Z series: clean install Win7?

So I guess two questions wrapped into 1:

1. If I clean install Win7 on this Z, what isn't going to work right off the bat and what steps can I take to get it fully functional? I saw a nice guide for the TZ, but not for the Z.

2. Has anyone attempted a straight upgrade to Win7?

 

Haven't done a Clean Install of Win 7 but I just did an upgrade of Vista Business to Win 7 Enterprise. Everything works just fine. The only THING that doesn't work which has been documented in previous threads is the brightning or dimming of the screen when in SPEED MODE. For some reason you just can't adjust the brighteness of the screen but only in SPEED MODE. The fix is to adjust the screen in Stamina mode then switch over. Since i'm rarely in speed mode it doesn't matter.

I did receive a Kernel 41 windows error the first two mornings but I think that was a program in my smart gadget that was preventing it from going into sleep / hibernate mode. I'm removed the gadget and haven't had the problem recurr.

I'm sure that if you installed Win 7, then went to the Sony Website and installed all the drivers in either the downloaded fashion or in compatibility mode everything should work just fine.

Let us know.

 

Am attempting upgrade first as a test. My big question will be whether or not the bluray drive will let me watch movies after this fun.

 

I'm sure it will. I haven't had a single problem yet. When i started the install it gave me some warnings about the Intell Chipset (wifi) and a few basic program but so far everything has been just fine.

Once installed, i found this article helpful.

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/01/14/windows-7-tips-and-tricks

Enjoy and let me know. I'm on a VGN z590 with a SSD no blueray.

 

Just wondering if the sony apps (most notably, the SonicStage Audio Filter EQ) work when you UPGRADE from vista?
Or
Do you know where I could get the Audio Filter installer seperately? Sony Asia doesn't have it and I can't get around the European and US sites because model no. is different... Preferabbly a link from Sony themselves...?

Not too keen on a clean install because my Z comes with some decent software preinstalled...... But then, the no of process running in the background is disturbing - I have tried a clean install and had 60 processes with all drivers installed, but never tried the upgrade path.

Also, when you UPGRADE, do you see the SONY logo in My Computer 'Properties'?

Incase this matters, I got a genuine windows 7 pro RTM disc and key (from university, giving them away to engineering students ^_^) just lying in the drawer - I'm waiting for some stuff to be ironed out before installing (brightness in SPEED being one of many)

Cheers in advance

 

Try this for SonicStage Audio Filter EQ

ftp://download.sony.com/CA/pc/SOASMS-01358702-US.EXE

When i right click n computer and go to properties, i don't see the Sony Logo.
but i'm not sure i ever did one when running in vista.

 

So far, so good. I have a few first impressions of the machine (and I'm coming from a macbook pro, so that is what I am comparing to):

- Why is the fan constantly on? I'm running in stamina and not doing anything but web browsing, and I can hear the fan. No bueno.

- the general feel of the machine is cheap and plasticy...it's obviously not given the cost, but the feel of it certainly doesn't reflect the price

- the screen has a "cast" to it -- whites are not coming out pure white for me.

I'm going to spend some quality time with the machine today, but the fan noise thing right now is my major concern.

 

The Fan Control can either be a driver or it is set incorrectly in its Thermal Control Strategy. Go to Vaio Control Center and you can adjust it there. I have my S1 button set for this (thermal control) and by pressing it you can roll through the different fan options. That should take care of the problem you're experiencing. The other option to manage this is within power management but i find the S1 adjustment above to be the easiest fix.

 

Even in "silent" I hear it, so I guess I just have to live with it.

Another question: Anyone recommend a really good 256GB SSD that supports TRIM that I can slap into this? I understand putting a drive in this machine is not as horribly difficult as the TZ was.