Hi,

I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never owned a
Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope someone can
answer.

1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you can
use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing all
the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a clean
install without problems with drivers, etc?

2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me to
choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to be
able to choose the size of each partition.

3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.

Thanks in advance

Kelly

kelly wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never owned a
> Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope someone can
> answer.
>
> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you can
> use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing all
> the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a clean
> install without problems with drivers, etc?
>
> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me to
> choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to be
> able to choose the size of each partition.
>
> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.

In addition to extremely expensive batteries and replacement parts,
Sony has some of the worst after-the-sale support known to man.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

--
Notan

kelly wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never owned a
> Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope someone can
> answer.
>
> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you can
> use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing all
> the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a clean
> install without problems with drivers, etc?
>
> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me to
> choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to be
> able to choose the size of each partition.
>
> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Kelly
>
>

Hi Kelly,

I'm not sure how you plan to do the 'clean install without
bloatware', but as to the driver problem, I use the freeware
program DriverMax to backup ALL of my drivers and when I do a clean
install from my retail XP disk I just install DriverMax and then
restore the drivers.

Ciao . . . C.Joseph

"When hope is lost . . . the spirit dies."
-- Lao Tzu

http://blog.tlerma.com/

C.Joseph Drayton wrote:
> kelly wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never owned a
>> Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope someone can
>> answer.
>>
>> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
>> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
>> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you can
>> use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing all
>> the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a clean
>> install without problems with drivers, etc?
>>
>> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me to
>> choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to be
>> able to choose the size of each partition.
>>
>> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Kelly
>>
>>
>
> Hi Kelly,
>
> I'm not sure how you plan to do the 'clean install without
> bloatware', but as to the driver problem, I use the freeware
> program DriverMax to backup ALL of my drivers and when I do a clean
> install from my retail XP disk I just install DriverMax and then
> restore the drivers.
>
> Ciao . . . C.Joseph
>
> "When hope is lost . . . the spirit dies."
> -- Lao Tzu
>
> http://blog.tlerma.com/


he is possibly referring to the backup dvd sets. no, they don't allow
you to install just the OS so you are stuck with all the bloated-ware.
Unfortunately, I think it is the same for most manufacturers. You have
to use Add/Remove features to unload them all. However, if you managed
to get a copy of full version OS, you can find all the drivers on the
Sony website.

>>
>
> Hi Kelly,
>
> I'm not sure how you plan to do the 'clean install without
> bloatware', but as to the driver problem, I use the freeware
> program DriverMax to backup ALL of my drivers and when I do a clean
> install from my retail XP disk I just install DriverMax and then
> restore the drivers.
>
> Ciao . . . C.Joseph
>
> "When hope is lost . . . the spirit dies."
> -- Lao Tzu
>
> http://blog.tlerma.com/

Hi,

I plan to do the semi restore like this:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=44587

what about my partition question, any idea if that is possible?

"Notan" <notan@ddressthatcanbespammed> wrote in message
news:x5ednSWKZOL9By_YnZ2dnUVZ_qvinZ2d@giganews.com ...
> kelly wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never
>> owned a Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope
>> someone can answer.
>>
>> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
>> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
>> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you
>> can use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing
>> all the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a
>> clean install without problems with drivers, etc?
>>
>> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me
>> to choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to
>> be able to choose the size of each partition.
>>
>> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>
> In addition to extremely expensive batteries and replacement parts,
> Sony has some of the worst after-the-sale support known to man.
>
> CAVEAT EMPTOR!
>

To provide balance to that last post. A chap here (in UK) has a VAIO which
failed (bad screen). He sent it by courier to Sony (in France). It was
back with him repaired and working 2 (yes just *TWO*) days later.

I also own one. (Sony) and bought it from bestbuy. I also bought there
total protection plan for 4 years. There_contractor_ fixes it not sony.

I also have heard the same thing about sony. But I like it so much I
bought it. If it were not for the bestbuy plan to fix it, I would have
gone to another make that's for sure. The 1st one I bought was a Toshiba
but the restore dvd was messed up. Even Toshiba said after going thru 3
laptops in two days. Toshiba told me that they would not send me out a
restore disc that worked. That was my cue to move on to another brand.

It was the video driver on the restore dvd that was messed up. Doing a
restore did not install it for a Intel chip set. It Installed one for
n-vidia. In control panel it had the icon for nvidia.

The sony had a much larger hard drive and a webcam. 60 gigs more. A
little less weight also. The price was 50.00 more for the sony. Both
were on sale. Plus I got a free 1 gig flash drive with the sony. The
Toshiba battery lasted almost 15mins more then the sony. But the sony
has a faster cpu 200mhz more so that might be the cause of the shorter
life, but not 15 mins worth. The sony had more software, but thats
nothing to brag about.


M.I.5¾ wrote:
> "Notan" <notan@ddressthatcanbespammed> wrote in message
> news:x5ednSWKZOL9By_YnZ2dnUVZ_qvinZ2d@giganews.com ...
>> kelly wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never
>>> owned a Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope
>>> someone can answer.
>>>
>>> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
>>> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
>>> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you
>>> can use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing
>>> all the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a
>>> clean install without problems with drivers, etc?
>>>
>>> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me
>>> to choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to
>>> be able to choose the size of each partition.
>>>
>>> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>> In addition to extremely expensive batteries and replacement parts,
>> Sony has some of the worst after-the-sale support known to man.
>>
>> CAVEAT EMPTOR!
>>
>
> To provide balance to that last post. A chap here (in UK) has a VAIO which
> failed (bad screen). He sent it by courier to Sony (in France). It was
> back with him repaired and working 2 (yes just *TWO*) days later.
>
>

Notan wrote:
> kelly wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never
>> owned a Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope
>> someone can answer.
>>
>> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
>> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but
>> have heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also
>> heard you can use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid
>> it installing all the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other
>> ways to have a clean install without problems with drivers, etc?
>>
>> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for
>> me to choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and
>> want to be able to choose the size of each partition.
>>
>> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>
> In addition to extremely expensive batteries and replacement parts,
> Sony has some of the worst after-the-sale support known to man.
>
> CAVEAT EMPTOR!
>

Sony has apparently vastly improved their customer support in the last
several years. Consumer Reports (FWIW!) respondents selected Sony as
either the first or second best computer company.

Q

kelly wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking about buying the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ3VWP/X. I have never owned a
> Sony laptop before and have a few simple questions, I hope someone can
> answer.
>
> 1. I understand the laptop comes with a lot of pre-installed
> software/bloatware. I want to have a clean install of Windows but have
> heard this can cause problems with drivers etc. I have also heard you can
> use the Sony restore disk and cancel it midway to avoid it installing all
> the "bloatware". Is this true? Are there any other ways to have a clean
> install without problems with drivers, etc?
>
> 2. If I have a clean install using the method above is it possible for me to
> choose the size of the partitions? I want a C and D drive and want to be
> able to choose the size of each partition.
>
> 3. If anyone owns the laptop above, their opinions would be useful.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Kelly
>
>

It *might* be possible to do what you want by installing from the
\windows\i386\ folder contents. Be aware that Sony requires proprietary
drivers and libraries that might only be available from the restore
partition or burned CDs. Go to Sony support for this model and see what
they recommend for a clean OS installation.

Q