Vaio Update Programme

[vic2148]

Hi all,

I have a Vaio VGN-AR21M running Windows xp media center.

I have downloaded what appears to be the newest version of the "Vaio Update v5.1.1.04090" programme to replace the one installed on the laptop which is version 3.0.00.11250 and which no longer works. Unfortunately when I try to uninstall the old version I get the following message:

"An installation support file could not be installed. The system cannot find the file specified."



Help appreciated to uninstall please

Thank you in advance
Vic

[Thalamus.]

Hi Vic,

are you trying to remove Vaio update via Control Panel > Add and Remove.?

How long ago did version 3.0.00.11250 stop working.?

[vic2148]

Hi Thalamus,

Yes using "Add/Remove" to uninstall.

Not sure how long ago it stopped working but its been quite some. At a guess I would say probably over a year at least.

Vic

[Thalamus.]

Hi Vic,

I've not forgotten you, I'm still trying to find a solution.

There is of course a system recovery but if it were me I would rather install updates manually via the Vaio support site at the top of the page.

Another option would involve editing the registry but that also has it's risks..

[vic2148]

Evening Thalamus,

Its ok I appreciate you are busy so thanks for trying to find a solution.

Thought about doing "System Recovery" but didn't think it warranted all the hastle so quickly dropped that idea. Quite ok editing registry if needed.

As a point of interest. Version 3 starts automatically when the computer starts and places an icon by the clock. It just doesn't update. I have now installed version 5 even though you should uninstall earlier versions before doing so, and provided I close version 3 (by the clock) then version 5 will run and list any available updates.

Would just like to get rid of version 3 altogether and get version 5 to start automatically when computer starts.

Regards
Vic

[Thalamus.]

Hi Vic,

here is a link (vaio update 3.* ) for Vaio update 3 so hopefully you should be able to re-install the corrupt version..

Hopefully once vaio update 3. is correctly installed running the application should prompt you to upgrade to the next version, ensure you reboot after installation and upgrades.

[vic2148]

Evening Thalamus,

Thank you for the link.

Removed version 5 and then tried to install version 3 but it comes up with following error message:

"Previous version of VAIO Update 3 is not installed"



But of course it is. Clicking just closes the installation.

[Thalamus.]

Hmmmmm.. :smileythinking:

Are you able to stop Vaio update via the system tray (next to the clock), if so can you then install vaio update 3.?

Alternatively have you tried clicking Start, then click on Run

In the Run box type msconfig and press ok.

In the system configuration window click on the Startup tab and remove the tick against VAIOUpdt (name may be slightly different) to stop the program from starting, press Apply and restart your vaio.

On Restart you'll probably get a pop-up window stating "System Configuration Utility you are using the selective startup for troubleshooting your system"..

To stop the window from appearing place a tick in don't show this window again and select OK..

Again try to install Vaio update 3.

[vic2148]

Yes I'm able to stop it running in the system tray which I did before trying to install it the first time however I have just done what you suggested but it still comes up with the same error message as before.

[Blencogo]

Hi Vic,

Thalamus and I have discussed your problem on a few occasions but cannot come up with a simple fix.

On my Vaio BOTH Vaio Update 3 AND Vaio Update 5 co-exist. The only reason Vaio Update 5 runs on startup is because the Registry tells it to!

Myself and Thalamus would probably edit the Registry to point to VU5 rather than VU3 but editing the Registry is always risky and I cannot recommend this to you - however, I will describe what we would try ourselves.

First check that you have BOTH folders on your VAIO. Look in C:\Program Files\Sony\ for folders for VU3 and VU5.

BACK UP THE REGISTRY

Press the 'Windows' key and R. In the Run box type in REGEDIT and click OK.

Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CURRENT VERSION\RUN and in the right-hand window you should see "VAIO Update 3"

Right-click on VU3 and choose 'Modify'
In the dialogue box edit C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 3\VAIOUpdt.exe to C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 5\VAIOUpdt.exe - click OK

Right-click on VU3 again and choose 'Rename'. Edit to Vaio Update 5

Close the Registry Editor and reboot.

This is a risky business and I cannot guarantee it will work - it may also have other risks but it is the only way we can see to solve your problem. The choice is yours!

If it does work I would delete the entire VU3 directory and run a Registry Cleaner to remove any links to removed software.