How to get Vista working on your Sony SZ
Even though I got Vista to work with my Sony SZ notebook (VGN-SZ381p), my machine has still unstable due to the beta drivers I was using.
Thankfully, Sony finally released non-beta versions of all their utilities and drivers. Since some of the Sony utilities depend on others to be install beforehand, the install order is critical. I just wish sony would include a setup wrapper to do the installation in the correct order.
But since we don’t have that list, I thought it was worth giving the installation order that worked for me and direct links to all the installers.
- Sony Utilities DLL Update
- Sony Shared Library Update
- REBOOT
- VAIO Event Services Update
- SigmaTel High Def Audio Codec Update
- VAIO Camera & Camera Utility Update
- I’ve been told that this driver is only for the US models. For non-US models, go to the Sony support site and specifically search for your model to make sure you’re getting the right driver.
- VAIO Control Center
- Sony Utility Series
- VAIO Power Management
- Wireless Switching Utility
- Texas Instruments® PCI7411 Integrated FlashMedia Controller Driver (Sony support told me this is the XP driver but works for Vista)
- Sony® Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 Driver (XP driver)
- ALPS Pointing Device (Touchpad) Driver and and Control Utility (Updated 3/2. Previously had the XP version, which worked, but this is the ‘official’ Vista version)
- UPek TouchStrip Driver (for your fingerprint reader)
- GeForce Go7400 Drivers
- Optionally you can use the updated driver direct from NVidia which is version 100.40. You can snag it from our friends at LaptopVideo2Go.com from this link.
- Intel GMA950 driver
- REBOOT
- Sony Utility Series update (updated 3/14)
- REBOOT
- Power Management v2.0 update patch (Added 2/21)
- REBOOT
- Infineon Trusted Platform Module (TPM) driver+software (Added 3/1)
Other:
- Intel Pro Wireless Drivers
- These are available from Microsoft Update.
- Bluetooth
- Don’t need any special drivers since the Microosft Bluetooth stack works so well.
Notes:
- I still can’t get the FN+brightness keys to work. I’m continuing to work on this to see why this is the case. When I was at CES, I saw SZ series notebooks at the Sony Booth where this did work so clearly I’m missing something.
- However, the brightness can still be controlled via the Vista Mobility Center.
Hope this helps someone!
Why Sony laptops are ridiculous…
…
shahine.com/omar/
15 Feb 07 at 2:06 pm
Hi
I had the problems with the FN-Keys, too. Solution: After the install of the Vaio Power Management, change the energy type from vista energy mode to Vaio Power Management Mode e.g. VAIO optimized. (I have only the german version of the SZ, so I don`t know exactly the english term). After switching the energy mode, press the FN-Keys. Now, it should work…
Franky
3 Mar 07 at 8:11 am
Franky, thanks for the tip. For some reason, the “VAOI Optimized” power mode doesn’t always show in the battery/power options. 99% of the time, I only have 3 options shown:
1. Balanced
2. Power Saver
3. Performance
When “VAIO Optimized” mode is shown, “Balanced” is replaced by it. No idea why it’s sporadically being shown.
Trevin
3 Mar 07 at 11:30 am
Please,
I bought the VAIO VGN SZ491N/X, but I think my bluetooth doens’t work properly. I had a microsoft bluetooth but it doesn’t work with this machine. Could you help me ?
EDUARDO
15 Mar 07 at 8:59 am
Eduardo: Make sure you are downloading drivers from the Sony page specific to your model:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNSZ491N&UpdateType=Everything
Specifically, it looks like you should use this for Bluetooth:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNSZ491N&upd_id=2396&os_id=29
Trevin
15 Mar 07 at 9:20 am
I never posted this here back in feb2007, THANK YOU. Sony was totally flat when it came to getting this running and you saved me ALOT of headache. thanks!
shane
19 Oct 07 at 2:15 pm
Any updates a year later? I have a Sony VGN-SZ1XRP. Installed Vista Ultimate and all your files and still, the FN doesn’t function.
Sony support is completely useless. They first tried to tell me to install XP drivers until I pointed out that they were for XP and then they told me that its “third party software”.
David
9 Apr 08 at 2:27 pm
Excellent blog – what a help this was! The only issue that I am having is that I cannot seem to be able to install the Harddrive protection. Any suggestions?
Peter
8 May 08 at 1:23 pm
I just wanted to let you know i upgraded from XP Home Professional to Windows 7 Professional on my SZ 230p last week and followed all your steps listed, and used the windows update feature and my SZ works perfectly now including the Fn button and literally everything. Thanks for the helpful links.
Jimmy
10 Nov 09 at 1:43 pm
I also used this guide to upgrade my aging SZ1M/B from XP Home to Windows 7 Professional. I used a combination of the downloads above, and also the Vista drivers from the dedicated Sony Europe SZ1M/B support page. The only functions that don’t work are the S1 and S2 hardware buttons.
Ashley
30 Nov 09 at 2:05 pm