EDIT 1: 8/31/09 UAC

I think I’ve made a breakthrough after experimenting with different files and/or different settings. After some time I’ve finally been able to run Windows 7 beautifully on my S170 without any issues.  The following instructions will work for similar Vaio or could possibly be of a reference for other Vaio series, unsupported by Sony.

Instructions: How to Install Win7 on the S Series
(Tested with Build 7100 and 7600 on a VGN-S170)

After a clean installation of Win7:

1.  Install Drivers for Wireless (Intel 2200BG).  I used a separate computer to get these drivers, or just have it on a Jump drive before Win7 install.

2.  Open Windows Update and install everything.  This will install some Win7 updates plus drivers for Programmable I/O Device, ATI 9600/9700 and SoundMAX.

3.  Reboot Computer

EDIT 1: Before installing the Sony drivers, first go to control panel and turn OFF User Account Contorl (UAC).  Move the slider all the way down.  This will make sure the Sony drivers will operate the way we’ll modify them later. 

Next 4 drivers are a combination of original S170 WinXP drivers and S360 WinXP drivers.  Use S170 driver for Utilities and the remaining 3 from S360 WinXP drivers.  Download them from Sony website.  Install them in the order shown here:

1.  Utilities (S170) (Reboot Computer)

2.  Sony Shared Library (S360) (Reboot Computer)

3.  Programmable I/O Device (S360) (Reboot Computer)

4.  Control Device Driver  (S360)  (Reboot Computer)

For the remaining drivers, use the original S170 drivers:

5.  Modem

6.  Network

7.  Touchpad.  Reboot after installation.  Windows will ask if you want to run the program, say “never notify me again” and run the program.  It works just fine.

8.  Memory Stick Driver

HotKeys Utility modifications (for Fn Volume and Fn Brightness control).  You will notice the Fn keys don’t work properly. The on-screen display works but without any effect to the actual controls.  With a bit of modification this can be made to function. 
1.  Go to C:\Program Files\Sony\Hotkey Utility. 
2.  Right click on HKSERV.EXE and select PROPERTIES, then the COMPATIBILITY tab. 
3.  Apply Windows XP (SP2 or SP3) Compatibility mode and check “Run this program as an administrator” then click OK. 
4.  Do the same for HKWND.EXE
5.  Reboot
With both of the files modified, the volume control will work perfectly. (Thanks to S22S for this ingenious find)

My S170 specs: Dothan 2.0Ghz, 1GB RAM, 60GB HD, ATI 9700.
Win7 runs very smoothly along with Aero.  I haven’t encountered any issues after applying this workaround.  I’ve borrowed a few ideas from members on this and other forums.  Adding my experiments to their great advice and ideas, this has worked.  Coming straight from Windows XP, this feels like a whole new world to me, yet familiar.  My S170 is my primary computer and I haven’t had to look back after this install.  Good luck and enjoy your S series like it was brand new again.  Post any problems and I will try to assist.

NOTE:  Fn + F7 will not work, possibly due to Sony Control not working.  No problem, there’s an excellent alternative = Winkey + P

Congratulations Spartanman.  Good luck and hope it all continues to work well. 

Not sure how the power management differs from the TR Series, but when putting the TR into standby, I must wait for it to go to sleep before closing the lid, else the LCD will turn off but the CPU stays awake.  A very small inconvenience to tolerate considering everything else works fine.

S22S - 13 August 2009 03:59 PM

Congratulations Spartanman.  Good luck and hope it all continues to work well. 

Not sure how the power management differs from the TR Series, but when putting the TR into standby, I must wait for it to go to sleep before closing the lid, else the LCD will turn off but the CPU stays awake.  A very small inconvenience to tolerate considering everything else works fine.

Thanks for the support S22S, your method really helped.
Sony power manager doesn’t run well so I took it off.  I haven’t tested standby yet but I use hibernation mostly.  I’m just totally psyched right now since it worked.  Almost 5 year old laptop and it can handle an OS from this generation!

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.

S22S - 13 August 2009 03:59 PM

Congratulations Spartanman.  Good luck and hope it all continues to work well. 

Not sure how the power management differs from the TR Series, but when putting the TR into standby, I must wait for it to go to sleep before closing the lid, else the LCD will turn off but the CPU stays awake.  A very small inconvenience to tolerate considering everything else works fine.

I haven’t had an issue with the sleep mode.  I’m not sure what the different would be between the S series and TR.

What I have had a issue with is, is the Sound.  Strangely, after multiple wake-up from hibernation the sound just turns off.  There’s no indication that it is malfunctioning or disabled, it’s just off.  Toggling it doesn’t work.  Sometimes it happens on the wake-up from hibernation on the 3rd time and other times on the 4th.  It varies.  Once I restart the computer, everything is back to normal.  It’s not a terrible issue but an issue none the less.

Mr. B - 05 September 2009 04:27 PM

Thanks for taking the time to write this up.

You’re welcome.  I’m glad it was helpful. 
After this install, I’ve found using my laptop is a joy once again.

spartanman - 13 August 2009 02:02 PM

EDIT 1: 8/31/09 UAC

EDIT 1: Before installing the Sony drivers, first go to control panel and turn OFF User Account Contorl (UAC).  Move the slider all the way down.  This will make sure the Sony drivers will operate the way we’ve modified them. 

I don’t quite understand how setting notifications to a lower level will aid the behavior of OEM Sony drivers under Windows 7. As I read it, UAC only notifies (and optionally prompts for additional action) you W7 wants to make a change. It doesn’t stop or inhibit changes as one would want.

Am I correct?

smcafee - 20 September 2009 08:45 PM

spartanman - 13 August 2009 02:02 PM

EDIT 1: 8/31/09 UAC

EDIT 1: Before installing the Sony drivers, first go to control panel and turn OFF User Account Contorl (UAC).  Move the slider all the way down.  This will make sure the Sony drivers will operate the way we’ve modified them. 

I don’t quite understand how setting notifications to a lower level will aid the behavior of OEM Sony drivers under Windows 7. As I read it, UAC only notifies (and optionally prompts for additional action) you W7 wants to make a change. It doesn’t stop or inhibit changes as one would want.

Am I correct?

That’s what I thought too initially so I tested what would happen if I were to turn it back on. The result was that the Fn keys stopped workin(e.g. brightness and volume control)
So UAC does have an Inhibitory effect on the function of non-win 7 programs or approved programs, as it seems.

Works for me too.