Sony VAIO VGN-Z690 driver help.

Thanks for clearing that up.

When I went to their site to get the drivers, for each of their 64-bit Vista, Home Premium had an audio and finger print reader drivers listed while the Ultimate did not. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you for contacting Sony Support.

I'm sorry that the previous response didn't resolve the issue. The device drivers and/or software updates are Operating System specific, they may not be compatible with the alternate Windows platforms. Unfortunately, due to the significant hardware requirements of Microsoft's Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit environment, Sony can offer no assistance for any installation or hardware compatibility issues for the Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit on your model.

Thank you for understanding.

The Sony Email Response Team
C6Q4
Christopher

Well, not many people will purchase Vista with the Ultimate Edition due to the price of having it (as well as the hardware requirements), but as all 32bit Vista Os, the Ultimate 32-bit version will still be able to use the 32-bit Business/Home version. Only differences between 64-bit and 32-bit, but within the same lineage (32-bit line), it'll just work. Of course, though, 32bit Vista drivers will NEVER work with 32-bit XP.

I got the Ultimate very cheap. I know Laptops are build to specific OS, but what hardware requirement are you talking about?

"Only differences between 64-bit and 32-bit, but within the same lineage (32-bit line), it'll just work." What do you mean?

Well, from my side of the country, Ultimate Editions are usually tied in with the most expensive hardware specifications, thus that's what I meant, unless it's those DIY desktop, in which parts are much cheaper to begin with.

Lineage-> Within the Vista Family, 2 lineage, a 32-bit and a 64-bit. I'm referring to is within the 32-bit line or those in the 64-bit line. Those in the 32-bit line will differ in the software components in it. A 32-bit home will have much easier networking setup which keeps the additional complexity away, whereas the 32-bit business will allow more customisation of networking where the tech-support can set it up manually to fit to the network it's going to be used on. Likewise those in the 64-bit.

Yeah, I thought it will work within the same "line." It's Sony so I wasn't too sure, that's why I started asking. Also from what R. Proffitt said, if I do try it, I may run in to some issues.

I mean their the same OS with added features.

Sony is well known to not issue drivers for other OSes. I shared this so you can learn about it faster. Then again I've seen people rail against this and waste months trying to find non-existent drivers.
Bob

Thanks for the info. I'll try it out and see how far I go. Never know what you will find till you give it a try. I really hate Sony for doing this.

You know if it would work if I use the Microsoft Update in Vista to find the drivers? Someone told me that in another forum and I'm skeptical to use it as it did nothing when I use it for XP. Don't know if Vista is improve.

You might be new to the driver issue. It's a simple issue and one that is rooted in history. Let's just say that you don't get drivers from Microsoft and Sony has never done well packaging up drivers. I'm not talking about a recent change here. Let's say I've seen this issue since Windows 3.1. What I am finding are people that are just discovering the issue.
Bob

It's just that someone from another forum said, "Windows Updates..." "...installs updates & drivers. The drivers are WHQL certified. Guaranteed to work." I build my desktops but laptops require more work to find all the drivers as it has more integrated components installed that sometimes you don't get all the drivers for, media controls for example. That's why I like to just go the Manufacture to get them as they have all the drivers and utilities packages up.

Would you know of an application that will tell me all components installed in a laptop and their driver information. The Device Manager is great and all, but I want it to tell me more data and sometimes it doesn't display all components.

Ha!

Now that I've laughed, the answer to your next question is I've yet to find any one software to do well at this next task.

But do try these:

BELARC (simple but a good start.)
EVEREST
Driver Detective

But let's just say I found it easier to run Sony's supplied installed OS with all the stuff working rather than embark on a trip into the swamp.

If you feel there should be a driver, then that's fine. I'm unsure how this will change the usual results when it comes to Sony.

"The Device Manager is great and all, but I want it to tell me more data and sometimes it doesn't display all components."

This is proper and annoying at the same time. I have the luck of writing a driver years ago so I know why it does that. To explain it we have to start with the IBM PC (the one with the 808 and go over the history of the PC.
Bob

Thanks for all the help. I'm probably just spend an extra $50 to get the 32-bit Business for just in case. Plus it also comes as a fresh start and XP Pro downgrade.

I'm trying to get Ultimate 32-bit for my Z-series. Thanks for the help though.