Sony: NVIDIA Drivers. Cannot update.

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NVIDIA Drivers. Cannot update.

Topic started on Feb 21, 2012 2:21 PM , last reply on Feb 24, 2012 10:20 PM

in VAIO and Computing All-in-one Desktops

frankcarrington

8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

I have a Sony all in one pc the VPC13S1E. Have tried to run a couple of games, Battlefield 3 etc, and they all say the display driver is outdated and needs to be updated.

So I check my drivers details and its 8.16.11.8950 version, last updated 2010. So I go to NVIDIA site and download the latest drivers and installers but the Sony promptly rejects them and the NVIDIA software says that the relevant hardware is not found. Though I am 100% sure I am downloading the right driver for the right card.

Having then looked all over the internet I see that I am , by far, not the only one having this problem. The Sony just will not allow itself to be updated.

After my past experiance with Sony I dont hold out any hope of them solving this problem. Seems to be a case of you have bought it now and the warrenty has expired if you dont like it just buy another of our computers.

So any suggestions? (I am not upto altering BOIS as some on the net have had to do)

I am sure that one of you clever guys out there knows the solution. How do I update the NVIDIA GeForce 330M drivers on my Sony VPC13S1E?

Thanks!!

PS Please dont say go to control panel, device manager-display drivers-update driver as I have been there and done that as they say. :) That just says I have the latest driver, which I dont.

rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 21, 2012 5:15 PM

Hi frankcarrington,

Leaving aside the issue of Sony not updating graphics drivers as often as a lot of users would like, the only way to install NVIDIA drivers (other than those released by Sony) is to use a modified INF file.

Have a look at the following link:

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/9243-forceware-updaters-quickstart-guide/

Needless to say that installing any driver other than those tested and released by Sony is entirely at your own risk.

Rich

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danhague
18 posts since
Feb 12, 2012

Written on Feb 21, 2012 5:46 PM

Hi Frank. When you try to install the latest driver that you download from the Sony site, do you get a specific error message?

All I could think of in this case is a wrong driver which you double checked already. So I would be interested to see the specific error code.
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frankcarrington
8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

Written on Feb 21, 2012 6:04 PM

Thanks for taking the time to reply Rich.

Had a look at the website and picking the correct driver would just be a bit of a guess. The last thing I want to do it make things worse.

I bought a Sony product because I thought, obviously wrongly, that their products would be good quality and I would get good support and backup. Every computer I have either made or bought in my lifetime, and there has been quite a few, has had at least basic support. I could update and 'tweek' as needed. Alas this is not the case with my all-in-one. It went seriously wrong just a month out of warrenty Sony did not want to know and it cost £729 and a lot of hassle to get it fixed. The mother board Ram holders went wrong. I had it done through a authorised Sony repairer. I should just have scrapped it and bought a tower!

Having a computer that cost over £1,400 ( $2,400 ) I thought I would be buying quality etc.

Now I cannot even run the games that I want or update my Graphics card driver. Not very good is it?

Sony wont be getting my money anymore and when my sister in law nearly bought a Sony Tv I put her wise. She has done the same and passed on the bad news to a couple of her friends at the Golf Club. So sony has dipped out on a few grand of sales now. This is how companys get bad reputations. I need a new camera, a DSLR, normally I would buy Sony but not anymore.

Now I am stuck with a computer that I cant update. :(

So thanks for trying Rich! Sony get your finger out and support your products!!

Message was edited by: frankcarrington
Message was edited by: frankcarrington
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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 21, 2012 6:56 PM

Hi frankcarrington,

Actually, selecting the correct driver is not as difficult as it would first seem as all NVIDIA drivers use Unified Driver Architecture. Therefore any driver will work as long as it is supported by your operating system. The most recent would probably be appropriate in your case.

To identify the supported drivers have a look at the following link:

http://laptopvideo2go.com/drivers

It is simply a matter of entering the correct hardware ID in the ‘Search terms’ field (which can be found in the device properties in Device Manager > Details tab > Hardware Ids (from the drop down menu). Then check your operating system.

You can of course roll back to, or reinstall the original, driver the if you encounter problems...

Rich

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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 21, 2012 7:12 PM

Hi frankcarrington,

Can you please confirm your model number – is it perhaps VPCF13S1E/B not VPC13S1E? If so there is a Sony update available - Graphics Driver (NVIDIA) - 8.17.12.6672 dated 01/07/2011.

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCF13S1E_B/updates

Rich

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frankcarrington
8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

Written on Feb 21, 2012 8:29 PM

Yes I am sure :)

This is taken straight from Sonys information software.

I wonder if that update would work anyway?

Isn't B a laptop?

Message was edited by: frankcarrington
Message was edited by: frankcarrington

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frankcarrington
8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

Written on Feb 21, 2012 8:37 PM

Thanks Rich. If you look at my original post I put down exactly what card I have and what driver. I got the details from the driver info details through control panel.
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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 21, 2012 9:05 PM

Hi frankcarrington,
The reason I ask is that Sony Vaio do not list a VPC13S1E model as far as I can see and yes the VPCF13S1E/B is a notebook. I assume that this is a European model?
Can you check on the screen surround or in the BIOS for a model number? Without this it is impossible to check whether a Sony approved update for your machine has been released.
BTW the driver for the VPCF13S1E/B will probably not work as it uses the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 425M GPU.
Rich

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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 21, 2012 10:07 PM

Is this your model?

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VPCL13S1E_S/updates

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frankcarrington
8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

Written on Feb 21, 2012 11:41 PM

Yes that is the model. I tried to put up the link myself several times but the forum just would not update and I keep getting errors. Very frustrating.

Anyway there are no Graphic Card updates on there.
:)

Not having much luck am I? Oh and yes this is a European model. I am from UK.
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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 22, 2012 12:19 AM

Hi frankcarrington,

In that case your only option is a modified INF plus drivers released by NVIDIA.

Rich

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frankcarrington
8 posts since
Feb 21, 2012

Written on Feb 22, 2012 11:16 AM

Thanks Rich. Modifiying the INF file is not the only solution is it?

Sony should actually show its buyers some support! Update the products you sell Sony. But would I be right in saying its a case of sell and forget?

Anyways thanks for all the replies guys. At least you try to help. :)
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kasattack
6 posts since
Nov 12, 2006

Written on Feb 24, 2012 3:17 AM

I have the same model ( VPCL13SE ) & have the same problem re- graphic card update, i don't know why you guys keep repeating 2 year old information regarding inf files. Please stop, it does not work! You cannot access the graphics card via device manager, it is near impossible for a normal pc user to understand how to navigate around this setup. ( nvidia control panel )
The updated driver is below, just go to nvidia site to download it, you may end up having to pay a pro to update the card though.
Sony have become horrible to deal with that's for sure, Mind you aren't most of the other large companies the same?
http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/win7-winvista-64bit-295.73-whql-driver-uk.html
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rich912
9,308 posts since
Aug 28, 2004

Written on Feb 24, 2012 10:05 AM

Hi kasattack,

If I am out of date on the procedure for more recent models then I apologise.

I was aware that it was a possibility that Sony would introduce the ability to install NVIDIA unified architecture drivers on forthcoming models but unaware that this has possibly already taken place.

That said 'frankcarrington' indicated in the initial post that he was able to access the graphics device in Device Manager.

“PS Please dont say go to control panel, device manager-display drivers-update driver as I have been there and done that as they say. :) That just says I have the latest driver, which I dont.”

I also note that the NVIDIA GeForce 330M (mobile) is not listed as supported product on the driver link you posted.

We obviously need to seek clarification from Sony on which, if any, models this refers to and the procedure necessary to update the driver.

Thank you for highlighting this and your input.

Rich

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