Hello everyone - recently I upgraded my laptop from Windows Vista to Windows 7 Professional (32-bit). I own a SONY VGN-NS240E, by the way.

At any rate, after I installed Windows 7, my function keys no longer work so I cannot adjust volume or brightness settings any longer.

I have attempted to install the Notebook Control and Utilities - 3 file(s)
Found here: Sony eSupport - VGN-NS240E - Software Updates & Drivers

I can install the Setting Utility Series file and the VAIO Control Center software but every time I attempt to install the VAIO Launcher Software, it tells me that it did not install correctly. So my function keys are still not working.

Anyone have any ideas about what the issue could be?

Thanks.

First question, why did you decide to upgrade?

If it's a storebought computer, then the function keys are specifically designed to work with the preinstalled software package included with Windows Vista.

Unfortunately, losing those functions is always a possibility when upgrading or downgrading to another operating system.

For instance, I have an ASUS laptop with several keys which I can use to put the computer to sleep, change brightness of the display, or adjust power settings on the fly. If Microsoft were to come out with Windows 8, I may upgrade to Windows 8 but risk losing the ability to use those function keys.

Did you check out VAIO about any information that may be suggested when upgrading to 7?

For me, toshiba is pushing the upgrade but in order to do it, there are a lot of steps to do before the update and then patches to apply after doing the upgrade and that is using the upgrade they offer.

Was this an update from VAIO or a version purchased? With laptops especially, should use the mfg upgrade option they offer to hopefully prevent problems (does not always work of course)

If your laptop is still under warranty, then you should be able to wipe the whole system, pop the discs in, load up the factory software, then install the update of windows 7 however-

If the copy of windows 7 is 32-bit and your system is running a 64-bit chipset you might run into a few snags tryng to run the 32 bit OS on it.

Most 64 bit chipsets can run 32 % 64 however it takes some minor tweaking in the BIOS settings. I have to look further into it but that's probably what is going wrong.