Windows 7 Drivers for SV-T1112C5E

[jonnyollet]

Dear All,

I have recently bought a SV-T1112C5E laptop, which came with Windows 8, but would like to downgrade this to Windows 7 (I already have a spare copy).

However, I cannot find the driver download page for this model. Are there any other products that use similar components for which I can use the drivers?

Additionally, before I downgrade, I will make up the Recovery Media using a USB stick. My understanding is that if I delete all the partitions on the hard drive, I can still use this USB to restore the laptop back to it's factory settings. Can anyone confirm that this is the case or do I need to leave any of the recovery partitions in place?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jonny

[Blencogo]

Hi Jonny and welcome.

As your SVT1112C5E is a customised model that has been built to order, it looks like Sony are behind the curve in adding this to the database.  We will flag this up to Sony.

However, I doubt that a downgrade to Windows 7 will be supported - it is not for any other Windows 8 models.  If I were you,  I would look at the downloads support page for the SVT1111C5E which is the previous model released with Windows 7 installed and look to the Preinstalled Drivers and Utilities and the subsequent updates under the Windows 7 Tab:

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SVT1111C5E/updates

Check the hardware profiles are the same.  Make sure you source everything you need before starting as not all the preinstalled software will be available for download.  Most third-party software and some Sony software cannot be replaced due to licensing arrangements.

You are correct that the Vaio can be returned to factory condition using external recovery media.  Unless disc space is an issue, it is usually wise to retain the hard disc partition as a 'belt and braces' safeguard as you do not have a fitted DVD drive.  But there is no reason to keep the recovery partition - but personally I would make more than one set of recovery media, just in case.

[jonnyollet]

Hi Blencogo,

Thank you very much for your help.

I made one set of recovery media in case anything did go wrong and for the time being have not deleted the recovery partition (so have a backup of the backup).

However, when I start the Windows 7 installation (from a USB, BIOS changed to Legacy instead of UEFI), I cannot see any hard disks. Even if I DISKPART, no drives can be seen.

Ideally, I would like to install Win 7 to the SSD, but like I said I cannot see it.

I would be grateful for any help or advice.

Jonny

[Blencogo]

Hi Jonny.

If you disable the UEFI BIOS the system becomes unbootable as there is no MBR on the SSD and the Legacy BIOS cannot find the hard drive.

The best way forward is to re-enable the UEFI BIOS, and turn off 'Secure Boot' so the system will boot from USB/DVD:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/186875-uefi-unified-extensible-firmware-interface-install-windo...

Have a look at this thread and see if it helps:

https://www.sony.co.uk/discussions/message/1248973#1248973

[jonnyollet]

Thank you Blencogo.

I have been trying to install Windows 7 with the USB and have tried the UEFI methods as you recommended and as described in the links below:

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-7-Discussion/Prepare-an-usb-thumb-drive-to-boot-windows-7-in-UEF...

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

I think I've prepared the USB correctly, and it begins to boot of the USB. However, when I run the Windows 7 Home Premium USB, I get past "windows is loading files..." and then it freezes on "starting windows" just after I see 4 little coloured balls in the centre of the screen.

Doing a bit of Googling, it seems that this could be related to the power requirement and some people have solved this issue by disabling or unplugging (from their desktop) some unnecessary peripherals or changing the PSU. However, as this is a laptop, none of the options are possible.

If you know how I could get past this, I would be very grateful. Otherwise, I think I'm stuck with Windows 8.

Thanks in advance,

Jonny