Official Sony S11/S12/S13 (2010) Owners Thread

Has anyone gotten the newest nvidia driver (260.99) to work?

Dominik

 

Yes, it drove me mad when i got the laptop so I took the HDD out and replaced it with a super quiet Hitachi Travelstar. No more whistling.

 

I've gotten the newest nvidia driver to work (260.99) Anyone who wants it just use the inf.

Dominik

 

There's a new BIOS R0310Q3 - better control of the fan and better control of the light sensor. Seems pretty good so far. The fan comes on even less!

 

I've installed Remote Play for PS3 on my laptop and it works pretty well. Has anyone else tried it? Not sure what the best use of Remote Play is. And also, will this app work on non VAIO Windows laptops?

 

Isn't new was discussed like 3 pages back

I hate it - especially when the PC is still cold, the FAN goes on and off every 10-15 seconds which is far more disturbing then a constant spin!

Thanks! Confirm - it works!

 

I installed the bios from a few pages back, but this came up as another new one! Never mind...I think I need my memory testing!!!

 

Can anyone please help me? When I close, or put my screen in an other position my right hinge of my Sony S12 cracks. Today I called Sony and they told me it's not in their warranty. But in my opinion it's not my fault. I read something at internet about a macbook with the same problem and the problem of this macbook was the heat which caused this hinge problem.

Does anyone know what to do? How to fix it by myself? Or that I can claim from Sony that they repair it for free? My notebook is almost 3 months old.

 

I don't hear about a problem with the right hinge for the first time to be honest..., so here are the points you need to pay attention to:

1. OF COURSE it is in the warranty!! It is in the warranty until someone proves there is another reason besides a defect and bad quality that causes any unusual behavior! Until then - be hard with Sony - they must take it for repair! If they can prove that it has fallen down for example or have been used roughly - ok. But unless this is true - you have nothing to fear - go for your rights!! The warranty guarantees your product will operate as expected for at least X years if used properly. Well obviously it doesn't!!

2. Look through the Threads about Vaio Z - I am sure I saw numerous threads about problems with the right hinge! There was also a manual how to solve the problem - it most likely is a loosen screw! BUT you need to open almost the entire notebook to get to that... I would only do it if the warranty is over, as it MUST, MUST, MUST cover it!!

Good luck and keep us informed!!

P.s. just for statistical purposes - what model is your S and was it pre-configured or did you order configure it yourself?

 

Yup just realized my setting doesn't stick as well ...

 

Tomorrow I will go to my selling point. The person of Sony who I contacted made a note of my problem. I will ask to repair it, and I need my laptop for my study so I can't miss it too long. I'm not willing too miss my notebook for a couple of weeks as it usually takes at Sony.

I have looked at the forum and found this threat http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/491699-vaio-vpc-z11-hinge-problem.html. A lot of people have the same problem with their Sony Z. Also I looked at google and their are a lot of people who also have this problem with their macbooks. Typically, it's always the right hinge.

I have a Sony S12X9E, and it's pre-installed with W7 Pro.

 

Unfortunately I don't think anyone would be able to guarantee you that it won't take at least 2 weeks... but they MUST repair it in warranty unless it has obviously been misused!

I meant whether you ordered it from sonystyle configuring it yourself or you bought it pre-configured. If you bought it from a store I guess the second.

 

Second yes!

 

if you dont install the sony software you dont have a issue plugging or unplugging the ac

 

I don't recall installing anything more than the least amount of drivers needed. I actually am still missing a driver lol.

 

I am absolutely delight to report that I have ordered one of these:

2nd Drive Caddy for Sony VAIO E & F Series (add 2nd HDD or SSD) [OBHD-SATA12-SATA-BU] - $44.75 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

No more Frankensony ideas - this is a REALLY neat solution at low cost to replacing the optical drive with a 2nd HDD. SSD as the main OS and HDD for the Virtual Machines/Media etc. - yay!!!

International Shipping is cheap too - amazing.

Will post a review with crystaldiskmark HDD speeds & any power/heat/vibration issues

Have a good weekend everybody! :-D

 

and you think this will work?

 

If by "this" you mean adding a second HDD in a CD/DVD tray - yes, of course it works.

I've been thinking about doing the same for quite a long time now But now that someone is about to do it I'll await some feedback For example whether the tray-cover fits or the caddy needs to be modified as I read somewhere.

gusf1 please be so kind to provide more info once you have it and try it!! Thank you in advance!!

 

I predict a negative result with this model, I'm afraid. The S Series uses a low profile optical drive (this is the reason the Blue Ray option is so expensive), whereas the E and F Series use regular laptop drives.

If you're going to try this with a caddy not specifically marketed for the S Series, you would be better off with this model:
2nd hard drive or SSD caddy for VAIO Z [SONY-2BAY-Z11] - $43.00 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

This at least stands a chance of fitting in the bay. You'll also need to ensure that the hard drive you choose is of the low profile type.

 

I hope you are wrong but I have sent them an enquiry.

I have also taken out my optical drive many times to try and workout how I could secure a 2nd HD. It looks identical to the model I've ordered.

The Z model doesn't have a tray that opens does it? That is more like the 9.5mm restriction I think.

We will see... Fingers crossed..

 

Of course I will provide a full report it's the least I could do!

Very excited and optimistic... This could change the way I work; back to SSD as main drive! Can't wait! This makes the S as good as the Z for most, better in some areas.

 

Quick update: this company has amazing customer service! I emailed them and got this response in under half an hour. Needless to say I have taken the photos and sent them over:

 

My main drive is an SSD and I must say it is the single biggest improvement on this laptop compared to any of my previous ones.

 

Couldn't agree more but my 128GB SSD is gathering dust as it's not big enough for my work Virtual Machines. Can't wait to get my SSD back again! 256GB SSD is still obscenely expensive :-(

 

Quick update: they advised me that the item I ordered would not fit.

However they recommended this one: 2nd HDD / SSD OBHD caddy 9.5mm, SATA-SATA, notch faceplate [OBHD9-2BE] - $42.00 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

What great customer service, even offering to refund postage if I'm not happy! Amazing! I'll definitely post a full review when it arrives with instructions and any Frankensony hacks to fit it all together!

 

I hope so too, but I'm not hopeful.

This is the optical drive included in my S Series:
AD-7930H | Sony Optiarc
9.5 mm x 128 mm x 129 mm @ 125grams (i.e. slimline)

This is the optical drive included in the F13:
BD-5730S | Sony Optiarc
12.7 mm x 126mm x 128 mm @ 180grams (i.e. regular)

The height difference is the essential information. The F Series drive will not fit in the cavity for the S Series drive.
It's the laws of physics Cap'n.

 

Ah, good. You've got confirmation from the supplier (missed your post by four minutes). That device they recommend seems like it will do the trick. Looks like a good company to do business with.

 

I haven't looked that much into such details, but I know it is possible and has been done. I read a blog of a german S-user - his problem though was that he was unable to fit the original CD-cover to the caddy and it looked crappy, so he had to drill the caddy in order to put the original cover and not modify the cover so that he would be able to use it if one day decides to build the optical drive again...

So I am excited about the result as well, hope it works all the way!!

 

I'm interested also for my S12.

Waiting for your report !!!

Cheers !

 

Gracy can you find the blog post? I'm not afraid of getting the drill out again but some guidance from anybody would be good. Mein Deutsch ist schlecht aber ich hoffe dass einige photos gibt? ;-)

Fedex priority shipped status so should have news middle of next week

 

Ich fürchte da waren leider keine Fotos dabei.

I'll look for it and post it a bit later in this post.

Update: The BLOG

 

notch is to big,

 

Hi

Does anyone know the pcie port number of the expresscard slot, is it port 4 or 5?

 

Actually Boo Boo is right... this part looks too big compared to the real DVD-drive... It should correspond to a certain standard though.

 

If you open the drawer of the S optical drive and look at the size of the whole caddy, you'll see that the notch on the Sony cosmetic front bezel is short compared to the "ledge" behind it. That ledge accommodates the outer diameter of the optical disc and so will be the same size on all players give or take a sniff.

The cosmetic fronts on these things are often interchangeable, but the worst scenario if not in this case will be a slightly ugly visual mismatch along with a new hole.

Of course, if the new caddy is bigger than the slot by just half a millimetre it will not fit regardless. Only the moment of truth will resolve that. I remain optimistic for this part.

 

Has anyone esle updated the Bios to R2100Q3? What's new?

Current version R2090Q3

 

Which model is this BIOS for!? Current Version is R0310Q3 and you can read comments about it throughout the last couple of pages here...

 

Hey Grace

It's for the model VPCS13V9E

I'll have a read through the last few pages, although I did search for it but nothing came up.

 

Incredibly, I will receive the caddy today according to FedEx. Amazing! I was making changes to the order late on Friday night local time, what a great company with reasonable postage! I should have an update later tonight if my kids behave..

 

hi, i had a slight creak on both my hinges on my s12 when brand new.

now, about three months later they are smooth but it did bother me at first.

 

Yesterday I brought my notebook to my selling point to send it to Sony repair. I also asked to replace the two feets on the bottom side and the one to the left of the keyboard because there were a bit loose. I'm curious if they will and can fix it without paying for it (I'm not willing to). They told me at my seller, that it will take 3-4 weeks (average). Now i'm having an other notebook, a Packard Bell, received it from my seller, but damn this thing is crap (Sony is a real paradise compared to this one)! I hope I will receive my Sony sooner than 3-4 weeks.

 

Ok minor update with regards to a 2nd HD in a caddy... it works! Great!

I took some photos and will post tomorrow.

The caddy needs a bit of work; removing some screws etc. and the plastic casing, I took the Sony edge off and stuck it on with Blu Tack - I know this sounds a bit like "There I fixed it" but I used some all along a flat edge, squashed it down and trimmed the blu tack. I take care of my laptop despite cavalier attitude towards butchering it, I don't drop it etc. so should be ok??

The main delay in posting is that I had issues cloning the right parts of my 500GB HD to my 128GB SSD.. let's just say I am now intimately familiar with BCDEDIT, DISKPART and BOOTREC.. a number of panic moments over the past couple of nights... Clonezilla & GParted did the trick for the most part, from USB using Unetbootin - I'll post details tomorrow or later in the week.

To anybody considering this option: DO IT! for the relatively cheap cost it is well worth it. Amazing company to do business with - I was making changes on a Friday night, and the item arrived from the US to Scotland on Monday AM!

Laters

 

Hm, thanks for the update, really curios to see the pics. I was hoping for a more elegant solution of the cover problem though :-/ Don't want to modify the cover, neither to stick it.... there should be a different way.

How about the caddy itself? Does it fit good? Please take/upload as much pics as possible thanks

 

no pics? . .

 

Hello All,

I am in need on replacing my laptop and have been looking at S13V9E. I have tried to look for either so called "expert" or customer reviews but apart from one on Amazon, can not find any. I need it for personal and business.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

Hi, I've just bought one myself. The VAT back offer from Sony made it a great deal for me.

There are a few S series reviews.

Here :- Sony VAIO S Series Review - A Review of the Sony VAIO S Series

Sony Vaio S series (VPCS11V9E/B) Review | Laptops | CNET UK

I hope that helps?

Thanks

Mark

 

Thanks Mark. I have been dithering and was seeing the cheapest deal at Amazon and number of units being reduced. I bought the last one, and as you said, another £155 coming back makes it extremely attractive.

Is your on order or have you got it in your possession? if yes to later, what is the build quality like?

Regards

Mick

 

Mick,

Yes, I have it. The build quality is excellent. Better than the several Dells and Toshiba's I have previously used at work.

The magnesium case is nice and rigid. Illuminated keyboard is brilliant for typing in a darkened room.

Even with most of the Sony software loaded it still works nice and fast. The fingerprint reader is a neat way of logging in as well.

HTH

Mark

 

Hi to all,

I'm a S12V9 owner from 1th October .... I'm quite happy with this note, but recently I'm driving crazy by some annoying random freeze .... the freeze appears randomly when I'm normally working .... at a time the mouse is blocked and all the pc is frozen. No BSOD, but just a freeze. The first time it appears after some days ... recently every 15-20 or 30 minutes /last week, after a recent Windows update).

I revert to previous configuration (prior of Windows Update) then it freeze after 1 or 2 hours ..... at the moment it freeze after 4-5 hours .... but still randomly.

I remove some things ..... fingerprints drivers, mouse, network, wan, skype, ecc. ..... it still freeze.

I know that is difficoult to understand the origin..... at least I'll restore original situation or a full Windows reinstallation ..... before to do this, I ask you if you know some solutions or if this issue is know ..... I search previous posts but without any clue ....

Please help me ! Thanks !

Gianluca
Italy

 

First thing i would do is restore the laptop to its original software. You can do that with the recovery software or by pressing the assist button. I am pretty sure you can uninstalled something that messed up a few settings, slowing down your laptop.