Bluetooth Hardware on Vaio SRX series - WiFi-Forum - Wi-Fi Discussion Forum

Mr. B · #1 07-31-2005, 03:55 PM

I am looking for information on the internal bluetooth module for the Sony VAio SRX series of laptops (SRX99 for example). A few of them are Bluetooth equipped. I have searched extensively and found nothing. Should you happen to know ANYTHING, part model number, whatever, i'd greatly appreciate it.

onceonly · #2 01-17-2009, 05:13 PM

To get Bluetooth working, you need to install the Wirless Switching Utility, so you can turn it on. Once you have it turned on, you need to install the device driver for it. And once you have the driver installed, you need to get Windows to use it. Easier said than done.
It is no small feat to get Sony working if you are not so crazy about re-imaging the HD from the CD that came with your machine. God forbid you got the laptop without the factory CDs, which is what happened to me, so I had to figure out a way even though Sony guards its secrets very well.

Here is how it is done:

1. - get the drivers from www.vaio-link.com . Whichever srx model you pick, you get the same two zip files. One with the Drivers and another with the Utilities. You also will need the Bluetooth related stuff.
a. For the drivers and the utilities try this link: http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/downl...=PCG-SRX&m=811 .
b. You will also need the 'Bluetooth Driver and Application Software Setup' bundle from this page: http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/downl..._GB_cons&m=811

2. - install the software in the right order, which is crucial.
a - From the Utilities folder:
- Sony Util
- Sony Shared Library
- Sony Notebook Setup
- if I remember correctly UI Library and DV Shared Library are not necessary (I have no idea what any of these are for anyway)
b - From the Bluetooth_eng_ 1.01s folder which you downloaded separately in step 1:
- Sony Programmable I/O Control Device driver
- SonyUtil 3.1 (this is the same as Sony Util above, but I guess a later version, so I installed it just to be sure)
If everything went fine until now, you are probably in good shape. You are now ready to install the Wireless Switching Utility (WS) from the folder Bluetooth_eng_ 1.01s\Bluetooth driver and application software setup 1.01s\ws.

3 - Great, you switched your Bluetooth radio on.
Now winows is asking for the driver. You thought it would be in the Bluetooth_eng_1.01s folder. You thought wrong. It is in the Drivers folder under Bluetooth (this is the only thing you need from the Drivers folder by the way). Once you have the Bluetooth device driver installed, you are basically set, if you have XP SP2. Without SP2 Windows doesn't have its own Bluetooth Utility and the one provided by Sony will not install. I found a Toshiba (Huhh?!?!) utility on Sony's website, but it looked terrible, had very limited functionality (could not pair a mouse for example) and expired after 30 days... Hahaha! Sony really has a sense of humor. In the end, I stuck with Windows' own utility which comes with SP2 and works ok, so I didn't search for alternates.

I also installed the Hotkey Utility, the JogDial utility and the Power Panel. All of which have a retro feel to them, but are kind of cute, just like the rest of the machine. These also install only after the first three utils are in place.

Good luck and enjoy.

Mr. B · #3 01-17-2009, 05:16 PM

Thank you very much for taking the time to post. I am still curious about the hardware behind BT for the SRX series if anyone has knowledge on that front.