Windows 8 on a VPCZ1

This thread is about upgrading to Windows 8 (RTM) from Windows 7 on a VPCZ1. I found little information so I hesitated to take the dive.

For a clean install, refer to anytimer's guide (although still based on Windows 8 RP):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/670674-installing-windows-8-release-preview.html

I had a generic Windows 7 install with all the official drivers from Sony. I updated by actually using the update functionality of Windows 8. One would think that this never works with all the Sony stuff installed, but it did work. However, the following problems occur:

Problems

1. Graphical glitches and freezes when switching from metro (or modern) to the desktop.
2. No audio over bluetooth.
3. SD card reader not working.

Fixes

1. The first problem was fixed by installing the hybrid drivers 263,14 - 2266 by Andrew08. To do this you have to restart with "signed drivers only" disabled. That option is found under "PC settings -> General -> Advanced startup -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Startup Settings".
2. No audio over bluetooth (Fix by anytimer in this post).
3. SD card reader not working (Fix by Andrew08 in this post).

I've been using this system extensively for 3 days now and everything works just fine. All the Sony stuff works. I even have a VirtualBox with Linux running.

This means that for running Windows 8 we do not need updated drivers.

 

Have you tried installing the Sony software that enables the hotkeys? Do they work?

 

I haven't got around to Windows 8 RTM yet, but I've tried all the previous releases and everything worked. This is my thread for RP. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/670674-installing-windows-8-release-preview.html?highlight=

 

it's work!

 

As I said, I upgraded from Windows 7. I do not know whether an installation fails. The Sony software was already installed on my system.

All my hotkeys work (brightness, sound, screen).

 

What about switching ATI/Intel driver? Is it working? Did an upgrade of my Desktop PC from Windows 7 to Windows 8 yesterday without problems, will try next my vpcz21

 

SirRobin: yours is a VPCZ2. There are other threads that deal with that.

e.g. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/681460-vaio-z21-windows-8-rtm-whats-working.html

 

The SD card reader does not work for me. The Sony drivers to not install, while any inserted SD card is ignored by the stock driver. Can anyone confirm this?

 

I'm still on RP, so this might not work for you, but you are right - the SD card reader was not working when I just tried it. I had to go to device manager, IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, Ricoh PCIe SD Bus Host Adapter, properties, update driver, choose driver to install, browse, and then install the Sony driver. One reboot later, the SD card reader works.

 

for the second problem broadcom haven't announced windows 8 driver

Bluetooth Software Download | Broadcom

but

i have a backup plan, check this page

Broadcom drivers

under:
Broadcom/WidComm Bluetooth 2070/20702
we have windows 8 section o.o
direct link below
http://www.station-drivers.com/tele...bluetooth_12.0.0(www.station-drivers.com).exe

 

Did you guys get Auto brightness working? Doesn't seem to be working for me.

Nevermind, got it working after the Video driver installed.

 

Any noticeable improvements on the z1's battery life?

 

Hey all,

I have a VPCZ1 and installed win8, but I get weird graphic tearing on the desktop. I thought it would be easy enough to install updated drivers but Sony don't have any new ones and have washed their hands of supporting it.

So... I found and download the 'Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 signed drivers' and Un-install the Sony ones, but when I run the nvidia installation file it says failed to install on all the parts.

Is there a special way to do this? or a simple guide? There's so many pages on this subject I can't get my head round it.

I just need the basic step guide and anything I need to change on the system.

I hope one of you experts out there can help me.

Thanks in-advance.

 

1. disconnect from the internet
2. uninstall existing drivers. Reboot if needed, or manually select the driver until both items in device manager show microsoft basic adapter or something like that (depends on OS; may be standard SVGA adapter in your case).
3. install the new driver. You need to restart in 'disable driver signature enforcement' mode to install the driver, so if you have to reboot here, just check that both devices in device manager still show microsoft basic adapter.
4. install the driver. Click 'install anyway' when asked about the unsigned driver.
5. Use the clean install option while installing - recommended.
6. if the screen goes blank, don't panic. Just wait it out - several minutes - then press 'enter' to restart (imagine the restart prompt you get when installing a new driver - you just might not be able to see it (happens rarely).

 

I'm getting about 45 minutes more on battery.

 

Just FYI - Drivers | Synaptics

The generic Synaptics drivers enables the swipe features to swipe in Charms bar and Apps bar from top. The left side (recent apps) one isn't working, from what I've read on xda forums, people are suspecting that it is because the Z touchpad is smaller area sized than the other ones, such as one on an HP Envy had a larger touchpad and the left swipe in was working on it.

 

Anyone got Scrybe to work on a VPCZ1 yet?

 

I had it working before I uninstalled it to install the newer drivers, but that was a kept as straight upgrade from Windows 7.

 

Which video drivers did you install? I'd like to upgrade my Z13 but the lack of video drivers seems to be the biggest obstacle. Does anybody have a straight forward solution that doesn't involve hacked drivers or a hacked BIOS?

 

Nope. Sony has clearly stated on their web site that there will be no Windows 8 driver support for the Z1.
Hacked BIOS is a little sacry, I admit - if you mess up, you could brick your laptop. But the modded drivers are completely reversible - if you don't like it, go back to your old drivers. But I'm betting you won't. I've been using modded drivers for years now; they were always better than Sony's stock drivers, and they just got a little better a few days ago.

Get them here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics-51.html#post7176699

 

Thanks anytimer. I was hoping that there was a better answer but I'll look at the link you provided and have a think about it. It's really poor that Sony don't provide better support for such expensive laptops.

 

Wait wait, I have VPCZ12X9E/X and also suffer lack of support (support of such a high model!). I've checked all I could and I remember that Sony will work with other machines - maybe something will came out. Where did you find that statement?

 

On the Sony support site, there is a Windows 8 upgrade page where you can put in your model number and see whether or not Sony will support Windows 8 on it.

Sony Global - "Contact Us"
Select your region. My laptop was purchased in Asia, so I go here:
windows8 | check in page
I select Series Z, and model VPCZ115GG and submit. This is what it says:

 

Fix for Synaptics Left swipe

People at xda found a way to fix the TouchPad left swipe. When you import it, it may be off a little you may need to fix it to TouchPadPS2 to TouchPadPS2_1

 

Hey Komugi,

Your link doesn't seem to work for me... ? At least not in Firefox...

 

Sorry about that, messed up on linking, fixed now.

 

what exactly do you do with that file? just open it? or edit PS2 to PS2_1 and then open it? Or do you have to move the file somewhere?

Thanks - supernewb

 

1. Open the .reg file with notepad
2. Edit TouchPadPS2 to TouchPadPS2_1 and save and close the .reg file
3. Open the .reg file normally so that regedit asks you to import the registry file... say YES (This step hinges on the file having a .reg extension... if your browser changed the extension to .txt when you first downloaded it, you must change it back so that it is only .reg)
4. Restart your computer

 

Is any person able to work on SD card after pc comes back from Hibernation on Windows 8 on Sony Vaio Z1?

 

Hello
I have a model Vpcz13
GT 330 graphics card.

I've read many threads on the forum.
I would like to Hybrid Graphics worked in Windows 8
Do you then have to hack the bios to use modified drivers for example by andrew fully.
As I understand it the bios hack job I have three choices of video card Bios

What does the BIOS hack for example, to revert to Windows 7?
Is it not then the problem will work Hybrid Graphics card in windows 7 ?

Is this the only way to Hybrid Graphics card to work properly?
And I can choose whether to work on the card Nvidia or Intel?
Of course, the Windows 8

Or there is no option of working full Hybrid Card for windows 8?

Many thanks for answer

 

I have this problem as well.

Also, has anyone experienced their graphics switch not wanting to switch from speed to stamina and vice-versa after a while? For example, when switching, sometimes a popup will ask you to close some programs (which I do), even after doing so, it sometimes does not switch. I am using the original sony-nvidia drivers.
Any workaround on this?

 

Hello, does anybody has working qualcomm gobi 2000 modem after upgrading to windows 8?

I've noticed that it's disappeared from Device Manager and there is no unknown devices.

 

I have had this problem before.

Find SD device in Device Manager, open it's properties and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

That's all.

 

Finally made my way back to this thread. Thank you so much! Works perfectly.

Only other big thing not working with my vaio right now. the built-in microphone isn't working. Could anybody point me in the right direction to find that driver?

thanks,

Eric

 

Hello, I just format all C: drive and installed Windows 8 on my VPCZ122GX and I just have the generic drivers that comes with Windows. I downloaded and tried the steps to install the Hybrid graphics driver from Andrew08 but i just tellme that it can not find the hardware. I go to device manager and i cannot located there on sly the intel HD driver is installed and if i try to remove it it comes again when i reboot. next step will be to install the drivers from sony, uninstall them and try again. How should I install them if it does not work? Should i install all the drivers from sony first?

 

Did you follow the steps here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/685477-windows-8-vpcz1-2.html#post8936123

 

thankyou for your reply " anytimer" and yes i did, i get to step 3 and it only shows one ms basic display adapter when i uninstall the Intel generic driver that comes with windows. When i restart the computer in 'disable driver signature enforcement' it shows up again and still i can not install the nvidia driver, my computer is in speed mode, i just do not get to the par of 'install anyway'

 

Right click the Intel adapter, select properties> driver> update driver> select driver to install, etc. and force install Microsoft Basic Adapter.

 

it seems that i cannot get to to that, it says that the best driver is installed and i do not know how to force install the Microsoft basic adapter. is it possible that i will have to do it in stamina or auto mode? also the driver i downloaded was the Nvidia 26308 - Intel 2020 signed Dropbox.txt I decompress it and put it into a new folder probably I'm doing something wromg from there. i also tried to follow the instructions in that post but it seems i don't get it. thank you for all your help. and sorry for my little knowledge but is better to ask than not to.

 

also downloading Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 signed 4Shared.txt (72 Bytes, 864 views) I hope it will work

 

ok finally i did it i installed the driver Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 signed thank you for all your help and patience. now should I install the 'sony notebook utilities driver'? or just leave it like that? What other drivers should I install from Sony esupport page? Thank you.

 

Sigh! Ok, here's the step by step version:

In Device Manager, right click the entry for the Intel adapter and select 'properties'.
In the new window, click the 'driver' tab. Click 'update driver'.
In the dialog, select 'browse my computer for driver software'.
Next, click 'let me pick from a list of drivers on my computer'.
Next, make sure the checkbox 'show compatible hardware' is checked. Microsoft Basic Adapter should be visible in the list.
Select and install.
If you have to reboot (e.g. for disabling driver signature enforcement) re-check in device manager to make sure both adapters show Microsoft Basic before installing the new driver.

EDIT: nvm. Just saw your post. Well done.

For the rest, follow the instructions here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/699021-vpcz1-how-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

 

For the rest, follow this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/699021-vpcz1-how-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

 

Anytimer, awesome that you helped me. thank you very much for your help. now I extended the life of my VAIO until I get the money for another super notebook like this was 3 years ago when i got it. thanks again.

 

@mrcach what other super notebook are you thinking at ?

 

It doesn't exist, yet. Which is why the better drivers for our old VPCZ1 are so cherished. The nearest thing we have is the Razer 14". We are hoping that the next iteration of the Razer will have an IPS display option, and then we can have a beast of a machine like the Z1 was in its day.

 

consider:
Dell XPS 15(Dell M3800)
+ touchscreen, good battery life, display quality is on par with z, good hinge(like vpcz1), full power cpu(35watt), better gpu(better than vpcz1), better driver support(since it is new)
- it is bigger (15 inch), hotter(hotter than our vpcz1), no optical drive, no option to add wwan, more reflective display, no fingerprint, no rj 45, no vga, a little throttle under full load(doesn't happen to vpcz1), no raid 0, tpm optional(only for dell m3800)

Dell m4800
+wwan, raid 0, external graphic, etc(you name it)
-no touchscreen, heavy, big(15.6inch)

Asus zenbook infinity ux301la
+ good display(less color but brighter), 13inch, raid 0 ssd, good battery life(surfing with wifi, not gaming), 28 watt cpu(not 35 watt like z1), touchscreen
- throttle under full load(doesn't happen to vpcz1), no optical drive, 2 usb slot(if you use rj45 you will be left with 1 usb), reflective display, no wwan, no fingerprint, no tpm

Acer aspire s7
+ thin, light, touchscreen, quite cool(like vpcz1), 13inch, raid 0 ssd
-battery life(on par with vpcz1), turbo not working, no wwan, no fingerprint, no tpm, no optical drive.

vpcz1
+ thin, light, optical drive, small(13inch), fingerprint, good monitor, stay cool.
-no touchscreen, software support

bottom line vpcz1 is the best.