Windows 7 Clean install Guide for Vaio FZ

Hi Coolguy,

First thanks for you guide maybe it will save my life ! I have a Vaio VGN-FZ31Z and I'll try to use your guide on a Windows 7 Professional 64 bits but before I have a question :

I'm French and then my Os is in French, will it be a problem ?

Thanks in advance !

 

I don't think you will have issues.

 

Ok thanks you, I'll start the clean install right now and I hope it will be good !

edit : You are a genius, the graphic driver is now running on my Vaio ! I install everything else and it works too, I love you ! <3

 

Hello Coolguy,

I have one question: I updated the GPU drivers of my second laptop VGN-AW41 ZF/B and used the modded file 306.97 from your guide.
It installed without problems, but I have the impression that my Sony works somewhat louder, slight extra fan noise.
I checked the GPU temps with HWmonitor and it"s 56C after cold start and it climbs up to 65C with heavy duty. (gaming not included as I do not game at that moment).
My hardware ID's are:

PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649&SUBSYS_9040104D&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649&SUBSYS_9040104D
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649&CC_030000
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0649&CC_0300

The inf. file from the latest sony driver is attached. (before updating to 306.97).
Do I need a special modded file for that laptop or the file used inside your guide is OK?
If it's not could you make a modded file for me for the 306.97 driver?
Thank you in advance.

Regards,

 

The modded inf is meant for Vaio GPU's, including your GPU. Older Nvidia GPU's run hotter with newer drivers, there might be dust clogging up your cooling fins and fan.

My FZ's GPU gets super hot, the GPU temperature climbs to 80 C when using skype, I am sure it needs a clean up inside.

 

Hi Coolguy,

Thank you for your reply, I'm happy that the modded inf is the correct one for my laptop.
One question, Sony support site states that my preinstalled drivers are: Alps Touchpad Driver 7.105.529.105 32-bit & Alps Touchpad Driver 7.105.529.104 64-bit versions. for my other VPCF13 Z1E/B laptop, since it is a 64-bit machine, I suppose that it is the 64-bit version installed.
I saw at your guide that you have newer versions. Can I install them too or not?
I noticed that inside the Alps driver in your guide, there are 2 folders, one for 32 and another for 64-bit and that the language of the setup file is Japanese.
I have English OS, should it be a problem?
As for the 2 folders inside the driver do I leave them there and Windows will find out which one to install?
Also,when I go to device manager, should I first uninstall the previous drivers and install the new on top or just doubleclick the setup file of the newest drivers?
Sorry if I made many questions, just want to do things the right way.
Thank you.

P.S. I also found an update 7.107.505.106
to Alps driver, inside your guide, which fixes an issue with tap. See here: http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCEE3E0E_WI/downloads/EP0000249344_5826
Please note that I do not know if it's a full driver or an update to 7.107.505.102 driver which must be installed after 7.107.505.102 driver.
I guess that you will let us know.

Regards,

 

You can install whichever driver that works the best with your machine. I would recommend to uninstall the existing Aps driver before installing a newer driver.

 

Hi Coolguy,

I followed your recommendations and installed the latest Alps drivers,on my F series laptop, it worked without a problem.
Thank you!!
However, on my second VGN-AW41 the only problem, after updating to the latest 306.97 drivers,is the fact that I have lost functionnality of WINDVD BD 8 for VAIO.
The problem is that with the 186.56 Sony driver it works BUT this driver has a serious problem, at least for me.
When I create a color profile and use the setting: "Use Nvidia settings", upon restart or cold start, this setting is lost and it reverts back to "Other application control color setting"
I've attached 2 posts above, the original Sony file.
Could you please take a look and make the appropriate changes so if I revert back to 186.56 driver, my color settings from Nvidia aren't lost and when I boot the laptop, the color settings change automatically to the Nvidia ones?
Thank you and let me know if it's possible and eventually attach a new modded NVSZF file for the 186.56 Sony driver?
I remember playing with a registry setting when I had this driver installed "DisableApplyColorsAtStartup", or something like that,changed the value from 0 to 1 but no joy. :-(
Any ideas?
The problem with this particular driver was that when Windows 7 default profile was loaded earlier than the Nvidia profile the last one was overriden.

Best regards,

 

Vaio "Wireless Switch Settings" application is missing.i cant access wifi.what should i do?
lap model : E series,vpceg2aen.
i installed windows 8 os last day (not upgrade, formatted the lap and installed fresh copy of windows 8).
i downloaded almost all the drivers and apps for the vaio from the web site.now i am unable to use wifi and bluetooth since i cant switch on it.i dont know which app should i install for it.i think switcher.exe must be installed.it may be a problem of vaio smart network. vat should i do??

 

Hi Coolguy,

After loads of mods and a super stable FZ31Z with your expert guide... running intel T9500 at 2.6Ghz, win7 64, 8GB ram, all drivers, nice and cool 275.33 nvidia driver... I was wondering if its possible to get a wwan card in the FZ to replace my current Intel 5300 running n at 300mbps.... or is this just a step too far and too complex ?

Any ideas

 

Hello Coolguy ! ) First and foremost I want to thank you for the great help with installation vaio utils !!! :thumbsup: ) I've been looking for a manual for a long time ! But I still have issue with japanese menu of Vaio Launcher. Don't you know how to solve it ?

P.S I found that installing older version of vaio event service and sony shared library solve this trouble, but older version of vaio event service can't change brightness correctly. When win 7 off backlight after inactivity, the brightness control only raises it to the middle. (

 

New Nvidia driver 310.70 is out

 

Has anyone actually got StereoMix to work on Win8 32bit, and the IDT 6370 sound driver? I can't for the life of me find a solution. I can enable the Stereo Mix function in "Recording Devices" and set to default, but I hear nothing. I have the palyback set via HDMI output.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

There is no fix for the Japanese version of Vaio launcher. The Vaio event service in my guide should work without any issue.

 

I will post an update soon.

 

Stereo mix doesn't work with the HDMI output. It only works with the speaker/ HP as the selected playback device.

 

Hi

I am a new poster, and have an AW11S/B with 9600M GT graphics. tried installing the drivers from laptop2go and get blue screen whenever i install and try to use. Also, if i install Ntune to overclock the graphics, blue screen again (on old drivers (1.86xx)

Could you let me know the latest .inf file and where to download and also the latest drivers that are available?

thanks in advance people

PS which software do i need to use to get my FN keys, and the S1/S2 etc working in windows 7 64bit

thanks again

D

 

Also, i need to be able to get my fingerprint device working. Tried installing the software download from UPEK but it keeps failing the install... this was a handy thing to have (kinda miss it)

any ideas?

 

OK thanks, I used Virtual Audio Cable as a software fix for the requirement.

 

Try a thread about the AW series machines. This thread is about FZ series.

Gary

 

Hello.
Just wondering,why NVidia v310.70's modified inf is still not available for vaio fz series? Is there something wrong with the driver?
thanks in advance

 

Sorry to say that but it is said that this nvidia 310.70 version does not support brightness control for fz440e even if you modify the inf file.It may support in version 313 which may release in the following days.

 

How did you know that the next update will support brightness for our VAIOs?

 

According to Nvidia moderator in this link:

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/525087/brightness-problem-/?offset=9

 

I have installed this drivers and show me unit SD and unit MMS. MMS works fine but SD don´t work. What happens?? Somebody can help me?

thanks

 

Thanks for this great guide. Just installed Windows 8 on my over 5-years old Vaio FZ21M.

About the touchpad driver, I installed an updated version of the Alps TouchPad driver (v 8.100.2020.112) and it works perfectly. It even includes support for EdgeAction, that is Windows 8 swipe-in gestures (for displaying the charm bar or app switching). So I suggest to use this one, instead of v.7.
You can get the driver here: TouchPad_ALPS_8.100.2020.112_W8x64U_A.zip.
Just unzip and run setup.exe. If you have drivers v.7 installed, it may help to uninstall the drivers and associated tools from Control Panel.

Note that if your touchpad is recessed in the case, you still need to swipe from the outside of the touchpad across the bevel, and not starting from the edge of the touchpad.

 

Regarding the Fn+F5 and Fn+F6 key shortcuts for controlling display brightness, I just realised that on my Vaio FZ21M with GeForce 8400M GT, these keys actually work if I use the nVidia Graphics Drivers v.7.15.11.6760 that were officially provided by Sony for Windows Vista. For my laptop, I downloaded them from here and was able to run the .exe directly, but I suppose they could work on other Vaio laptops as well if you use the uniextract trick.

I previously tried more recent drivers, such as version 306.97 (modded as suggested in the first post), but, as reported by many other users, the Fn+F5/F6 keys were not working. In my case, I got the Sony overlay, same as for the volume keys, but the value would not change.

PS: If anyone wonders why I downgraded the display drivers, I am trying to play back Blu-Rays. Since I could not update the AACS key with InterVideo WinDVD (which was officially preinstalled on my Vaio), I launched the latest update, which upgraded it to Corel WinDVD v.8.8.0. The results were terrible, as now WinDVD does not even start: I don't even get the splash screen. I thought that this could be due to the graphics driver, so I started experimenting with some older drivers. But even with the nVidia v.7.15.11.6760, the WinDVD BD process immediately after being run. Anyone had this issue?

 

Hi Coolguy,

New Nvidia driver 310.90 is out.
Hopefully, you will release an update soon.

Regards,

 

Im still trying to get my 8400M GT in my VGN-FZ21M to install correctly on Windows 8 32bit
I tried the 306.97 with nvszc file and I still get a exclamation mark in Devices & cant play games, certain video apps & 1080p video (smooth)due to it saying its not working correctly

can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

thank you for whole your helps. I have looked for this drivers on the internet but I haven't reached right drivers until find you. your directions are avesome and it is the best way to fit problem.

 

Hi guys, since 2 weeks I've installed the latest Nvidia drivers (310.90) using a proper modified inf for our VAIOs, created by a user from this safe site: v310.90 Windows 8 64bit | NVIDIA OEM Mobile - 31x Series GeForce Driver release - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

I'm using Windows 8 64bit and I can confirm that it has the same issue as previous drivers, whereas brightness fn keys doesn't work and you have the only option to adjust the screen brightness using the Windows 8 charm bar menu, into Settings.
I hope you enjoy

P.S. Sorry for posting late..

 

No joy for me with that drive with VGN-FZ21M

 

coolguy, you are a legend thank you so much for this resource. You have saved me from huge stress levels around my Win 8 install.

Hey a quick question. I have an FZ440N and have got up to step 14 OK but unfortunately I am getting the "This program has compatibility issues" pop up when I try to run the Broadcom Bluetooth setup.exe file. It doesn't allow me to bypass this it seems even if I run in XP or 7 compatibility mode. What do you suggest? Do the contents of the .zip need modification in any way?

 

You can try the latest Broadcom bluetooth drivers from step 32 of this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/699021-vpcz1-how-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

 

hi,
I've installed windows 8 and a lot of drivers didn't work, but with you guide most of them are working properly.
The problem is this: one driver remains unknown with the yellow triangle, that is: "Intel(R) ICH8M LPC Interface Controller - 2815".
If I try to install the windows 7 version, a message says that there is already a newer version installed, which is 9.3.0.1026
any suggestions to fix the problem?
thank you very much!!!!!!!!

 

Hi guys,

Does anyone know why Coolguy is no longer updating his thread with the drivers???
Thanks.

 

He hasn't been online since Dec 17th. The last time I talked to him, he was thinking of buying a new laptop. I'll try to contact him.

Gary

 

Hey, I have been busy lately. Also I am no longer using my Vaio FZ. I will post updates when I find time.

 

hey coolguy what is your new machine now?

just curious

FZ rocks!!! ah ah ah

 

I wanna know me too

By the way, if you guys want, I have modded for myself the nvszcn.inf file to let you to install the latest Nvidia driver v314.22 (64bit only)
Enjoy! 314.22.rar

 

@iperzampem: thanks for your mod, just installed

little update new link for:
18. Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN 13.4.0.139:

64-bit
32-bit

I think coolguy, or some moderators should update 1st post

please correct also this typo
19. Marvell Network Controller driver <s>11.45.3.3</s>11.45.4.3 (optional):

 

I bought the Lenovo T530. But I am so used to the FZ, I began to miss it. I still have my FZ though, use it occasionally.

 

Does the brightness control work with this driver in Windows 8?

 

Thanks for letting me know. AFAIK, the newer intel drivers wouldn't update the driver version for the Intel 4965 wifi card.

 

Any way to disable the Sony volume control and still have the Event Service installed with Win 8 on the FZ? I wanna be able to see the volume info in windows 8 but the Sony volume overrides this. But I need the event service for FN key functionality. Hopefully it isn't all or nothing?

 

The Sony brightness fn control doesn't work properly with Windows 8. So, I would advise you to get rid of the Vaio Event service.

 

Updated the Nvidia driver (64-bit only) to version 314.22 WHQL.

 

Nope, it doesn't work at all
We can only use the built-in Windows 8 brightness control panel.

 

Hi, Coolguy.

Can you post INF file for 32-bit Nvidia drivers? (in first post we have only 64-bit version :\ )

P.S. My card info: VEN_10DE&DEV_0426&SUBSYS_9005104D (GeForce 8400M GT).

I'm trying to make a modification of inf file by myself with assistance of manual that you post in neighbor theme about nVidia driver modification... But now I have not working brightness control :\. When I press Fn+F4 / Fn+F5 - I can see "brightness control information" from VAIO Control center maybe, but it turns only betwen "0" and "1" segments. I'm triying to change "EnableBrightnessControl" value in registry from "2" to "1" and "0"? trying completley remove this parameter (and restart computer with each change) - it doesn't work

Please help me to understand how to fix problem with Brightness control.

P.P.S. I'm installing latest driers - 314.22 (WHQL).

 

I tried instaling the latest NVIDIA Drivers (314.22 WHQL) on my VAIO FZ11Z (Windows 8, 64 bit) but it keeps failing.

I followed the intructions, I don't know what could go wrong.