SZ - Make your own Vista ISO with integrated drivers

[Mujja]

Important Update - If you use the method below you won't be able to install the Vista Service Pack later. Either download and integrate SP1 into vLite or download a Vista+SP1 ISO to mofify with vLite.

A quick intro as some people aren't sure who this guide is for.

This guide will show you how to download a legal copy of Windows Vista (all versions are included) and integrate all the Sony SZ hardware drivers directly in to the install DVD (ISO). You also have the option to remove drivers and components you will never need/use on your SZ saving yourself a few GBs.

During the ISO creation you have the option to choose which Vista version you have a key for or intend to purchase later. Vista can be installed without a key and used for 30 days, useful for evaluating before you decide to buy.

Once the Windows Vista install has finished all hardware in Device Manager is recognised with latest drivers installed. Then you just have to install the Sony Utilies, also included below.

Before you start you'll need two blank DVDs, one for the original Vista ISO and another for the modifed ISO, some patience while all the files download.

1) Download Vista from MS

If you purchase Vista directly from MS you are sent a product key plus the links below to download Vista.

The below links are now dead, check this (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240320) thread on NBR for updated links.

boot.wim (http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/01/60316070-3318705--NOA/msvista/pub/Vista_WIM/i386/boot.wim)
install.wim (http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/01/60316070-3318705--NOA/msvista/pub/Vista_WIM/i386/install.wim)
X13-49120.exe (http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/01/60316070-3318705--NOA/msvista/pub/X13-49120/X13-49120.exe)


2) Create ISO

2a) Download CDIMAGE.exe (http://rapidshare.com/files/67864193/CDIMAGE.EXE)
2b) Copy the 3 files from microsoft and CDIMAGE.exe to C:\
2c) Run x13-49120.exe and it will create a folder called C:\vista
2d) At C:\ (in command promt) type the command below

cdimage.exe -llrmcfree_en_dvd -m -u2 -bc:\vista\boot\etfsboot.com c:\vista\ c:\vistax86.iso

You should now see the ISO called vista86.iso in C:\


3) Burn the ISO to DVD

3a) Download and Install ImgBurn (http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download)
3b) Select the ISO image and burn


4) Download SZ drivers

4a) Download the complete set of SZ drivers (http://rapidshare.com/files/80264535/SZ_Drivers__31_Dec_.zip) (updated 31 Dec) for Vista

The zip files contains the drivers below. All drivers are the latest from Sony except the Intel GMA and Wireless drivers which were downloaded from Intel.

A newer Nvidia driver is included for later but I've found if the Sony driver isn't installed first the brightness keys won't work with the latest Nvidia drivers.

(Update 31 Dec. The Nvidia driver has now been removed from the driver pack. Micosoft update detects and installs Sony Nvidia driver ver 7.15.11.6743 with working brightness keys)


The drivers will work on all models between SZ1 to SZ5, maybe even SZ6. The only difference in the models is the CPU, HDD and amount of installed RAM. From the SZ3 onwards Sony used a different webcam and the drivers for both are included. Update - Check the 1st link in my signatue for SZ7 drivers and Utils.

(Update 31 Dec. Vista drivers up to SZ6 are now included. The Intel GMA and Chipset drivers support the SZ6 hardware. A new camera driver for the SZ6, VCC7, has also been added)


Alps Touch Pad (7.0.501.5)
Conexant Data Fax Modem (7.58.00.50)
Infineon Trusted Platform Module (2.00) Updated
Intel Chipset (8.3.1.1009)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (7.14.10.1364) Updated
Intel Wireless Network Adapter 3945 (11.5.0.32) Updated
Marvell Yukon Ethernet Controller (10.12.7.3) Updated
SigmaTel High Definition Audio (6.10.5511) Updated
Sony HDD Protection (1.1.07.05090)
Sony Image Conversion (1.1.07.04020)
Sony Notebook Control (7.0.0.5)
Sony Programmable IO Control (7.0.4.229)
Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 (1.0.2.9)
Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC5 (6.1003.205.0)
Sony Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC7 (6.1004.210.0) New
Texas Instruments FlashMedia (2.0.0.18) Updated
UPEK Fingerprint Reader (1.9.2.0074)

[Mujja]

5) Integrate the SZ drivers into the Vista ISO

5a) Download vLite (http://www.vlite.net/download.html) . I installed the 1.0 Final version.
5b) Install and run vlite
5c) Browse to and select the Vista DVD
5d) Select or create and empty folder where the Vista files will be copied to.
5e) Select the Vista version you want to install (See vlite_1.jpg)
5f) Select all vLite tasks except Enable before apply (See vlite_2.jpg)
5g) Choose the features you want to keep. I selected everything except IIS and none of the Applications. (See vlite_3.jpg)
5h) Select components to remove. I removed the Drivers, Hardware Support and Languages. Drivers won't be needed as we'll be adding our own. You can leave these in or remove even more. A default install of Vista Ultimate uses almost 10GB. I removed almost everything (leaving in Media Center) and got the Ultimate install down to just over 4GB. (See vlite_4.jpg)
5i) The only tweak I applied was disabling User Account Control (UAC)
5j) To integrate the SZ drivers select Insert, Multiple driver folder and browse to the folder where you extracted the SZ drivers downloaded earlier. (See vlite_5.jpg & vlite_6.jpg)
5k) For Unattended setup I chose to skip the key, activation and EULA to speed up the install. (See vlite_7.jpg)

Note : If you check skip user creation the Admin account is enabled and you can login as Administrator. In XP I used to rename the Admin account and use it as my only account. I tried the same in Vista but found a bug. With the Admin account renamed Protector Suite QL (5.6) still sees the Admin account as "Computer Name\Administrator".

Which means if you setup the fingerprint reader at Power-On and then login to Vista automatically it won't work. Protector Suite is looking for the account "Administrator" for auto-logon when you reach the Welcome screen but it's been renamed, so you have to swipe finger again. This annoyed me so I now have a disabled Admin account and a user account. A small thing but something you should be aware of.

5l) Apply the changes. I chose to rebuild the Image to completely remove components and OS versions I don't want.
5m) The files are now ready to burn direct to DVD or you can create and ISO to mount virtually and test or burn later.

[Mujja]

6) Sony Utilities

I've created two files for the Sony utilities. The first file includes utilities which you should install and the second are not necessary but included here.

6a) Download the must install utilities (http://rapidshare.com/files/68037382/SZ_Utilities__7_Nov_.zip) . The first six should be installed in the order they are numbered to make sure S1, S2 and FN buttons work. You could change the order a little but it works 100% for me.


Sony Utils DLL (7.0.00.11210)
Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
VAIO Event Service (3.0.00.13110)
Setting Utility Series (2.0.00.14270)
VAIO Control Center (2.0.00.11060)
VAIO Power Management (2.0.00.14020)
HDD Protection Utility (2.0.00.11090)
VAIO Camera Utility (2.0.00.11140)
VAIO Camera Capture Utility (2.1.00.13100)
VAIO Update (3.0.00.13220)


6b) The second file contains extra utlities (http://rapidshare.com/files/68039635/SZ_Utilities_Plus__7_Nov_.zip).


Battery Checker (2.0.00.11110)
Infineon TPM Professional Package (3.0)
LAN Setting Utility (1.1.00.11010)
MemoryStick Icon Registry patch (1.0.1.9110-061109)
Protector Suite QL (5.6)
Sony Video Shared Library (3.1.00.10240)
VAIO Hardware Diagnostics (3)
Wireless Switch Setting Utility (3.5.00.11270)

[Mujja]

7) Update Nvidia driver

Nvidia driver removed. Use Microsoft update to download the Sony Nvidia driver ver 7.15.11.6743, 07/11/2007.

[Mujja]

- placeholder for updates -

[Mujja]

I've labelled/numbered all the steps to make asking questions easier.

If you find a newer driver or utliity version please leave a reply and I'll update.

If you have problems downloading the files from Rapidshare.com or would like to host for others PM me and I'll send you the link to my FTP share.

[18000rpm]

Wow this is great work. Now I'm tempted to do a clean Vista install...

[Hunningolla]

Me too. As soon as I get the thing back from France that is.. : /
Great info Mujja, will be trying this one out as soon as I can.

[davee]

does this installation need a key? would the one on the bottom of the computer work?
thanks

[Mujja]

The key on the laptop will work. If you have a Vista Business key then step 5e you select Vista Business (see vlite_1.jgp) to configure.

You then enter the key
- in step 5k (see vlite_7.jpg)
- during Vista install
- after install and before you activate

[Mujja]

There seems to be an issue with the new Nvidia driver (7.15.11.6375) in step 7a. When the laptop resumes from suspend it goes to a BSOD.

Resume works OK with the newest Sony driver (7.15.10.9735) in step 4.

Testing with other drivers downloaded from here (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/drivers/vista) to see which one is more stable.

---------------------

Problem solved by downgrading to the latest WHQL certified driver. Guide updated.

[jassalmithu]

are you also ableto get back vaio recovery center and vaio help and support (and if could be but certainly not required), the vaio logos in about box of windows vista

[Mujja]

Following this guide will only give you a clean Vista OS with all SZ hardware recongnised with drivers installed at first boot.

I've included a set of utlities but not recovery centre or help and support. Are these available as downloads from Sony? If yes post the links here and I'll test them for you.

There are ways to add your own logos to Vista but I using the default. If you find a good guide post a link here for other users.

[Qualia9]

Very good tips..

Will try it out when I gonna make the clan install of Vista next time

[wolflike]

I have a Vaio AR, will those Sony utilities work for me too? Or do they differ depending on what model you have?

[Unagipai123]

Thanks for the great write-up!

Question: How will this work out with a SZ6 with the hybrid hard drive?

Thanks!

[Mujja]

Thanks for the great write-up!

Question: How will this work out with a SZ6 with the hybrid hard drive?

Thanks!

All I know is the SZ6 has a new Intel chipset and the Nvidia 8000 series card. If the Intel and Nvidia drivers used are the same the there's no reason this driver set shouldn't work.

Does the hybrid HD need a driver? If it does then integrate the driver into the vLite rebuild.

[Mujja]

I have a Vaio AR, will those Sony utilities work for me too? Or do they differ depending on what model you have?

I guess the AR is just an SZ in a larger case so most/all of the utils will be the same.

The main point of this guide is to get all the hardware drivers installed so you aren't trying to recongnise unkown hardware and finding the correct driver in device manager after a clean Vista install.

[insanedoc]

i really want to thank you for your effort posting this tutorial and uploading all the files...

i only want to say that i had to download drivers for bluetooh that wasnt here...

but besides that all was perfect!!!

Thanks from Venezuela (gracias)

P.D. sorry if my english is not so good...

[dznutz]

this is a great tutorial. does anybody know how to do this for xp?

[voipben]

Very nice tutorial. Thanks.

[siamack]

hi dear MUJJA
Before all i must thank you for your super tutorial.
I cannot download that files from rapidshare.
Please send me your refered FTP links for following files only that i needed:

1 - SZ_Drivers__7_Nov_.zip
2 - SZ_Utilities__7_Nov_.zip
3 - SZ_Utilities_Plus__7_Nov_.zip


Please send the answer directly to one of my Emails listed below:

siamackhejazi@gmail.com
OR
siamakhejazi@hotmail.com

[das_ubersoldat]

7) Update Nvidia driver

7a) Download the latest WHQL certified Nvidia driver (7.15.11.6369) Nvidia driver (http://rapidshare.com/files/68464810/NVIDIA_GeForce_Go_7400__7.15.11.6369__WHQL.zip) with the modified INF included.

Note: This is the same driver from laptopvideo2go with the INF file already added included. I've tested this and the FN brightness keys work but ONLY if it's installed over the Sony Nvidia driver included above.

7b) Follow this (http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11997) guide to install the driver.

Edit - I initially included the newer driver ver 7.15.11.6375 before but found this would cause a BSOD when resuming from suspend mode. This WHQL certified driver above works fine.

hi guys,

the laptopvideo2go links don't work. can anybody upload a the manual, please?

[topdj]

wow wish I could just buy a disk like this from Sony

[Mujja]

wow wish I could just buy a disk like this from Sony

Guys, if the above steps seem too complicated for some, would you like to me upload an iso to rapidshare with all the drivers already integrated?

I thought people would want to download directly from the MS source so they know they have a genuine copy with no spyware etc.

[Hunningolla]

Well I'll make my own disc but would ofc be alot faster if I could dl a ready copy :D I'll use it if you upload! :D

EDIT: Thats when I get the thing back.. : /

EDIT2: Cant seem to dl the install.wim

EDIT3: I have SZ6 so I wont be needing that .iso

[topdj]

I been reading all these threads before I order a SZ680
I want to do a clean install using the vista Business key on a the bottom of the SZ6, an iso with a clean vista would have been a great included with laptop, Im still trying to figuer out how to slipstream sata drivers into to a xp pro 2 disk for bootable installs without a floppy, I really need to make this laptop dual boot xp pro for work. I have not done any slipstreaming since I intergrated SP2 into my xp pro install

why would Hunningolla not need this above?

[Mujja]

why would Hunningolla not need this above?

The Intel Chipset, Intel Wireless Adapter and the Nvidia chipset was changed from models SZ5 or SZ6.

However, the included Vista drivers are the same for the Intel and Nvidia chipsets and the Intel WLAN Adapter.

Camera drivers are included for VCC2 and VCC5, again newer models covered.

Unless there are some other hardware differences which I'm not aware of the included drivers package with work for SZ6 models.

[Mujja]

Cant seem to dl the install.wim

All links working fine here.

[Hunningolla]

The Intel Chipset, Intel Wireless Adapter and the Nvidia chipset was changed from models SZ5 or SZ6.

However, the included Vista drivers are the same for the Intel and Nvidia chipsets and the Intel WLAN Adapter.

Camera drivers are included for VCC2 and VCC5, again newer models covered.

Unless there are some other hardware differences which I'm not aware of the included drivers package with work for SZ6 models.

Cool. So you think it would work? If so, then yes, I want your .iso. Still ain't getting the install.wim.

[topdj]

Im would be all for the perfect iso provided my key will be reuseable for future drive upgrades or reinstalls, I have never delt with vista
or any authorizations on Xp except with one of my laptops
after a few years it crashed and I used my works corp edition of xp pro
as long as I stay there and use the laptop for work I can use that license and its always passes WGA, if I need to put xp dual boot on this I need the sata drivers or I cant even install it.

[Mujja]

Cool. So you think it would work? If so, then yes, I want your .iso. Still ain't getting the install.wim.

vLite makes you choose an OS ver to config, my own ISO is Vista Ultimate.
If you key is for Vista Business I'll have to redo the ISO.

Which OS ver ISO do you need?

[Hunningolla]

vLite makes you choose an OS ver to config, my own ISO is Vista Ultimate.
If you key is for Vista Business I'll have to redo the ISO.

Which OS ver ISO do you need?

Got Business atm. Got any other place I can fetch the install.wim? What browser are you using? I'd be happy with the install.wim, dont need rdy .iso, I can make that if I get this 1 file : /

EDIT: I've tried IE,Firefox,Opera

[Mujja]

I'm using IE7 and tested the links less than 30 mins ago. All three work.

[sdh]

I assume that the steps described on page1 can be executed on XP machine.

[Hunningolla]

It simply wont start dling

EDIT: Actually it does start, dl's 1,2 kt and stops

[Mujja]

I assume that the steps described on page1 can be executed on XP machine.

For XP you need to use nLite and XP drivers. Most of the linked drivers are Vista only.

[sdh]

For XP you need to use nLite and XP drivers. Most of the linked drivers are Vista only.

sorry, my question was can I create the vaio disc on a machine running xp.

[Mujja]

Yes you can :)

[Hunningolla]

Aargh.. Still no install.wim. I can get 1.2kt at a time by pausing and resuming the file but doing that for 2.3gb is suicide.

[Qualia9]

Dudes.. I had problem to mount the file to ISO. So I did go other way to get to large x86 Vista ISO file :P, that was alot bigger how ever..Did vlite it.. seems it works great.. time to get a freash Clean install soon of my vaio..

[Hunningolla]

Ok after some hazzle got the install.wim. Now for next problem: I'm running a sz61xn/c, and thats an EU version. The only drivers I can get from my "own" sony support site is a 120mb package and some smaller ones. Are those all I need? And are they in the right format, I mean when I get the smaller ones I get a neat 1 file package but when I unzip the zip file it's more or less 15 files / folder, ranging from text files to executables. VLITE seems to pick up a couple of these files / folder and puts them into the drivers section, do you think they'll work seeing as it doesn't load the other 14 files in that folder at all.

[heartq8]

Thank you Mujja, you solved long time issue for me. Now I wish to do the same thing to my TZ-150N but do not know how can I get the drivers be install since most of the drivers in EXE type. any ideas.

[Mujja]

Hunningolla,

Use the attached drivers. The zip file contains all the drivers you will need, import the whole folder into vLite.

I'm also in the EU, UK to be exact, and you don't need any specific drivers for the EU models.

[Mujja]

heartq8

Nice to hear a success story :)
Did all the steps work for you first time? Do I need to make any changes to the guide?

[Mujja]

Qualia9,

Which step are you stuck on? If you give me the step number I'll see if I can help.

[Qualia9]

I got the X86vista ISO file from a torrent file.. how ever.. that's still works to mount with Vlite..

Thanks for great topic

[sdh]

Mujja, is this an upgrade (from XP to Vista) or a full Vista installation. After running X13-49120.exe, it starts with upgrate setup.

[Hunningolla]

Mujja: Ok thanks I'll take those then

sdh: Following the steps you should end up with an installation disc that installs a tweaked Vista from scratch. The X13-49120.exe you can terminate after launching it once it's created the Vista folder. Atleast thats what I did.

[SonySZ!DamnRight]

Yup, there's problems causing the ISO not to mount! That bows. I guess i'm going to have to download the iso from a torrent or something. i'd search for one, but does anybody know a good site for the torrent?!? If yeah, send it private to just me!

Thanks!

[heartq8]

heartq8

Nice to hear a success story :)
Did all the steps work for you first time? Do I need to make any changes to the guide?

Mujja,

no problem at all and I used different programs for CD buring and editing like ultraISO and Nero micro version. May be you need to but the file size so we know the downloads is correct.

back to my inquiery, if I have the TZ installed is it enough to have Drivers directory under Vista to be add to vLite to do TZ version of Vista?

[Hunningolla]

I downloaded both your package and the one from my support and loaded them both. Then removed duplicates. Was only a couple ones missing from the support one compared to your list.
Also took the support graphics for x3100 and 8400. Did I miss something? Like does the motherboard have different drivers or something? Also is it safe to remove "natural language" in "Components-->System" as it takes 542 mb.
The new vLite is a little bit different than the one you've made the pictures with and gives more options on couple things. This is starting to look good. :D

[heartq8]

Mujja,

I found my other VAIO sz-281p Cingular WWan not working and fn+f1 is not working too.

[ezinfinity]

hey Mujja, would u mind to post the new drivers for Sz6 ie. my SZ is SZ650NC from Canada...

Cuz I am suck in computer..I am struggling about finding GMAX3100 driver, Intel 965chipset, Nvidia 8400 GS, and the Intel wireless AGN drivers,

Also could u also find the Sz bluetooth software that originally used as well?

[Mujja]

ezinfinity

The drivers pack on page 1 has now been updated. The included Intel GMA and WLAN drivers support the SZ's 965GM chipset and the 3945 AGN WLAN adapter

[knight23]

Hey Mujja chappeau for ur gr8 effort
Can I use the 3 links of the Vista to download and install a clean version of windows without integrating drivers, then install drivers in the normal manner. if yes, would I still need to use vlite and build the ISO or wut?

Thanks..

[Mujja]

Can I use the 3 links of the Vista to download and install a clean version of windows without integrating drivers

Follow the guide up to step 3b and you'll have a DVD of Vitsa with all versions.

vlite is only used when integrating drivers. You install directly from the Vista DVD and install drivers after.

One great feature of Vista is you can select a high level folder and Vista will search the sub-folders for drivers. So if you don't integrate drivers into the DVD you only need to download my driver pack, unzip it and then go update drivers for each device in Device Manager by only selecting the top folder.

[knight23]

Thanks a million :)

[yoozef]

If you could upload the integrated ISO for Vista Business it would be great, i just dont know how to extract windows vista from my recovery cd's. Thanks
EDIT: Im also having troubles doing the same thing for XP, i want to run dual boot xp/vista but those recovery cd's are so ****ty sony should be ashamed of themselves, it's the os with all the bloatware or nothing, is there a way to do the same for xp?

[amro]

So, by the end of 3b, have you essentially created a Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD? If so, then if you already have the WAU DVD, could you start from step 4?

[Mujja]

If you already have the WAU DVD, could you start from step 4?

If vlite accepts it then it should work.

vlite looks folders/files on the DVD to modify/replace and add files to, if the structure of the WAU DVD is similar to the original DVD then is should work.

It won't take long to find out as vLite will give an error as soon as you start up the app and start to import files from the WAU DVD.

Post back to let other users know if it worked.

[KryptoRoxx]

Wow......that's all I gotta say. I have horrible luck with doing things like this but you have encouraged me to give it a shot. If this works I will dance a jig because I hate wasting space even if I'm getting a 320 (298) gb drive.

[Mujja]

I have horrible luck with doing things like this but you have encouraged me to give it a shot

:) Follow the guide step-by-step and it will work. Let us know how you get on and hopefully it will encourage more people. It looks difficult but it really is easy to do and saves a lot of time trouble shooting devices later.

[rwaltemyer]

This process worked really well for me on my Sony SZ640 with Vista Home Premium. I was able to create a DVD that performed a clean Vista premium installation with all the drivers in place. It's great except for one problem. The Vista product key that came with the computer is invalid for the new installation, and I'm left with a Windows installation that I can't activate.

[Mujja]

The Vista product key that came with the computer is invalid for the new installation, and I'm left with a Windows installation that I can't activate.

Did you install the same version as you key. The SZ's come with Vista Business.

If you did then then that could mean the downloaded version is Retail and the key on the sticker is OEM, as it is with XP stickers.

Did you add the key in vLite, type it in during Vista install or type in in after Vista install was complete.

[amro]

Ok, let me first thank you, Mujja for posting this setup. This was exactly what I was looking for. I had been waiting on MS to send me the WAU disk and it never showed up and I'm headed back to the UK in about a week for a several months.

I have a SZ680 CTO(configure to order) with Vista business that I purchased in the September time frame. I previously had one of those tiny Sony TR2AP3's which I loved, but it was getting a bit overloaded. I had assumed that this new machine would be a screamer like my desktop. I was extremely dissapointed to find out I had purchased a crap-laden advertisement machine. Shame on both Sony and Microsoft. Now, let me get down from my soap box.

The 680 I ordered was the T7500 with 2G RAM and a 200G 7200RPM hard drive (pretty much close to my desktop configuration).

I followd Mujja's directions and it went extremely easy. The only thing I changed was adding my license in the vLite, so the DVD was specific only to me.

** update: added step 1a **

Before I ran Mujja's setup, I did some pre-install preparation.
1. I created the Sony Vaio Recover DVD's. This should be done whether you plan to do the clean install or not.
1a. Before you wipe out the crap-laden Sony Vista, backup the license key using step 3 from this thread: click here (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783&highlight=clean+vista)
Check out step 3 using Orev's ABR utility. This gets the OEM key that Sony uses and saves it. Do this on a flash drive. Once you install the clean Vista, run Orev's restore utility, and the activation key is restored right then and there with no connection needed.
2. I downloaded and created the Linux System Rescure CD at http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page
. This contains GPARTED which cannot be run by itself on our Vaios. The rescue CD contains a newer kernel and allows our drives to be seen by GPARTED. And it also supports the graphics chipset better.
3. I used GPARTED to repartition the drive in the following configuration:
1: Original Sony recovery partition. (I left this alone, but with the recovery DVD's I will probably delete it)
2: 5G Partition. This is my swap area.
3: 50G Partition. Vista and applications
4: Remaining for my documents.
I will probably redo this tonight and increase the swap area to 6G becuase Windows keeps telling me the disk space is low even though it's only for swap.
I will also remove the recovery partition. So I should be down to a 6G swap partition, 50G OS/App partition and a 144G user partition.

Again, thanks Mujja. This was perfect. I very much appreciate your effort and willingness to help others.

Amro

[Mujja]

Thanks for the comments and feedback Amro, hopefully more people will now give this a go.

As for my disk configuration, my 160GB disk is partitioned as below;
C: 20 GB Vista - OS & Apps
D: 100 GB Media - Documents, Games, Music, Pictures, Video
E: 40 GB Temp - Downloads, Temp

Once I've got a Vista configured the way I want with all the Apps I actuallly use I backup the C: partition using Acronis True Image and save it on an external disk. When Vista gets slow or messed up with other apps/games I install and mess around with I restore using the backup up image and my Media and Temp parts don't get touched.

[rwaltemyer]

Did you install the same version as you key. The SZ's come with Vista Business.

If you did then then that could mean the downloaded version is Retail and the key on the sticker is OEM, as it is with XP stickers.

Did you add the key in vLite, type it in during Vista install or type in in after Vista install was complete.


I purchased my SZ from SonyStyle.com with Home Premium, and my new installation was Home Premium as well. I added the key in vLite. There was a prompt to re-enter the key after the activation failed, but that didn't work either.

I guess my OEM key doesn't work with the downloaded retail version? Or maybe it's that my Premium key doesn't work with the downloaded version? Or should I not have added the key in vLite?

[yoozef]

Is there a download like that for xp version thats compatible with the xp dvds for sz6 series?

[amro]

As far as the activation key is concerned, I got the same issue when I used the license on the bottom of my laptop. I can only call Microsoft to activate it.

However, there is another way. There is another thread on a clean vista install: click here (http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783&highlight=clean+vista)

Check out step 3 using Orev's ABR utility. This gets the OEM key that Sony uses and saves it. Do this on a flash drive before wiping out the crap-laden Sony Vista. Once you install the clean Vista, run Orev's restore utility, and the activation key is restored right then and there with no connection needed.

[amro]

Quick update Mujja,

Camera not working.
Stamina<->Speed Switch not working.
S1&S2 not working.

Working on these issues.

[Mujja]

amro, is there an unrecognised device in Device Manager? If not then the camera driver has been installed successfully. What are you using to test the camera?

FOr the S1,S2 and Stamina<>Speed Switch you have to install the Sony Utils. Have you installed these and in the order specified?

[KryptoRoxx]

Wow....I made the dvd with VLite really easily and I didn't have all the junk that I had before now either. I'm just waiting for my hard drive to get here and then I'll hopefully be able to get everything back online shortly. Is there an office product key finder that someone knows of? I am kinda split up with most of my program disks till I get permanent housing here in Japan. I'm going to make a recovery disk set though before I do anything else.

[amro]

Mujja, just reran the VCC7 install and all is well with the camera.

Working on the other issues, but I've got a question.

On the SonyStyle support site, they have a Sony Notebook Utils 1.0 which includes

- Sony Utils DLL
- Setting Utility Services
- Battery Checker
- VAIO Camera Utility
- VAIO Camera Capture Utility
- VAIO Power Management
- VAIO Event Services
- LAN Setting Utility

No version info on any of these and they don't say what sequence they get installed, but if it's all done at once then I don't think it matter, but they do say "This utility will enable the hotkey functionality."

Now, your utilities zip and utilities extra zip break these out along with their version information. Where did you get that breakdown? Also, there is no mention of the Sony Video Shared Library. I made a backup before all the utils stuff and may try this:

1. Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
2. Sony Video Shared Library (3.1.03.01220)
3. Sony Notebook Utils 1.0

If that doesn't work, I may try your sequence.

Update: This sequence worked great. My S1/S2 works, the Stamina<>Speed works, FN buttons for vol (up,dwn,mute), brightness, screen output all work
FN F1 doesn't, but I haven't installed the SmartWi stuff. I think that's what get attached to FN F1, right?

Update: The SmartWi stuff worked great. It installed the FN F1 control of WWAN, Bluetooth and WLAN albeit with an advertised Sprint button on my desktop (yuk).

Update: I should clarify, that I restarted with a clean Vista install from the DVD created after Mujja's step 3. I then installed the drivers one at a time for all my devices, rebooting each time whether windows said I needed to or not (a good example would be the audio drivers. windows didn't say I needed to reboot, but the device driver didn't show SigmaTel until I rebooted). I then ran my steps 1,2,3 from above to get all but the FN F1 buttons working, and then ran the SmartWi.

I will have a write-up as well on the order in which I did everything for my SZ680.

[yoozef]

I think it's unnecesary to download cdimage.exe and make the iso before integrating the drivers into it. You can just run the x13-49120.exe file and once you get the Folder called C:\Vista you can run vLite use that folder to integrate the drivers into it. Once you're done, you can create ISO adn burn it, no need to waste a DVD

[mohamad398]

Thank you for your post.
Is it possible to give me ftp links instead of the rapidshare.

Also I have two question:

1)Does the guide completely works for sz650? and do all the uploaded drivers sufficient, or I have to find and download some of them directly from sony or microsoft site?

2)Instead of the mentioned link to download the vista, is it possible to use my recovery dvds to install my own vista? if yes, then how? (I have sony sz650 vista business)

Regards

[mtec]

I solved my own problem (stupid newbie question, couldn't get vlite to burn the disc at first), question removed. Thanks.

[TinyRK]

I solved my own problem, question removed. Thanks.


Please post your solution: it might help others with the same issues, too!

And thanks, OP! Great stuff - repped :)

[gilesknap]

Mujja, thanks for this excellent posting.

I have built vista ultimate from my RTM CD plus drivers from the Vaio Support site. My remaining issues are (1) continuing performance hogging from trusted installer.exe and other background processes (widely reported by many users of all types of machines). (2) no control of Fan speed and crippled processor power management (reported by many sony laptop users that have upgraded to Vista)

Before I go ahead with this and rebuild my machine using your instructions, please can you tell me if your fan speed control works?

[mtec]

I have an Asian VGN-SZ583N purchased in Hong Kong and would like to confirm that I finally got the S1/S2 keys, Stamina Switch, and Fn+ buttons working with Amro's order. The utilities included in Mujia's pack did not work for me, so what I did was install Vista Business using the vLited disc, then using the Sony Recovery Discs created in the Sony VAIO Recovery program earlier, I autorun the first disc and it loads the recovery program. Afterwards, I first used the Reinstall Drivers and Programs option of in the Vaio Recovery Center to install the Bluetooth and Nvidia drivers, then used it to install the first two of the following utilities.

1. Sony Shared Library (3.0.00.10180)
2. Sony Video Shared Library (3.1.03.01220)
3. Sony Notebook Utils 1.0

I downloaded a Sony Notebook Utils 1.0 from the US website but when installing, it says my model number does not match, and would stop loading. Hence, after rebooting, I used the VAIO recovery program again with the recovery discs, and simply selected
- Sony Utils DLL
- Setting Utility Services
- Battery Checker
- VAIO Camera Utility
- VAIO Camera Capture Utility
- VAIO Power Management
- VAIO Event Services
- LAN Setting Utility

and installed. Voila! The buttons finally work.

[mtec]

GRR! The camera isn't working in the VAIO Camera Capture Utility. After windows is installed, it first installs a generic USB camera driver. If I update the driver to VCC5, the camera light turns green even if I'm not using it, and when I enter the Capture Utility, the light goes off and there is no image in screen. I've tried the drivers which came with the unit as well to no avail... Any suggestions?

[Mujja]

Your utilities zip and utilities extra zip break these out along with their version information. Where did you get that breakdown? Also, there is no mention of the Sony Video Shared Library.

Each util download is a .exe file. This can be extracted, I used 7-zip, into smaller files which include the usuall setup.exe etc. Among the extracted files view the .txt, or .inf file for drivers, to display the version number.

The Sony Video Shared Library is included in the utils plus pack. I didn't include this in the necessary utills pack as I read somewhere this only installs MP4 codecs. I dont have this util installed and haven't needed it yet.

[Mujja]

I think it's unnecesary to download cdimage.exe and make the iso before integrating the drivers into it. You can just run the x13-49120.exe file and once you get the Folder called C:\Vista you can run vLite use that folder to integrate the drivers into it. Once you're done, you can create ISO adn burn it, no need to waste a DVD

A good tip and something I didn't realise myself.

I do a simialr think when making a nLite build of XP. Just make sure you copy the contents of C:\Vista to another folder before modifying with vLite or you'll have to run x13-49120.exe again to rebuild the C:\Vista folder if you need to restart the process.

[Mujja]

1)Does the guide completely works for sz650? and do all the uploaded drivers sufficient, or I have to find and download some of them directly from sony or microsoft site?

2)Instead of the mentioned link to download the vista, is it possible to use my recovery dvds to install my own vista? if yes, then how? (I have sony sz650 vista business)

Regards

1) It should do, I've included the latest Sony Vista drivers taken from the SZ6 drivers pack and added a few other for compatability with earlier models.

2) They might work, the recovery DVDs are basically a Vista installation DVD with integrated drivers plus other apps/utils. But the point of this guide is to start with a clean Vista image and avoid the Sony software.

[Mujja]

Before I go ahead with this and rebuild my machine using your instructions, please can you tell me if your fan speed control works?

Do you mean the lowering of the CPU fan revolutions via the S button?
I see the pop up telling the the revs have been reduced but I don't notice a difference. I never noticed a difference in XP either.

[Mujja]

The utilities included in Mujia's pack did not work for me

Which utilities, all of them? They are the same utils you would have downloaded from Sony !!

If you followed the guide in the correct order please say at which step you had trouble. If there is an error then it needs to be corrected to save other users the trouble.

[brentp12]

Which utilities, all of them? They are the same utils you would have downloaded from Sony !!

If you followed the guide in the correct order please say at which step you had trouble. If there is an error then it needs to be corrected to save other users the trouble.

I just installed the utilities for my vaio sz660n and followed the process to a T. The buttons don't work, camera doesn't work, update doesn't work, and I can't start the HDD protection program..am I missing something here?

wow my computer can't even detect that I'm using a Vaio, so I can't install any of the updates from the website..someone help me please :-(

[brentp12]

Well, I just got updates to install..here is how I did it:

1. At the command line, type "net stop winmgmt" . You may get a warning that other services need to be stopped as well; type Y and continue.
2. Open Explorer and go to the folder called %SystemRoot%\System32\WBEM\Repository.
3. Delete that folder and everything in it. (This step did not work for me and I had to run services.msc, browse to windows management service and set it to "disabled" in order for it to stop -- I could delete the files after that and then I set the service back to automatic.)
4. Reboot the system normally.
5. On the next login, open a command prompt and type: "winmgmt /resyncperf"

The only difference that I notice is that windows now detects my system information in the system thing. (win+pause) For some reason though, the updates can detect that I am using a vaio now.

[gogogo]

I've a sz680n model, and i followed the steps you posted (and downloaded the files you provided). I installed the vista with the drivers, then installed the Sony Utilities just as the instructions (following the order, rebooting after each utility installed). But i'm having problems: camera doesn't work, fn+f5&f6 (brightness) not working,s1&s2 buttom not working, and the wireless button (on/off) also not working (the speed/stamina buttom is working). What could i be doing wrong? i already tried 3 times, and always the same thing... pls help...

[Die]

I've a sz680n model, and i followed the steps you posted (and downloaded the files you provided). I installed the vista with the drivers, then installed the Sony Utilities just as the instructions (following the order, rebooting after each utility installed). But i'm having problems: camera doesn't work, fn+f5&f6 (brightness) not working,s1&s2 buttom not working, and the wireless button (on/off) also not working (the speed/stamina buttom is working). What could i be doing wrong? i already tried 3 times, and always the same thing... pls help...

I had a 660. Try installing Sony Shared Library FIRST then install Sony Notebook Utilities SECOND. Also I'd advise you go to your model's own drivers page instead of downloading the ones listed in this thread (just my opinion, these might work but I prefer getting them direct from Sony's site).

Your model's page is:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNSZ680N

So basically, do this:

1. Clean Vista Install
2. Install Sony Shared Library (Restart computer as asked)
3. Install Sony Notebook Utilities (Restart computer, you may not be asked to IIRC, but just do it anyway to be safe)
4. Install any other apps in the order you want at this point. Get your Windows Updates too. Brightness keys never work for me until I got the Windows Updates.

That's pretty much it. (I've had to do this process at least six times now on both my SZ660 and TZ computers.)

[gogogo]

I had a 660. Try installing Sony Shared Library FIRST then install Sony Notebook Utilities SECOND. Also I'd advise you go to your model's own drivers page instead of downloading the ones listed in this thread (just my opinion, these might work but I prefer getting them direct from Sony's site).

Your model's page is:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNSZ680N

So basically, do this:

1. Clean Vista Install
2. Install Sony Shared Library (Restart computer as asked)
3. Install Sony Notebook Utilities (Restart computer, you may not be asked to IIRC, but just do it anyway to be safe)
4. Install any other apps in the order you want at this point. Get your Windows Updates too. Brightness keys never work for me until I got the Windows Updates.

That's pretty much it. (I've had to do this process at least six times now on both my SZ660 and TZ computers.)

I just tried what you said ( installed the vista clean, downloaded and installed the drivers from the sony page, installed first the sony shared library, installed the notebook utilities, after that installed the others utilities of the pack mujja provided) and now everything is working!!! thx a lot for helping :)

[KryptoRoxx]

I just wanted to comment on what a great writeup this is. If a Marine can follow the directions and get everything to work then it's top notch ;) The only problem that I am still having is the camera doesn't want to work. In fact it never has since I bought it....but I really don't use it. If anyone knows the secret to fixing the sz220 camera then it would be appreciated but I'm not sweating bullets about it. The only slight issue that I had was that I had a Home Premium Upgrade instead of a full install so I had to use my wife's full install but I can always upgrade her tower which still runs xp when I build it. Thanks much Mujja and everyone that put their part in making this. ONE final question though. Sony Update is no longer recognizing my laptop model. How do I fix that?

Just so people are aware I replaced my hd with a wd 320gb and it is freakin awesome. Very fast and spacious, I created partitions for my media, programs, and a little corner for vista to stay in. Everything works as far as buttons goes and my laptop is so much faster now with this install. Standing ovation required for this one.

Rick

[IBO]

excellent thread

[cristianrana]

hi, i have problems with vlite at startup: when i mount the dvd; after 100% i get an error message: "Error while accessing image, the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable".-
Please help me, i'm stuck here...
thaks.-

[IBO]

Just finished a successful clean install for the first time! Wow! What a great difference! Feels like I bought a new laptop!! a new Vista!!! the preinstalled Vista version + bloatware slow your computer down to a crawl!! thanks for this great guide!

[wkl_lau]

Hi has anyone found the sony apps (i.e: location free player, sonic stage, etc) from the recovery DVD?

[audiofx81]

I made a a lite business disc. I installed but for some reason i got 3 unknown devices and i can not get wifi working. shows the driver for wifi installed no where can i scan or connect to networks. Any ideas?

[Mujja]

Hi audio,

What model is your SZ? Did you make sure all the drivers were integrated correctly. All you needed to do is download the drivers pack from Rapidshare, extract and the click on the highest level folder. vLite would have scanned all subfolders and show a list of drivers. You then had to highlight all the drivers.

It seems like you may have missed this last bit and that's why some devices aren't recognised.

As for the WLAN connection, is the adapter visible in the network adapters page? Go to the Network and Sharing Centre and in the left pane you can select adapters.

[audiofx81]

SZ650N/C. I followed your instruction to the T. I also noticed the wifi driver is different for my model then in your pack. Either way even trying to remove, reinstall (right from sonys site) I couldn't get wifi to work for the life of me.
I did a restore just for yesterday.
Right now im doing a regular vista business fresh install then install the drivers one by one from sonys site. If it runs ok I'll keep it and attempt to make your awesome lite disc at a later date.


EDIT: switch might have been stuck after turning it on and off repeatedly out of frustration it suddenly worked heh.

NEW ISSUES: Fn brightness key only adjusts up and down 1 level. lowest to one bar :(, camera shows installed properly yet sonys capture util says no input (yes i selected the sony camera in settings)

[haley323]

Hi,

First thank you for this. It is really helpful.

I have a SZ-420N (bought in Canada) and I just have a question. In the list of drivers, there is everything for every notebook, but I don't wan to get anything I don't need. What I'd like to know is which one I need to use my laptop to its maximum without ANY junk. Same thing for the utilities in step 6.

Thank you for your help.

[Dead Cell]

Guys I'm new here so hello to you all. :p

I got myself a Vaio SZ61MN and how I wish I hadnt now!

I followed the method where you backup the OEM license and I then installed a clean version of Vista retail version. Restored the OEM license and everything was going fine.

I downloaded all the drivers from Sony's support site and everything was still going good untill I installed ISB Utility! After I installed this now I keep getting a message telling me that the battery connected to my computer might not be compatible etc! And it asks me to click on the OK button and when I do, it hybernates! :confused:

The bizzare thing is, the battery is a Sony battery which came with my laptop and I never had a problem over the last 2 days since I bought it!

I know there are a lot of people complaining about this but from what I read, all of these people are using 3rd party batteries and not an original battery.

I'm baffled as it works fine when I use the recovery CD to re-install Vista but when I do a clean install it keeps throwing this error.

I can disable ISBUtility.exe from starting up and this fixes the problem but I have read that this isnt recommended and that it should be running.

Anybody here have any ideas as to how I can get this utility to work with a clean install?

I would be very grateful and thanks in advance. Bloody SONY! :mad:

[Dead Cell]

Anybody? :(

[Mujja]

No idea what the ISBUtility.exe is. If you've searched and not found and answer elsewhere then you might get more help starting a new thread.

I can only answer questions which are relevant to this thread, sorry.

[felipe2]

Hi, just finished the clean install on my SZ5 - Thanks for your description!

The only problem left now is that there is no vaio recovery utility on my notebook and I would like to install Adobe Acrobat 8 Standard from the recovery dvds. Is there any way to restore the vaio recovery utility or to extract this program from the dvds without the recovery utility?

Thanks!

[superbad]

Hi there, I came across this thread when i was looking for a way to do a clean install of vista without all the crap sony has to offer. i currently have a sz483n, and i had trouble with the first step of your guide.
now when it says that it shows me to download a legal copy of vista, it just wont work, i mean where do i download from? link? i tried clicking on the links that were underneath step 1 but i just kept getting a big fat denied sign on a new browser page. i've tried using both firefox and ie but i get the same result. please help me because im getting terribly frustrated. where do i download vista from!? thanks

[teatime0315]

Hi do the drivers on page one of the thread work with vista 64bit? THANKS :D

[bayourocket]

I agree with superbad.

The links in step 1 do not work for me. I get a message that says you must be logged in.:confused:

[Mujja]

Didn't realise anyone was still using this guide.

The links have now changed, if you look in the Windows section of this forum you'll find a large thread with new links to Vista ISO. I'll update my first page when I'm not at work.

[Mujja]

Hi do the drivers on page one of the thread work with vista 64bit? THANKS :D

No, you'll need 64-bit drivers.

Most of the utlities will work on Vista x64 though.

[coolguy]

Anybody? :(

ISB utility is useless and you can safely uninstall it. It's purpose is to monitor the battery status.

[dieanother]

I followed the tutorial but I had some problems with the memory card reader, the camera, they didn't work. Besides that, I couldn't use the Fn + F3 to turn down the volume on the keyboard. Please help me, thank you

[jamesmckeown]

Hi, great thread.

Just before I started I was wondering if this will work with the Vaio SZ71WN/c?
I'm pretty sure it's very similar to the SZ6

[Mujja]

I followed the tutorial but I had some problems with the memory card reader, the camera, they didn't work. Besides that, I couldn't use the Fn + F3 to turn down the volume on the keyboard. Please help me, thank you

What model is your SZ?

[Mujja]

Hi, great thread.

Just before I started I was wondering if this will work with the Vaio SZ71WN/c?
I'm pretty sure it's very similar to the SZ6

James, I have the same model as you now. I've only this week has a chance to finalise a set of tested and working drivers and utils which I will upload shortly, maybe next 24 hours. The current set of drivers and utils in this guide won't work with the newer hardware. The Bluetooth, card reader and camera etc are different models.

You could use the new set to create an integrated ISO but I'm happy with just a normal install as there isn't much I want to remove. With bigger HDDs, more RAM and faster CPUs it's not like the old days where every MB saved and processes reduced counted.

[Mujja]

James, drivers for SZ7 now uploaded in a new thread, check my sig for the link.

Also, note my updates on page 1. You should download and integrate SP1 via vLite or start with a Vista+SP1 ISO. You won't be able to install SP1 otherwise.

[Dead Cell]

Mujja

I've been following your guides here and you definitely seem to know your way around with laptops and seem very keen to help. I was wondering if you would be so kind to give me some advice.

I've got a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ61MN/B laptop and I've managed to extract my OEM license using this software which I can't remember the name of, and I used a Vista DVD to install a fresh copy of Vista and I have all the drivers and applications on a USB stick which I had downloaded from the Vaio website for my laptop. I returned the extracted OEM Vista license back to the Vaio so that its activated and genuine.

The problem I'm having is installing drivers. Some of the drivers come with a setup.exe file and I am able to easily install these without any problems. But a lot of the drivers dont have a setup.exe file and I don't know how to install them!

To make matters worse there are some drivers that I just don't understand. For example there is a driver called "HDD PROTECTION", and I don't know what kind of hardware this driver is for. Even more confusing, there is an application called "Utils Installer HDD Protection Utility" which I installed but it didn't ask for any drivers! Are these two driver and application related?

So as you can see I'm not very good with installing drivers and I would be ever so gratefull if you could tell me or provide some links or even a guide on how to install drivers.

There is another problem which a lot of people are having with Vaio laptops. After installing the "Battery Checker" and "Battery Care Function" Applications a message keeps popping up saying that the battery installed is not supported by SONY and to press OK to hybernate and replace the battery!...

Going in to task manager and killing the process "ISBmgr.exe" prevents this message from popping up, and then running windows update and installing all the updates that it finds, followed by a restart, seems to eliminate this error and ISBmgr.exe is running fine without any problems. Any ideas why this is?

Its strange because if using the Vaio Recovery CD to return the Vaio back to factory settings, this error does not pop up, even without needing to run Windows Update. It works fine straight out of the box. I'm more curious about this than anything, but it's not a real problem as Windows update seems to take care of it later anyway.

Well Mujja this is getting quite long and I hope I made sense in explaining and hope that you will be able to help me out.

I look forward to hearing from you and would like to thank you in advance for any help which you can provide me with.

Kind regards

DC



My SZ7 drivers post shows how to install drivers, you don't need to run the setup.exe files.

Don't install battery checker, only the battery care function is needed...

Mujja thanks very much for getting back to me. I followed your SZ7 Drivers Guide and I'm very happy to say that I was able to install and update every single driver manually. I just copied the whole Drivers folder to my USB pen drive and manually installed all the drivers provided by Sony within Device Manager. :)

And guess what else? After installing all the drivers as you instructed, followed by the installations of the necessary utilities, the error about the wrong battery being used no longer pops up! I have decided to not install Battery Checker as you suggested as so many others have. If only the battery did die or something then it would at least give me an excuse to buy the extended battery! :laugh:

I thought I'd post this here as I know there are other people out there who have, and probably are still having, the same problems as I did, and whilst I did find lots of sites out there showing how to install drivers, none of them were as simple and quick as as Mujja's guide.

Thanks to you Mujja, problem solved! :notworthy:

Kind regards

DC

[Mujja]

Thanks for the update, happy it all worked for you.

Which drivers did you use, the driver's on page 1 or the SZ7 drivers from my other thread, or a mix.

Would be useful for other SZ6 owners to know.

If you had to add a few drivers of your own let me know which versions and we could create an SZ6 driver pack.

[azerty]

SZ460N/C
vlite_6.jpg pic is missing.
On the step 4 you gave us the order in which we should install the drivers
But in 5j you proposed to integrate the drivers in vlite. How can I place the order to install the drivers? Or i should not do that and will install the drivers after installation of vista?
Thank you

[Griffon783]

Hi Muj,

I'm having a few difficulties after my fresh install of 32-bit Vista. I have a Sony VGN-SZ650N/C. I created an install disk with drivers integrated from the zip file on the first page of this thread. After installing vista, I installed the 10 sony utilities in the order described. I did not install the additional utilities. Once I installed the utilities, I updated all of the drivers using the SZ7 drivers, including the Nvidia driver. I also had previously extracted Click to DVD, WinDVD, and Roxio from my recovery CD's, and I installed them after updating all my drivers. All 3 of the programs work just fine, and everything else works fine except for the following.

1) Brightness Function keys are not working
2) S1 and S2 buttons are not working
3) Webcam isn't working in the Sony Video capture utility.

I'm not sure what the problem is since I followed the write-up exactly. Can you help? Do you have any ideas?

Thanks for your time.

[desean]

mirrors of the files as follows:


SZ drivers (updated 31 Dec) for Vista (http://sonydrivers.desean.net/SZ_Drivers__31_Dec_.zip)
must install utilities (http://sonydrivers.desean.net/SZ_Utilities__7_Nov_.zip)
extra utlities (http://sonydrivers.desean.net/SZ_Utilities_Plus__7_Nov_.zip)


thanks to Mujja for making this possible :D