I'm thinking about purchasing windows 7, do i need a clean install of windows vista to upgrade? and also do i need to get all the drivers ect like in the clean install of vista if i wish to upgrade? i have a vaio vgn-fw21L
View 3 RepliesWith all the hand wringing folks have been doing about the lack of drivers for a clean install of Win7 I thought I'd jump in to the deep end of the pool with my FZ190 and investigate an alternative. My good friends Rajesh and Dr. Pratik have done clean installs of Win7 on FZ models, but I decided to take a different approach... the "dreaded" OS in place upgrade. Partly out of curiosity, I wanted to see if it would work, but mainly because I have a ton of software that would need to be reinstalled, if I did a clean install. That would mean days or weeks of inventorying every thing I have installed, digging up installation media and then installing all the stuff. I just don't have the spare time. So...
This past weekend I imaged my C: drive (all my data and I mean ALL my data is on D:, I am a fanatic about that). MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A BACKUP OF YOUR C: DRIVE BEFORE YOU TRY AN UPGRADE! I ran the Windows 7 Update adviser and it said I had some issues:
Quote:
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT - NVIDIA Not compatible The driver installed for this device is not compatible with Windows 7....................
Has anyone done this on an Acer laptop? I recently bought a 5515 for my parents and after seeing all the bloatware that came on it I figured I'd do a clean OS install. I backed up the CD Key using the ABR utility and backed up all the drivers. I then started the new OS install and get all the way to "completing installation" and it sits there spinning for a good 20-30 mins before it freezes. I tried the 32 bit version first followed by the 64 bit and had no luck either try. I eventually reinstalled the factory settings using the recovery disc.
View 8 Replies View RelatedFriend recently purchased this new laptop, but it's a bit sluggish. i want to do a clean install, but of course there was no Windows Vista DVD provided. How do i create a copy of the Vista installed on this Acer laptop? Does Acer ERecovery spit out a Windows image or does it copy over all the bloat ware as well? Is it hidden in some folder like Lenovos?
View 8 Replies View RelatedI have a Japanese VGN-Z90NS, and after getting it back from Japan for a minor repair, decided to put Vista Ultimate x64 on there to take advantage of my entire amount of memory.
Some may have seen this thread:
Sony Z HD install and 64bit upgrade problems
On at least the older Vaio Z series (the Z90, Z5xx in the USA, etc.), I have confirmed that the EFI thing is an issue if you try to install a slipstreamed SP1. I happen to have a genuine Vista Ultimate x64 install disc that is RTM, and it installed just fine with no EFI issues.
To get the 64-bit original Sony drivers, download them here or here.
Once you download all of the Sony drivers, download Universal extractor from here, and run it against all of the EXEs you downloaded to strip the model check.
To get the Intel 4500 graphics driver, download it here
NOTE: My Z does not have the built-in camera or fingerprint security, so you'll have to figure that out on your own. Somehow my notebook no longer has bluetooth after being fixed (looking into that ...), so that isn't in this list either. I do have one device that I can't find a driver for, and I bet it's bluetooth since everything else is fine. I'll update if I sort it all out.
Install Process that works:
1. Vista x64
2. Vista x64 service pack (if needed)
3. Intel chipset driver - reboot required
4. Intel Matrix Storage Manager (I have the RAIDed SSDs and definitely need this) - reboot required.......................
if there was a way to do a clean install of Vista (preferably Ultimate 64-bit) on the Vaio Z and have functioning s1/s2 and speed/stamina and Wlan controls. I found the guide for 7, I was wondering if there was something like it for vista, or at least a place where i can get the drivers. My viao Z came with alot of "bloatware", and i'd like to have it snappy.
View 10 Replies View RelatedI just received Windows 7 Upgrade Disc from Dell, and it says "Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional Upgrade" on the disc and COA also says "Win Vista Bus to Win 7 Pro UPG Fullfill."
I was curious if it is really impossible to do a clean install with upgrade disc as regular upgrade disc is. (At least I was told that it is impossible), but I did not want to upgrade my notebook to Windows 7 yet.
So, I gave it a try on VMWare. It installed just like regular Windows 7 disc in a empty HDD. It even took COA that came with the upgrade disc.
I did not try activating because it probably will fail if it uses SLIC to activate, or in worst case, it will get activated on my VM, and I will be unable to active it when I actually want to upgrade my notebook's OS
THIS IS FOR WINDOWS VISTA 64-BIT ONLY
My system is VGN-AW190.
There are already a couple of "guides" floating around that describe how to install a clean copy of Windows on Sony laptops.
The process is fairly simple and involves installing certain Sony software and drivers in particular order (according to Sony).
For FW series, the guide is here: Official Vaio FW Clean Vista Install Guide
When I first installed Windows Vista Ultimate, I had no problems getting everything to work EXCEPT for the following:
1) CompactFlash (JMicron JMB368 ExpressCard CF) driver is not available on Sony's web site. When inserting the card, it does not show up as a drive in Windows Explorer. After some time playing around, I figured the following 2 ways to make it work:
a. Insert your card, go to device manager and click on "scan for hardware changes"
b. Boot Windows while the card is inserted
2) SD card slot works but is not mapped to any drive. While Ricoh MS driver automatically creates a drive, there is no driver on Sony's web site that would do the same for SD slot.
Sony's support is useless to a point where they told me that the reason why my CF cards do not show up and there is no drive mapped to the slot is because the laptop does not support cards larger than 4GB (and I have only 8GB Sandisk cards) What a joke. I finally managed to get a 2nd tier technical guy on the phone who said that Sony does not provide CF drivers and that there is nothing they can do about it..........
Let me first start by asking your forgiveness if I have stuffed this quick little guide in the wrong spot. I spent a rather brief 10 minutes searching this forum, and I don't believe I am repeating a write-up someone has already done that follows this simple method. If I am incorrect, I ask a moderator to please place this post in its proper home. As you can see, I am not an avid poster here, and I really don't want to be slammed for not searching with enough gusto, etc.
Alright, on to the quick 'n easy...
I have a new VGN-AW235J, so proceed with courage and fortitude if our letters don't match. I found this as I was trying various ways to cleanse this beautiful machine of it's bloatware. It worked for me, and that is all I will claim.
This method requires that you create the restore DVDs.
If you don't have a handful of restore DVDs, go do that now and come back...and while you're up, bring a snack.
One more disclaimer: I didn't take the greatest notes while doing this, so my instructions may be sufficiently vague to cause minor trepidation on the part of the reader. With that being said, each step should be fairly obvious while in front of your machine...DVDs in hand..........................
I got my laptop but did not do a clean install. I just removed all the bloatware I could think of. Is there a guide to do just that though, get rid of all the stuff that shouldn't be there so that you essentially have a clean install without all the bloat or footprints of it?
View 9 Replies View RelatedI purchased a Sony VAIO VGN-Z46GD and was eligible for the Windows 7 Upgrade program. So my Windows 7 Disc & Supplement Disc arrived in no time. I did a CLEAN install with the Windows 7 Disc wiping everything (this was intentional).
The problem is the Supplement Disc will not run at all, gives me an error (is there a way to force it?). I used the mod2wim tool to extract all WIM's from it however I have had no success in getting my VAIO special buttons working, power management or my function keys operational. The extracted WIM's are also a bit odd, includes ATi drivers when clearly my machine is hybrid intel/nvidia.
From what I have read on the Forums I need to install things in a specific order. Also if I can't find my drivers where can I look to re-download them?
I'm wondering what order do the drivers and applications have to be in to do a Windows 7 clean install for the i7 F series?
View 10 Replies View RelatedI have a VGN-790P notebook, currently with Windows Vista Business installed; 2GB RAM; 2.16 GHz centrino duo. However, through my school I can download Windows 7 for free!
I really want to upgrade my OS to Windows 7, but Sony is not providing drivers for my model. Is there any way that I can still install it and get the drivers from somewhere? I really dont want to do it if it's going to cause a bunch of functionality issues.
Also, I think that a clean install would be best, just to clear out my computer and possibly make it a bit more responsive. Is it possible to do this if I will be downloading Windows 7 and not have a physical disk for the install?
I am reading the various threads about how to go about performing a Windows 7 clean install.
I see and understand the requirements to load the Sony 'platform' drivers to get the various custom hardware working.
but what about reinstalling the original applications? Particularly some of the custom VAIO apps .....
DISCLAMER:The Windows 7 Beta is a pre-release version of Windows. While this a stable and high-quality beta,
it's not the finished product. It could crash your computer or cause you to lose important files or information.
BEFORE doing this procedure, backup all your data...
(Last update: May 27 2010)
Change log:
Mar 06 2010 - Changed SUS, VES, and VCC versions. Updated Intel 4965 adapter driver. Added Web-cam software. Added instruction for wireless band switching and disabling Bluetooth from device manager.
Mar 26 2010 - Updated Intel SATA/AHCI driver from 8.​9.​0.​1023 --> 9.6.0.1014
Mar 30 2010 - Updated Nvidia driver (laptopvideo2go) from 195.62 --> 197.16
Apr 03 2010 - Updated Nvidia driver (self modded inf) from 195.62 --> 197.16
Apr 22 2010 - Added Nvidia driver 197.45 through Windows Update
May 09 2010 - Update to SUS, S-button and additional settings in VCC.
May 27 2010 - Added Nvidia 257.15 driver, modded inf, and instructions.
The following steps below include various driver sources and install instructions.
1. Install your edition of Windows 7. I chose to change the UAC setting to never notify. If you leave it in the default setting, various prompts may open when installing the drivers and utilities. Open "Computer", click the "Organize" tab, navigate to "folder and search options", click "View" tab, and uncheck "Hide empty drives in the computer folder".
There will be two exclamation marks for the "Mass storage controller" and "Unknown device" in the device manager. Intel 4965 Wifi, Marvell network controller, and Conexant modem drivers are included in Windows 7. You can update them if necessary
I have been trying to make a clean install of Windows 7 but when I get to the install screen,
it says that "it does not recognize my drive." This happened too when I tried to install windows XP,
and I solved it by slipstreaming the SATA controller drivers but, I don't know where to find those for windows 7, or if that even will solve the same problem
I just received my sony Z1190X(CTO) and plan to do clean install on it. I just finished making the recovery&restore DVD and have Windows 7 Ultimate ready.
However, when I go on the US Sony website, they say some drivers are not compatible with Ultimate version. I downloaded every drive with Win Professional setting. Will it not work with Windows 7 Ultimate
Is there a way to do a fresh install from a restore disk with none of the bloatware? And then just install all the drivers?
View 3 Replies View Relatedperforming a clean install of Windows 7 32bit on a Sony Vaio FZ from Windows Vista.
I have searched the forums and have only found guides for performing an upgrade install to 32bit and a clean install to 64bit.
Quote:
UPDATED OCTOBER 27 2009 FOR OFFICIAL WINDOWS 7 RELEASE
will benefit many of you upgrading to Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit RTM. This install was done and tested on a Vaio VGN-FW139E/H.
Hardware
While the VGN-FW line shares many components, many models also differ. So, I will first list the hardware that is on the VGN-FW139E and the install was done on.
Audio: Realtek High Definition
Audio (HDMI): Realtek ATI HDMI Audio
Network: Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller
Wireless: Atheros AR928X
Touchpad: ALPS Pointing Device
SD Memory Card Reader: Ricoh
MS Memory Card Reader: Ricoh
Modem: Conexant CX11270
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon 3400 Series..................
I have a Sony vaio FW21M
it has the mata bd-mlt uj230as basically the blu-ray drive......
I was wondering if anyone has the correct driver for this because I can't seem to play any blurays and can't burn anything with it, it just works like a normal dvd drive, does nothing else
I did a clean install so i need the firmware, I tried all the links on this forum and can only find the UPDATE for the driver not the original install..........
I was searching for a Thread that has some data about clean instructions and restoring all functions for the VAIO E-Series, but I didn't find one.
And since there is a lot of users here who own the VAIO E-Series, I think it might be useful.
So, can anyone share his experience with a clean install on the VAIO E-Series and how did you do that?
Some special order in installing drivers? What's about the FN-Buttons? Whats about the Assist and WEB Buttons? Are they all working?
i just reinstalled winxp sp3 on a sony s3xp, i don't have the vaio installation cd but i did a clean reinstall of windows xp and installed essential drivers but it was quite slow, eg seconds to load a directory, or long pauses during web browsing
now i've installed all the original drivers and utilities and am running without power saving but it's still sluggish, eg the mouse pointer jumps about the screen rather than moves continuously when the cpu is under any load at all
I did a clean install of Windows 7 and I was surprised that almost everything is working out of the gate. There are only a few bugs that I've noticed.
1.) The Fn functions in the F-keys don't work. Which driver do I need for that?
2.) Same thing goes for the Mode - - - - - Settings keys above that. Which driver fixes that?
3.) In the device manager I have and unknown "Base System Device" with the Location of "PCI bus 7, device 3, function 2". What is this/How do I fix it?
4.) The touchpad doesn't scroll. I tried installing the driver from the Sony eSupport page, but it failed. (I reinstalled and rebooted and it's working)
And not a bug, but just a straight up question...
5.) Should I install Sony Shared Library? Do I need it for anything? I really don't plan on installing any of the programs that came pre-installed with Vista, unless it's necessary.
I should be getting my upgrade (Pro 64) within the next week and was wondering which method is better. I obviously know that it will run a bit faster for the first month or so with clean install, however, my concern is with the activation of the dell free upgrade version. Will it simply be boot the free upgrade disk and install and it will be activated fine? Or, is there more to it? Also, say a year from now I wanted reformat/reinstall win 7... How would I go about doing that with the dell free upgrade DVD?
View 10 Replies View RelatedI just received my 64 bit cd from dell today and am pretty anxious to get it up and running.
Just checking in to see if there are any important things to note before I start.
Just a quick guide on how to make a bootable DVD using your Sony Upgrade Discs so you can do a clean install.
1) Insert your upgrade DVD into your DVD Drive and load up "Windows Explorer"
2) Browse to your DVD rom drive and expand it, there should be a bunch of directories, and you should have 2 that are called "Win7OS32" and "Win7OS64".....
I decided to hold off on upgrading to Windows 7 on my Studio 1555 but I wanted to perform a clean install of Vista. So I popped in the Vista installation disc that came with the computer, partitioned the hard drive, and installed Vista. Now it is up and running but with a few problems. The problems are; (1)the ethernet controller is not recognized, (2)the intergrated camera is not recognized (when I open Webcam Central is says "Please plug in a supported webcam), and (3) the displays that used to show up when using the brightness and volume function keys no longer appears. I installed all of the drivers on the drivers and utilities disc that came with the computer but these problems are still there.
View 10 Replies View RelatedI just got a studio 1737 and want to do a clean Vista 64 Home premium install.
I was going to follow Les's guide in the main dell forum but it seems media direct 4.0 will not allow me to boot from the cd.
So I want to boot from Vista and reformat and install the OS.