Windows 7 x64 (64-bit) on SZ6

Hey guys, I'm thinking about doing a full clean install of Windows 7 (64-bit) on my SZ6 (SZ680 in my case), and was wondering whether any of you guys have managed to do so successfully already (getting all hardware to function, as well as the Fn, Brightness keys, etc.).

Or there's always the option of the 32-bit of Windows 7...but I'm thinking by this time most programs should work pretty well on x64 too, at least I should hope so.

So, what are your thoughts? If others are planning the same perhaps we can update each other on drivers, installation procedures and the right order of installation, etc.

 

Ok I got this to work by myself. I've got this working almost 100% Its all working including the camera! the S1/S2 buttons, the volume controls, AND the brightness keys.

And for most of the Sony utils I managed to find some of the latest versions. Did a lot of experimenting with old and new ones combined, and I think I've worked out which of all the old ones are a MUST, and the maximum of the new ones which can be used that make everything work If there's some interest I may right up a bigger post on this. Though some help for the below is still greatly appreciated too.

The only minor problems are:
Nvidia driver/software installs some thing that detects whether you have hybrid graphics, and then pops up and asks you if you want increased performance or to save power, though it seems a bit buggy still (solution I believe is to simply hide/minimize this notification in Windows 7). Perhaps this is an issue with the Nvidia drivers themselves (I got the latest Laptopvideo2go modded ones (v190.38 for Windows 7 x64). Perhaps somebody is willing to experiment with some prior versions for this?

When sliding the switch to change the graphics (Nvidia<>Intel) it doesn't respond, so it seems for now you can only switch graphics when restarting your PC (then all the right drivers load up properly).

Still looking how to 'solve' the above in a better way, and also any updated Sony Shared Video Libraries are welcome (the one I'm using is 3.1.03). Not quite sure what exactly its being used for though...doesn't really affected any functioning it seems...

All in all once you've got it figured out a very smooth install of Windows 7, and the 64-bit, which I thought would give quite some trouble

 

How did you get the special button to work? I got everything working in my FZ with 64-bit Win 7, except the special button "S". When I open th Vaio Control Center, there is no option that I can use for the special button except "Document zoom". I used to map the "S" button as a shortcut to sleep in 32-bit Vista.

 

With Windows7 having just RTM'd, I'm sure I speak for many of us that would appreciate some detail on your successful x64 installation. In particular, what drivers and utilities you installed including their order, where you downloaded each of them, and any issues encountered along the way.

I'm running the x86 RC quite successfully on my SZ680 right now, but would like to make the move to x64 when the RTM arrives on MSDN in a couple of weeks.

 

I've just got 7 x64 on my SZ650N/C and all is well except that I can't turn off the bluetooth radio (can't find a notebook utils / smart network that lets me switch off the wifi / bluetooth)

I noticed also that my scores are relatively high (4GB RAM) with an average of 5.6 EXCEPT the nVidia card which gives me only 2.8, bringing my windows score down to 2.8... which I think is appauling...

I installed the 190.40 version for 64-bit. Do you guys have better results with the graphics?

 

Basically you can get either a higher graphics score with a lower gaming performance, or you can take a lower windows score and get a better gaming score.

I don't remember where I got the old driver but I am pretty sure it's linked in my thread (check my signature). I recommend staying with the 190.4, it gives you a lower Windows score, but the better gaming performance, which is what you want in speed mode anyways. The old driver doesn't improve much over the Intel score, which isn't really all that bad, Intel has done a lot of improvement.

From my thread...
Stamina mode (win7 default driver):
32bit graphics 3.5 / gaming 3.1
64bit graphics 3.5 / gaming 3.1

Speed mode
32bit graphics 2.8 / gaming 5.8 (190.4)
32bit graphics 2.8 / gaming 3.4 (2 year old driver)
64bit graphics 2.9 / gaming 5.3 (190.4)
64bit graphics 3.5 / gaming 4.1 (2 year old driver)

 

Cool thanks! I'll try with Steam. By the way does the original smart network tool from the recovery CD work with the x64 bluetooth and wifi?

 

Vaio Smart Network 2.1 would work if you don't do something wrong

 

And it works fine with 64-bit? I tried version 2.3 from Sony's FTP but that dind't work...

 

Yes, it would work well, the most stable version is 2.1

 

I can only find 2.2 on Sony's FTP, woiuld you happen to have the installer for 2.1 please? I've tried 2.2, 2.3 and 3.0, the windows all come out blank... I wonder if 2.1 will work... do I need to set anything special?!

 

here:
ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/VAIO/ORIGINAL/VAIO SMART NETWORK 2.1_ 2.1.00.07300.ZIP

 

Thanks, I grabbed 1.0 from sony's FTP and it works well. I find that though, Protector suite 5.6 build 3152 is crashing my IE, what version of this do you use? Thanks.

 

I use 5.9.2 build 5746

 

Synthesia, a small quick simple guide would be of greeeat help!!

I'm running the 32-bit version and the only thing that stopped me from installing win x64 was the fact that the camera (allegedly) didn't work (which now I see it does)

 

Thanks all good now, I installed smart network 1.0 and upek protector suite 2009 from their website. Lovely!

 

aacury check your pm inbox I'll send you a link to download all the drivers and utils I used, together with the steps.

I'll post the steps here anyway:

Drivers:

Install Win 7 first, then install these drivers, few points to note:

1. If you install by Stamina mode (Intel GMA) then it'll ask you to install
the chipset too, use the driver here.

2. Ethernet controller should be automatically installed by Win 7, if in
device manager it's still showing up as unknown then use the driver here.

3. Toshiba bluetooth installs a few tools and after reboot will activate.
Use the 5.00 from Sony driver.

4. Unknown Mass Storage device shows in device manager, this is the card
reader, use the Texas Instruments driver.

5. Don't use the nVidia installer, install by manually selecting driver
from device manager and navigate to this driver folder.

6. Install the signed camera driver, only use unsigned if it doesn't work.
Manual install by updating driver in imaging devices in device manager.

Utils:

Install drivers first, then install the utils, few points to note:

1. After installing Power Management, you will find that windows will tell
you it's shutting down CD drive, Bluetooth, audio etc, this is because it's
running power save mode. Go to power settings and change to balanced or
high performance and the devices will be powered on again.

2. Installing Protector Suite for fingerprint sensor will require the fingerprint
sensor driver to be selected by manually installing the driver from device
manager. Use the one that is not selected by windows automatically.

3. The touchpad needs to be configured after installing the touchpad utils.
Go to control panel and set scroll functions etc.

4. Smart network will install as a service, reboot and you should be able to
turn things on and off.

5. Camera needs a driver to be manually selected too from device manager's
imaging devices. Use the signed driver.

 

can you send me a link to download all the drivers for W7 64bit on SZ6 as well??
thanks!!