Solved Function keys don't work after clean install

[SamuelGE]

On my Sony VAIO I reinstalled windows after some problems and now my brightness Fn keys don't work, display output, hibernate or any others.
How can I make them work?

Thank you


Sent from my iPhone using SevenForums app

 

[karlsnooks]

Samuel,
You can go to the sony site and fetch the appropriate download for your computer.

Just find the list of downloads for your computer, read the descriptions and pick the ones you need.

 

[gregrocker]

Hi again Samuel -

Are there missing drivers in Device Manager after doing all of your Important and optional Windows Updates? Which drivers?

As it says in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 you should import these missing drivers from the Sony Support Downloads webpage for your model.

If the related driver is not missing, then try installing the one for that function from the list here: http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCEE3Z0E_BQ/updates

Searching google for function keys not working on sony VAIO VPCEE3Z0E I find this solution which may work for you: Sony: some keyboard keys suddenly stopped working.
But it may take more research, trial and error as Sony and Samsung are known to post software which doesn't always work on Clean Reinstalls.

 

[SamuelGE]

All fixed now thank you.

But now when I use the function keys to adjust volume or brightness, a beep is played.
How could I stop that?

 

[karlsnooks]

control panel | sound | Sounds tab |No Sounds scheme | OK button

You can play with the settings if you want to keep some sounds. Personally I like a quiet computer and always choose No Sounds

 

[SamuelGE]

Thank you

 

[gregrocker]

You're welcome, Sam.

Can you tell us exactly what solved this, in order to help others?

 

[SamuelGE]

Hi again Samuel -

Are there missing drivers in Device Manager after doing all of your Important and optional Windows Updates? Which drivers?

As it says in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 you should import these missing drivers from the Sony Support Downloads webpage for your model.

If the related driver is not missing, then try installing the one for that function from the list here: Sony : VPCEE3Z0E/BQ updates | Download updates for VPCEE3Z0E/BQ

Searching google for function keys not working on sony VAIO VPCEE3Z0E I find this solution which may work for you: Sony: some keyboard keys suddenly stopped working.
But it may take more research, trial and error as Sony and Samsung are known to post software which doesn't always work on Clean Reinstalls.

I used the link 'Sony: some keyboard keys suddenly stopped working', scrolled down a little where someone had made a list of which applications (and they also had direct download links) and which order to install them in.

There were 4 to install, setting utility series, Sony shared library, VAIO event service and finally VAIO control centre.

Thant is also the order, I have also attached links below in the correct order.

Setting Utility Series

Sony Shared Library

VAIO Event Service

VAIO Control Centre


Thanks again, I wouldn't have been able to sort this without your help.

 

[gregrocker]

Very good to know. This will likely be a top Google search result for countless others who are facing the same issue.

The results in the help thread I linked were murkier but you pulled the steps off perfectly and redeemed the Sony software.

I've added a Special Note for Vaio owners to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Let us know if there are any other issues going forward and when ready you can mark the thread Solved at top.

 

[SamuelGE]

I used to think I was pretty good with Windows, but not so anymore, I only have time to use it, not fiddle like I used to.

 

[gregrocker]

You did fine.

 

[hazel123]

Hi. I have just gone to the Vaio website to download these utilities for a VGN-CR31S. They are all there except the Vaio Event Service. So - was that download specific to your model please, or is it a general download for all Sony Vaios?

 

[gregrocker]

Hazel, which functions or features on your Vaio are still missing after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) to run all rounds of Important and Optional Updates? Try again now to Check for Updates to see that they are all done.

Looking at the original Utilties for your model which are listed under Preinstalled Utilities - Windows Vista, the Vaio Event Service is extracted from Original Utilities Package here: Sony : VGN-CR31S/L updates | Download updates for VGN CR31S L | VGNCR31SL.

It is frequently confusing when the original utilities or drivers are listed under Vista where it is the shipped OS, and not also posted under Win7 drivers or utilities.

 

[hazel123]

Thanks Greg. Yes I did find it eventually after downloading the Original Utilities oackage and looking inside it. The only thing I hsad left with a yellow triangle was an unknown piece of hardware, which turned out to be the sd card slot, so downloaded that driver too. So seem to have everything. There are a lot of function buttons on this laptop. All the media ones are now working, but not the top row (brightness etc). Also I am not sure how I would use the webcam now. There is a driver installed, but I guess I need some software to use it.

 

[gregrocker]

You can install the Vaio webcam software which is only needed to see yourself or add effects. Otherwise the important webcam functions are provided by the messenger, Skype or web program which you're using the camera for.

As to the function buttons, have you installed all of the Vaio utilities in the order specified in this post here at Function keys don't work after clean install - Windows 7 Forums?

 

[hazel123]

Thanks Greg. Good point. Because I couldn't find Vaio event service initially, that one was installed last, hence they were out of sequence, so am going back to a restore point and doing them again. I don't really use the webcam, except occasionally to take a photo, or for skype, but it would be nice to be able to use it. I couldn't actually find the vaio webcame utility. I looked on the recovery disc I made from the Vista, but it isn't possible to install it from there without all sorts of other programs installed. Interestingly as well, you can't install the Vaio Update software - but I can always manually do any updates that appear on the support page. I will see what happens after the next round of Windows updates and make sure I have checked the automatically deliver drivers option. Thanks again.
t

 

[hazel123]

All function keys working fine now. Needed to install the driver for the Texas Instruments card reader. The only two buttons that don't seem to work are the fast forward and backwards buttons for media playing. Start stop and pause all work. But they're not really necessary as you can do it on screen.

 

[gregrocker]

Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) is to be the first thing done after connecting to the internet. Next Check for Updates and install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates. At requested reboots, go right back to check for more Updates.

Once all Updates are installed, with Vaio its very important to follow the sequence given in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 Special Note for Sony Vaio Owners to install the needed Vaio software in the correct order: Solved Function keys don't work after clean install - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[hazel123]

Any Vaio users please note - in addition to the utilites listed above, I needed to install the following software and drivers from the Vaio website:

Driver for sd card
Camera driver (for webcam)
Camera utility (software for webcam - although it is pretty rubbish and you might be better buying the cyberlink one)
Vaio update (this just shows as 'Vaio Update' on the sony page for your laptop - however it isn't just an update, it is the update utility, which then updates itself. It's quite useful and doesn't cause any bother, but it means if there are any bios updates etc they are easily installed).

Windows had already downloaded a driver for the webcam but it wasn't working, so used the Sony one and it was fine.

 

[gregrocker]

What do you mean the webcam driver isn't working? You couldn't use it when using an app like Facebook or Skype which is how most users utilize the webcam? Or you couldn't open the webcam itself to look at yourself on the webcam on your screen? This is what I explained to you earlier is the difference between having the camera software and only having the driver. The driver suffices in the vast majority of cases.

The Updater is spyware that monitors your use of the PC and can even affect performance. I never reinstall this on any Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as it's the sketchiest of the useless crapware they lard in and freeloads on your internet connection as well. Any drivers needing updating will be delivered by Windows Update in the first driver-complete OS, and any others can be browsed on the PC's Support Downloads webpage.

Of course your satisfaction is the goal so if you feel better about having these and don't notice any performance hit then those are what matter. But I'd want to compare performance with and without both over time to know for sure. I also notice that no one reinstalls the OEM crapware after experiencing a pure Win7 Clean Reinstall, based on tens of thousands of cases we've helped with here.