Official Sony VAIO AW Series 18.4" Owners thread

Hey aleicgrant,

You really need to drive to your nearest SonyStyle store (call them first though) and check out the Premium AW with the LED screen for yourself. I've had it for a month now and out of the 5 notebook computers I've owned in the past 7 or 8 years, it has by far the best-looking, most rich & vibrant screen I've seen on a notebook.

It's an absolute joy editing photos in Lightroom and Photoshop on this thing!

 

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=CPT700US

hearing this roller may work with the Sony

 

I just need to clear up some confusion. the AW 190 have the LED correct

 

Answers to this question and others you raise can be found in this extensive thread - read through earlier posts and you will get more than enough info

 

Only if it's a black/premium model. None of the grey ones do regardless of model number.

(And DANG I would have ordered one of these last week if not for the lack of ability to update the drivers without wrecking blu ray playback )

 

Apologies if this has been asked/answered before...

the Sony VGNAW11XU/Q with the RGB LED screen... is this matte or glossy? Also does anyone have any dead pixels in theirs? (bit dubious having purchased a PSP)... they just annoy me since I work with images all day long sometimes on the laptop. (I keep trying to retouch them out for a while)

 

All the AWs in North America are matte, I assume it is the same elsewhere.

I yet to read of someone getting dead pixels on the AWs, there have been a few reports of other LCD issues however. Them seem rare exceptions however.

The best thing you could do is check it out yourself in a store.

 

Does this effect only the desktop or does it also work on the Video Overlay, 3D graphic and game modes?

 

It affects everything - it basically embeds the color profile into everything run by the OS.

 

Only the premium version is matte. All other models are glossy.

 

Please people can u change topic please ??
still talking about RGB and screen am bored of it
lets talk about upgrading hardware changing /updating BIOS
disassembling AW laptops etc...

 

My AW sucks, it locks up randomly, I hate it

 

Has anyone tried the new Nvidia driver for the 9600m GT? Finally, Nvidia has released drivers to the public. The driver has a lot more functionality than the one that ships with the AW. However, Nvidia's website says that it is not for use with the Vaio AW. (It may only be that it's not certified yet, but still may work.) If anyone wants to give it a try, it can be found here....

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_notebook_winvista64_179.28_beta.html

Also, is there a fix for the occasional screen flicker?

 

If I recall correctly, somewhere in a previous post it is mentioned that some users tried the 9600 Nvidia drivers with their AW's and that it caused issues with the InterVideo Win DVD Blu Ray player application so it seems they are not compatible.

 

What are doing before it locks up? Do you let it go into sleep mode?

 

well that figures, I was about to order a 190 premium and the $450 off sale they were having on sony style is gone.

CRAP

 

no just using it, normal stuff, writing email, moving mouse, browsing web etc. It is going back to Sony for "repair" already,
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=335325

there are 2 errors in event viewer every time it locks up:
VzCdbSvc and WMI
I'm going to try and disable VzCdbSvc which i found by searching the registry is VAIO Entertainment Database Service. (let's see entertainment .... NOT!!)

Freakin' Sony

 

So, I disabled the VzCdbSvc service, then about 15 mintues later the sytem locked up again, and another 10 minutes it locked up again.

The error now is the WMI error:
Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected.

 

Hi reinstall windows and will be ok

 

Did already, 2 times = 8 hours, no go

 

Hi
I had instaled all possible even from driver heaven ,...
they working all but when u install desktop's converted to laptops that physx is enabled if u install another drivers it will be disabled..

 

When Audio is playing, not just music, any audio, I get a stuttering / skipping sound once in a while randomly. Does anyone else get that?

 

TRY BE SPECIFIC ?
WHEN IS SKIPPING? WHEN U OPEN WIN MEDIA PLAYER AND U LISTENING MUSIC ?
TRY GO CONTROL PANEL -DEVICE MANAGERAND SELECT DISK DRIVES YOUR HDD
POLICIES AND CHECK THAT ADVANCED PERFORM.

 

Hi
It happens when the notebook tries to play any audio. For example when a song is playing in WMP or when Vista tries to play an alert message etc. It sound just like when a CD gets stuck on one beat and goes "TATATATATA" for a second and then goes back to normal. Something seems out of place.

Ok so I checked the "Enable Advanced Performance" under Disk Drives/Fujitsu" The skipping sound still happens. There is also a device called "JMCR SCSI disk device", should I check perf on that as well?

 

With those random crashes and a reinstall from scratch not helping, I'd try running memtest overnight on it. Make sure it gets zero memory errors. www.memtest.org

 

no no needed that is CF reader leave it on quick removal ..

because of thayt your skipping u have installed win maybe not on clean hdd and u doing so many executions at once
u got to try reinst win insert dvd with vista and format hdd then install win. after check that hdd performance and then install all your things (soft) (dont turn on internet !! othervise all window updates wil automaticly will meessing) but one by one install one restart install next and restart win..
after all install vista codecs etc

 

Thanks, I'll try that tonight to test out the RAM. Does the Vaio boot from CD by default? I went into the Bios and it was pretty lame and restricted with no boot options really to muck around with.

 

Oh crud, I don't know if it does or not-if there's no option I guess it must (hopefully!) since the restore discs are supposed to be bootable.

 

Last night I did a fresh install from Vaio Recovery Center, only took about 4 hours What is Vista Codecs? Maybe that's the problem??

 

Update: I noticed there are 2 versions of WMP on the AW, one in Program Files, and one in Program Files (x86)

I switched to using the non-x86 version and it seems a little less skippy. Wonder why they even have both versions??

Have downloaded Vista Codec Package x64 from here http://shark007.net/x64components.html but have not installed it... Is this one safe?

 

Are you still getting WMI errors? If so that really needs to be fixed before anything else.

 

Windows 2008 Hyper-V & Vaio AW11Z/B support - has anyone managed to get this working ? Seems no way in the Bios to enable the necessary chipset extensions to allow Hyper-V to work on Windows 2008.

Ian

 

I was hoping for a little help from others who have purchased the AW190-JAH from NewEgg.

I just received mine today and I have a few questions about what SHOULD be included with this model:

1.) My computer did not include the "Remote Commander" remote control. I thought I read somewhere that it was included with all models? There was an extra empty plastic bag though...

2.) The black folder that contains all the paperwork was NOT shrink-wrapped and seems to be missing some things. Is there supposed to be some sort of comprehensive User's Guide explaining the computer, or just the quick-start guide? Does anyone remember the different items included in this folder? Was yours shrink-wrapped? Any actual discs included or is everything pre-loaded? Any larger manuals or just a couple of 2-3 page things?

3.) What exactly was included in the box that you guys have received?
My box only contained the computer, battery, AC adapter/power cord, and a 1/3-full paperwork folder.

4.) The pessimist in me is starting to think I received a Refurbished or Returned model. Anyone have any ideas as to how I could determine if this is truly the case with one shipped to me?

Thanks for any and all input.

McTwitch

 

Yes I was doing good, until I shut down the laptop at work, then I came home and tried to start it, when it went into some type of recovery mode as if it had crashed, then after 15 minutes of searching for a problem the system responded "we can't fix this problem" and shut down. and then I restarted again and in Event Viewer i see WMI again:
Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected.

How in the world can i fix this?

 

1. There is no remote commander with the Newegg VAIO VGN-AW190JAH because this model does not have the TV tuner. The IR sensor would be located between the battery/hard drive indicators and the wireless switch. As for a remote control, I recommend the Logitech di Novo Mini. It works killer with the notebook for media playback and web browsing control.

2. Everything inside the black Sony folder is what you get. It should include a Blu-ray Disc Guide, a paper stating to update the computer, a safety information sheet, a Windows Live Care advertisement, an advertisement for a 60 day trial of MS Office, an advertisement for Napster, a warranty card, a meet your VGN-AW100 fold out poster, a VAIO accessories book, and a Sony thank you card. There are no recovery discs. You make your own. As for the user guide, just Google SONY VAIO AW-190 USER GUIDE and it will bring up the 209 page PDF and then just save it to your computer.

3. What is included is :

AW Notebook
Battery
AC plug/power cord
Paperwork as mentioned above.

4. It would seem unlikely Newegg shipped you a refurbished or used model,
but maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

Does anyone know the models that specifically have the LED RGB screen

so far I know the 190 premium does

the 190ybb does

does the SONY VAIO VGN-AW170Y/Q offer the LED RGB screen as well

its awful confusing with the reseller models finding out if they have it or not

 

Thanks for the quick response... What you are saying about the remote makes sense, HOWEVER, before I ordered I had found this on the Sony website:

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/SPECS/VGNAW190JAH_mksp.pdf

Based on this spec sheet, a Remote Commander is included.

Sometimes you gotta love ordering via mail-order!!!!!

McTwitch

 

Yes, That was me. But happy to report that the latest driver (Ver. 179.28) works. I installed it today morning and it works without any problem with WinDVD BD.

-J

 

Wait...what? I gave up looking at the AW because of the driver/Blu Ray issues. What driver are you running now? And how did you get it installed? And the WinDVD copy now correctly switches modes or whatever and plays Blu Rays?

 

The latest version is 179.28. when you download the driver it just downloads a small executable and when you run that it creates a folder on your machine. Next step is to open the device manager and select update driver for display. Select the option to use driver from specific location and then browse to the new folder under which you will find a folder named 'Display' with a bunch of .inf files. select any one of these files and click ok. That should do it. It didn't ask me to restart the machine after updating the driver but I always do a restart after installing anything.
Tested Blue-Ray playback with windvd and it works.

BTW there's also an update on sony support site for Intervideo WinDVD BD. I installed that also. May be that's the reason why new driver works?

 

I am not a WMI expert but when I did get a WMI problem (on another computer) it was because the registry became corrupt and only a complete reinstall wiping out all of the system settings fixed it.
If you can find info about repairing a WMI issue that actually works you would have better luck then me, I could not find anything about WMI fixes other then a complete reinstall.

Maybe you should ask Sony about how to reinstall the OS.

 

Okay, I've done a force install like that before...

So you're just forcing the new Nvidia driver that's specifically for notebooks (Except Sony/Leveno) to install rather than forcing the regular reference drivers to install like before?

...Except it could be the WinDVD update. Doh! Oh well, it's good to hear things are apparently working...which brings us back to why on Earth Sony isn't letting them support their systems.

I guess I should have bought that AW last week after all. Oh well :-/

 

Why u doing recovery ??
dont do that
download some vista 64 from internet.. dont mess with any recovery from sony crap !!
make it your own !

 

u have to install blu-ray update for windvd

 

Hi all,

I finally read all the posts in this thread after purchasing my AW in Japan. I've got the Video Edition, and love it. You guys should note that in Japan, the Photo (Adobe RGB version) and Video Editions cost roughly the same amount. The video edition comes with the remote and is advertised as being, well, better for video (specifically, they say it has higher contrast, which I suppose must be because of the semi-glossy screen). I use my PC for video much more than photos, so I preferred the Video edition screen (I saw both side-by-side at the Sony Building in Tokyo)

Anyway, the first thing I did was to install a fresh copy of Vista Ultimate. I managed to get most of the drivers working (currently with the exception of the TV tuner). For those of you who are looking for a lightweight case, I'd suggest the Targus Slipcase Sport (17" model). The AW didn't fit in most cases, but it fits perfectly in this one.

Oh, and just to prove it can be done, I am attaching this photo in the steerage class of the Tokyo-LA flight:

 

Incidentally, I forgot to ask one question. Does anyone have drivers for the TV tuner hardware? They're not available for download (and the AverMedia etc. ones on the Sony UK site don't work with the Japanese model).

 

Dear forum members,

My wife has a Sony Vaio AW. She's very happy with it, untill now
She removed a game 'big fish' from the notebook. Once restarted her fingerprint sensor didn't work anymore. Also the USB connected (wireless mouse logitech nano) wasn't recognized. Only when she put a passport WD hard drive onto the USB-port it is recognized. She tried to do the recovery, but no luck

1. In the hardware management there is still a device that isn't recognized, but what kind of device?
2. When we have a look in the bios, we see nothing in the advanced page, is this normal?
3. On the driver page of Sony we can find the driver for the fingerprint sensor, tcusb and a tcusb.sys but we don't know how to install it. We already tried to put the files in programfiles/protector suite QL/drivers and then rightclick and install, but the system told us we couldn't install it?

Can anyone help us please?
Thanks in advance

 

re #897:
gino1968 - have you tried a System Restore? (assuming you have a suitable restore point)

 

System Restores mess up a lot (on my SZ - standby on closing lid amongst other things)

 

Just registered here; very useful discussion - thanks guys and gals.
I haven't quite ordered my AW11 yet, but I feel I'm getting close; it will probably be the RGB-LED-backlit version.

Re RGB-LED-backlit screen calibration, there is other discussion of it scattered around the WWW, eg. regarding HP Elitebook laptops and also re monitors. Some folks have been saying Sypder etc. peripherals don't work (properly?) with the 30-bit RGB-LED-backlit screens. I'm pleased to read here of apparent success with hardware calibrators.

One related thing I have seen posted elsewhere but not here (apol's if I missed it) is that the wider gamut does not work with interlaced content (ie. 1080i vs. 1080p).
Specifically, regarding an HP laptop with RGB-LED-backlit screen, called DreamColor in HP parlance:

[ http://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/223/8009 ]
Any comments?