Help! Windows 7 upgrade. Driver required for my Nvidia Graphics card

[SorenH]

Hello,
I've previously been able to resolve problems with my Vaio by working my way through Club Vaio support, but this time I'm properly stuck!!

I've performed a clean install of Windows 7 32 bit on my Sony VGC-LA2 computer which had Vista as its OS.
However the graphics card - the NVidia Ge Force Go 7400 card needs a new driver before it will work, or even be recognised by windows 7.
I cannot find a suitable driver anywhere!!

I checked the CLUB VAIO site which strongly suggested that all the drivers would be compatible with the Windows 7 upgrade, and they recommended I make the upgrade. Now I'm stuck.

Has anyone found a driver that will sort this problem? I'm not particularly hardware savvy, but I can't progress until I sort this problem - and I can't go back, because my recovery software doesn't want to work either...

[itbroker]

Welcome to ClubVaio, Soren H,

Before the upgrade, did you paid attention about this question...

Which units are supported by the VAIO Windows 7 Upgrade Programme?

Please read prior to calling us with regards to your Windows 7 Upgrade...

I paid attention about the laptop's supported and your laptop model is not in the list.

There, you have too...

My unit is not part of the Windows 7 Upgrade Program. What do I do?

Basically, what I want to say in this case...

Sony VAIO cannot assist in the upgrade.

Please, don't be upset with me, this is the official answer from Sony VAIO.

I did a research on internet and found the official answer from NVidia related to your GeForce Go 7400 here... (GeForce Release 179)

If you pay attention, NVidia say...

This is a reference driver that can be installed on supported NVIDIA GeForce notebook GPUs. However, please note that your notebook original equipment manufacturer (OEM) provides certified drivers for your specific notebook on their website. NVIDIA recommends that you check with your notebook OEM about recommended software updates for your notebook. OEMs may not provide technical support for issues that arise from the use of this driver.

Note:

The following notebooks are not supported in this release:

6. Sony VAIO notebooks (please contact the notebook OEM for driver support for these notebooks).

Looks like a dead-end for me...

You can give a try, but I do NOT recommend.

[SorenH]

Hi itbroker. Thanks for your reply. You asked

Before the upgrade, did you paid attention about this question...

Which units are supported by the VAIO Windows 7 Upgrade Programme?

I did notice that question. I also noticed the bit below that says...

My unit is not part of the Windows 7 Upgrade Programme. What do I do?

If your unit is not eligible for the Windows 7 Upgrade Programme, then please consider below:

Check whether drivers are available for your VAIO:
If the preinstalled Operating System on your unit is Windows Vista, you can expect  
that the majority of Windows Vista drivers will work under a retail version of Windows 7. 

I worked on that basis, and also this page which extols the virtues of the Window 7/Sony working relationship. I didn't think for a moment that a two year old machine wouldn't work on the next operating system, especially as Sony was strongly suggesting everything would be OK.

I've seen numerous similar complaints round the various forums, none of which seem to have come up with a satisfactory workaround for me. I've actually already tried the driver you linked from the NVidia website, but it refused to install.

The problem I now have is that I have no software to allow me to return to the original settings, because my recovery DVDs don't seem to work. Is there a workaround for this, can I ask Sony for a recovery DVD, or will I now have to throw away another £100 for a Vista DVD?

[SorenH]

An update! May just help others in the same predicament.

I downloaded this software (Cost £10 + vat) but it downloaded all the necessary driver updates to allow the use of Windows 7 on the VGC-LA2!
Now my machine recognises the Go-7400 graphics card. I just have to work on the TV card now, but that's only a minor inconvenience.