Reinstalling Sony VAIO

Initially, when you buy Sony VAIO notebook, you get things setup as Sony sees them fit. You have C and D partitions, both with 40+GB, and a hidden partition of 7GB, which is factory-restore partition. All this on 100GB disk (which is actually 93GB if you count 1024 instead of 1000 for kB).

On those partitions, there’s amazing amount of software installed, both Sony’s own and from partner deals. Adobe, Symantec, Office 2003 trial, lots of other shareware…Out of all of that, I had use for…none. I don’t need security-encrypted folders, I don’t need biometric login, I certainly don’t need Norton’s crap etc.
The only software that seemed to be of some use was Intervideo WinDVD for VAIO (v5.0). It would be useful if it wasn’t 2-speakers only edition. :( Since I have 5.1 speakers connected to VAIO over Creative Live! 24bit sound card, this was useless and I de-installed it.

It really is shame that Microsoft is not providing DVD decoder for the Windows. For all you MacOSX owners out there, if you didn’t know – Windows can’t play DVD movies on its own. You need to purchase DVD player that has the decoder: Cyberlink PowerDVD, Intervideo WinDVD and lots of others.

To cut the story short – I decided to reinstall Windows, remove the hidden partition and resize the C and D to what I like. Heh…not a small feat to do.

Preparation

Sony does not provide any CDs with the notebook. Everything is located on the recovery partition and if you want to reinstall, you start the particular Sony app which restart the machine and reinstalls from there. Another option is to backup the recovery partition to 2 DVDs (or 9 CDs) and boot from disk 1. Actually, one of the systray apps that Sony sets up is constantly reminding you to do that backup. For £1,550, I should have received that in the package.

Ok, with two DVDs ready, I rebooted and started the process. Sony’s disk management app that greets you is very nice. The only restriction it puts on you is that C partition can’t be smaller than 25GB presumably so that software heap I described has enough room to install. It’s clear and straight forward, at least for me. I was quickly done here, removing recovery partition and creating C (25GB) and D (rest). That’s my usual setup – I keep all my files on D, which is nice for backup purposes.

The US version of this software allows you to pick each application you want to install. The UK version does not (and I assume all other european versions too). You can’t pick anything, restore simply starts. Regular Windows setup, nicely branded with Sony graphics (I wonder how much this kind of deal costs). Restart and then it continues with the disk 1 still in. All programs after first disk finishes

After it finishes…

At some point, it requested for the second disk, but I declined that and killed the restore application. I guessed that all the bloat is on the second disk.
Well…

Adobe Acrobat Elements
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
Adobe Reader Update 7.0.3
Adobe Reader Update 7.0.2
Adobe Reader Update 7.0.1
Adobe Reader 7.0 restart?!
Google Toolbar for IE
Norton Internet Security 2005 restart
Norton Security Center (offensive piece of sh*t)
SafeGuard PrivateDisk 1.00.6 Try and Buy restart
Yahoo Messenger 8.0
Several wallpapers in 20 different sizes
Intervideo WinDVD for VAIO

That’s what’s installed from the first disk only. I removed all of those and noted which of them asked for restart. Adobe Reader asks for restart. Reader. Just an ordinary reader. Has Adobe bought Real Networks program managers maybe? And the fact that each update is separately listed in the Control Panel… Utterly disgusting. Pure example of how absolute monopoly often leads to bad software.

VAIO apps

Along with bloatware, a whole bunch of small utilities are installed. SZ has two buttons, two switches, integrated camera at the top, lots of Fn-key-combination (mute, volume up/down, brightness up/down, display picker, zoom, sleep). All this is supported through a series of small utilities.

Most of these are best left untouched, believe me. I tried to remove some of them and ended with half of those functions not working. I tried for two days to somehow restore just the stuff I removed, but no chance – another reinstall was the only option. Anything that even remotely smells of utility or driver – do not touch.

How it should be

I have no problem with Sony offering all these apps. Really. The fact that I don’t use them does not mean that someone else wouldn’t. The issue I have is with the restore app. If I’m reinstalling, it should give me the clear and easy choice to pick what I need. Easy.

If this option exists in US version, why not in all versions?

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Voices from the crowd, 30 so far

Can you please upload the recovery disk?
i deleted my recovery partition and is now in need of recovery disk, cant buy it since sony doesnt ship to Canada from the states

by x1kc
2 weeks, 4 days after the post

Recovery disk is 9GB, which I can’t possibly upload with my Internet connection. Take a look at the this thread, it might help you, as this guy uploaded almost everything to RapidShare.

by Aleksandar
2 weeks, 4 days after the post

Where I get recovery disk for vaio vgc-h71b?
i deleted my recovery partition in Windows XP Home Edition (Japanese) and is now upgrade to Windows XP Professional SP2 (English) but sound not hear. Please help me.

by teken
2 weeks, 6 days after the post

how can i remove the recovery partition?

by jay
3 weeks, 5 days after the post

I however am having problems deleting my C: partition in order to reinstall windows… even though i’m booting from CD! So how can I convince my VAIO laptop that I don’t need the setup files from C: so that i can delete the partition, then recreate a C and D and install in C again… help!
thanks
V.

by V
2 months, 2 weeks after the post

i have a sony vaio laptop currently on win2k professional, and i need to do a system restore but i have no sony discs, with is it possible to do it without? and if yes how?.

by craig
2 months, 2 weeks after the post

Hi, I bought a Sony VAIO VGN FE880E, it just come with an incredible amount of software and most are trial!
This is ridiculous. I will really not buy any Sony stuff anymore.
I will try to do what this guy did with his notebook:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=44587
I don’t have the same notebook he has, but I guess it will work the same way.
Hopefully it will.
Jesus Christ, it comes with Corel stuff, napster and even SQL Server…
wtf with this man.

by Jonathan
2 months, 2 weeks after the post

HELP!! i own a VGN-FS30 VAIO notebook and my problem is, it’s OS. Windows XP home ed., japanese version. i cldnt understand a thing, so i bought a Windows XP pro, hoping to upgrade it. All turn to vain since i don’t know how to install it. there’s always a window popping up that says i cldnt install it. Once a friend installed it for me, we found out that the media sound was gone and the window screen turns smaller than the actual monitor size.
cld anybody help me w/ this problem? Upgrading the Jap home edition to XP pro english ed. w/ all the programs intact?
(by the way, that friend who helped me b4 is not in japan anymore.)

by guing
2 months, 3 weeks after the post

A friend gave me her sony viao laptop (pcg-fr130) because she hasn’t used it for quite sometime now. It is password protected and she don’t remember it. How do I reboot the computer? Or how do I do System Recovery? Please help.

by Maria
3 months, 1 week after the post

i got a sony vaio vgn-fs215b. Somebody installed xp pro on it and am unable to get sound. Also i want to restore it to its factory setting, i still have the recovery partition but there is no revovery wizard.. How can i do this!!!!! PLEASE HELP

by Iqbal
3 months, 1 week after the post

yes, i paid 2500 euro for a useless notebook

I can not here more it’s cooling ventilating system working all time

It is permanently overheat

Regarding software? sorry, but when i buyed it it needs 3 min to start

Huge useless software : all the software —trialware is loaded on this notebook: next time i suggest to sony to put more trialware on it, so it will take 10 min to start

I delete the recovery part on cd, i reinstall xp, (i take i 386 folder from the c after install from the original cd and i create a new cd without all this trialware but only with xp ) , now i shall > : good start up, 30 sec required but the ventilator is working all time, i have to protect my ears.

2699 euro please i buy this useless notebook

by APOSTOLOS VINIERIS
4 months, 1 week after the post

hey teken…download this file…its HD Audio QFE (KB835221-20040818)…go to this page and click the KB835221.exe link in the article and you can download the file…then your computer will recognize your sound card…and your VAIO will have sound…

by jonathon
4 months, 3 weeks after the post

I’ve heard something called vista install disk, but I’m not sure exactly what that is or is that really what I want. I’m looking for a installation or re-installation disk for VAIO laptop. I got the virus a year ago. So I rebooted my laptop, but then it runs slower than before. I called the comp mechanic man and he told me to make recovery disks before rebooting my laptop, which I did, but it didn’t help much. Not only it runs slower, my laptop is malfunctioning, and the DVD burner drive thingie doesn’t even work anymore. My sister had the same problem with the viruses as I do, but her HP laptop came with a installation disk. So she didn’t have to reboot her laptop. Her laptop is as good as new after she installed the disk. Base on what I’ve read, there’s no installation disk for VAIO. But can someone please, please, please tell me that such disk really existed for Sony VAIO laptop. If so do you know where I can buy it? Perhaps at best buy or electronical fry per se? Thanks in advance. Beside the nice screen resolution, VAIO sucks. It makes me mad whenever I think of my malfunction laptop and the price I had to pay.. which was 4,000 and something not including tax.

by Ann
4 months, 3 weeks after the post

I have a sony vaio laptop fs215b and have put vista on it .It works well and i have never had probs even when it was xp . With sony u must make a copy disk . Its a must if you want to reboot .And keep it safe ok .But you can find drivers on the net and theres a recovery down load at the sony site

by ROSS
5 months after the post

hi i got a problem wit my laptop its vaio VGN-S56GP/S
actually i formatted my laptop n installed another windows n so all the sony vaio functions are not working.. now i want to get back to vaio software n i do hv recovery disk..
so now tat i hv installed other windows is it possible to use recovery disk to get back to my original vaio???
neone havin idea pl reply me on my mail id

by sharad patel
5 months, 3 weeks after the post

i had to reinstall my vaio, but the intervideo windvd is lost. Where can i download it? Please help me!
joão, from Brasil

by joão felix
6 months after the post

I recently got the new Sony Vaio and it came with Windows Vista. Well, my boyfriend wanted to have windows xp on the notebook so he wiped the harddrive clean of all programs and started over. Well when he did this he took off all of the Sony viao information. Now we can’t get any of the Sony drivers to work. When I went to the Sony website it stated that it does not offer the Windows XP drivers for my sony because it would be downgrading. I need help. I can’t use any of the sony applications that are on my computer. I also can’t access the internet because of this. Can anyone help?

by Amy
6 months, 1 week after the post

Amy, you can try browsing through Sony’s support page, find SZ series, and then pick one of the older models (like mine) which came with WinXP. Then pickup whatever drivers they have there and try with them.

Problem is, Sony does not offer all of them for download, and usually you need to dive into notebookreview.com Sony forum, read stuff, search for what you need. Often someone else knows where it is located and can be downloaded.

All this with keeping in mind that SZ innards are still the same as before, otherwise drivers might work. You can only try, or get Vista back.

by Aleksandar
6 months, 1 week after the post

I am hoping someone can help me. I am very computer challeneged and need help! I have a sony Vaio tr3a series that had version5.1 service pk 2 on it. knowing nothing about computers, I had someone else work on it. long story short I had to reformatt my HD and reinstall windows XP. they used a retail version. They said I should have backup disk for recovery but I did not get disk with comp. they wiped out the partition with the recovery stuff on it and now my camera won’t work. Sony help desk said I need to re-install the smart capture software. Does any one know where I can get a copy of this software or a set of recovery disks? I just lost my job and can’t afford to buy them from Sony. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need US version. Thanks

by evelyn
10 months, 1 week after the post

having the same problem with a VAIO FGNFS21B.
it had a japanese OS, and was slow. I reformated the HD, and instaled a new windows XP french edition.
everything worked but the sound, until I got some realtek drivers from the japanese sony site. BUT alas, I cannot find video drivers.
non japanese sony support can’t help because the machine is a japanese model, japanese sony support won’t help because the OS has changed. maye i shouldn’t have deleted that recovery partition but anyway, what’s done is done. and now i’m lost, my only hope is to either buy japanese recovery CD’s for this model, but with not garantee that the video drivers will work with a french XP OS, or to find compatible video drivers elsewhere.
right now the screen resolution is lousy and i can’t get full screen apps etc…
the vaio keyboard special keys would be nice as well, but where can i find all he VGN FS21B drivers or compatible ones ?
no clue.…

by BEN
10 months, 2 weeks after the post

i have sony VGN-TX17GP MODEL. last week my syste sufferd with a seroius virus problem and was not able to start . so i formatted my system.my windows Xp home edition now upgraded to windows xp professional sp2. I HAVE DOWNLOADED SOUND DRIVER FROM SONY WEBSITE. but i am unable to install it as warning comes that windows do not support it..i am unable to hear any sound… please help me

by amit
10 months, 3 weeks after the post

Hi, I just bought an FZ21Z VAIO notebook and I had a problem running VAIO recovery to make resque disks. It seems there was a conflict or a bad inatallation, because it didn’t run and gave a message saying “Failed to create empty document”.

I want to give it a shot to install XP, but if it doesn’t work I’ll have to recover it. Not being able to use VAIO recovery, can I somehow get the information from the recovery partition to a dvd? What seems to be a recovery partition, is partition of 15 GB that has no drive letter assigned. How do I get into it?

by Tagar
11 months, 1 week after the post

There isn’t any choice of which software you wish to install during recovery in US version. I had SZ 650NC from US and I had to break installation similar to you. You can only REinstall this software after recovery. There is a choice but if you won’t break recovery you’ll have all installed anyway.

by kmin
1 year after the post

Boot your notebook using Boot-CD (PartitionMagic Boot-CD or Hirens BootCD)
use:
fdisk /x (advanced mode) for deleting partitions
pqmagic for creating partitions

Regards,
WM

by Remove Sony Vaio recovery partition
1 year after the post

I have lost my sound completely after reinstalling my sony viao notebook. Can anyone advise me as to how I could get this fixed?

by George
1 year, 2 months after the post

by Ota Marcio
1 year, 2 months after the post

hi
i got recovery disk but it is showingme some error at the end like
“Image file not found ” start recovery again.

Please help me to resolve this error.

Thanks
Adi

by adi
1 year, 3 months after the post

i have a vgn-fz145e — and its been nothing but a nightmare — problems all they time — they’ve rebuilt it — still broken but they wont replace it — i call every 2 weeks or so…sony sucks my computer sucks — what can i do?

by kristin
1 year, 4 months after the post

Zdravo druže!
Pisaću po “naški” zbog bolje komunikacije…Imam Sony VAIO VGN-S5XP i izbriso sam onu “neviđenu” particiju…Nemam nikakvih backup diskova,a najveći mi problem što mi FN tipka ne radi a mnogo mi znači…Ako imaš kakvo rešenje da bi mi pomoglo,bio bi ti mnogo zahvalan ili kad bi mogo de da dobijem te restore CD-je ili DVD-je…Sve najbolje i Pozdrav!

by Alix
1 year, 4 months after the post

Svaki restore CD je mislim jedinstven, tačnije zavisi dosta od čipova koji se koriste, pa teško da bih mogao da ti pomognem. Ja Sony više ni nemam (imam MacBook Pro) tako da nisam u mogućnosti da pomognem.

by Aleksandar
1 year, 4 months after the post

Comments are now closed. I probably thought there was nothing more to say.

Reinstalling Sony VAIO

Preparation

After it finishes…

VAIO apps

How it should be

Voices from the crowd, 30 so far

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