Sony VAIO laptops—mostly powered by Phoenix BIOS—suffer from a design flaw: Display panel brightness, monitor switching, audio volume controls, and muting do not work in the event of a specific Sony software misconfiguration. Once Windows 7 is installed, volume controls and muting function keys will start to function, because Sony designers have used “PS/2 Scan Codes for Enhanced Keyboard Features” and Windows multimedia interface recognizes the following multimedia keyboard (hexadecimal) scan codes:
- E0 20: Audio Muting Toggle—On/Off Control (OOC)
- E0 2E: Audio Volume Decrement—Re-Trigger Control (RTC)
- E0 30: Audio Volume Increment—Re-Trigger Control (RTC)
It’s reported by Sony VAIO users suffering from the function keys problem that you can benefit from Windows 7’s own Win+P keyboard strokes combination to toggle your screen output between Computer Only, Duplicate, Extend, or Projector Only modes—P is short for projector. Getting rid of them, brightness still remains uncontrollable, unless the graphics accelerator driver software (e.g., Nvidia Control Panel) can handle such feature.
Electronically speaking, volume, brightness, and projector-switching controls should interact with the built-in internal amp, the LCD’s LED-backlight/fluorescent tube, and the GPU respectively, but they don’t; they’re just a bunch of crude keys…
Dell laughs at the Japanese because such vital functions should be implemented at the BIOS-level, and with the elimination of high-level software dependency, the sound system of a Dell laptop (e.g., my Dell XPS M1330) can be adjusted and/or muted using its multi-function touch pad anywhere. You can also change its LCD screen’s brightness using Fn+Up/Fn+Down arrow keys in its BIOS, while starting Windows, once Windows has completed its cumbersome startup, or in whatever OS you’re operating, regardless of driver-dependency.
Solution
“It’s a Sony” though, so what should a typical VAIO user do if they’ve upgraded to Windows 7? You need to download the following drivers and utilities for your VAIO’s specific model from Sony VAIO Support website, and using run as administrator install them exactly in the order specified:
- Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver (SODOTH)
- Sony Shared Library (SOASSL)
- Setting Utility Series (SOASUS)
- VAIO Event Service (SOAVES)
Once every package’s installation is finished, there’s a chance for the Program Compatibility Assistant to pop up indicating the following message:
Program Compatibility Assistant
This program might not have installed correctly
If this program didn't install correctly, try reinstalling using settings that are compatible with this version of Windows.
Program: SOAVES-70192615-US
Publisher: Sony Corporation of America
Location: D:\Install\Drivers\Sony ...\SOAVES-70192615-US.exe
Reinstall using recommended settings
This program installed correctly
Carefully select This program installed correctly.
VAIO gurus suggest a restart once each one of the drivers and utilities finished installing, just to keep the VAIO software team happy.
Please note the four-tier installation order is crucial, and refusal to adhere to the installation order results in partial response of your Fn combinative keys:
- A friend’s Sony VAIO VGN-SZ650N had only Fn+F2 (mute), Fn+F3 (volume down), and Fn+F4 (volume up) functioning—leaving Fn+F5 (brightness decrement), Fn+F6 (brightness increment), and Fn+F7 (monitor switching) not working at all. With no brightness control and sticking to maximum screen brightness, his precious Sony VAIO SZ Series has become an eyestraining piece of gadget.
- Another friend wasn’t just able to increase or decrease the screen brightness of her Sony VAIO VGN-FZ290N using Fn+F5 / Fn+F6 ever since she has installed Windows 7, even though she’s been proud of installing everything Sony had to offer to download at its esupport website! Told her most of the packages she’s been installing were dispensable bloatware.
Also please note if all or some portion of these 4 packages have previously existed on your current Windows 7 installation, or even you’re suspicious about it, take no chances, and directly jump to the removal procedure described below.
Fixing a Hasty Disorganized Installation
You need to remove any instances of the aforementioned software installed previously, before methodically installing them fresh:
- Leave Sony Firmware Extension Parser (SFEP) Device Driver alone. There’s no need to trace its footprints, and no uninstallation is required.
- Utilizing Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features\Uninstall a program, locate and uninstall VAIO Event Service and restart your VAIO’s Windows.
- Utilizing Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features\Uninstall a program, locate and uninstall Setting Utility Series and restart your VAIO’s Windows.
- Sony Shared Library doesn’t leave any uninstall traces in Program and Features\Uninstall a program. Using the file listing appendix, locate and delete its files (i.e., %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities, etc.)
Appendix: Sony Software Folders File Listing
Sony Shared Library
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\Data.prof
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\Match.prof
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\Sony Utilities\SnyUtils.dll
Setting Utility Series
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\AppMonitorSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\AutoDimmerSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\BatteryCare.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\DisplaySetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\HDDProtectionSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\InputSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\LEDSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\PowerViewSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SBMsg.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SBRes.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SpecialButtonSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SUSCommonSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SUSLaunchStartDes.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\SystemSetting.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\VCCChecker.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\VCCMouseButton.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\AppMonitorSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\AutoDimmerSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\BatteryCare.exe.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\colormode.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Display.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\DisplaySetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\HDDProtection.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\HDDProtectionSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\InputSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\LEDSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Perform.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\PointingDevice.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\PowerViewSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SBRes.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\Sbutton.chm
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SpecialButtonSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\SystemSetting.dll.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\VCCMouseButton.exe.mui
C:\Program Files\Sony\Setting Utility Series\EN-US\zoombutton.chm
VAIO Event Service
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Activation.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Interop.NETWORKLIST.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\mfc80u.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp70.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp71.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcp80.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr70.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr71.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\msvcr80.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\NWMultiTouch.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\pi.wav
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\RKConfig.ini
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\Version.txt
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESAppMon.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESAutoDimmer.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESBasePS.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESColorMgr.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESCommonUI.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESConfig.ini
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESGfxMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESHidDevice.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESHybridGfx.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESKBStatus.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgrSub.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgrSubPS.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESPerform.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESRemoteKey.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESRes.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESSetGamma.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESShellExeProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESStorageProtect.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESSuEvent.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESTransform.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESUSBKeyboard.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESWndMsg.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESWndMsgHook.dll
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VideoColorControl.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\APPMONITOR\AppMonitor.xml
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\APPMONITOR\AppMonitorSchema.xsd
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\SSOSrv\SSOSrv.dll
[Updated November 20, 2009]
The file listing revised for the new files Sony’s been providing for download at its Windows 7 selection of VAIO Support pages:
Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver v8.0.1.1, 10/7/2009
- SODOTH-70187337-32.exe (FZ Series)
- SODOTH-70187339-32.exe (SZ Series)
Sony Shared Library v5.4.0.05200, 10/5/2009
- SOASSL-70189398-US.exe
Setting Utility Series v5.0.0.07280, 11/18/2009
- SOASUS-70201315-US.exe
VAIO Event Service v5.0.0.07130, 10/6/2009
- SOAVES-70192615-US.exe
Tested the new files on an SZ, and the solution still works.
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Sony VAIO SR Series with Windows 7:
ReplyDeleteBefore installing drivers and utilities discussed on this atricle, the volume hotkeys already work although there is no on-screen feedback.
Shared libraries, notebook utilities, etc aren't supposed to be for Vista? One thing's for sure- they use a lot of memory!
Now I have OSD.
Thanks Komeil.
For the FZ's S button to work, Battery Checker (ISB) is required.
ReplyDeletehttp://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/360408-sr-fn-f5-f6-brightness-windows-7-a.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/429745-windows-7-64-bit-clean-install-guide-fz-190e.html
-Jada
FN-F3 FN-F4 FN-F5 FN-F6 FN-F7 all function on my VAIO VGN-Z555DN thanks to you .you the man!
ReplyDeleteOpen Local Services (services.msc), then click on the name parameter to have them sorted alphabetically. Find the one called VAIO Event Service. Double click this and ensure that for Startup Type it says 'automatic', if it does not, change it to 'automatic' and click 'apply'. Then be sure below that, that the Service Status says 'Started'. This should help, I had the same problem where I could not use my Fn key to adjust volume or brightness and this solution worked for me.
ReplyDeleteWhen you format a VAIO machine, it doesn't always put the Fn controls back the original way. The drivers will be there just not activated on startup. So you have to enter the msconfig, go to startup and turn on the Hotkeys. Depending on the system, there can be a number of device drivers which you need to make sure are started up. If you're not sure, then turn on all the startup programs and reboot. You should then have the Fn controls back. However, you may also have about 40 processes running that you don't need. So turn off those that don't appear to be Hotkey controls. You may need to play around with turning some off and reboot for a while.
ReplyDeletewindows 7 x64 brightness control and the osd, volume controls, volume muting, external monitor/projector switching all work now on my vaio vgn-z555dn. thanks very much. -vanessa
ReplyDeleteHi, I installed Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver, Sony Shared Library, Setting Utility Series, and VAIO Event Service in a wrong order prior to finding this entry. I proceeded to the uninstalling procedure according to your entry, uninstalling event services and setting utility services and then deleting the folder containing Sony Shared Library. Then I installed again the three "programs" according to the sequence, resetting between each installs, and yet all fn keys aside from mute and volume up/down are still not working. Do you have any insight? Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteI also uninstalled and re-installed - Fn5/6 for brightness still don't work :(
ReplyDeleteI have Sony Vaio SZ340 and this method doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded latest ( as mentioned ) drivers ( from SZ640 for Windows 7 Ultimate x86 ), installed them in apropriate order, but neither of FN buttons work including S1 and S2 buttons.
I also verified Vaio Event services is up and running and ISB utility is started on windows start up - still no luck. The buttons simply don't work.
I cannot find any right solution for this problem.
wooooww. This method works well for my vaio cs36gj
ReplyDeletethanx a lot!!!
I can not install Shared Library for my Model.VGN sz 660.Is there any place I can get it from?rather than sony support?
ReplyDeleteSahar,
ReplyDeleteYour Sony VAIO notebook model is either VGN-SZ660N/C or VGN-SZ660N, so the Sony Shared Library you will need is "SOASSL-70189398-US.EXE" version 5.4.0.05200 (10/05/2009) directly downloadable from here. All you need to do is "Save Target As..."
It works now! God bless you man! Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletedidnt wrk for me. got a vgn-sz2xp/c...
ReplyDeletesny ideas guys?
ta.
hi I'm using vgn-tz17mn, was running vista business ,now i upgrade it to windows 7 enterprise all most all drivers i managed to download but my special buttons are not working, so could somebody help me in this regards?
ReplyDeleteThanks Deepu
Worked like a charm just now on a clean install on a Vaio VGN-SR240n. All function keys work properly. Thank you very much, Komeil!
ReplyDelete64bit can not work ... especially Sony original soft.
ReplyDeleteFor expamle SoundRealiy Driver, DSD Format file can not work.
Webcam Driver also.
And Sony Original Software also have many problem.
For example, PowerManaement Icon from the ight bottom corner also.But this software can work at 32bit Win7.Battery Care Function,Battery Checker and VAIO Status Monitor,etc.
Sony is Very Bad Vender for users...
Hi, i have a VGN-TZ35FN and only works the volume buttons.
ReplyDeleteThis model is for Latin America
HELP
Hi there!
ReplyDeleteI own a VGN SZ650N and the solution described above does not work for me. Originally I had Vista on my laptop and Fn, S buttons were not worked out of the box :-) Anyway I got it working finally. Then I switched to Win7 about 1-1.5 years back and had no issues to get all the buttons working with the wista drivers. (those times wee no win7 drivers available for this modell) Now I re-installed win7 and there is no way I can get brightness controll and S1 S2 working. Also the Vista drivers does not help anymore. I guess there were some version changes on sony's website. If anyone with an SZ650N can get this working please post the exact verion numbers.
Thanks
Sz
thnx a lot :D works for me vaio vgn-fw455d
ReplyDeleteI have a VGN-SZ660N with Win7 ultimate 32bit, i follow exact the solution describe above but does not work with fn + f5/f6 (only fn + f2/f3/f4 work fine). I think the problem depend on NVIDIA driver with SONY does not update for win7 at their site.
ReplyDeleteany idea!
با عرض سلام و خسته نباشد
ReplyDeleteمن تونستم با استفاده از مطالب سایتتون مشکل vaio f136 رو حل کنم
از زحماتتون تشکر میکنم
WOW! It's work! Thank you a lot!
ReplyDeleteFn+F5\F6 on my VPCCW14Fx now working!
sz670n attempting an uninstall and then reinstall following this guide but cannot get anything but volume function keys to work. any ideas?
ReplyDeleteHI ! This worked for me eventually, getting brightness keys to work on VGN-TZ37GN Australian model, and on Windows 7 Ultimate x64.
ReplyDeleteOther guides state all kinds of orders for installing the drivers.
For me, the only order that mattered was.
- Have Sony Programmable IO Control Device , and Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device installed first.
Then, follow this guide.
I originally had tried many installs of Shared Libraby/Event Service and Settings utility from the sony USA support site, for a similar model (tz37n/b). I was looking there because on the USA site it lets you choose those apps when searching for drivers for win7 x64. I was under the impression they needed to be special 64 bit apps, but this is not the case.
The trick was getting the three Event service, Sony Shared and Settings Utility from the Sony Asia Pacific Support, for my exact model.
In the listings for my model, when selecting that I want to search for drivers for windows 7 or vista x64 OSes , it did not reveal any options to get Sony Shared, Event Services and Settings Utility.
I had to pick a Vista 32 bit OS, and only then they showed up. After downloading all 3 from the same Asia Pacific site , then following this guide , I had success.
Note that the 3 Apps from the asia pacific support site were earlier versions than those on the USA support site. ( Eg , Event Service was 5.x.xx on the USA site but I had success with 3.x.xx from the asia pacfic site) Also , combining one app from the USA site (eg shared library) and one from the asia pacfic site ( eg event service) did not work. They had to be all from the Asia pacific site.
The instructions in this guide for uninstalling my failed attempts were not qutie complete. Since I had previously installed newer versions of Shared Library etc from the USA support site, upon trying to install Shared Library, it stated I already had a newer version, and quit.
To get around that, I used regedit to search for entries including "sony shared" and deleted anything to do with version information, for any of the 3 sony apps. Only then did it let me install , and FINALLY FINALLY have my brightness keys.
I hope this helps anyone who is struggling with this NIGHTMARE of an install.
Hi
ReplyDeleteNobody mentioned if they could get the malfunctioning Fn keys after sleep/hybenration mode fixed with this method. Anyone?
MiMiX
tanks dude you save my ass!!!1
ReplyDeletemy VAIO type is VGN-CS36GJ, can anyone help me, Fn not work, im using win7 ultimate 32bit. already tried to change VAIO event service but not worked. and tried to change msconfig, but not work either...
ReplyDeleteHey, i'm trying to do as you say but when installing vaio event service it says: "this machine have not been installed vaio event service. cannot update vaio event service."
ReplyDeleteBut it's not already installed.. :S
teocomi,
ReplyDeleteThat's retarded developers at Sony's way of saying "the thing you are installing is an UPDATE package rather than an INSTALL package!" You either have to install VAIO Event Service prior to installing your package, or, find yourself VAIO Event Service INSTALLER rather than VAIO Event Service UPDATER."
I HAVE MY VAIO E SERIES VPCEB44EN MODEL WITH WINDOWS 7 HOME BASIC.NOW I UPGRADED TO WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE.BUT NOW I AM NOT GETTING HOW TO CONTROL VOLUME AND BRIGHTNESS.ANY HOW I CAN CONTROL VOLUME BY ANOTHER METHOD.BUT I DONT KNOW HOW TO DECREASE SCREEN BRIGHTNESS WHICH IS IN FULL BRIGHT.
ReplyDeleteSO I SEARCHED IN INTERNET AND FOUND TO INSTALL REQUIRED SOFTWARE.THEN I GE WORK THE VOLUME INCREASE AND DECREASE BUT NOT THE BRIGHTNESS.I STILL NOT ABLE TO DECREASE BRIGHTNESS.ANOTHER POINT I CAN INCREASE AND DECREASE THE BRIGHTNESS UPTO ONLY 1 POINT.
ANY ONE HELP ME....FOR WHICH I WILL BE VERY THANKFULLL..........
AT FIRST SONY VAIO IS MY FAVOURITE...AND NOW I CAHNGED MY MIND.ITS WASTE WAY OF MANUFACTURING JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY....
“It’s a Sony” , now the Japanese don't purchase Sony Products.
ReplyDeleteSony after care or support are very bad, bad, bad
Now Japanese people think that Sony is the Korean Company, is not Japanese Company.
Sony USA WebSite's supoort for update Sony software Sony Shared Library (SOASSL),Setting Utility Series (SOASUS),VAIO Event Service (SOAVES) are not for Windows7 at SZ series.
There are meny problem at these Sony Original Software.
I recomend that install original Software for Vista from Recovery Disc at Windows7 also.
If you do it, VAIO SZ function well.
I recomend that Sony User must file a lawsuit to Sony !!!!!!!
Hi everybody. I have a Sony Vaio VPCYB25AL. I had the same problem. The root of the problem was that the installer of the 'Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver' did not install correctly. It seems the installer does not make his work. So, in the list of windows devices there was an 'Unkown Device' that was actually the 'Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device'. I had to look for another laptop of same model and extract this driver manually by using DriverMax. So what's the learning? If your hotkeys do not work, make sure yo have not 'Unkwown Devices' on Windows Device Manager.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate the order provided and the tips. I was able to get all the FN functions working correctly on my VGN-FZ283BN with Windows 7 x32. These also allowed the use of the media buttons and brought back the on screen notifications of volume and screen brightness. I installed in the order provided and everything worked and I'm thrilled! Thanks so much! The one piece of information I'd like to add is that for 3 and 4 I used a program called Uni Extract on the executable and then ran the Setup from each of them.
ReplyDeleteHad the hard drive replaced on my Vaio E series (only 16 months old) but the tech at JBJ Electronics had no luck installing the Control Center etc and told me I would just have to adapt to working without it. (Only $270.oo for this advice) I made it all work by slowly following your instructions (in fear too as I am not pc skilled) Thanks a million
ReplyDeleteHi Komeil, I appreaciate the tips. They worked perfectly!! Thanks from Stony Brook, NY.
ReplyDeleteJuan
thank you so much i have been trying to fix this problem for over a year. you rock.
ReplyDelete