't delete it or it reverted back to the Windows default driver?
7. Did you have any other strange artifacts showing on screen at startup or during normal operation... maybe you have the Nvidia graphics chip problem (see the sticky at the top of the forum)
8. You may want to remove the Nvidia driver, use also a Nvidia driver cleaner, and then reinstall a fresh copy of the driver, or even an older driver.
9. I haven't really tried to use the VGA or S-Video ports... does it think it somehow is connected to some external monitor via these ports? These would be the only analogue devices I think you could connect to...


Just some thoughts

Elmerb

 

Thanks for taking the time to write the post.

1. The DELL FullHD monitor has a Auto mode, but I did try and force it to use HDMI mode, it just goes into powersave.

2. Nvidia thinks there's only the laptop screen and when you force it a VGA (not-detected) monitor comes up despite not plugging a VGA lead in.

3. Tried a different cable and monitor, I also used my WDTV device to test and this worked fine.

6. When the problem first appeared I consulted this guide and noticed NVidia released a newer driver set (Oct 20th) so did a clean install, but problem stayed the same.

7. Nothing appears on the external monitor, the laptop behaves as if nothing is connected.

9. I did buy a VGA lead but the guy in the shop sold me a DB9 serial connector gender changer rather than the VGA one, so not been back to swap it!

It's got me stumped. If I boot Ubuntu Live CD you can see in the debug console messages when I plug and unplug the HDMI lead. So it's not like the port is physically damaged.

Thanks for posting.

 

Quick update. After posting the update I thought I'd boot the Ubuntu live CD again and try using the "nvidia-settings" program.

As soon as the first Ubuntu setup screen appeared I had a dual screen setup!

So, I popped the CD out and rebooted and Windows 7 dual screen appeared!

The Vaio has stayed on since. I think as long as suspend or leave it on I won't lose the HDMI port. Not great for the environment but at least I've got my FullHD monitor back.

Joy.

 

Hi CoolGuy,

Thank you for the wonderful w7-64bit guide for the VGN-FZ290!!! Could not have got it done without your expertise.

One question, how can I get the internal recording mic to work with the camera. For video conferencing I have no outgoing sound for voice communication.

Thanks in advance,

Tessa

 

nbreviews,

Not sure if you are using the Windows 7 sound driver or the Sigmatel driver?

With the Win 7 sound driver, switch to the proper microphone by going thru the Control Panel and then Hardware and Sound and then Sound and then the Recording Tab. Make sure the internal microphone (you may have 2... one is the internal the other is the external jack but not labeled that) is set as the Default Device BEFORE going to video conferencing and see if that works. The other problem may be that the microphone boost gain may not be high enough... try making the gain at least 20 db. If it is already 20 db, switch it to something else and then back to 20 db.... it doesn't seem to reset this mike boost gain properly when you switch to this mike. Note that there is a level meter next to mike input listings so you can see if you are getting any mike input when speaking. Note however I have a lot of noise using this mike.

If you are using the Sigmatel driver it should work OK but do check the microphone boost gain for the proper device input.. I don't use this driver. I do think you have to set the Default Device manually to switch microphone inputs as above.

Note however that the Sigmatel driver has a problem with no HDMI sound output which is why I don't use it.

Hope this helps

elmerb

 

Nbreviews,

If you are using the default Microsoft audio driver, in addition to what elmerb said, you have to choose the default working recording device in the chat client (ex: Skype) too.

 

Hello elmerb and Rajesh,

Okay, It looks like I have the Microsoft driver, version 6.1.7600.16385

Here is what I see in the control panel home|sound|playback

In the playback tab
speakers
high definition audio device - set to default with blue bars

headphones
high definition audio device - not plugged in

digital audio (HDMI)
high definition audio device - ready with blue bars

In the recording tab
microphone
high definition audio device - default with blue bars

microphone
high definition audio device
currently unavailable

Are both supposed to be available?

I did the mike boost for the default mic as suggested by elmerb and set it at 20db. I set the chat client (tokbox). I see a few green bars/and some yellow bars at peak. I think this may have resolved the issue, i don't know how I can test this until I try the video conference.

Anyway, I really just would like to thank you both. You have done an excellent and more than marvelous job with your guide and prompt responses!

I can't even explain in words how thankful I am for your guide because from Sony's Vista 32-bit to w7-64 bit, rounding up drivers and getting them installed and working was more than a nightmare. Now that it's all finally done, it's so wonderful, thx to you guys! Your all the best!!! Appreciated!

Highest regards,
-Tessa

 

Nbreviews,

Only one microphone will be available at any time under the recording devices with the default Microsoft audio driver. Right one of the mics > Properties > Note the jack information.

The red jack denote the mic in jack on the right side of your FZ. The analog jack denotes the built in mic.

I am glad that you got Windows 7 64-bit running fine in your FZ.

 

Hi
If I dont use laptop for about 15 minutes it's LCD backlight gets teurn off!
and because my "FN" key does not work I should Restart laptop
please help me .

 

Just a quick note. My laptop GPU has now died. I am now using the FZ with the standard VGA adapter on, otherwise blank screen. I also get green lines on the BIOS bootup. So, if you are using your laptop with an external HDMI screen and it suddenly stops detecting an external screen it may indicate the GPU is about to fail.

Anyone in the UK tried to get their Vaio NVidia GPU replaced?

 

Did you install all the Sony software/ drivers in my guide?

 

Flannell, not in the UK but in Mexico, Sony replaced me, the Nvidia Gpu for free to a Fz350Fe with exactly the same problem, 26 months after purchasing. I used the ALERT posted in http://esupport.sony.com/LA/perl/news-item.pl?mdl=VGNFZ350FE&news_id=349 find it for your model.

 

Which one?

 

Really? You are posting in a thread titled: "Windows 7 Clean install Guide for Vaio FZ" and every message from "coolguy" has a link as part of his signature and you are asking this question?

Gary

 

Updated Intel wifi driver, added IDT audio driver 6.10.6224.7 (with Stereo Mix support).

 

Rajesh, I'm addicted to your post, and all drives work perfectly in my FZ350FE windows 7, 64-bits, I have been unable to download the Modded ini/ inf download : audio.zip, of your last update of Dec 04 trough mediafire, could you please review it, thanks in advance.

 

magnum10, What issues are you having? I can download the file without any issue. Do you have any pop-up blocker installed? You need to wait for the download window to appear.

 

All fine, probably was Adblock, Thanks

 

please check the moded audio on medifire the download link won't show,thanks a lot.
can you please add it like attachment???

 

The link works fine for me.

Gary

 

NBR's attachment file size limit is too small. The modded ini is for FZ only. Certain changes are needed for other Vaio models.

 

ok thanks a lot,maybe some make a moded inf for AR series because the sound is not loud..thanks again

 

NEW IDT / Sigmatel Audio modded driver
Volume increase, great sound but does not work with HDMI. It blocks the operation of the TV screen.

 

Did you set the HDMI as default before turning ON the TV? I do not have anything to test the HDMI.

 

Yes, Rajesh I set HDMI as default, before, after and during with the same result, not sound at all at the tv.

 

magnum10, Right click the HDMI device in playback devices, and click the "test" or "Configure" options. Check if you get the green bars moving in the level meter for left and right channels. I get the green bars, which seem to indicate the HDMI is producing sound.

What media player are you using? You can go the advanced tab in HDMI device and uncheck "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device". See if this solves the issue.

I will include all the settings from the Sony driver and will send you an ini to test the HDMI again.