Decided to recover my VAIO (model: VGN-CR353) with restore C: drive to original factory condition from a set of recovery discs due to BSoD frequently.
Recovery on 10 May 2016:
1. Press F2 while booting to enter BIOS setting due to confirm the machine boot from CD drive 1st.
2. Boot machine with Recovery discs.
3. Restore C: with set of Recovery discs.
4. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2007 trial version for 30 days.
5. Uninstalled Google browser tool bar for IE.
6. Downloaded VAIO Update (version 5) and run.
7. Delete Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 Trial Version Installer.
8. Changed “Current language for non-Unicode programs” to Chinese (Singapore) on system locale (Regional and Language Option).
9. BSoD still appear frequency, doubt about the hardware error might caused by damage of ram. Have to looking for a compatible ram to prove this assumption. Tried to open my another machine Dell Inspiron to take out the ram for testing but the taken ram DDR3 was not compatible to DDR2 in VAIO.
10. BSoD problem could be reduced by setting of Power Option to VAIO Optimised.
11. Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 by Windows Update, but failure many times.
Recovery again on 15 May 2016:
1. Almost same with above, but installed SP1 manually and immediately after recovery to original factory condition.
2. Uninstall unwanted software, such as Office 2007 Trial version, Activation for Office, Picasa 2 and Adobe Flash Player 9 (a vulnerable old version).
3. Change system locale… as step 8 above.
4. Install Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 (provided by government in 2011). DVD drive on my VAIO could not read CD but able to read DVD, so I burn DVD from the installation CD.
5. Still failure to solve the BSoD, it might caused by hardware problem.
Recovery again in Oct 2016:
16 Oct 2016:
1. Installed new 2GB RAM (purchased online), now totally 4GB, but still has BSoD problem.
2. Clear old thermal compound on CPU & GPU, then replace new thermal compound and clean the dust on cooling system part.
3. Recovery VAIO with the set of 3 recovery discs, then the BSoD problem not appears again, hope the problem had been solved. The heat conduction or cooling efficient might was the main cause which made BSoD.
4. Confirm: BSoD problem was solved after renewed thermal paste on CPU & GPU.
17 Oct 2016:
1. Disable Sidebar on Vista.
2. Installed Service Pack 1 with downloaded installation but unsuccessful.
3. Uninstall Picasa 2
4. Uninstalled 2007 Microsoft Office systems. (Trial version)
5. Uninstalled Activation Assistant for the 2007 Microsoft Office suite.
6. Installed Microsoft Office 2007 Pro (provided by government in 2011 & burnt in DVD from CD in May 2016 due to CD /DVD drive on VAIO could not read CD).
7. Uninstalled Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
20 Oct 2016:
1. Successful installed and upgraded to Vista SP1 with downloaded installation.
2. Changed “Current language for non-Unicode programs” to Chinese (Singapore) on system locale (Regional and Language Option).
3. Failure to install Internet Explorer 9 due to system not updated, have to make Windows Update soon.
4. Big problem was realised, Google Chrome browser had not support Windows Vista, so need to upgrade VAIO to Windows 7 next year before extended supporting for Vista deadline in April 2017. Have to make research and plan to upgrade VAIO to Windows 7.
5. 1st time ran Windows Update after the recovery and installed the updates.
22 Oct 2016:
1. Upgraded to Service Pack 2 with downloaded installation.
2. Successful upgraded to Internet Explorer 9 after system upgraded to SP2. IE 9 is the latest version that could be installed on Vista, but 10 & later are not able to run on Vista.
23 Oct 2016:
Decided to upgrade my VAIO to Windows 7
1. OneNote Online could not browsed by IE9 due to the end of support from Microsoft. The time to forsake Vista was coming.
2. Installing Microsoft Security Essentials but take long time to initial the installation and seem not access. Finally, failure for installation.
3. Prepare drivers, software patches & Service Pack 1 for needs of upgrade to Windows 7.
If upgrade to Windows 7, There are some software will be discarded:
a. Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
b. Adobe Premiere Elements 4.0
c. ArcSoft Magic-i Visual Effects
d. Image Converter 3
e. InterVideo WinDVD for VAIO
f. Roxio: Easy Media Creator Home
Upgrading to Windows 7 Enterprise (provided by MOE in 2011):
28 Oct 2016:
1. Unable to complete the process of “Collecting information”, finally figured out this made by Windows Update problem. After disabled the Windows Update, then successful access the upgrading process.
2. “Upgrade” feature for Windows 7 installation is not allowed due to the version of Enterprise, the feature could keep setting, drivers & software on Vista. Better to purchase a licenced Windows 7 Home Premium for a compatible upgrade.
3. “Clean Install” upgrade to Windows 7 Enterprise done. Realised many setting and software have gone, plan to purchase a licensed Windows 7 Home Premium to make a compatible upgrade later.
4. Install Windows 7 SP1 and set Windows Update process automatically.
5. Install Internet Explorer 11.
6. Installed ATI graphic driver and software then able to adjust brightness of display.
7. Install driver and software provided by VAIO, but some drivers could not been installed, some software updates are not allowed due to the software are not existed.
8. Install Photoshop Elements 6.0 that provided by VAIO, successful.
9. Installed Microsoft Security Essentials and downloading updates of definitions.
10. Purchased Windows 7 Home Premium with RM60 on Lazada by online app, the package will be delivered within 1-3 Nov, it’s just a licensed product key without any item like DVD and manual included.
Recovery back: Downgrade to Windows Vista:
29 Oct 2016:
1. Recover back to Windows Vista with the set of recovery discs.
2. Reference support website: http://www.sony-asia.com/support/product/VGN-CR353
3. Disable Windows Update & Windows Sidebar.
4. Uninstalled 2007 Microsoft Office system and Activation Assistant for the 2007 Microsoft Office suites.
5. Uninstalled Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
6. Uninstall Picasa 2.
7. Deleted Google Desktop Installer on All Program and Program folder.
8. Installed Windows Vista SP1 and SP2, an hour or more needed for an installation of each service pack.
31 Oct 2016:
1. Changed “Current language for non-Unicode programs” to Chinese (Singapore) on system locale (Regional and Language Option).
2. Installed Norton Internet Security (Trial version) but not able to sign-in, then uninstalled it.
3. Deleted Norton Internet Security Installer on All Program and Program folder.
4. Successful installed Internet Explorer 9, with a few times of failure before due to update downloading error.
5. Installed VAIO Update 5 (Ver 5.1.1.04150), but have no function and show dialog as “VAIO Update could not display the page you requested. Please try again later. (MessageID=0010)”.
6. Uninstalled VAIO Update 3
7. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2003 Web Component.
8. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies.
Upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium:
5 Nov 2016:
1. Windows 7 upgrading recommended to remove Microsoft SQL server 2005, ATI CATALYST Install Manager and ATI CATALYST Control Centre. (Those would be clashed with Internet Explorer 8 after upgrading)
2. Uninstalled Business Contact Manager and Microsoft SQL server 2005.
3. Uninstalled ATI CATALYST Control Centre and ATI CATALYST Install Manager.
4. Remember to disable Windows Update on Vista before the Collecting Information on previous upgrading process.
5. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 was needed to process upgrading to Windows 7.
6. Successful upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium (with SP1) from Vista Home Premium, and previous files, settings and programs could be transferred from Vista.
7. Checked Windows Experience Index, it’s 3.7 (but it was 3.8 on Vista).
8. Installing of VAIO software patches for Windows 7:
a. Click to Disc Upgrader version 1.2.73.04270
b. VAIO Movie Story 1.5 Upgrade
c. VAIO Update version 5.5.2.11040, then the updated software check and downloading new updates from internet to complete itself.
d. VAIO Content Metadata Intelligent Analysing Manager Update Program version 3.6.1.12010
e. VAIO Content Metadata Setting Updating Program version 3.6.0.09240
f. VAIO Content Metadata XML Interface Update program version 3.6.0.09080
g. VAIO Original Function Setting version 2.0.2.02240
9. Installed Internet Explorer 11 (the last version of IE still supported by Microsoft).
10. Installed ATI CATALYST display driver and software for ATI Radeon x2300 GPU.
6 Nov 2016:
1. Installed Microsoft Security Essentials then updated virus and spyware definitions.
2. Install Microsoft Office 365
3. Run Windows Update … but stuck at “Checking for updates” and showed error code 8007000E finally.
4. Considered the VAIO Update clashed with the Windows Update.
Recovery and Upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium again:
12 Nov 2016:
1. Restore C: with recovery discs.
2. Uninstalled VAIO Update 3.
3. Deleted Norton Internet Security Installer on All Program and Program folder.
4. Repeated step 3 to 8 like Recovery back on 29 Oct 2016.
5. Installed downloaded updates by Windows Update.
6. Disabled Windows Update.
7. Uninstalled Business Contact Manager and Microsoft SQL server 2005.
8. Uninstalled ATI CATALYST Control Centre and ATI CATALYST Install Manager.
9. Uninstalled ArcSoft Magic-I Visual Effect.
10. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2003 Web Component.
11. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies.
12. Update VAIO system patches & driver:
a. Click to Disc Upgrader version 1.2.73.04270 (7 compatible)
b. VAIO Movie Story Update version 1.5.01.05120 (7 compatible)
c. SonicStage Mastering Studio Writing Function Update Program 1.0.00.04130
d. VGP-UPR1 Graphic driver Upgrade Program version 4.5.13507.0 (Incompatible with Windows 7 was realised while upgrading.)
13 Nov 2016:
Upgrading to Windows 7 Home Premium:
1. Realised DisplayLink Core Software was an issue to prevent Windows from upgrading after previous processes which are Searching for installation updates & Checking compatibility.
2. Unable to uninstall DisplayLink Core Software even on Safe Mode due to the software linked with other application (VGP-UPR1 Graphic).
3. Uninstalled VGP-UPR1 Display Utility & VGP-UPR1 Display Adapter, then the DisplayLink Core Software had been uninstalled automatically.
4. Successful upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium.
5. Rate this computer, checked Windows Experience Index: 3.8
6. Windows Update problem still could not been solved and error code 8007000E was showed also, considered the Windows Update problem was not caused by VAIO Update.
7. Restart and configuring system.
8. Installed Internet Explorer 11 successfully.
9. Unable to activate Windows online due to the products key has been blocked by Microsoft.
Decided to install Windows 7 Enterprise that provided by M.O.E with Clean Install. Whatever I request a new product key from the seller to fix the activation problem, the Windows Update problem is complicated and will be difficult to solve.
Installation of Windows 7 Enterprise:
14 Nov 2016:
1. Windows 7 Home Premium cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 Enterprise.
2. Recovery back to Windows Vista with Recovery discs. (1:44:30)
3. Installed Windows Vista SP1 and Update Configuring included. (59:45)
4. Installed Windows Vista SP2 and Update Configuring included. (37:45)
5. Clean Installed to Windows 7 Enterprise. (1:04:27)
6. Install Windows 7 SP1. (33:14)
Recovery back to Windows Vista due to considering many times for the incompatible upgrading that not support original drivers and features lost, and released the product key of Windows 7 enterprise also blocked by Microsoft.
1. Recovery back again to Windows Vista with recovery discs.
2. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2007 & system and Activation Assistant for the 2007 Microsoft Office suites.
3. Uninstalled Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.
4. Uninstalled Picasa 2.
5. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2003 Web Component.
6. Uninstalled Microsoft Office 2007 Primary Interop Assemblies.
7. Deleted Google Desktop Installer on All Program and Program folder.
8. Deleted Norton Internet Security Installer on All program and Program folder.
9. Uninstalled ATI CATALYST Control Centre and ATI CATALYST Install Manager.
10. Uninstalled Business Contact Manager and Microsoft SQL server 2005.
11. Uninstalled ArcSoft Magic-I Visual Effect.
12. Update VAIO system patches & driver:
a. Click to Disc Upgrader version 1.2.73.04270 (7 compatible)
b. VAIO Movie Story Update version 1.5.01.05120 (7 compatible)
c. SonicStage Mastering Studio Writing Function Update Program 1.0.00.04130
d. VAIO Update to version 5.1.1.04150
15 Nov 2016:
1. Upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium (SP1).
2. Installed Internet Explorer 11.
3. Installation of VAIO software patches and driver for Windows 7:
a. VAIO Content Metadata Intelligent Analysing Manager Update Program version 3.6.1.12010
b. VAIO Content Metadata Manager Setting Update Program version 3.6.0.09240
c. VAIO Content Metadata XML Interface Update program version 3.6.0.09080
d. Graphics driver (ATI) 8.403.0.0
e. VAIO Original Function Setting version 2.0.2.02240
4. Installed Google Chrome and signed in Google account.
17 Nov 2016:
1. Installed Microsoft Security Essentials and updated definitions.
2. Solved activation problem after called seller and get supporting from them within these two days.
3. Successful activated Windows license with online.
4. Installed Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0
5. Failed to run Windows Update due to unknown errors.
♦ Upgrade to Windows 7 was completed ♦
Addition: Windows Update was completed successfully first time on 29/10/17.
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