Windows 7 Clean install Guide for Vaio FZ

^ There are AR series clean install guides here. Search for them. Some software/ drivers in this guide might not work with your model.

 

Hey these drivers and updates did wonders for my VGN-FE31M Windows 7 install...

Thanks so much for getting all of this useful info into one place

 

Is it my browser or are the drivers from the sony ftp unavailable :S
Thats step 8 and 9 and few others :S

 

Thanks for letting me know. The links were changed by Sony and will be fixed soon.

 

I noticed that if you change ftp:// into s02. all the sony ftp links work again.
So for example if you change:

ftp://download.sony.com/US/pc/SODCAM-12842500-US.EXE
into
http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SODCAM-12842500-US.EXE

 

Thanks Valinor. Sony had changed their driver selection (OS based) scheme and the download server.

The links are fixed now. I had removed the updates for Setting utility series and Vaio event service, as they are not needed.

 

Updated Nvidia driver to 280.26 WHQL.

 

Any notable differences in what we are now using?

Gary

 

I haven't seen any noticeable performance difference. What driver are you using?

 

Thx coolguy,
Will report back if I find anything worth mentioning compared to 275.33.

 

I just did that and it works. Thx very much.

 

Fantastic post!!! Altough Sony don't give us right support, somebody does!!

Thank you very much! EU TE AMO!!

God bless you.

 

Luv u man! Sony sux.

 

^ You are welcome guys.

 

Hi, usually prior to upgrading- before turning ont he laptop. Simply Clicking AV MODE would turn on laptop so I could play music etc without starting operating system. Is this no longer possible?

 

No. It can't be done after you have upgraded.
Gary

 

neoda1, I think that you need to install the Instant mode software. It doesn't work with Nvidia, so I don't have any idea about that.

Gary, are you sure about this?

 

As I have Nvidia too, I can't say for certain. But I thought I remembered that the software had to be at a particular place on the hard drive as the BIOS went to a PHYSICAL spot on the drive to load the software. My memory is cloudy on this as the subject hasn't been brought up in a VERY long time.

Gary

 

I thought I saw some discussion on this issue, but can't find it now. I am running 64-bit Vista and used this guide to inatall the drivers. I am since getting an error dialog at startup:

VESMgrSub.exe - Entry Point Not Found
The procedure entry point K32GetProcessImageFileNameW could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll

As I said, I thought I saw a discussion on this with a workaround, but can't find it now. Doing some other investigation I found a discussion regarding Windows 7/Server 2008 and KERNEL.dll. It seems that in those operating systems a host of APIs were moved from PSAPI.dll to KERNEL32.dll and their original names changed from xxx to K32xxx (which is a dead giveaway where they came from). So, if you have code that targets any K32xxx process and it runs on any OS other than Windows 7 or Server 2008 the OS will through this error.

Now, this error only occurs if one's system is running Windows SDK v7.0/7.0a - which I am running because I have Visual Studio running, but not everyone else might be.

So the combination of Vista and Visual Studio might make me a little unique, but I was wondering if anyone else had seen this issue, if they had a workaround, and if not, if anyone had any ideas.

Thanks.

 

Try to run VESMgrSub.exe in compatibility mode.

 

Merrick, you can try a older VES meant for Vaio FW and Vista 64-bit. I would have to edit the guide title now.

 

Tried it in XP SP2 mode. No joy.

 

Do you have something you can point to? As far as I can tell all the FWs look like they were targeted for W7.

 

FW-490 and older models shipped with Vista 64-bit.
You can get the VES here Sony eSupport - VGN-FW490 - Drivers & Software

You should extract the software before installing.

 

Compatibility mode is for running a software designed for a older OS, not for running Win 7 software in Vista.

 

Thanks, Rajesh. I'll give that a try and provide feedback to the group on what happens.

 

Hello all,

First time poster here. I have just got my son the laptop stated above and have moved it over to Windows 7 Home Premium. Getting all the drivers have been no issue apart from the GPU which I have managed to do by using the original driver on Vaio's website yet everytime I boot the system up it comes up with this Driver is being locked due to incompatiability but yet it does continue to function. I have full access to Nvidia control panel, resolutions etc. How do I get rid of this message?

That and is it at all possible to update the driver? I have tried without any success. Any suggestions are most welcome

 

Have you looked at the first page of this thread? Use the GPU driver 280.26 in that page.

 

Hi Rajesh,

I did give this a try. It wouldn't install natively (as a single operation from the main directory after extracting it), but I could run all of the individual installations from the subdirectories. None would install because the other version (from this guide) was still installed, except for the battery utility. I'll have to uninstall that at some point and try again. However, not surprisingly, the battery utility immediately identified my battery as incompatible with my laptop (since the FW series does not share batteries with the FZ) and forced me to shut down my system. So I had to remove the battery, boot under AC power only, restore from a state before I installed the battery utility, and I was all set.
I'm not sure I'm expecting the FW drivers to work. But I'll definitely give them a try - and wanted to share the cautionary tale with others to be sure to think through potential consequences while experimenting with non-standard conrollers.

I'll follow up with news on the other portions of the utility when I give them a full try. Please let me know if you have any other thoughts.

Thanks!
Merrick

 

Hi All,

Looking for any suggestions:
I uninstalled all of the Sony utilities/drivers etc. to restart the process and now I can't get any version of the Sony Shared Library to install. Whenever I try to install it I get this message:

"A newly version has already been installed on your computer. Installation is stopped"

Poor grammar and all. There is no trace of it in the Programs and Features list and I deleted all traces in Program Files (x86) and checked for anything in Program Files and most places I could think of in Windows.

Any guesses?

Thanks,
Merrick

 

Sorry for the rapid posting, but I answered my own question - found a copy in \Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Shared Files\ - deleted that and now the install runs with no errors, but after rebooting (as prompted) the install doesn't seem to take (doesn't appear in installed programs). Though it does recreate the folder just mentioned.

Any ideas for getting the installation to work would be appreciated.

thanks...

 

The FW Vista 64-bit. software worked with my FZ initially. Uninstall all the Sony software. Delete all the Sony folders in program files/ program files x86, common files (under program files (X86).

You need to do the same in the registry too for HKLM\Software\Sony\ (only delete the Sony shared folder).

You can do a clean install of Vista, if you find the steps complicated.

 

Hi Rajesh - what does "initially" mean? When I managed to install the FZ software (not all but quite a bit of it would once extracted and run without the wrapper install utility) I was able to get a significant portion of the Sony keys/buttons working (vol+/-, sound on/off, wireless setting utility, not screen dimmer, S/AV mode buttons), but after a reboot they all stopped working. Is that what you mean by "initially"?

Thanks,
Merrick

 

By saying initially, I meant the Vista 64-bit software (FW) worked for me with Win 7 RC.

The 32-bit software originally meant for the FZ won't work with 64-bit.

You need to install all Sony 64-bit compatible software.

 

I found in addition to files in:

Program Files\Common Files\
Program Files (x86)\Common Files\

and registry entries in:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Sony Shared

I also had to delete a host of registry entries in:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Sony Corporation\...

I used the FW drivers as suggested, and have the following working:

Fn2 - Mute On/Off
Vol +/- on upper panel
Skip forward/backward and play/pause on upper panel
Stop on upper panel

What is not working:

Fn5/6 - Screen brightness -/+
Fn10 - Screen zoom
S button on upper panel
AV Mode button on upper panel

In VAIO Control Center, Special Buttons | VAIO Launcher Setting | Advanced brings up a dialog on Japanese and doesn't appear to impact any of the special button settings

I installed everything EXCEPT I expanded Notebook Utilities and did NOT install the Battery Care utility. I then created a Restore Point and installed the Battery Care utility and got the same behavior as before (battery not compatible) and restored the previous settings.

Any suggestions for Fn5/6/10 or the special buttons? Not expecting to get those up, but it would be nice.

Thanks again!
Merrick

 

Which display driver are you using? Try uninstalling and reinstalling it.

 

Cheers for that mate

 

Did you install the GPU driver? (This and the Vaio event service are picky with other each other for proper Fn key brightness control)

The Sony software should be installed in the order mentioned in page 1. You can't install software over an existing install. You must uninstall the software one by one (don't use system restore) before trying other versions of the software.

For the special button, use the instructions in page 1 (this might not work with Vista 64-bit).

Why are you using Vista 64-bit instead of Win 7 64-bit?

 

Because it costs $200.

 

See here Amazon.com: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack: Software

If you are a student in a University, you can get Win 7 Pro for $29.99 USD.

 

I'm not a student and I don't use Home Premium - I use Ultimate.

I actually resolved, I think, all of the issues. It was related to the video driver. I wasn't able to immediately install the Verde driver so I ignored it, because I had a relatively recent nVidia driver installed. Then I went back and modded the .inf files as necessary to get the Verde driver you listed to install. It was only after that I took a closer look at the mod you did for the Verde driver that I realized you had it solved already. My solution was a litte different:

Download Windows 7/Vista 64-bit driver here:
NVIDIA DRIVERS 280.26 WHQL

Expand using UniExtract

In \Display.Driver\ListDevices.txt

Change:
DEV_0426&SUBSYS_55841991 "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT"

To:
DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT"

In \Display.Driver\nvmt.inf

Change:
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section001, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_55841991

To:
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section001, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D

Run setup, select Custom (Advanced) installation option, intall *graphics driver* only.
Allow unsigned drivers to install.
Reboot.

Results:
Installs drivers and nVidia Control Panel which is available via drop-down menu.
Driver Version 8.17.12.8026 dated 2011_08_03

That got everything working except I haven't been able to confirm Document Zoom yet (it beeps, but hasn't zoomed anything yet - looking for compatible software) and the AV Mode button doesn't do anything and there is no setting for the AV Mode button in VCC. But I can program the S button now and have no issues with Japanese text.

Along with Vista64 I dual boot my FZ180E/B with XP64. That's a little more of a white whale for the sake of some assembly projects I'm still working on. It's highly doubtful drivers for all of the hardware ever existed, though I have gotten almost all of the laptop functioning in some fashion. Having to reteach myself how to hijack an otherwise compatible nVidia installation I did just update my XP64 nVidia driver:

Download XP64 driver here:
NVIDIA DRIVERS 266.58 WHQL

Expand using UniExtract

In \Display.Driver\ListDevices.txt

Change:
DEV_0426&SUBSYS_55841991 "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT"

To:
DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D "NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT"

In \Display.Driver\nvmt.inf

Change:
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section001, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_55841991

To:
%NVIDIA_DEV.0426.01% = Section001, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D

Run setup, select Custom (Advanced) installation option, intall *graphics driver* only.
Allow unsigned drivers to install.
Reboot.

Results:
Installs drivers and nVidia Control Panel which is available via drop-down menu.
Driver Version 6.14.12.6658 dated 2011_01_07

I've toyed around with various versions of the Sony drivers to no avail on any of the Fn/special buttons. If you know of anyone who's had any success on that I'd appreciate it.

On the whole, though, the only thing truly frustrating about the XP64 installation is that I have never been able to coax any IDT/Sigmatel drivers to provide me with sound. Again, any suggestions?

 

Actually, I take it back. I reinstalled the VAIO Launcher and it works.

Except for Document Zoom (any ideas how to test that?) I can't think of a single thing that doesn't work exactly as intended out of the factory - except of course for the software I gave up by doing a clean install to 64-bit.

Almost every one of those is not missed - except for the WinDVD program with Blu-ray support.

 

Fn+F10 (zoom) works in some applications.

WinDVD-BD is available in the FW-490/ FZ-4000 support pages.

 

Rajesh,

I wanted to ask you if you had any thoughts on this...

Installing the appropriate video driver was definitely the trick for getting all of the Sony controls up and running. The only problem I have now (albeit small) is an issue with external monitors. I have a laptop/boat anchor/expensive paperweight graciously supplied by my employer on my desk at work. I also have a laptop issued by my customer that I have to keep on my desk at work also. I cannot do any useful work on my corporate computer and I may not do any prioprietary or othe rnon-customer related work on my customer issued laptop. By I do have to use both of them regularly for e-mail and other tasks. So I have a big Dell monitor on the desk and a KVM switch that swaps between them and my laptop. For orginazational reasons I have my corporate laptop on the left side of the desk, the monitor next to it, and I set my personal laptop up next to that. So when I switch between my corporate laptop and my personal laptop I go from two-screen on my corporate laptop with the big monitor to the right to two-screen on my personal laptop with the big monitor on the left. So on my personal laptop I have the big monitor mapped to the left of my main display. With the old video driver on my laptop, disconnecting and reconnecting with the big monitor was effortless. Now, though the monitor reconnects automatically and with the correct resolution/color depth, it always reconnects to the right and I have to maually relocate it.

It a small problem, but a little frustrating. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

Merrick, I couldn't think of any solution to your issue. The display detection is controlled by the OS. I don't know what you meant by "old video driver". Vista's display detection is different from Windows 7's.

You could try saving your display setting through the Windows display control or the Nvidia control panel.

 

Guys- I have a VGN-FZ31M, I know there is a known graphics card issue in this laptop with the Nvidia Geforce 8400 card. But I have 2 questions:

My screen is starting to show lines and different colours etc, so I'm having issues of blank screen etc. I am certain it's not the LCD screen.

Question 1: My warranty finished years ago so can I change this card myself- if so, how?

Question 2: Can I put in a better more owerful graphics card? Will this improve the laptop in anyway? -If yes, how? (I do not do Gaming, but it's a bluray compatible laptop so watch movies and browse a lot)

 

Sony extended the warranty for the GPU by 3 years (excluding the standard warranty). See the sticky at the top of the Sony forum.

You cannot upgrade the GPU in your FZ. It's soldered to the motherboard.

 

Hello Rajesh,

I want to say your windows 7 x64 clean install guide rocks!!
Thanks and I appreciate for your effort!

I also have some questions for you. I am using VGN-FZ190E with 4GB ram (run on Windows 7 x64 and Windows XP duel boot).
Everything works prefectly for the first few days until two days ago.
My laptop is showing lines and different colors on every screen I go.
So I boot into safe-mode and un-install the Nvidia Graphic driver 280.26 then everything else works prefectly.

Could you please kindly advise if
1. this is a driver/software problem that can be fix? if yes, how?
2. I would like to send the laptop back to Sony to repair the Nvidia Video Card, do you think I need to factory restore back to vista x86 before I send it back?

Thank you for your help in advance.

Kelvin

 

kkravan,
Unfortunately your Nvidia GPU had died, see the sticky at the top of the Sony forum. Sony had extended the warranty for the defective GPU by 3 years. Hope your extended warranty hasn't ended. Sony is sending techs to home (depending on your location), you don't need to restore back to factory state.

It's not worth repairing from Sony, if your extended warranty had ended.

 

Thank you for your quick response and your information are very helpful.

I just call Sony and they ask me to send in the laptop for them to take a look. I hope it still under the warranty. =)

But would you know how did my Nvidia GPU died by any chances, just so that I can avoid this situation in the future?

Thanks a bunch!