Official 2012 Sony S Series Owners Thread

So, I finally pulled the trigger on an S13 - to replace my current two-year old S13 - which was actually the older looking 2010 'S' model. I had purchased that one in early 2011, just a month before Sandy Bridge was released and the 'SA' 'SB' models started. It appears I am doing the same thing this time around (just months before Haswell will be released), but that's okay... my current S13 has served me well these past couple years.

I've been reading about some of the pros and cons of this laptop for a month on this site and finally went to a Sony retail store last week to try one out. They convinced me to take one home for a few days and play with it (in the hopes I'd want to keep it). It was just the base model (1366x768 screen). It also gave me a chance to play around with Windows 8 to see if I can get used to it.

After a few days with the laptop side-by-side with my prior one, I had to agree with most of the others regarding the crappy (and very dim) screen. I did like everything else though. So this morning I returned the laptop to the store and then went online to build one with slightly better specs and better screen (I7, Nvidia 640M, 1600x900). It basically bumped it up to a premium version sans the carbon fiber, which worked well for me this time around since I actually wanted the white version. Every VAIO S / Z / SZ model I've had in the last 8 years has been black - and the white model I played with the last few days really grew on me. (Something different looking for a change).

The website originally stated it would take up to 8 days to build and then 2 days for shipping. But this evening I received an e-mail stating it was already built and shipped, including the fed-ex tracking number. That was my quickest build time ever with Sony. It should arrive on Wednesday (a week earlier than I anticipated this afternoon).

When it does arrive, I already have my own upgrades ready to be installed. I have a 750gb, 7200 rpm hybrid drive to put in it; I have a Win-8 OEM ready to go for a clean install; and I have an 8gb ram card for the extra slot (to give me 12gb total).

I'm looking forward to Wednesday to receive the shipment and start setting everything up.

 

I've had my S13P for a few weeks now, and I'm loving it. The only thing that I'd like to see improved is the CPU performance. If I buy a 3612QM off of ebay (for roughly $180 or so), can I install that in the S13P? I know it'd be a huge pain to take apart, but would the socket be compatible? Or is it soldered on? I've looked online to no avail.

Also, do any companies make a hybrid drive that crams both a DVD drive and an mSATA slot into the space of the DVD drive? This would be the ultimate no compromise laptop if I could have all of that: quad core CPU, awesome (with BIOS mod) graphics, awesome (in regards to resolution, my main concern) screen, awesome build quality, and a battery that just won't quit-with the slice installed, of course. All in a 13 inch, sub 4 pound package.

 

Hello Guys,

I am quite frustrated with my vaio s13 right now
It just arrived today and i was updating all of the drivers and one of them was h synaps pointinst device driver.
When I tried to update at driver it got an error and didn't install. I have tried numerous times to uninstall and reninsall the driver but it is just giving an error
Now when I do this ( Right click on desktop - Personalize - Change mouse pointers) I get this message
"Unable to connect to the synaptics pointing device driver"

Please help guys I really want to use this laptop!

 

+1
I thought I was going crazy, or it was just my eyesight... so it is a real problem
I don't have any auto-brightness related controls on my SVS15 (VaioCC, Power Options, Intel driver...)

 

When i took it apart and changed thermal paste it seemed to be soldered and not possible to replace with other unit... Altho i've seen some crazy guy in yt change one with some heavy machinery but then you need to make sure BIOS will accept the new cpu.

 

I have a Sony Vaio S13. Is it normal for Vaio Update to update automatically? Yesterday, my computer started running a setup program. A setup icon showed up on the right side of the taskbar, then opened up an installer labeled as Vaio Upate. I canceled the process. I opened up VaioCare manually and clicked on Vaio Update afterward, but no updates could be found. Is this normal, or is there something fishy going on? Thanks.

 

Anyone playing Crysis 3 using the 640m LE bios mod? What's the average FPS in different settings?

 

There is an actual "VAIO Update" program, that updates itself and other components. You need to open it and select "do not automatically update". This is NOT the Vaio CC/Care.
Frankly, I found it utterly useless, so I uninstalled it.

 

I have had my S13A for a week and I was wondering if it is normal for the click pad to dip on the lower left side. Its been bugging me a little bit.
I looked online and I can't tell if others have the same issue.


Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

 

Vaio update is actually pretty good. Not every major PC vendor has an auto bios/driver/oem software updater.

 

Thanks for the info. Now I wish S15 has two USB 2.0 ports since I use a USB keyboard too.

 

Hello again guys,
I have a vaio s13a with these specs
The i7 proccessor
2gb gt640m graphics
4gb ram
gunmetal black

Here is my problem. the laptop is not very hot to the touch when playing a game (metro 2033)
But when I check my cpu temperature on core temp I get about 75 -77 degrees Celsius on both cores.
This seems really hot and just to let you know the computer fan setting is on performance.
The computer is very cool and quite when it is not gaming. I am just wondering if this high temperature is normal?
thanks

 

Is it normal that when i play high demanding games it drains my battery up to a point i have 8% battery left and then just closes any application running and shuts down.

It was plugged into the wall.

 

Check that the AC cable and adapter are actually working and that the battery was charging.
It is absolutely abnormal.

Note that some series of SVS13/15 had an issue where the battery would not charge when on AC - there is a BIOS fix for it!

 

First of all.....thanks for the great thread! it's been quite the resource.

I just picked up a SVS1512EPXB:

Intel® 3rd Generation Core™ i7
2.2GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE, 2GB dedicated
1TB HDD @ 5400
Windows 8

My primary goal was to swap out the original HDD for a Intel 520 series 240GBb SSD and then swap out the optical drive for a 2nd HDD. I would install the SSD in the original HDD bay and then move the original HDD into the optical drive bay with a caddy. I would then install only the OS and program files on the SSD and all data files, etc. on the HDD.

I had never swapped out a HDD for SSD before and watched several videos and read several threads that suggested it was a very simple process. The long and short of it is that after a few attempts with the Intel Data Migration software I was getting nowhere. The software kept telling me that the target drive was too small, even though there was only about 50GB of data on the new 1TB HDD.

I finally found a thread recommending Paragon software to migrate the data and that suggested it would read the OS and other data automatically....and not just recognize the overall HDD size. Note, I am not familiar with partitioning drives and the such. So I purchased the software and 20 minutes later I was able to swap in the SSD and boot right up! I'm sure there are several providers, but my experience with the Paragon could not have been smoother. Here is the link if anyone else should need it:

Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - System migration to Solid State Drives (SSD) - Overview

My next step (hopefully tonight) is to swap out the slot optical drive and install a HDD caddy with the original drive that came with the laptop. I'll be following the steps in the YouTube video below and will post an update as to how the process went.

Sony Vaio S15 Disassembly and ODD Replacement Tutorial - YouTube

The swap to the SSD has made what was already a quick machine even faster. The Initial boot time is very fast and start-up from sleep is virtually instant. It'll be SSDs from this point forward!

Cheers.

 

I just swapped my new 1TB HDD to a 240GB Intel SSD and used this:

Paragon Migrate OS to SSD - System migration to Solid State Drives (SSD) - Overview

It was quick and painless.

 

Pity it's basically impossible to make it run on a clean install

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

Ah.. so you confirm my problem, i try to install vaio update on my ssd on vaio s with Windows 8 clean install.. but i can't see the program after installation

 

That's exactly it, it's silently failing to install in the same way as the SFEP driver, despite looking like it's installed successfully

As it's not critical I couldn't be bothered extracting/manually installing, but you could if you really wanted it

 

Bump? Anyone?

 

Bump, anyone?

 

If you've been playing a game then these temperatures may well be within the tolorated specifications. You should start to worry if the temperatures go into the high 80's Celcius.
Cheers

 

Ok, installed my original HDD into the ODD bay.....and have a new 240GB SSD in the original HDD bay.

After reading some of the threads in advance of the ODD to HDD swap I was worried about the CPU usage increase after the change out. And, while the 2nd HDD is recognized, there is an increase in the base CPU usage. It appears to be roughly +10% in stability mode and +20% in speed.

When I look further into the details, the specific process is listed as 'system' and then in properties is: ntoskml, NT Kernal & System.

I can only assume that the system is still searching for the ODD even though it recognizes the HDD???

Any ideas on what this is or how to fix it?

 

If you have some soldering skill, the solution is here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...-odd-caddy-video-tutorial-14.html#post9074110

 

I recently upgraded my laptop's OS from Windows 7 to Windows 8. I've run into some problems after the BIOS posts.

1.) Occasionally, the screen will be stuck on the Blue Windows logo indefinitely. I will leave it waiting for hours and nothing happens. The animation indicates that it is loading but it does not get past this point.

2.) This problem seems to be happening ALL the time. Also, when I am in the log-in screen, it will take ~30 seconds to actually get into the home screen.

These problems were present before I even started to update all the drivers.

3.) I can't seem to disable the trackpad after installing all drivers. The laptop indicates that I have disabled the trackpad, but it still works.

4.) I can't seem to disable the ambient light sensor, so my laptop will automatically dim even if I change the power plan settings.

Here are the relevent specs: Sony Vaio SVS13A190X

Intel Core i7-3520M

256GB Samsung 830 SSD

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE

Any help would be great, thanks!

 

Can't figure out why the screen and fans shut off, going to sleep mode after random lengths of inactivity? It's like the settings for power management are ignored. Sometimes I'll lean back to take a call and in 2-3 minutes this thing is shutting down. When I move my mouse it fires back up again, screen on fans winding up but still annoying, especially when glancing back at the computer for info when doing something else.

 

New Vaio S-series owner here (S15...a black and silver, one from Tiger Direct, the other from Amazon).

A couple things right off the bat:

1. Neither laptop can connect to the wireless even with the exact settings as other laptops in the same home. Ethernet works fine. This is annoying.

2. Both laptops do not display reds properly. Here they are next to a 24 inch Samsung TN panel:



The difference is noticable in person, but not as bad as the image. Still, it's there.

That said, the display on the Vaio blows away the TN display and mt other laptop displays otherwise. There's no comparison.

I haven't decided if I should return the laptops. To be honest, the buggy wireless and Windows 8 are FAR more annoying than the orange-red issue.

3. The Sony control center comes with a commercial to "speed up your computer" by a sony approved business partner. Tacky. I just spent $1200 on your stuff, please don't spam me.

 

Does wireless report any actual problem when connecting? Anything in Event Viewer?

 

Has anybody tried to connect a S13 notebook to a 27inch screen like Dells U2713HM using HDMI? If the notebook supports version 1.4 of the specification a connection might be possible, when the notebook is in speed mode.

 

It doesn't and like any typical HDMI out, the process of getting high refresh rates or resolutions out of it is days of trial and error and sacrifice.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

 

Nope. Full bars, but no speed. Takes 20 minutes for a page to load.

BTW, my silver Vaio also had several small dents at the base of the lid.

This does not feel like a $1200 product to me. Thinking of returning both laptops. Win 8 makes it even worse.

 

Guys need help,

I have vaio s15. It came preinstalled with windows 7 but now i runing windows 8. the problem started yesterday. When i put my laptop to sleep mode the power led starts blinking orange. I though it was some battery issue..so i removed the battery and powered it up. but still the orange light kept bling when i put my computer to sleep. The laptop, except for this, is working flawlessly. There is no orange blinking during the normal operation. It only happens when i put my computer to sleep.
the battery status is excellent as per vaio control center. I dont know what is causing the real problem

 

When you say "blinking" you mean like a slow steady blink orange, or like a fast repeated blink?

 

If it came that way out of the box (i.e. you didn't install Winodws/drivers yourself), I suggest returning them. I use public WiFi in my flat (8th floor! City public WiFi in Seoul), and I can sustain 4-5MB/s downloads from Blizzard. So the strength of the wifi card is definitely good.
If that is not the case (you installed the drivers yourself), check driver settings in the Device Manager, it can be misconfigured by default.

Power LED (as in the small LED on the front) or the Power light (as in the Power buttom light on the right side, above the keyboard, near the screen)? If RapidWake is not enabled, Sleep will case the Power button light to slowly blink orange. I have no clue about the power LED itself.

 

I agree, the build quality seems worse than my dead Vaio SA (previous gen S13A). Panel gaps, minor missing corners, easily scratched paint - what I'd expect of my previous laptops (mostly Dells of various grades), but not this.

 

It is slow steady blink. But the problem is solved now. It was because of Rapid wake.

I guess the front led is battery charge indicator. anyways the power light was blinking slow orange. I enabled rapid wake and its gone now.
thanks

 

It is normal for the power light to slowly blink during regular sleep.
I donno what RapidWake is exactly (something between Sleep and Hibernation), but it sure drains a lot less battery than Sleep.

 

Well, I returned my two new Sony Vaio S15's.

The orange issue was just too much for a machine that cost $1200. On top of that, Windows 8 is terrible. I really want nothing to do with it, ever.

It's a nice laptop, but in the end I felt the build quality was not up to snuff for the price class. While "magnesium alloy" it did not feel sturdy to me like the Vaio's below it, which are plastic.

The spam in the Sony Vaio Control Center did not instill confidence either (nor the spam in Metro). In the end, I kept my dingy little Win 7 Dell N4010 with it's 180gb Intel SSD. I honestly found the user experience superior, which is insane. I hated that laptop and was desperate to get rid of it. The grass is always greener....

The Vaio had a wonderful keyboard. Loved the back-lighting, and loved the IPS display viewing angles. But ultimately, that IPS display is what drove me to the purchase, and its inability to display true red was the killer.

 

the orangegate never really bother me much. I feel like the quality can be better but I have no problem with it's durability other than light scratches here and there. I do take care of my stuffs pretty good.

Nothing wrong with windows 8. You will like it once you get used to it. If you don't, just install Start8 or classicshell and you are back to windows 7 instantly.

I upgraded my HDD to SSD clean install and the laptop works fantastic. Kinda hated it when I upgrade from Win 7 to 8 without wiping cuz I have a little problems here and there(eg. backlight autosensor issue) but those are all gone with clean install.

Bought the yoga and tried it but I keep coming back to S15 so I guess that says something.

 

I had upgraded from Win 7 to 8 until today I did clean install fyi.

1. I had that problem as well. For some reasons, my laptop will crash or won't load from sleep or won't go to sleep after updated the bios. Finally I got fed up and did the clean install. I don't have that problem after clean install. Sometimes, my whole laptop will freeze for no reason but it's very rare. I am sure there's some kind of process going on and I need to track down but I don't get stuck on blue windows logo anymore.

2. Same as above. Clean install fixed this as well.

3. I have same issue. I disable, enable multiple times but seems like the trackpad has it's own mind. Can't turn off.

4. Under Vaio Control Center - Image Quality - Turn off that auto adjust display. Works fine for me.

***just found out my bluetooth is not working with clean install. I have been trying to install with different drivers but nothing work. Any helps?

 

It's a good computer. As soon as they fix the orange-gate I'll buy one again. It was just too much for me at the time.

 

Recently tried clean install on my SVS1513C5E model and found everything 'appeared' to work except the Vaio Power Management stuff. that just brought up warning messages saying probs with the bvattery and that system must go in to Hiberation.
In effect, made the laptop unusable.
Wasted 20 mins of my life on phone with tech support who said i needed a special Sony version of Win8 - even though all the drivers are on the download page.
Resorted to loading the original disk image onto the new ssd and cleaning out all the Sony extras not needed.

 

How does BF3 perform without biosmod ?

 

Completely unsure if this was already brought up (just bought my 2013 S13 and LOVING it except for the bloatware on it).
Will be doing a clean install of windows 8 this weekend. No SSD, may upgrade to that in a couple of months. Spent enough of the companys money!

As for the driver issue people are having, you can back up a copy of ALL SONY S13 DRIVERS from the C:\Windows\Drivers folder in a Sony Vaio laptop (off the shelf before clean install of course).

Every single driver is located within that folder, saving the hassle of hunting them down one by one.

 

Need help quick, ive searched and searched for disassembley guides where u can see where the cmos-battery is located. But i have found NOTHING about it Do someone know where it is/how to get to it, pictures, explain, anything.

Thanks in advance for any help i get.

Regards robi

(Sony Vaio S13)

 

Someone help me please.

 

Hello.

I am going to buy a Vaio S13 laptop, and I have some questions. I know this questions must have been answered before, but 625 are too many pages.
1. I want to add a SSD, but I don´t want to miss the HDD. I have read that is possible to replace the ODD with the SSD, but, how? Do I have to buy a caddy? What do I have to do?
2. I have read that I won´t be able to mod the bios of the GT 640M Le. Why? Can´t I simply overclock the 640M Le to 650M or 660M frequencies?

Thank you very much!

 

You will be able to change clocks in afterburner, but they don't have any affect, clock will be still 500Mhz no matter what you do. GPU frequency is blocked in firmware level somehow.

 

I just got my SVS151290x direct from sony.
No orange gate issue that I can see. Colors are the same as my ipad.
That makes me a happy camper.

The sticker at the bottom says 2013-02. Assuming that is the manufacture date.

 

Somebody can tell me please how BF3 perform in windows 8 models or ir windows 7 models without biosmod ?