Windows 7: Toshiba Bluetooth on Sony VAIO VGN-SZ48GN

At the moment I'm looking after a Sony VAIO VGN-SZ48GN with Windows Vista Business 32-bit preinstalled and am looking to in-place upgrade this to Windows 7 Professional 32-bit.

Currently the machine has the Toshiba Bluetooth stack installed and Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor says that for some Bluetooth components it doesn't know if there is an update for Windows 7 and for others that there is a "free" update available from the manufacturer ("Toshiba").

However I know that updates from Toshiba are free only for Toshiba laptops and Sony has no sight of a Windows 7 driver anywhere. I think based on the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor that I have version 5.0 of the Toshiba Bluetooth stack currently installed.

Does anyone have any experience upgrading these VAIO machines to Windows 7? Will Bluetooth work seamlessly after an upgrade or is there more to it?

Bluetooth is the only reason that I'm wary of upgrading to Windows 7, otherwise the upgrade advisor gives a completely clean bill of health.

Any thoughts based on real experience appreciated. Thanks!

Bump - any thoughts?

Hi,
As expected the Toshiba Bluetooth Stack did not work after upgrading to Windows 7. I downloaded the Windows 7 version from Toshiba and then had to go into the Microsoft Device manager and right click to update drivers online (twice). This worked even though Toshiba stated the download is for their computers only.

Problem will be that Toshiba have placed a 30 day evaluation period in the driver with no option to purchase the full license. They seem to be trying it on with a survey as to whether we would pay for a license. I suppose depending on the response will determine if they make the driver free or not.

Ian,

Have you tried using the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack on Windows 7? Does that work?

Ali

No, as far as I understand the Microsoft Bluetooth Stack only works with a USB connection.

Yes, you are correct. I overlooked that detail.

Basically bad news for all VAIO owners who are SOL on Windows 7 drivers.

Even worse is that Windows 7 Upgrade Adviser says that Toshiba makes a free update available so an upgrade should be okay, but that is actually misleading as the Toshiba update is only for Toshiba branded computers.

As I have yet to hear of a success case, I have no choice but to keep this laptop running Vista. All other components/software will work on Windows 7 - except Bluetooth (which is being used for Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse)

The Toshiba Bluetooth stack did work on my Viao despite the claim it only worked for their machines (although I also had to go into the Control Panel Device Driver, twice, and perform an online driver upgrade). Potential problem is that Toshiba have put a 30 day time limit on the stack with no option at the moment to purchase a license.

I guess I should have been more explicit, when I said it was only for Toshiba branded laptops I meant that it would work on others but I don't count it really as a working solution because after 30 days you're SOL and can't extend (not even by paying).

With my Sony Vaio VGN-TZ21XN I was facing the same problem. After downloading Bluetooth Stack 7.00.10 from Toshiba it installed fine, but said it had expired. In Diagnostrics nevertheless I could see that the driver worked and could connect to my GPS. I have uninstalled the Bluetooth Stack 7.00.10 from Toshiba completely and rebooted. The Bluetooth radio is automatically recognized by Windows 7 and drivers are installed. I have tried to install Broadcom BT but that doesn't work. But BlueSoleil version 6 (trial) does. It installs and I can communicate with my GPS. For me that was the issue and it works, so now I will wait for a definitive solution. I don't know if other BT devices can be connected, but it is worth trying.
BlueSoleil

Lex

Interesting, so this means that Windows 7 with BlueSoleil seems to be a working combination for VAIO laptops.

Has anyone else had success with this? My main interest is in getting a Logitech DiNovo Edge keyboard+mouse combo to work on Windows 7, don't need any of the advanced bluetooth profiles really.