Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge *PART 2*

Note: link below added

UNIFICATION POST SONY VAIO F11 SERIES – ISSUES, FIXES, TWEAKS, REVIEWS


I just ordered an F11 from sonystyle. This is the replacement for the FW series. Mine should come with i7-820 Nvidia gt330 1gb 1920x1080 4GB ram and base hard drive.

ship date is Jan 14th.

 

Part one of the F series owners lounge can be found here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=448894

The old thread was getting to be too large for the forum server to handle.

Thanks.

 

Hope the mods can clean up some of the later posts that are essentially personal attacks, from the prior thread.

 

I recently had "display driver has stopped responding and has succesfully recovered" on my F11 on two occasions. The screen went blank for a few seconds and came back. First on Mass Efect 2 under 1hr of gameplay. The second on a small Autocad 2010 file.
Is this a software or hardware issue?

Spec: i7-820QM - 8GB 1333mhz ram - Nvidia GT330M (not overclocked) - 1920x1080 Display - 320GB 7200rpm drive - Win 7 Pro 64-bit - Blu Ray Burner - US Black version

 

I would recommend updating your display drivers from www.nvidia.com for the 330m GT and it might/should solve your problem. They just got released yesterday.

Release Date:

2010.03.02

http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook_drivers.html

 

That sounds exactly like overheating causing GPU errors. Since both ME2 and cad rendering are GPU-intensive I wonder if the laptop is being vented properly? - Not sitting on cloth for instance, maybe have the back raised. Check fan settings, it should be set for power, or higher fan use, rather than automatic which tends to favour quieter operation at the expense of a hot-running system.

Sometimes a professional graphics system is best served by updating the paste used for the CPU and GPU heat sinks.

 

@nizmoz

ok great! thanks and I hope this works. Just in case, if I get this again with updated drivers is there a possibility of it being a hardware failure? Just asking because I am still within my 30day return period.

 

@melodymaster

It's resting on a cold glass table with no obstruction to the vents. I've also set it to power and is plugged in. The two occasions it's happpened i've only been working on one application at a time. I could try propping it up.

EDIT: Never done any thermal pasting before and I assume my tinkering will void the warranty?

 

Nobody else has had trouble with games or rendering on the Sony-supplied drivers so that's why I suggested looking at the way the system is being used. And THEN indeed, considering all the yield problems Nvidia has had, one can consider that the GT330 might be buggy..

(edit) the glass table is good. I don't see a problem with venting then. Yup, try updated drivers, but as I say..

 

This laptop is eminently hackable and easy to disassemble. I'm sure we're going to see Faqs on changing the paste, and cooling mods (which is done by third-party providers of the F11) overclocking, upgrading the GPU and CPU, (a GT240 can be installed, somewhat faster than the 330, and there's Fermi) and changing the display, at the very least.

 

Has anyone heard anything from Sony out at CeBIT? A few other manufacturers have released information on new laptop lines but Sony has been silent. I saw on the CeBIT website that they were attending but couldn't find out if they just had a booth or were going to be giving a presentation.

Thanks for all the gaming videos! Have you tried games like Supreme Commander 1 (there is a demo for it btw), the upcoming Supreme Commander 2, Starcraft/Broodwars etc? Im just wondering how well it handles having hundreds of units moving on the screen at once.

 

arrghh and sigh I guess this will be my call if the problem persists after updates. (fingers crossed) I just don't want to have to return the unit again and be on downtime again or wait for the possible June upgrade. I like this this laptop.

The eminent mods sound promising. I take it upgrading the GPU comes through a Sony refresh?

 

Just making sure it's the GeForce/ION Driver Release 196? Please advise.

 

There are a few ways to get AA in ME2. First, you can rename the MassEffect2.exe file in the \Binaries directory of your install to UT3.exe, and then turn on AA for Unreal Tournament within the nVidia control panel. Or (this is the method I use) you can get nHancer, which allows you to used a hacked profile to get AA to work in ME2. Instructions on this can be found here: http://forum.nhancer.com/showthread.php?t=1602

In terms of other games like Mass effect, there's always Knights of the Old Republic I & II, which are great games, but have somewhat dated graphics. There'a also The Last Remnant, which (I think) should also be available for the PS3.

 

Some combat footage with 4xAA turned on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v82ZVSiPD7k

The game gets ridiculously slow during the cutscene with Kal Reegar (like 11fps with FRAPS recording). It did this with without AA on as well - I'm guessing the ridiculous amount of HDR being generated by the dying sun is the culprit . The rest of the scene is fine though, I got around 21-25 FPS while recording.

 

I've had another request for Supreme Commander, so I will definitely get a video of that up soon. I hope to get that, as well as Gears of War up today sometime. I also have a copy of GTA 4 lying around somewhere, so I'll get a video of that up sometime as well.

 

Woah, woah, woah, so the GPU isn't soldered onto the mainboard?????

 

New to adjusting Nividia 3D graphics. I've enabled my PhysX. Any other tips in managing/changing global or program settings?

 

Since I can't run it myself the automatic scanner should be able to select the correct driver you need on it's web page from the link I provided.

 

I haven't changed any other global settings, they seemed to be fine the way they were. This doesn't necessarily have to do with the control panel, but I would install one of these custom color profiles if you haven't done so already:

For US Screens:
by slrosenfeld: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5784440#post5784440

by count_schemula: www.projectmodern.com/images_hosted/Spyder2express.zip

For the UK 1080p screen:
by Matt800: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5862633#post5862633

The difference (especially while gaming) is phenomenal!

 

The auto search gave me the obvious 300M series but you still have to go back to the drop down menu. Nividia drop down does not give me a 300M choice only the 300 series. Using
Version:
196.75 WHQL
Release Date:
2010.03.02
Operating System:
Windows Vista 64-bit, Windows 7 64-bit
Language:
English (U.S.)
File Size:
118 MB
I've download this and my laptop would not accept. Not sure how to do this.

 

I'm not sure you should use the drivers from the nVidia website. I went to download the 192.(something) drivers from nVidia and I read a notice that Vaio Laptop owners (as well as Dell or Apple, or some other company) should get their drivers from the manufacturer's website.

 

Did you by chance copy and save the facegen script when designing Shepard? I like the flat profile from chin to forehead that you've achieved, though I/'d make some other changes so it won't be "your" Shepard..? It's too bad there's not yet a way to edit features after the introductory quest. My Fallout3 character was constantly evolving through "ShowRaceMenu" touchups and is now almost exactly what I expect a lady with her experience to look like.

 

I actually did Cheers!
It's 731.87F.A17.F8A.JDH.6BG.1EA.911.KC6.412.6G6.623

 

They always will say that, but if you are into gaming, as many car, it is recommended you get the drivers from the manufacture of the cards site. Per what I googled, the 300 drivers will work on the 300m GT cards. Unfortunately I can't help you with this as I don't have my laptop anymore.

 

But you have to buy that $90 spyder thing right?

 

Ah cool! I copied the script for my character but stoopidly rebooted before pasting it, so I guess there's no way to access it now. I haven't had time to settle down and play the game yet, so I'm just replaying the first two small quests to get a feel for controlling the action.

Thanks again Sir..

 

Oh sounds awesome - I guess I will be updating my drivers after all. Has anybody tried hacked drivers (like the ones from Omega?). I used them for my old laptop, which had an ATI card in it and it ended up bricking the system when I first tried it.

 

@ Joe

I will try what was suggested in your post tonight (now that I have my laptop back):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5951042&postcount=5303

If I can't fix this noise myself and make it go away. I am going to return the laptop. I don't want to, but it is giving me a headache literally and figuratively. Unfortunately I do not have the technical knowledge to try and fix this myself.

I can follow step by step instructions, but that's about it.

For others that are experiencing the fan whistle sound. Have you tried tweaking the settings as mentioned by Joe? Has anybody been successful?

 

v196.75 64bit- will not install. Anyone having the same problem or has had success?

 

No probs. If you really want to, you could be able to retrieve the code using gibbed's save editor: http://www.masseffectsaves.com/mods.php (a guide is here: http://www.masseffect2faces.com/index.php?show=tutorials&tutorial=saveEdit ).

It's the tool I used to get the hair on my shepard.

 

Could you define your laptop needs? What kind of tasks & applications you use on it?

Maybe you would be happier with a less powerful but more quiet notebook? An other benefit would be longer battery life.

As I quoted in the post you linked to: The English version of notebookcheck's VPC-F11Z1/E review is just out and they wrote in the Noise Emission chapter:

Is your noise different that what you can hear in my video (view in 720p HD): Vaio_F_Series Whining, High Pitch, Morse Code Fix VPCF115FM?
---

 

Same. Says nvidia software not detected.

 

As far as I know it's a module with GPU (with the heatsink being part of the Sony motherboard) which does indeed have the connections soldered but only for standard things such as power, HDMI, VGA etc. It's not the GPU itself which is changed in place wth all its pins. And there might even be plug and socket connections with only the shield requriing soldering.

Other things such as the wireless/Bluetooth are probably mini-PCI, so changing the Atheros card for an Intel is a simple swap (plus having to deal with antenna connections.)

Even the display is unscrew and unplug, with no soldering. The inverter might have to be unsoldered depending upon whether it's retained.

 

Hehe perhaps when my warrenty expires I'll consider replacing the GPU with a gf400 mobility card (assuming it fits).

On a side note. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vidock-expresscard-graphics,1933.html Using the expresscard slot on laptop for better graphics sounds interesting.

 

Very informative, Melody, I look forward to what will inevitably be a series of you tube videos showing people taking apart the Vaio F Series.
Is there any way to make the screen look better besides just fiddling around with the brightness, or buying the Spyder Screen Calibration tool?

 

My laptop needs is something top of the line so that it will last me at least 5-6 years and not be a piece of junk after 2.

I really do not mind the "humming" or the "whirring" of a fan going all the time. In fact I have a desktop PC that I use that is pretty darn old that has a very loud fan going pretty much 24/7 and I sleep with the sound no problem.

Because everybody is hearing so many different sounds, it is very difficult to assess if everybody hears the same thing.

I watched your video just now (I could not on my laptop as my whistle was overpowering the sound coming from your video). So I have listened to it on a different computer. I do not hear the sound that I am experiencing. I already know about the fixes for the morse code buzz and I have applied that fix already, but it is not eliminating the other whistle sound I hear.

Have you listened to tausif's sound clip? On post # 5273?

That is the EXACT sound that I hear. Do you hear it?

 

Yes I knew there was better hair out there, but not that there was any sort of ingame editing. (edit the Saves, right?) My greatest appreciation for the links, again..

 

After 50 days my F11 is finally on its way, unbelievable as it may seem. The thing had better work....

:confused2: :laugh:

Speaking of, gotta go do some...

 

Well I do not "own an F" but it was my perserverance along with MaxieHQ that got the original fix for the high pitched whine. I knew from experience that it was something to do with the mic....

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5748633#post5748633

My point is, just because someone does not own a particular laptop, does not mean they cannot be helpful. In this case nizmoz was genuinely trying to be helpful. Think before you post next time..

 

Congrats! Unbelievable how much you have contributed to this thread without the F11 in your possession. I hope yours will be gremlin free. I only had the spacebar gremlin.

 

Gratz man. Glad you finally have it coming too you!

 

I was going to say something, but realized that this gentleman got it right without me needing to add a word.

 

Yes I listened to tausif's sound clip, I can't say what causes it, luckily I don't have it on my F.

It could be the noise noteboookcheck is referring to.

If it's resonance from the fan at a given rpm, my workaround suggestion is to try to tweak that rpm via the Minimum Processor state & natural cooling conviction.

As mangosango wrote here:

"My laptop needs is something top of the line" - that does not mean that you absolutely need the crushing power of a quad Core i7. Again, what kind of work & programs do you need a notebook for?

If you can't stand the noise emission of the F, then maybe it's not the "perfect" laptop for your needs?
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Make this new thread more usable & easier to Search! When posting: Go Advanced > use relevant keywords in your message subject line instead of the meaningless Re: Official_Sony VAIO_F_Series Owners lounge *PART 2*

 

Do you have any video of World of Warcraft in native resolution? I would like to see how it does in VOA or Dalaran peak hours.

 

So Gears of War is up:

part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umATXiCMlUA
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37du1UnbbKc

The game gets stupidly slow between battles. I'm guessing this has to do with FRAPS recording 720p video while the game simultaneously loading game content during these interludes. Whatever the reason is, its not slow at alll when playing w/o fraps. 50+ fps with all settings (except shadows) on high, and postprocess set to intense.

 

Mangosango, thanks for contributing all these videos, they really are informative...Gears of war is so dark it's hard to see what's happening, but you can tell the frame rate is very good. I do wish to know however, are you the Asian man in your profile photo who seems very very happy or not?


EDIT: This is for the Admin's here- What is the highest rank you can achieve in the username titles, such as notebook evangelist/geek/etc?
I'm hoping "Connoisseur" shows up somewhere in there, I'd very much appreciate such a title.

 

@ jon bleau:

re the esata/USB power over enclosure, I asked if it was possible to use the port to connect the 2.5 inch hdd to an external media player via usb2, such as a western digital one, and thereby playback mt2 video files Is this possible ? Thanks.

 

So, if you can't say what causes the sound, would you agree that it is NOT a sound that one would expect to hear coming from the F1190 with the i7 processor? Yes, you are lucky to not have the sound. It is very frustrating.

You seem like you know your way around computers, so if you do not know what this sound is and what it is coming from, then I surely haven't the slightest clue. This is my first laptop ever.

Yes, it COULD be the sound that notebookcheck is referring to, but there is no way to know for sure, besides, wouldn't ALL F Series owners be able to hear the sound as well? Why is it only some people are hearing this sound and not all? Maybe it is because mine and several others experiencing the EXACT SAME SOUND are possibly owners of a defective part?

I do not think it matters what I use the laptop for. The fact that I can hear this sound during simple internet browsing and gaming is not a very uplifting feeling. I obviously chose and purchased the CTO F series for a reason, it had the exact spec's that I need and want. Otherwise there are hundreds of other laptops for me to choose from.

If this is a sound that is on ALL F's then I would gladly return it. I do not want to return this and re-order if it will have the same sound, but I feel it's possible that if I order again, the new one might not have the sound at all.

 

hehe no, but he bears a surprising semblance to me