Installing other OS - how to get all drivers, software etc.?

[amnesia]

I just downloaded Windows 7 Pro from MSDNAA and would like to install it ony my Sony Vaio TZ. How do I backup the hidden recovery partition and how do I get all the drivers and software which comes with my Vaio to the new Windows 7 system? AFAIR the recovery partition creates a Windows Vista installation disk, so I do not know how to take single drivers or software from it, after I installed the Windows 7 OS.

[SqualltheOtaku]

I'm searching a solution to this problem to! If some one have a solution...

[Blencogo]

You can backup the Recovery Partition by making extra Recovery Discs using the Vaio Recovery Centre. Alternatively, you can buy Acronis True Image 2009 and back up your entire hard disc to an external hard drive (or DVDs if you have got a lot of them). This will also be useful to back up your Windows 7 system, including updates, settings and software.

Find C:\Drivers (or sometimes C:\Windows\Drivers) and copy the contents to a CD as a backstop.

There are no Windows 7 Drivers or Utilities so you will be using the original Vista equivalent. You can download the Original Drivers Package and the Original Utilities Package from here: -

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/preinstalled/index.aspx?l=en_GB&m=VGN-TZ21XN_B

This link is for the VGN-TZ21XN - change the model to yours if different. You will also need to check the Updates Tab for updated software. These packages are in .ZIP forma and will need to be extracted before you can install them.

Good Luck



EDIT: If you change the Operating Sytem to Windows 7 you will lose all the preinstalled software applications. Only the Drivers and Utilities are available for download. You will start with a bare system and you will need to buy any software you need.

[rich912]

Or wait for the European upgrade version of Windows 7.

[SqualltheOtaku]

Thanks Blencogo! Do you know why i can't have software preinstalled? I like using Vaio music box for example and i will have it again... but i don't want to pay for it... i've paid for licences when i bought my laptop so i don't understand why i can download somewhere this software...

[Blencogo]

This is going to be a big issue with upgraders to Windows 7.

Unfortunately both Sony and the other software providers say that the software is only licensed for use with the original OEM Sony Operating System and can only be installed as part of the original installation. They see it as a licensing issue and you only hold a license for the original OEM install.

Although this is infuriating for users who have this software already, you can see the point of the software suppliers who do not want to release an installer version which can be installed on any number of computers (Sony and Non-Sony) for free.

The only answer is to follow Rich's suggestion. If you use the Upgrade version which appears to be coming soon, you can then keep all your existing software. Sadly a clean install will lose all the software.