Commodity ID : S1F0507 / Last Modified : 09/22/2009

Make clean Install Instructions for Windows® 7

This certificate provides the steps and information necessary to perform a Make clean Install of the Microsoft® Windows® 7 operating organization on applicative VAIO® figurer models. This process will take i - ii hours to complete. Windows 7 Logo

What is a Clean Install?

A Clean Install formats the hard drive before installing the operating organisation. All user data, files, and settings are erased and a new copy of the operating system is installed. A information backup (to an external drive or media, such as a flash drive or DVD) will exist required to save desired files, such as documents, music and pictures. Existing software on your estimator will too exist lost and need to be reinstalled.

When should I do a Clean Install?

A Clean Install is necessary when upgrading straight from Microsoft® Windows® XP to the Windows vii operating system.

If the Microsoft® Windows Vista® operating system is currently installed on your figurer, yous have the option to perform a Clean Install or, if you would like to go along your settings and applications, follow the Windows vii Upgrade Instructions instead.

Additional Data

Read of import information from Microsoft about upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 or upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Table of Contents

  • Stride 1 - Getting Started
  • STEP 2 - Install & Setup Windows 7
  • Pace iii - Install Sony® Drivers

Stride 1 - Getting Started

Please print and carefully read this certificate before you begin. Information technology is recommended that y'all keep this document on-hand for reference while you are installing Windows 7.

  • If you have non already, you will need to purchase a retail copy of the Windows 7 operating system. Use the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor tool to determine which version y'all can install.
  • If you have changed the configuration of your computer, delight review the Windows 7 organisation requirements provided past Microsoft to ensure compatibility.

Backup your Data

  • WARNING! The Make clean Install process removes all electric current content such as files, programs, etc. from your difficult bulldoze.
  • It is strongly recommended that you fill-in any data you want to save to an external bulldoze or media, such equally a flash bulldoze, Memory Stick® media or DVD.

Download Drivers

  1. Go to the Drivers & Software page for your VAIO computer model.
  2. Select the version of Windows seven you lot are installing from the "Operating System" drop-down carte.
  3. Download and salvage the following drivers to an external drive or media, such as a CD, DVD or Retention Stick:
    • Sound
    • Bluetooth®
    • Chipset - Located nether "Motherboard"
    • Memory Stick
    • Retentiveness Carte du jour Reader/Writer
    • Modem
    • Network
    • Notebook Control Device - Located nether "Notebook Command and Utilities"
    • Sony Notebook Utilities
    • Sony Shared Library - Located under "Organisation Components"
    • Video
    • Wireless LAN

Please proceed the external drive or media almost by. Y'all will need to install these drivers after you lot have installed Windows 7.


Pace 2 - Install & Setup Windows 7


  1. Turn on your computer. Make certain your computer is continued to an Air conditioning power outlet; do not apply battery power.
  2. Make sure the reckoner has an active Internet connection.
  3. Insert the Window 7 disc that came with your retail version of Windows 7.
  4. Click "Run setup.exe" in the "AutoPlay" box.

  5. If the "User Account Command" appears click the Go on button, otherwise skip to step 6.
  6. Click "Install now".

  7. Click "Get online to get the latest updates for installation (recommended)".

    Note: An agile Cyberspace connection is required for the installation process.

  8. At the "Microsoft Software License Terms" screen, read the license terms. If y'all hold, click "I accept the license terms".
  9. Click "Custom (accelerate)" at the "Which type of installation do you want" screen.
  10. Cull "Disk 0 Partition 2 (C:)" and click "Next" at the "Where exercise you lot desire to install Windows?" screen.

    IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that you exercise not select to change or modify the "Disk 0 Partition one: Recovery".

    "Disk 0 Partition 1: Recovery" is where the original operating organisation is stored in example a recovery to the original system configuration needs to exist performed.

  11. Click OK at the "Install Windows" box to confirm the selection.

  12. The Installation of Windows 7 begins. This process may take ane-two hours to complete, please do not interrupt or power off your computer.

    Note: The computer will automatically restart one time the installation portion of Window 7 is complete. Later on the computer restarts please continue to step 13.

  13. Prepare the following options at the "Prepare Upward Windows" screen and click "Next".
    • State or region
    • Time and currency
    • Keyboard layout
  14. Enter the desired user name and click "Next".
  15. Enter a countersign and a password hint.

    Note: Write down your countersign information and continue information technology in a prophylactic place for future reference.

  16. Enter the Product key at the "Type your Windows production key" screen and click "Next".

    Note: The product key came with your retail re-create of Windows seven. Information technology is 25 characters long.

  17. Click "User recommended settings" at the "Assist protect your computer and improve Windows automatically" screen.
  18. At the "Review your time and appointment settings" screen, setup your Fourth dimension zone, Date and Time so click "Next".
  19. If applicable, select your wireless network then click "Next" and continue to pace xx, or you can click "Skip" and go to step 23.
  20. Select the network location at the "Select your estimator'due south current location" screen.
  21. Select the type of files that you desire to share (Pictures, Videos, Documents, Music, Printers) and create a homegroup countersign at the "Share with other dwelling house computers running Windows vii" screen.
  22. Click "Side by side".
  23. The computer will now restart into Windows seven. Please continue with the "Install Sony Drivers" section beneath.

Footstep iii - Install Sony Drivers

Although your computer may work with the drivers that come with the Windows 7 operating system, the following files are provided by Sony to improve compatibility for certain functions.

Copy and install the commuter files to your computer:

  1. Insert or attach the external media to which yous copied the Windows vii drivers you downloaded from the eSupport web site.
  2. Copy the files to a local directory on your figurer.
  3. Install one file at a time.
  4. To install a file, double-click the file and carefully follow the on-screen instructions.

Important: Information technology is strongly recommended that you lot install the files in the post-obit club:

  1. Audio Driver
    • Enables sound for the notebook speakers.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "PCI Device" or "Sound" error that may appear in Device Managing director.
  3. Bluetooth Driver
    • Enables the estimator to connect to Bluetooth enabled equipment.
    • Resolve the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "BCM2046 Bluetooth Device" or "UGX" fault that may appear in Device Manager if the driver is uninstalled.
  5. Chipset Driver
    • Enables the motherboard to communicate with other hardware devices.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "SM Passenger vehicle controller" mistake that may appear in Device Manager.
  7. Memory Stick
    • Enable utilize of Sony retentiveness cards (e.g. SD (secure digital) cards).
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "Base Arrangement Device" error that may appear in Device Director.
  9. Retention Card Reader/Author
    • Enable the use of external memory cards such every bit SD and MMC (secure digital/multimedia cards).
  11. Modem
    • Enables to reckoner to use a dial-upward connection.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "Modem Device" or "High Definition Audio Bus" error that may appear in Device Managing director.
  13. Network
    • Enables the computer to connect to a network.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "Ethernet Controller" fault that may appear in Device Manager.
  15. Video
    • Enables the computer to evidence an improved display / resolution quality.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "Video Controller" error that may appear in Device Manager.
  17. Wireless LAN
    • Enables connection with a wireless network and other wireless devices.
    • Resolves the Device Manager Exclaimation Point Error "Network Controller" fault that may appear in Device Manager.
  19. Sony Shared Library
    • Required for other Sony applications (Notebook Utilities) to function correctly.
  21. Notebook Command Device
    • Installs essential system components that enable Sony utilities (Notebook Utilities) to run properly.
  23. Sony Notebook Utilities
    • Installs the VAIO software component required for Role keys operation.
    • Annotation: Even after installing this file, the Brightness, Monitor Output and Zoom Function keys may not work.

After the Sony drivers are installed, the Clean Install process for Windows vii is complete.

Optional: Use the Microsoft Piece of cake Transfer tool to migrate settings and files from another computer.

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