Windows 7 on Vaio Z - Procedure

I'll do it when I'm at home (5h from now).

 

Thanks in advance

 

As promise:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dmdmjyydmhn

 

Domo Arigato Gozaimaa *bow*


P.S.: Will let you know if it makes any difference

 

@NHT:
Thanks again. The drivers you use are the same I am using. This time I checked the QDLService.txt which is logging the activity for the service.

Unfortunately I get this report:

So it actually fails to upload the firmware for what reasons so ever...

 

So why can't you install Win7 x64 without pressing the ESC key or BIOS emulation?

I had a hell of a time trying to install Windows 7 RTM on my Z790 with the drive/partitions wiped via diskpart. It just keeps bluescreening or it'll freeze up after the initial installation. The EFI is unlocked and I've turned on VT.

So is the the only way to install it?

 

anyone else having trouble getting the Ricoh SD card / memory stick card slot to work?

i'm having trouble with
1. speed brightness
2. Ricoh SD card / memory stick card

The rest installed fine.

for speed brightness, i understand there are no current solution...
but how about SD / memory stick card?


EDIT: sd / memory stick drive are working fine now. when i insert the stick in, the drive will appear. it will disappear when i take away the memory stick

 

Hey Guys.

Is there now any Solution for the brithness-key in Speed-mode?

Thanks.

Thomasd

 

No - wait until sony releases a win7 Z model

 

Any update on the WWAN issue?

I installed win7 x64, couldn't get the machine to recognise the WWAN card at all, so went to x86 win7.

This time, it all seemed to work, however when I tried to connect using the Gobi WWAN manager, I got "Error 31", as mentioned above. I have tried loading different firmwares for other carriers, but no luck.

I will be forced to go back to Vista if I can't sort this out. What a disaster.

 

Scratch that - it's now working. I uninstalled and re-installed everything in the following order:

1. GOBI driver package
2. Smart Network Manager
3. WWAN connection manager

For those struggling to get it to work with win7 x64, the following site may be very helpful:

http://blogs.6bit.com/josh/2009/05/qualcomm-gobi-wwan-card-on-windows-7

 

I actually was able to make it work by installing Windows Vista 64 Ultimate (from the recovery disks). I tried WWAN with this setup to make sure it works fine.
After that I uninstalled all bloatware.
Then I took my Win7 64 bit RTM disk and did an Upgrade from Vista while having all wireless options turned on when starting it (WWAN, BT, WLAN).

After I finished, everything worked fine... and it still does.
I got my Sony Vaio Z45x about 5 weeks ago and the drivers date back from may or so...
I have no problems with WWAN what so ever since I re-installed Vista and did the upgrade to the final version of Win7. Everything works like a charme but brightness setting in speed mode...

I would recommend following the same procedure as I did. It worked for me - I hope it works for you

 

This did not work for me and Win7 64bit RC

 

I am still getting occasional Error 31 problems, despite my optimism of yesterday. It may have something to do with hibernation - I'll try only shutting down from now on. I'll give it a while longer, and if it's still playing up I'll follow your suggestion of upgrading to win7 from vista.

I presume Sony will sort these (driver) issues out... Whatever chance we have of getting it to work, Joe Soap will be very unhappy in October when he upgrades to win7, and finds that his screen brightness, stamina-speed switch, and WWAN don't work anymore.

 

Still getting "Error 31" from the WWAN connection manager, despite upgrading to win7 from original sony vista install.

This is driving me mad. Does anyone know what "Error 31" refers to?

 

I have no clue. My problem that I had perviously was that the WWAN firmware was not uploaded properly by the QDloader-service once you turned it on.
With going back to the recovery installation (all drivers date from march to may) and having everything tested and turned on while upgrading to the RTM I was able to resolve all issues.

Have you installed the latest drivers before upgrading to win7?

 

Hi, just wondering where to download the Sony's Smart Network app? Just want to be able to disable bluetooth when I want to...

I have a 2nd gen Z (Z26), and have already scoured Sony Asia's support site but no network apps. Only the hardware drivers.

A link to any sony site so that I can download the smart network app (and get it working on the Z with Windows 7 Pro RTM), would be greatly appreciated~~

Thanks

 

Ok, so now Win 7 is here officially.
I installed the x64 version, for my Z21MN/B
No 64bit Nvidia driver update available on the VAIO page. Hmmm. So downloaded the 64bit version I found for for the Z3. Installed it, but two exclamation marks remain in device manager, something to do with Intel platform. Speed/Stamina swtich therefore doesn't work, nor do the brightness keys work. So next I tried the unified unofficial driver, which I successfully run on the Win7 RC that I had up and running until yesterday, without problems. Still, the two exclamation marks remain. Tried all drivers for Vista for it, but no success.
Any ideas? Did I make a mistake somewhere? Which drivers do I use for that?

 

There is a specific order in which you have to install the drivers.

In my case my CPU is a p8600, and I had to search through Sony's entire laptop portfolio to find the x64 version of the chipset driver (for the CPU, if I am mistaken, please correct me!)

I found that the American version of the CS2 (more specifically the CS230) comes with x64 Vista AND has the P8600 CPU, so I downloaded the chipset driver for that

Installing drivers, you should always install the chipset first, THEN the graphics, then the usual IO, parser etc etc.

I have yet to install, but I have downloaded the drivers for the Z8xxx (latest Z with Win7 in the states) and plan on 'mixing' these drivers with some from the Z4 range.

Hopefully will work, but I am a little hesitant at the moment due to all the graphics problems being reported.

 

Apparently Win7 x64 drivers will be avail for the Z5xx series, I just had an online chat with a Sony rep, he doesn't know the exact date though. See attached screenshot.

 

Good info...I was wondering about that myself. Thanks for posting.

 

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&SelectOS=47

the pages are up for win 7 now! yay! but no drivers on them yet =P

 

Here is the site for the European version:
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/preinstalled/index.aspx?l=de_DE&m=VGN-Z56VG

no drivers yet

 

Win7 drivers are available for the Z6xx and Z7xx series, however Z5xx not yet. Whether or not sony will support for these series

 

So do we still use the vista x64 nvidia drivers w/ aour Win 7 install since sony has yet to post new graphic drivers to the z6xx site?

 

just used upgrade from vista to win 7 on a vaio z series 1st gen and did the upgrade and afterward evrything works - switching video cards, brightness setting, volume, s buttons etc etc

don't belive the hype the uprade is sweet!

 

I try everything, but my brightness-key doesn't work in Speed-Mode....

 

You have to install the new Bios (R4043M3), the new win 7 drivers (8.15.11.8684) and than remove the event service and install it again (V5.0.0.07130).

TDO

 

I installes the new Win7-Bios for my Z (R2170M3) and alos the new Nvidia-Driver after Nvidia-Deinstalller.
Reinstalled Sony shared Lobrary und Event Center.....

But the brightness in Speed will not run...

Arrrrrrrrr

 

restore your machine from the original vista disks with all the pre-installed sony drivers then use upgrade in windows 7 and all will be well

 

I have upgraded to Win7 from a clean Vista install (32 bit). Once again, everything works except the Qualcomm Gobi WWAN. The drivers install normally, the 3G Connection Manager detects the card, and finds the appropriate signal, but every time I try to connect, it returns "Error 31". I can't find anything anywhere to explain this error code.

As far as I can tell, the proper firmware is loaded (I have tried both the standard QDLservice and Josh Perry's Gobiloader), but the same result. Hardware detected, apparently initialised properly, but will not connect to the 3G network.

There are newer WWAN (Option) drivers for WIn7 on the Vaio-link site, but I can't seem to get them to install. Are they for the Gobi card or a different device?

Somebody out there somewhere must know the answer!

 

I have installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit on my Vaio FZ21Z

The video drivers from nvidia site are not working, neither do the alternatives from laptopvideos2go.

Anyone has this working of tips?

 

Did you install 32 or 64 bit Win7?

If it was 32 bit, what method did you use?

 

About WWAN problem on Vaio Z31, in my case was was able to work with it, after upgrade from Vista 32 professional to Windows 7 32.
But it worked just the 1st time I started my pc after installing 3g Connector program.
When I restarted in another momento I received an Error 31 message and no conection.
I installed again 3G Connection program and it worked again in the first restart after that.
I installed after that the bundle of new updates for windows 7 from Sony site, and now my WWAN is not recognized enay more. It might be the problem about firmware load in the wwan divice.
Drivers in Sony site for WWAN in Windows 7 seams to be to other wwan device, not mine, who is Qualcomm, not Gobi.

Please if anyone as answer for this please keep us informed.

Regards, José.

 

I installed 32 bit Win 7, by using the Upgrade option from within Vista. All communication devices were turned on and functioning during the upgrade. Some people have got the 3G network to work this way.

My feeling is that this is a problem with the 3G Connection Manager, rather than the drivers or hardware. I think that the firmware is loading correctly - the appropriate signal is being detected. It simply will not logon - it seems to fail during the handshake.

Is there another Connection Manager which can be used? I tried installing the HP Gobi software, but it runs a detection routine which fails on non-HP hardware.

 

Interestingly, I have begun using a Huawei modem dongle with a 3G SIM instead of the inbuilt WWAN (defeating the entire purpose of buying the Sony Z in the first place).

That also failed to work until I uninstalled the Sony 3G Connection Manager.

The error message it was giving was "Device not reachable, or already in use". This may be a clue to the "Error 31" which the Sony Connection Manager gives.

 

I seem to have it working now...

I uninstalled the Sony 3G Connection Manager. The QDL service starts on Windows start-up, and loads the correct firmware.

I then constructed a Windows network connection, using the Qualcomm modem, and the APN, etc., from my carrier. This works. I just have to double click the network icon, and the connection starts.

You could use the network connection constructed by an external modem, e.g. Huawei, and simply edit it to use the built-in modem.

All I am missing now is a traffic counter.

 

I had problems with the brightness control in Speed mode on a Z21 after the firmware/nVidia updates. I uninstalled the Event Service 4.1.00.07150 and installed 5.0.0.0710 which I found on the VGN-Z51WG/B Originally Installed section.
It appears to work fine. I haven't found a newer version which was mentioned in a previous post.
I didnt need to do anything other than this to get the brightness control working. S1/S2 work, Eject works and Stamina / Speed switch works.
Not sure what else to test.

 

I have a VGN-Z36GD.

On the Sony Singapore website, drivers for Win 7 upgrades are:

Windows 7 Upgrade Drivers and Utilities

FileName: Win7UpgPrep.exe
FileSize: 149 MB (156,574,616 bytes)

FileName: Installer1.exe
FileSize: 665 MB (697,406,777 bytes)

FileName: Installer2.exe
FileSize: 581 MB (609,780,316 bytes)

I am unable to obtain the drivers individually, running the exe file does not unpack it instead runs an installation.

Is there another sony site that I can go to download the drivers individually as stated in the first post? I am not sure which US model is the equivalent of the Z36GD.

I also tried installing Win 7 based on another thread where someone had kindly uploaded the drivers to sharefiles. Installation went without problems however I am unable to get the brightness keys/sound keys to work.

Many thanks in advance

 

Does anyone know what is contained in Installer1 & Installer2?

 

You can extract their content with the Universal Extractor v1.6. Choose the E_Wise Unpacker method.

 

This is the solution for all who have the Fn brightness problem with their Z notebooks with Vista originally installed. After an upgrade to W7 Pro, I 've tried everything to my disposal with no results. Apparently, Sony have not posted to W7 download section of non-originally W7 models the newer version of Event Service (it can be found as ric9887 describes - I tried to link but vaio-link was down at the time of post).
I followed the instructions and voila: Brightness, Volume, S1, S2 and Eject working (and with newer interface).

Many thanks to ric9887 for the solution!

 

Hey guys, has anyone tried the lastest laptop drivers from the official nvidia site if they maybe work with the vaio-z series ? ive got a vgn-z41. cuz with the new win 7 drivers for the gfx from sony i get some weird lag on the desktop often when i open or move a window but goes away if i move the window for 2-3 secs. anyone has a clue, i did i clean install of the windows 7

 

Folks -- is there any way to get the stupid brightness Fn keys to work under SPEED? This is annoying. I have the 790DLX and when I try to run the installer for "event services" that is up on the site, it tells me it's made for vista only. Sony really sucks at this whole driver installer concept.

 

Sorry for the newbie question: how did you uninstall? I have looked in all sorts of places to find VAIO Event Service and can't find where to uninstall it.

 

I just upgrade to Windows 7 Professional from Vista Business in my Z11WN. Everything works fine, except the audio (I hear the audio in the speakers of the Z and not in the TV) in the HDMI. It writes HDMI output not connected...Anyone knows how to solve this?

 

I've just finished a fresh install of Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit on my Z31WN, happily to say everything works; Fn button under Stamina and Speed, volume and brightness through Fn and the levels were displayed on the screen.

A tiny quirk though, and it's due to Windows 7 I think. I have installed RMClock (which works too and able to auto load at windows startup with the signed rtcore64.dll) displaying my battery time remaining with polling interval of 10 secs. The problem is, Window's battery meter shows different time remaining... and has really slow polling interval (which I think is the problem). Anyone knows where in Windows 7 (maybe registry) can I change the polling interval?

Now for HDMI audio, I did NOT install any audio drivers that Sony provided, Windows 7 managed to provide them. I plugged my TV's HDMI to my Z31WN, had it on duplicate display mode, then open up youtube and play a video. Audio only comes out on the Z's speakers and NOT on TV. So I went to Sound properties in Control Panel and under the Playback tab, I saw 2 Audio devices; Speakers and Digital Audio (HDMI); Speakers being set as default. If I manually switched the default device to Digital Audio (HDMI) during the youtube video playback, audio instantly switched over to TV speakers. Would be nice if the audio can switch to HDMI automatically if HDMI is connected.

I was reading somewhere that installing Realtek audio drivers messed up the HDMI audio. He then uninstalled the Realtek drivers and got back HDMI audio.

 

Thanks a lot ShadowFlare, as you said I uninstalled Realtek drivers. Windows 7 installed High Definition Audio and right away HDMI audio is working!

 

I can't get brightness Fn keys to work under SPEED either on a Z690N. I even brought it to the Sony Style store and they did not succeed either but got most everything else running. I also get the vista only driver notifications. Hopefully Sony fixes this mess.

 

And yet I see a bunch of people making it work, so it's frustrating as hell. What is the secret? Even using the drivers from the sony site, a few of the installers quit on me saying it only works for vista...and these are the ones marked for Win7! Ugh! I just want my 3 month old 790DLX to WORK.