Windows 7 Clean install Guide for Vaio FZ

Is Rajesh or someone else planning on making a guide to installing Windows 8 to VAIO FZ series laptops?

If so, is there a time frame on this?

Once again thanks Rajesh for your continuous help and support in this forum to myself and many others.

 

Since the underlying design model for drivers is unchanged from Win 7 to Win 8, you SHOULD be able to use this same guide. Operative word being SHOULD. I have read in other places (not Sony FZ specific) where folks had to turn off the test for digitally signed drivers to get some things to work. Not sure if that applies to our FZ or not.

If you get brave and try Win8, report back your findings.

Gary

 

neoda1, as Gary said most of the Windows 7 drivers and software should fine with Windows 8 too.

I have not planned to write a new guide for Windows 8. I might update/ extend this guide for installing Windows 8.

 

You are so awesome! I have been searching forever to get the nVidia driver release for my Vpccw26fx! You are a god. Thank you so much coolguy.

 

Thanks coolguy for your time

New Nvidia driver 296.10 is out.

 

Updated Nvidia driver to 296.10 WHQL.

Updated the FZ-2XX-4000 series camera driver to the latest version. (Thanks to ehard)

 

Its great to see the new Nvidia drivers released but I find they (295.73 especially) make my Vaio FZ31Z run too hot.... dunno why.. didn't click the 3D install just the driver and the physx stuff. Currently GPU runs about 52 deg... with cleaned fan, newish thermal paste etc.. with 295.73 temp goes to 62 deg and fan stays on nearly all the time :-/

 

I wouldn't worry about 62 C. I have never seen my GPU temp stay in the 50's. It's time to clean the fan.

Are you talking about the idle temperature?

 

Thx a loooooooooot!!XD

 

I just want to express my gratitude!
You saved me (in a very bad day)

 

Hey guys, don't know if anyone has tried this, but is there a way to use the intel WiFi Link 4965AGN under Access point mode? I'm trying to use it with connectify to share my ethernet with my Windows phone (via wifi), but connectify says that access point mode is not supported. Went to their site ( Is My Wi-Fi Card Supported? : Connectify Support) and the wifi card is under "The following are known "abandoned" devices, believed to lack certified Windows 7 drivers from their manufacturers. " meaning that it's a driver problem. Does anyone know if there's a custom driver or anything of the sort? Any fix?
Thanks.

 

GeorgesF, the driver in my guide is the latest version, that is available from Intel for the 4965 AGN card for Windows 7. I don't think that this wifi card supports access point mode.

 

I thought so... It's a shame really :/ wanted to connect my WP7, to wifi in my dorm room since I don't have a router, and ad-hoc mode is just not working for me. I thought that maybe there was some tweak or custom driver to fix that... Anyway coolguy, thanks a lot for the guide, really well done! ^^

 

Flash has been crashing a lot since updating the nvidia drivers. Any idea if it may be caused by Firefox or Flash?

 

I am using the same driver, no such crashes for me with Flash/ Firefox. Try reinstalling the flash player.

 

Hi there,

I just want to THANK YOU for this really great great great guide.
I'm juste angry to discover only now, I'm searching for Win 7 x64 drivers since 3 days, and it's really a NIGHTMARE, why Sony didn't support their hardware stuff after only 4 years?! My computer was bought in 2009...

I found your thread after searching the whole internet to make my S1 button works... this stuff shows a message when I press the key but I can't find the 'S' entry in the Vaio Control Center, and you have fixed it! Incredible!

So just thank you for everything!!!

Cheers,
xopheak

PS: Sorry for my english, i'm from France

 

Windows 8 Video Driver Support please...

I can´t install any version of this drivers, only this (Nvidia 257.41 WHQL driver (MS Update)) and is not working properly.

32bit
NVIDIA DRIVERS 296.17 Certified
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/29326-v29617-windows-8-32bit-nvidia/
64bit
NVIDIA DRIVERS 296.17 Certified
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/29327-v29617-windows-8-64bit-nvidia/

 

paconaranjo, you have to disable the driver signature enforcement in Win 8 if you are installing the modded drivers. Google should help you on how to do this.

The 32-bit driver Nvidia Win 8 from MS update has support for the 8400M GT card, no need for a modded INF.

 

Thanks, I have Windows 8 Customer Preview 64bit, I search for that, that´s a lot of help. Thanks.

Method 1:

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks ON
bcdedit /set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit -set loadoptions \”DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECK”
bcdedit -set loadoptions \DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS”
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
Bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks ON

CMD with Admin Privilages but not luck.

Method 2:

Use gpedit.msc and navigate to:

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Driver Installation and enable the "Code signing for drivers" and then choose "Disable".

Method 3:

Pressing F8 upon boot up, each time, and selecting to disable driver signing for that boot session


Any of the three methods above work for me, only the signed driver from Microsoft that you publish.

PD: The Audio Drivers not working as well.

PD2: For some reason the Nvidia 257.41 WHQL driver (MS Update) is now working properly... I'm very happy.

 

Am I the only or with newer Nvidia drivers are we getting worst Gaming performance?
Look at my WEI: http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/Iperzampem0/WEI.png

 

I am also getting the same score. That number doesn't mean anything when comes to gaming performance.

The 8400M GT is a weak GPU, you can't expect more.

 

Hi all
has anyone come across a Win7 32bit guide for the Vaio VGC-LS All In One range? in particular the VGC-LS30E?

any recommendations on which Nvidia Go 7400 driver would be best to install?

thanks in advance

 

What makes you think anyone with info about a LS model is going to be looking in a thread specifically about the FZ models? You would be much better off asking this in an LS model thread or even starting your own. I doubt very much you are going to get any sort of reply here.

Gary

 

did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
have read the 118 pages of this thread and noticed others getting help for non-FZ models

i've searched and googled to no avail , is there an LS model thread?

 

No, I just wanted you to understand how things work here. While you may have seen a few other models mentioned in this thread it is rare for such help to be given in this thread by anyone who is not an FZ owner unless they stumble into this thread while searching for info about their own non FZ model. I have no idea if there is an LS thread. I don't own an LS model so I would skip right past any threads labeled as such, the very same reason you are not likely to get an answer from an LS owner in a FZ thread.

Sorry you took offense at my answer. If you don't find an LS thread, start one. At least that way you are more likely to attract the attention of other LS owners.

Gary

 

As Gary said, start a new thread.

You can also get the driver from laptopvideo2go, download the driver (the latest version) and the modded INF, replace the INF in the Display.driver folder and run the set up to install the driver.

 

I gave my granddaughter my old FZ285U after the Nvidia debacle. Sony was kind enough to send a repairman to my house to install a new motherboard and the display worked again but there were some other problems that then showed up -- like 2 of the USB ports not working anymore. I called Sony and they said that was my problem. If I wanted it repaired I would have to pay. That's when I said basta basta and bought a MacBook Pro. I sent the Sony for repair, they restored it to better than new and didn't charge me, but it was too late. Recently, granddaughter managed to find some potent viruses and, though I do have the Sony recovery disks, I decided to just scrap what was there and do a clean install of Windows 7. So after visiting the Sony site to get the necessary drivers I noticed that, once again, Nvidia is making life hard. As you all know neither Sony nor Nvidia claims to have the appropriate driver and that thing about MS supplying it with Win 7 isn't quite true.

I found a few hits on Google that offered Nvidia driver solutions similar to what's in this thread but none worked. Upon restart, the system would hang and could only be restored by doing a Windows system restore before the driver was installed. Then I found you. Finally some good stuff. I installed the Nvidia driver per your directions and it disappointingly hung again. I had to leave the house for awhile and just left the machine running. When I returned home a few hours later Win 7 was up and running with the Nvidia driver!

So, once again I started over by repartitioning the HD to include a data partition (and I deleted Sony's restore partition) and happily started a new clean Win 7 install. I should have quit while I was ahead. Since then, I can't get the Nvidia driver to work. It's back to the permanent hangup on restart. I noticed that if I shut down after the driver install and then started again from power off, Windows would first install a bunch of "updates" and then restart the system, only to again hang up.

Am I the only one with this problem? I searched the thread looking for another poor sufferer but to no avail. Can anyone help me with this? It sure would be appreciated, and thanks for the thread in general.

 

Addendum-
In the meantime I decided to use the Sony recovery disks in case no one could help. All went well until a system restart. The system hung for awhile and then I got a blue screen of death with something about having to reset the Nvidia display driver to continue the restart. The screen disappeared before I could read it all. I did another restart and got the screen again briefly. Maybe my 8400 is no good (works ok as generic VGA). Maybe this machine is ready for the scrapheap.

 

It looks like your Nvidia card died again. If you are still under the extended warranty, Sony would replace it for free.

 

Thanks Rajesh. Yes, that's what it is, the replacement board died and I don't have an extended warranty. I will give it back to my granddaughter with a clean Win 7 installation limited only by having to use the display without all the fancy stuff that the Nvidia controller offers. The display does work fine with the standard VGA driver.

 

When did you buy the laptop? Sony had provided a 3 three year warranty extension for the Nvidia card.

See here Sony eSupport - VGN-FZ190N - News & Alerts

 

New Nvidia 301.42 WHQL driver is out!

 

Updated Nvidia driver to 301.42 WHQL.

 

Hey Cool Guy, was installing everything with Windows 8 release preview and cant get the Nvidia video driver to take, everything else seems to install fine though. I don't suppose you or anyone else on here has played around with it and the FZ?

 

JMcG26, I installed the Win 8 RP today. The modded 301.42 drivers works fine after disabling the driver signature enforcement.

Restart with advanced start options, go to troubleshoot, and disable the driver signature enforcement. You need to do this to load any modded driver with 64-bit Win 8.

I got a BSOD after loading the Ricoh web cam driver and launching the metro camera app. The default webcam driver worked once. I got the same BSOD's with Win 7 too, when starting the webcam from flash player.

I haven't tested the Sony software yet. Win 8 has it's own OSD for the audio volume.

I am impressed with fast boot up (sometimes in less than 15 secs), and wifi connects even before the start screen appears. I am still getting used to the metro UI, it makes some simple stuff more complicated.

Win 8 RP feels like two OS'es (the traditional desktop and the metro) put side by side, and not connected seamlessly.

 

Thanks for the info! I've felt the exact same way for awhile about it being like 2 different OS's. I'm just now finally getting used to it, (been testing it on my work PC since Developer Preview came out) I don't pin anything to the task bar anymore just either hit the windows key or mouse over to the left bottom corner to hit metro and select from there. It sounds tedious but it is quicker than if you were navigating through all programs. I think this is what they are going for.

I really like being able to listen to apps like Slacker and just using the FZ direction pad to select through songs on either desktop or app. I have the SONY OSD installed but you're right Win8 it has its own OSD. My question would be can I still have FN key functionality if I uninstall it? Thanks!

 

You are right, it takes some time for getting used to the metro UI. I am still figuring out how to remove my user password, I don't to see that option anywhere. Metro UI is good for navigating apps, but not for changing system settings, they seem to out of place in full screen view.

You need the Sony software for all the fn key control, other than the control for muting.
The address bar in the metro IE app disappears and never comes back, it comes back when I right click, that seems to a design flaw.

 

I've found this site useful - it lists a number of keyboard shortcuts to navigate the Windows 8 UI.
Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

 

I would pin the control panel to metro, that's what I did. You can also click on the flag at the bottom right of of the task bar and open action center. MS is really trying to push this for tablets so its not geared for PC as much but you can add everything to metro that's in the start menu of WIN7, just search for it 'winkey/F' then pin it.

 

Ha never mind, I forgot accounts is not in there anymore. Windows Key + I, then click change PC settings at the bottom. Its in USERS, confusing I know.

 

Thanks for that, sometimes those shortcuts are helpful.

 

Yeah, once you are used, the mixed UI is not that bad. You can start searching directly from the start screen too.

 

I want to install W8 Release Preview too.
Can I just install normally as I did with Windows 7, using all those drivers listed in the first page?
For audio I'll remain with the stock.
Thanks

 

Yes. Everything works fine. Install it on a VHD first, try it out for a day or so, and then install it directly - on the VHD install certain features like hibernate, fast start and hyper-v are not available.

P.S. there are updated drivers for audio on the Sony support site.

 

wow Microsoft seems to be doing a good job after all.

Unfortunately, I got the known faulty nvidia 8xxx series video card problem (as many people have) with stripes on the screen when booting up (seems like the vaio is getting old after all), and lost now the hardware acceleration feature of the video card on my FZ21M.

I read about this problem in many websites, and the solution is that the main chip of the video card needs a technique called "reballing", google/tube it and you'll find some interesting info.

I have been using win 8 for 2 days now, everything seems perfect!I really enjoy the pause/resume feature when copying.

The main problem is of course drivers. I have been saving money though, and when win 8 goes officially out, I'll buy a new win8-preinstalled vaio.
Even though there were problems with nvidia chips, VAIOs really rock, my personal opinion is they are the best laptops. Asus laptops come second.

 

Is your FZ still under the extended warranty period for your GPU? Then you can call Sony to replace the GPU for free.

Win 8 boots up super fast, sometimes in less than 10 secs, even with a mechanical hard drive.
I would also be looking for a new laptop soon. Vaios are great, but I am not happy with the driver support from Sony.

 

You just need the Chipset, SATA and the Nvidia drivers. You can also install the audio driver if you want. Make sure you disable the driver signature enforcement before attempting to install any of the modded drivers.

 

unfortunately now it's way out of warranty..... unfortunately.

My experience tells me that when you are careful with your products, they will pay you back with reliability. So far, my VAIO has already proved this. I have had this laptop for 5 whole years now, going for year 6. I'd say it's pretty damn good for a laptop with a faulty gpu.

thanks for the suggestion bro!

 

Updated the Intel chipset software to the latest version.

 

Yeah Sony has never been great with software, but their hardware is top notch. If I'm not using IOS I want good hardware for windows, so will probably get a new Vaio once they start shipping with Win8.