Official 2012 Sony S Series Owners Thread

As far as I know, GRUB2 should be compatible with EFI booting, along with a couple others bootloaders. At any rate, you can use Easy BCD to make an entry for linux in the W8 bootloader and just use it. You shouldn't have trouble with most updated distributions.

As for Windows 8, everything should work out-of-box, just make sure you install the Shared Library and Hotkey Utilities (+ Control Center) so you have access to advanced VAIO functions. Most of the drivers I just grab from station-drivers.com anyway. If you want the bundled VAIO software (like Vegas) you'll have to extract them from the bundled original recovery partition or recovery drive you might have made.

New Windows 8 drivers should be available by the end of the month for the new models, so if unsure you could just grab those that are relevant.

 

I second your question 1!!! I want to find an solution as well. The only one I know is to turn off the OD through the BIOS Menu.

 

You actually already answered it. Just disable the ODD in the BIOS menu. You may also disable it in the device manager if I'm not mistaken, though if you don't really use it you may as well just disable it in BIOS and be done with it.

 

I am purchasing the Sony S series SVS151190X(model) and I was wondering do you need the 2GB Nvidia card to be able to put in an SSD? When you try to customize it on the sony website their require that you have the 2GB nvidia card to be able to purchase the SSD. I am looking at getting the Samsung 256GB 830 series. Does anyone know about this? Or have any of you done it?

 

You can put whatever you want in any of the models, save for GPUs in models that only come with Intel integrated one since the motherboard is probably different.

The fact that the Sony SSD only comes with 2GB RAM GPU models is a marketing decision, not a technical one. You can rest assured and buy your Samsung SSD at will. I know I have.

 

So as long as I get the non SSD one I should be fine putting the samsung SSD and taking the HDD? Have you done it yourself with the nvidia 640 1gb model?

 

The GPU RAM size is irrelevant for the rest of the computer, you could switch in a motherboard with 1GB or 2GB anytime and it won't make the tiniest difference for the rest of the components.

I do have the 1GB version with the 256GB 830, but like I said it doesn't matter.

 

There is the new Win8 models on the Dutch Sony Store ...

BUT they have them only in 13", no 15"

I don't know what to do anymore ... I want a 15" and I had settled on the sony, no I have to search again I'm afraid ...

 

Thanks, thatìs what I did.

I also downloaded synaptic touchpad drivers directly from their website but they still don't support many of the common multi-touch gestures, niether the ones promised to work especially for Windows 8. Am I doing something wrong?

 

It's not available on Sony's german website either (only S13) though i'm sure it'll be back very soon.

On Sony Europe Retail Partner's websites such as 'notebookbilliger.de' and 'cyberport.de' you can already pre-order the S15 with the newer i7-3632QM processor. I'm also pretty much settled on it

 

OK, thanks, that makes me feel a bit better
I still sent an email, see if they answer ...

 

I was told by Sony on the phone yesterday that they would have the Win8 models available for pre-order tomorrow (don't know if it will be available online though).

Sent from my GT-I9000

 

Are there any differences between the I7 and I5 pre-configured models except colour and ram? Are the casing and all other functions the same?

Sent from my GT-I9000

 

I'm using 16.2.12.3 from here, and I'm downloading right now the latest ones that showed up today. I don't know the list of all supposed supported gestures, but scroll, zoom, 3-finger back \ forward work very well here.

Everything's the same unless directly specified in the sheet. The chassis is always the same though.

 

Hey Guys!

Has anyone noticed the disappearance of Fast BIOS Startup Settings in the VAIO Control after clean install on SSD?

I followed all the installation instuctions (incl UEFI bios) mentioned in the first post in this threat. VAIO Care/ Update not installed.

THanks in advance!

 

I am looking for a BIOS mod to enable the 2nd SATA drive. I installed a mSATA SSD alond with my SATA SSD hoping to setup a RAID 0 but I the BIOS is not recognizing the 2nd drive. If someone has any insight into this please let me know. If the mSATA slot is not intended for SSD what then?

SVS1511AGXB

 

I have not read this entire thread...I'm about halfway through, but I had to post something on Orangegate. I have a Sony Z1, with the 1600x900 screen. It's been rated as a good screen, with good contrast, etc.

I've been looking at a Vaio S, and so I've been reading this thread. Upon reading about Orangegate, I decided to look at my own screen as an example. With a deep red color on it, if I move toward a viewing angle from "above," it starts to appear orange. So basically, moving my viewing angle up and down can change the image from red to orange. I just thought I would add this to the discussion--again, I've read only about half of this massive thread,so forgive me if I'm covering old ground.

Thanks

 

The msata is probably a mini pcie for the wwan card in Europe... I could be wrong but I'm not haha

No that orange gate proposition has never been raised before but the s15 has an IPS display with excellent viewing angles.... they are truly great. So tilting does not change the colors on our display.... I also get the impression (not fr your question) that some mix up the s13 and s15.... the 13 doesn't have orange gate or IPS or full HD... at least in the past version(not the currently being discussed models)

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

Gestures are very poor compared to other laptops imho.

Does the last update from station drivers installs to you anyway?

Also, how to get Stamina/Speed control switch in Windows 8? Shall we wait for updated drivers?

 

That's normal with a TN display like the Z has - it's called gamma shift. TN displays can only produce accurate colors within a narrow viewing angle.

The S15's display, however, is simply not able to produce accurate reds at all.

 

Like I said, install the shared libraries and the hotkey + control panel applications. Everything but the wireless control (Sony's) work just fine here in Windows 8. I'm not sure if I installed something else but those 2 are essential at least.

Also I don't know what problems have you had with the touchpad, but it works flawlessly for me and I can't say I have anything to complain of. The latest drivers from there don't install with the setup.exe, but there's another executable that works and installs them. With those, however, you'll need 2-finger-click for the right click (in the right click zone), so if you like the 1-click right click you might want to just get the older ones I pointed.

 

Well I just got my s13p today and I have to say that this is one of the worst screens I've ever seen and I've seen thousands of screens. I can see the columns of pixels and it is very grainy. The colors and contrast is very poor and the viewing angles are terrible. I thought my Acer 3820TG had a terrible screen but somehow Sony found one that is worse Are there any aftermarket screens we can swap in? The Asus ux32vd uses a 13.3" IPS but I doubt the connector will be the same since Sony loves to have weird connectors on their LCDs. Also the bezel on this laptop looks like it's glued on so I'm sure it will be a PITA to remove without breaking it. I do like the size/weight of this machine as it's exactly like my 3820TG was except I don't like that it has an optical drive since it's 2012 and they are obsolete and that space could have been used for cooling or battery.

Now I'm going to try that bios overclocking mod and then some games.

 

My second hard drive is not recognized by BIOS either. Windows sees it just fine but not BIOS. I think the only way to have the BIOS see the second drive is if it's connected via the proprietary cable to the SATA slot the original HDD connects to. Sony uses a VERY proprietary system to get 2 SSD's in there in RAID and they don't want us going around them or their high prices. Pics of this are posted elsewhere in this thread. Further the BIOS on all but the machines they equip with their SSD's in NOT RAID capable. Lemme know if you find a way around this but I sure haven't!

 

my preordered win8 svs15 shipped today and should be here tomorrow! woohoo!

 

Quick update on the new S13 configuration here:

The Sony S13 came back online in The Netherlands, now available with i3-3110m 2,4Ghz processor.
The i5-3210M is €70,- extra and the i7-3520M €220,-.
Windows 8 as mandatory OS off course.

The Optical Disc Drives seem to have gotten cheaper. Where a Blu-ray upgrade used to cost soemthing like €300 for a Blu-Ray burner, it is now down to €150,-
If that also means that the drives themselves have gotten cheaper I might consider buying on to replace my DVD-drive.

 

i can't find windows 8 drivers in sony website for vaio S....why?

 

Didn't get mine yet, but was wondering the same thing - though, I'd be happier with the Samsung screen from Series 9 (Full HD is a bit much for me), even if it's much worse color-space wise. Agreed on the optical drive - it can be useful, but I'd prefer better cooling, bigger battery and an mSATA port instead (to run an SSD together with the HDD).

 

I tried a Samsung 9 but just returned it, the screen required you to view in exact right angle to avoid the picture being distorted. For that price I expect a much better screen. It is a shame though, it is both lighter and with better battery than S15.

 

That's probably the 15'' version, which has an awful screen. They were talking about the 13'' version that has a IPS 1600x900 screen which is actually nice.

Next week we might have some reports of the new 1312 and 1512 versions and see if the screens changed or are just the same laptops with Windows 8 and a different part number.

 

Clean installed windows 8 today...

I cannot, for the love of god, get the damn speed/stamina and function keys to work. I followed to the letter every driver installation procedure on page 46 of this thread.

Is it because I'm using firmware extension parser from windows 8 driver section instead of windows 7?! Its the only thing that's different in size on the Sony website.

Somebody please help!!!

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

Windows 8 drivers posted from Sony - this is for the S15 black although I'm sure most other models are prob listed.
For speed/stamina make sure you install Sony Shared Libraries (ssl) first!!
Sony eSupport - SVS1511BFXB - Support

Also there is a new BIOS posted on the Windows 8 Driver page ---- This may break the Overclocking BIOS we all love so much ------

 

Try installing Sony Shared Libraries SSL if you haven't already
Also install Hotkey Utilities !! that includes all that is needed for volume/speed/stamina etc

 

Thanks for your reply... Sony hasn't posted shared libraries AND hotkey utilities for Win8 yet so I installed the Win7 version... doesn't work.

If anyone who has clean installed Win8 care to share their procedure I'll be eternally grateful +1

 

You are correct, I was looking at the win7 drivers. I did download all the win8 drivers and am going to do a clean install. Ill keep in touch on my findings.

VAIO® Peripherals Metadata Software << this may have SSL included. That is my guess. Will try now.

 

i did a Win 8 upgrade (rather than clean install), and after noticing that the Nvidia GPU wasn't kicking in, I upgraded both drivers for that and the Intel GPU. I haven't tested it yet to see if is correctly switching on yet, but assuming it doesn't work, and I've installed things out of the "preferable order", what do I do? Install the SSL and then re-install the video drivers?

 

Good question. Prior to using the win7 drivers on win8 ( which i used ssl and hotkey utils which worked with switching ) for now i suggest uninstall all video drivers and check up on sonys page for windows 8 drivers. There is no specific SSL driver on the win8 page. I am testing this now as I do a clean install of win8 and win8 drivers from sony.

 

Vaio S13A Ram!

Hello I have at home DDR3 1333 CL9 PC3 10666 1,50V Standard SODIMM ram. The S13A is stated by Sony with DDR3 1333L Ram. Is my Ram poosible to fit in the S or have I to buy new Ram? And when yes, which Ram kit?

 

Ok the Peripherals software is for ps3 keyboard support.

 

Hello everyone
I am a new user and English isnt my first language but I am really desperate for help so please help me.

I just purchased the win8 version S15 today as well as an SSD
but I cannot enter bios
no matter how quick I press F2 or even attach a usb kb
I still get the "Operating System Not Found"
I've tried pressing other keys during boot but still get the same error message
can anyone advice how to get into the bios for changing boot priority???
I am really desperate for help

thanks in advance

edit: ok I figure out whats going on now
its not entering through F2 now

 

Someone else having temperature issues on the processor ?
my Room temp is around 25ºC and playing Borderlands 2 my graphic reach 70ºC while the processor (i7 3520) reach 96ºC (!!!!!!!)

also, the fan is set "priority to ventilation" and i don't have any overclock!

 

no win 8 driver for italian model SVS1511W9EB

 

People who bought the S15 with windows 8, is the screen fixed?????

 

Anyone successfully upgrade(not clean install) from Win 7 to Win 8 yet?

Do we have to use the "VAIO Utility for Windows 8 Upgrade" before the upgrade or after the upgrade?

Might purchase Win 8 tomorrow.

Thanks.

 

does someone know where I can find the drivers for windows 8 for model svs1511ne3s. this model I am not able to find on the website: Sony eSupport - Electronics

at least the Sony Vaio Control Center where I can adjust the keyboard and it's backlight, as it's not working at the moment on windows 8. I tried several from other models but they are not good.

 

I dunno if this is available for you guys

Original Drivers and Applications for SVS13A/SVS13/SVS15 Series (Windows 8 64-Bit) : Download : Sony Asia Pacific

 

hi guys


Im a product designer, and i work with programs like 3ds max, solidworks, photoshop and illustrator...

can you guys tell me if the sony vaio s with qc i7, ssd and 8 gb of ram would be fine for the work that i do??

btw, should i pick the s13p or s15?? the build quality is good on these laptops??

thanks a lot

 

May be rest of us can use the drivers of these win 8 vaio S's when installing win 8??? Only the processsor seems to be different. And the newer drivers might be more efficient with win 8.

 

I ran it after the upgrade. Only missing functionality is the aforementioned lack of Speed/Stamina control, and the only F-keys that work are the three audio (mute., vol+/-).

Actual process of getting the upgrade and getting it installed is way better than Windows 7, which was way better than Vista which was way better than XP. Pretty much download the installer, it'll check compatibility, ask if you want a clean install or upgrade, might ask you to remove a few drivers or apps, it reboots, installs without any intervention.

Problem was, after the upgrade install was finished, the tutorial was done and I had full command of the machine it would randomly lock up every few minutes, requiring a hard reboot, often locking up while trying to log in. Went into Safe Mode and tried uninstalling suspected troublemakers, with no success.

Ended up having to download Win8 again on my desktop, put it on a USB stick, and do a wipe install (file system is not changed, but it's a clean OS). From there, I went to the Sony support site and downloaded all the Win8x64 drivers/apps/utils and installed them (most of which are to be installed after Windows 8, not before).

So, it's running fine now, and I'm using Start8 after just a few hours of pulling out my hair with the whole Start/Desktop dichotomy. The other funny thing is, my boot time, while not slow, seems to be slower than with Win7, considering I was already using a SSD.

As for my lockups, do keep in mind I was running the overclocked GPU BIOS, beta Nvidia drivers from last summer, had installed quite a few programs, codecs and utilities (like MSI Afterburner). I suspect that a more stock system wouldn't have had the same problems.

I also suspect there will be more Sony VAIO updates in the next few days, if not the next few hours, and we'll have Speed/Stamina and F-key controls fully functional in short order, and there's nothing that prevents it from being quite usable as-is.

 

What order did you install everything? Same as on page 46?

 

I just installed 8 over the WIndows 7 and the laptop is running great. Everything works except WIDI and Acid Studio. I need to reinstall them. Other than those 2, I am really happy with the 8 so far.