Over the weekend I installed Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit on my laptop (Vaio VGN-FZ11S) and came across some problems with my graphics card (8400M GT) driver support. After numerous searches and scanning through forums, I finally managed to overcome the problem, which I’ll show you how in this tutorial. If you’re not a Windows 7 user, I advise you that you switch now! Why? Here’s why.
Windows 7 does a great job supporting the majority of drivers, recognising devices easily, without needing to install the drivers yourself manually after the installation (although recommended).
But as a Sony user, they still haven’t released (as of 26/10) drivers for Windows 7 (at least for my model) so I had to work only with what Windows 7 provided me. The results were astonishing. All devices work perfectly, the incorporated video camera, microphone, speakers, incorporated media player buttons, USB devices, wireless and bluetooth, touchpad, keyboard, CD/DVD-ROM and many others.
The single problem was with the graphics card. Although graphics were decent, even allowed me to select my resolution (1280×800), the Aero feature was disabled and many other sleek Windows effects. So I wanted everything to work and after some time I found the solution.
Step 1
Download the driver for Windows 7 64bit and save it on your hard disk.
Note: This driver for the 64bit version of Windows only. If you want drivers for a different Windows version, go here and select the one you’re interested in.
Step 2
Download the modified INF file and save it on your hard disk. This INF supports a 213 Nvidia card models. For a complete list of supporting models, check the list here.
Step 3
Extract the driver (by double-clicking on the executable) to a folder of your desire (preferably create a new folder). Copy and paste the INF file that you downloaded from Step 2, inside the folder where you extracted the driver. It will ask you if you want to replace the old INF with the new one. Select to replace it. Go inside the folder, and locate the setup.exe file and run it. Follow the instructions on screen.
Step 4
If you have successfully installed the driver and the Aero feature is enabled and works, then you can skip this step. If not, read on.
If the Aero feature still doesn’t work, go here and download one Windows 7 theme (don’t save it, but open it with the default program that the browser selects). After it has downloaded, the theme should install itself and the Aero feature should be re-enabled. You can delete the theme that you installed if you want.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, please subscribe and if you have any questions add them in the comments section below!
Source Files are unavailable for this tutorial! No Source Files
How to open folders and run external programs from an autoplay CD created with Flash
How to free hard disk space
How to Convert RAW files to DNG
How to create an animated emoticon from still photos of yourself
Every beginning has an end and every end is a new beginning
How to install a wallpaper on an iPhone or an iPod Touch
Different content for each category in WordPress
How to block an ip address from your website
Interesting,
This is a great resolution thanks for the tips,
Keep up the good work,
Thanks
Thanks a lot, fixed my problem.
Thank you
Hi, I have almost exactly the same issue as you, I have a Sony Vaio VGN-FZ340E with a Nvidia 8400M GT video card. I used Windows 7 upgrade advisor and it said there would be an issue with my video card if I upgraded. I uninstalled my video card drivers and reinstalled the ones from laptopvideo2go.com, and then ran the upgrade advisor again, but still got the same warning. Do you think it would be ok to upgrade anyway? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Yeah, I was getting the same error! But I upgraded anyway, because of the coolness of Win7! :p
When I booted, I had a problem with my card, but managed to solve it, which is explained in this tutorial I created!
If that’s the only problem the Windows 7 advisor is coming up with, I advise you to upgrade your system without fear!
Once you upgraded, if you stumble upon the same graphics trouble I stumbled, read the tutorial to fix it!
Good luck!
Great, I will try it and upgrade. I’m itching to ditch Vista and move to Windows 7.
@Jeremiah: You have to ditch it! Win7 is soooooo much better! :p
Thanks will try your solution. What did you do about getting the keyboard Fn buttons working ?
@Grendonb: Well I didn’t search a solution for them as I have the sound controls on top (http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/pics/HPIM1156_01.jpg) and I was only using the Fn buttons to increase/decrease the brightness which can be done in the power options. I do find annoying the trackpad though, which doesn’t scroll; I think it can be solved by installing the Alps Touchpoint (or something like that) driver! Let me know if you find a solution to the Fn buttons! Thanks!
thank you very much.
Oh! Thank you a lot! I have downloaded lots of drivers with my dial up internet but i finally found it here! but still i changed my mind about sony ! it is not as much good as i thought.
does this work on a NEC verse p9110 laptop? i have the same grafix card that needs to be fixed as well, coz ive upgraded to window 7 butt now my nvidia 8400 gt dont work
@saret: It doesn’t work at all?! It should at least recognise the graphics card and display a basic resolution. I don’t see why it shouldn’t work whilst your specs affected (8400GT) and software are the same. But be cautious, I’m not responsible for anything that might go wrong with your system, although you shouldn’t have any problems, and no problems were reported since I introduced this solution. Good luck!
hey,
Thanks for the tutorial:) Im not sure its going to help since my problems are probably a bit worse (very old sony vaio that wont recognize my graphic card at all) but Im pretty much trying anything out right now…
I have a question though:) In step 2 you download a modified INF file but my video card (geforce 6400) is not mentioned on that list of supported devices:(… is there somewhere else i can download this from for my card?
@tashy: have you tried searching Google for a modified INF of 6400?
Your last resort would be to try the INF I’m suggesting in the post, even if it’s not supported and see what happens!
But be aware, I’m not responsible for any damages that might occur!
Hey,
I never even installed an operating system before haha google rocks:D
Thanks for such a prompt reply. I solved it:D I tried replacing this INF mentioned on your website with the one in the driver pack… but that didn’t work.
I then noticed and unzipped a file that was inside the drivers pack (which setup wouldn’t install because it kept saying I don’t have a graphic card to work with) I downloaded earlier specifically for my geforce 6400 for windows 7.
Once I unzipped that file called “additional infos” just for the hell of it(I assumed it means additional information hahaha- NOW i get it its additional INFOs) there was additional inf file in it…
So i thought id replace it with the one provided in the pack (because honestly I don’t even know what drivers or INF are…I was just desperate and willing to try anything before going back to XP)…and it somehow worked. Setup ran fine, rebooted the comp and I’ve got a working windows 7:D
I don’t even know how or why exactly but as long as it’s working I’m fine with it:D
Anyway thanks for this tutorial… i would never come up with the idea of replacing (any) INF file anywhere otherwise
Thank you so much! I was on tech support for 5 straight hours today ending in me about ready to run over my Sony laptop with my car and send them the pieces so I could get my accidental damage coverage and a new computer. Three different tech supports all told me there was nothing they could do, and I heard everything from my video card was broken, to I was flat out of luck with my computer. I followed your easy tutorial and in 5 minutes all of my video card problems were fixed and all of my games are working again. I seriously cannot thank you enough!
@JLee: hahaha tech support are full of crap! I stopped dealing with them (in all matters, pc, internet, mobile) last year!
I’m glad it solved your problem!
Don’t forget to tell your friends if they come across the same problem!
Cheers!