Windows® 7 Clean Install Instructions for Windows® 8 PCs

This document provides the steps to perform a Clean Install of the Microsoft® Windows® 7 operating system on applicable VAIO® computer models which originally shipped with Windows 8. This process will take 1 - 2 hours to complete.

What is a Clean Install?

A Clean Install formats the hard drive before installing the operating system. All user data, files, and settings are erased and a new copy of the operating system is installed. A data backup (to an external drive or media, such as a flash drive or DVD) will be required to save desired files, such as documents, music and pictures. Existing software on your computer will also be lost and need to be reinstalled. A Clean Install is necessary when downgrading from Microsoft® Windows® 8 to the Windows 7 operating system.

STEP 1 - Getting Started

Please print and carefully read this document before you begin. It is recommended that you keep it on hand for reference while you are installing Windows 7.

Backup your Data

• WARNING! The Clean Install process removes all current content such as files, programs, etc. from your hard drive.
• It is strongly recommended that you backup any data you want to save to an external drive or media, such as a flash drive, 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 7 you are installing from the "Operating System" drop-down menu.
3. Download and save the following drivers to an external drive or media, such as a CD, DVD or Memory Stick:
4. • Audio
   • Bluetooth®
   • Chipset - Located under "Motherboard"
   • Memory Stick
   • Memory Card Reader/Writer
   • Modem
   • Network
   • Notebook Control Device - Located under "Notebook Control and Utilities"
   • Sony Notebook Utilities
   • Sony Shared Library - Located under "System Components"
   • Video
   • Wireless LAN

Keep the external drive or media nearby. You will need to install these drivers after you have installed Windows 7.

STEP 2 - Install & Setup Windows 7

Changing the Boot Mode for Windows 8 UEFI systems to Legacy mode

1. With the computer powered off, press the Assist button to enter the VAOCare Rescue Mode Boot screen.
2. Select the ?Start BIOS setup [F2]' option to proceed to the system BIOS.
3. Once inside the InsydeH2O Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select the ?Boot' list.
4. With the ?Boot Mode' option selected, press enter to change the setting from UEFI to Legacy.
5. Use the arrow keys to proceed to the ?Exit' menu.
6. Select the ?Save Changes' option and press Enter.
7. After saving the changes, select Shutdown.

Installing the Operating system

1. With the computer powered off, press the Assist button to enter the VAOCare Rescue Mode Boot screen.
2. Insert the bootable Windows 7 CD in the optical drive.
3. Select the ?Start from media (USB device/optical disc) [F11] option to proceed.
4. Click "Install now."
   
   
5. At the "Microsoft Software License Terms" screen, read the license terms. If you agree, click "I accept the license terms".
6. Click "Custom (advance)" at the "Which type of installation do you want" screen.
7. Choose "Disk 0 Partition 2 (C:)" and click "Next" at the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen.
   
   
8. Click OK at the "Install Windows" box to confirm the selection.
   
   
9. The Installation of Windows 7 begins. This process may take 1-2 hours to complete, please do not interrupt or power off your computer.
10. Set up the following options at the "Set Up Windows" screen and click "Next".
11. 1. Country or region
    2. Time and currency
    3. Keyboard layout
12. Enter the desired user name and click "Next".
13. Enter a password and a password hint. Note: Write down your password information and keep it in a safe place for future reference.
14. Enter the Product key at the "Type your Windows product key" screen and click "Next".Note: The product key came with your retail copy of Windows 7. It is 25 characters long.
15. Click "User recommended settings" at the "Help protect your computer and improve Windows automatically" screen.
16. At the "Review your time and date settings" screen, setup your Time zone, Date and Time and then click "Next".
17. If applicable, select your wireless network then click "Next" and continue to step 17, or you can click "Skip" and go to step 20.
18. Select the network location at the "Select your computer's current location" screen.
19. Select the type of files that you want to share (Pictures, Videos, Documents, Music, Printers) and create a homegroup password at the "Share with other home computers running Windows 7" screen.
20. Click "Next".
21. The computer will now restart into Windows 7. Please continue with the "Install Sony Drivers" section below.

STEP 3 - 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 driver files to your computer:

1. Insert or attach the external media to which you copied the Windows 7 drivers that you downloaded.
2. Copy the files to a local directory on your computer.
3. Install one file at a time.
4. To install a file, double-click the file and carefully follow the on-screen instructions.

IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that you install the files in the following order:

1. Audio Driver
2. • Enables sound for the notebook speakers.
   • Resolves the "PCI Device" or "Audio" error that may appear in Device Manager.
3. Bluetooth Driver
4. • Enables the computer to connect to Bluetooth enabled equipment.
   • Resolve the "BCM2046 Bluetooth Device" or "UGX" error that may appear in Device Manager if the driver is uninstalled.
5. Chipset Driver
6. • Enables the motherboard to communicate with other hardware devices.
   • Resolves the "SM Bus controller" error that may appear in Device Manager.
7. Memory Stick
8. • Enable use of Sony memory cards (e.g. SD (secure digital) cards).
   • Resolves the "Base System Device" error that may appear in Device Manager.
9. Memory Card Reader/Writer
10. • Enable the use of external memory cards such as SD and MMC (secure digital/multimedia cards).
11. Modem
12. • Enables to computer to use a dial-up connection.
    • Resolves the "Modem Device" or "High Definition Audio Bus" error that may appear in Device Manager.
13. Network
14. • Enables the computer to connect to a network.
    • Resolves the "Ethernet Controller" error that may appear in Device Manager.
15. Video
16. • Enables the computer to show an improved display / resolution quality.
    • Resolves the "Video Controller" error that may appear in Device Manager.
17. Wireless LAN
18. • Enables connection with a wireless network and other wireless devices.
    • Resolves the "Network Controller" error that may appear in Device Manager.
19. Sony Shared Library
20. • Required for other Sony applications (Notebook Utilities) to function correctly.
21. Notebook Control Device
22. • Installs essential system components that enable Sony utilities (Notebook Utilities) to run properly.
23. Sony Notebook Utilities
24. • Installs the VAIO software component required for Function keys operation.
    • Note: 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 7 is complete.

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