Solved Wrong Windows Version Installed - Help

[ElieJK90]

I followed all the instructions and yet everytime it copies everything but fails to become bootable..

 

[Petey7]

You may have to just use a blank DVD instead. I cannot seem to find a very reliable sorce at the moment, but I have always heard that some flash drives cannot be booted from. I know I have 1 flash drive that I have never been able to make bootable dispite multiple attempts with multiple programs, and 2 which I was able to make bootable on the first try.

 

[ElieJK90]

And what would happen if I just ran the setup from the usb?

 

[Petey7]

Not sure I follow. You mean within Windows? You will most likely get an error message, because you cannot do an upgrade install from 32-bit to 64-bit. If you mean what happens if you try to do a clean install, if you can get the computer to boot from the USB, go for it IMO.

 

[gregrocker]

I don't follow the problem.

They gave you a higher Edition of 7 - lucky you.

Why would the drivers be any different for Home premium or Pro?

I don't think whatever problem you are having is because you now have Pro as opposed to Premium.

Is Win7 activated? Look at Computer>Properties activation status.

If it's activated then the repair shop might have provided you the higher edition however this is very unusual. If you can confirm this is what they did, then there's no reason why you can't keep it.

I had assumed they installed the wrong version which was prompting for activation and now the key won't work since it's wrong version.

There is no difference between the drivers for Pro and Home Premium, even if they have them separated on the Sony Downloads page.

If you prefer to go ahead with the install, confirm the ISO's correct size or download another, then write to flash stick using Universal USB Installer which may work better. You may need to wipe the stick first to clean it's boot sector: Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

You can indeed run Setup to install over the old Win7 installation but it's best to have a bootable installer which is also used for repairs if Win7 becomes unbootable.

 

[Petey7]

It was my understanding that Sony did not provide the proper drivers for 32-bit. If you reread the first post, it says that the OPs ethernet port is non-fuctional and that there are items listed as Base System Device in device manager.

 

[rustberger]

Easy way to make bootable Windows 7 usb.
3 things needed;
1. Windows 7 ISO,
2. Winrar or alternative,
3. Flash drive 4GB.

Process...
First, format Flash drive to Fat32,
Second, Extract Windows 7 ISO to Flash drive (might take awhile to complete.)
Third, restart computer and boot from flash drive. (Either set in bios or press F2, F8 or what ever your computer uses to bring up boot menu.)
Four, install.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you checked optional Windows Updates for the ethernet driver while you're connected wirelessly?

Have you tried the ethernet driver for both Pro and Home Premium on the Sony Downloads page, as they are normally the same driver? Maker's normally only separate out the versions like that for their OEM software listings.

What error do you get when trying to install either of those ethernet drivers which should be the same?

 

[ElieJK90]

Whoa too many questions and things I don't understand...
The ethernet driver is working now.. I found it but not on sony's page.. The ones on sony's page won't work because they are for the 64-bit version.. and I'm on 32..

 

[Petey7]

Let's take things one step at a time. Let's start with Gregrocker's first question. Is Windows 7 currently activated?

 

[gregrocker]

If you are unsure how to answer then ask back a specific question.

I asked you if Win7 is activated now, which would mean that your Repair shop provided you with the higher version. Don't you want to know this?

 

[ElieJK90]

It's activated.

 

[gregrocker]

Then is everything working OK now?

And how is overall performance?

 

[ElieJK90]

I don't know.. I just wanted the same version of windows back.. They installed me windows 7 professional 32 bit.. but my vaio originally came with windows 7 home premium 64 bit.
Also, in the drivers list.. under "Other devices" the "base system device" driver isn't there..
And for instance when i tried to start a video call on windows live messenger it said that my video driver was missing or something.. but video worked on skype. Oh and when i try to adjust screen brightness using the keyboard shortcut, it doesn't work either. There's just a lot of confusing small problems.. That's why I figured that if I was able to reinstall my original windows (home premium, 64 bit) then I'll be able to install all the proper drivers from sony and just get this problem over with.

 

[ElieJK90]

This sh*t is more stressful than i thought.. :|

 

[gregrocker]

The Base System driver is almost always a built-in card reader which driver will be found on Sony's Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Likewise there should be software for the keyboard shortcuts there if you search. The same software should work whether you've installed Home Premium or Professional.

Keep watching optional Windows Updates for newer drivers as Win7 is the expert on its own drivers and we only need to supply those that are missing after install and optional Windows Updates delivery.

You can clean reinstall Home Premium if you want with the very valuable ISO file I linked earlier, after burning to disk or writing to flash stick. Here are the steps to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

However chances are you'll need to supply the same drivers and OEM software as with Pro, so if Pro is activated I would consider sticking with it and letting us help you smooth out the install and setup.

I would myself call the repair place and ask how they activated Pro on your machine when the license is for Home Premium. It's rare a shop or service would gift such an expensive OS and version so I'd want to hear what they have to say, perhaps out of concern that an activation exploit might have been used.

 

[ElieJK90]

The drivers from the sony website aren't working because they're for 64-bit.. and the pro they gave me is 32-bit..
It wasn't actually a repair shop.. It was the IT department of a nearby university who helped out.. I've been in France for three months and I had no clue where to go so they offered help.. I don't wanna call back and dig into how they activated everything.. All I know is that they used an installation CD.. Where they got the code from, or is it legit or not, I don't know..
I would keep this version if I can install the proper drivers.. But 32-bit drivers don't exist on the sony vaio website for my model.. They only have the patches for some reason..

 

[gregrocker]

In that case I would probably reinstall with the 64 bit ISO file I linked you earlier, especially if you have more than 4gb RAM which won't be fully used in 32 bit.

Otherwise you may not find software for the hotkeys unless it is simlar to another Sony model which do offer 32 bit - you can sometimes find this out by googling your issue.

The base system driver if needed for card reader can be traced and then googled using Hardware Identification

 

[ElieJK90]

Ok I managed to do it!
I reinstalled MY WINDOWS and all the drivers (except for two that show an error message saying that my computer does not meet the minimum requirements..? What does that mean?)
Just having the same interface feels like I'm back home. It's scary how much of an influence a computer can have on you. I was stressed as hell all week after I dropped it.

 

[gregrocker]

Hopefully you followed the steps given and didn't change out any drivers given by the installer or quickly updated by optional Windows Updates, then only providing drivers that were missing in Device Manager. This is not XP - Win7 is the authority on its own drivers.

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Just in case, have your Wireless driver on flash stick or CD so you can get online quickly. Then enable hardware driver auto-updating and check for optional Updates frequently.

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Which drivers are still missing?