Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge *PART 2*

@unknown_id

From the two times I ordered the F11 from Sonystyle USA CTO I received 3 emails from them.

Email 1: order confirmation
Email 2: CTO is in production
Email 3: CTO shipping confirmation.

When I received the second email, the third email was sent to me a few hours later before the end of the day.

 

Did they usually ship on the estimated date? or faster/slower?
Thanks!

 

@unknown_id

They've always shipped earlier in my case. Both the FW590 and x2 F11's actually arrived on the estimated shipping dates.

All three were ordered using the free standard shipping from San Diego to New York City.

 

Thanks! One can hope they do arrive early!

 

The initial Youtube errors appeared to be the plane. I must say I'm getting a few weird things myself, nothing I can put my finger on, but the F11 doesn't behave quite as well as my Asus Maximus Q9450 desktop system - also running Win7 Pro. However there have been no crashes whatsoever, except for Gtalk.

 

AHAHAAA! Media Player Classic crashes in Win7 for ME too!! (it's ok in Vista) That's your problem, it's too bad you didn't mention it earlier.

Use VideoLan, (VLC) everything works properly, including multiple subtitles. Also Windows Media Centre is actually pretty good for Bluray and .TS streaming files. Make certain your audio-video splitter is not Mainconcept.

 

Mine actually arrived two days early. From San Diego to New Hampshire w/free shipping

The Estimated shipping date is usually set on the latest day that the product can arrive without any unexpected delays, natural disasters, etc.

 

WMC plays blu-ray? I was under the impression only WinDVD and PowerDVD do... My bundled WinDVD BD has stopeed working, even after reinstall... driving me crazy lol

 

Did you disabled Protexis Licensing V2 (PsiService_2.exe)? I almost did.

See: http://corel.custhelp.com/app/answe...ce-is-not-yet-ready.-please-try-again-later."

And hacks:

http://www.josephgan.com/2009/07/ho...ll-protexis-licensing-service-psiservice-exe/

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...ll-protexis-licensing-service-psiservice-exe/

 

Darn, I had a whole long reply then lost it when "send" failed. Yes WMC will play BD, under some circumstances; the appropriate codec has to be installed.

 

That's why I always copy & paste to Notepad before doing that.

It's that backup thing.

 

HA, NVIDIA released long-awaited drivers for 300M series (is that what you guys are talking about?!) !!! HOORAY!!! That includes Win 7 and Linux!!!!!

 

In case somebody missed it, from a previous post:

This reply by ManuelG (NVIDIA Technical Support):

And the polite aaron did not quote the reply following my post:

 

Hey everyone,

I've got a VPCF1190X with a Nvidia 300M GT chipset and I tried installing Nvidia's new drivers that were released today (So I can play Metro 2033) but during installation I receive an error message [Could not locate any drivers compatible with current hardware] and installation stops. I'm SURE that its the right 197.16 driver for the 330M GT, but it just wont work.

Am I going to have to wait for Sony to get on the ball and make the new drivers compatible with my Vaio and download them from Sony's site?

Maybe its just a matter of waiting (as they were just released today)...

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Brandon

 

@Mujja


I you want physx download this :

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/26407-v19725-windows-7vista-64bit-nvidia-desktop/

there is click on red

and then download this :
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/26361-physx-9100222/
click on red

try first install physx and check if is enabled

 

The Sony-provided driver HAS physX.. As JUST noted above you can't install non-VAIO Nvidia drivers and expect the system to work properly.

 

Hmmmm, I only used the media player classic cause it could play m2ts files while vlc and gom couldn't. I usually use VLC player to play all other file types. The way youtube and media player classic crashed was exactly the same, anyone know how the two could be related ie codecs since i'm guessing the m2ts file is just h.264 in the media container M2TS

 

I will try this once I have the chance today and report back, quick question, if I mute the mic (mic Fix#2) would that cause issue when Im using skype or any VOIP client?

SONY NEED TO COME OUT WITH A BIOS FIX FOR THESE MORSE CODE ISSUE!!

I restore my drive C: yesterday and now after the event service update, the FN still works, I think some program/things that I did messed up the dll/registry.

 

Sony is now telling me the F11 is too new for on-site service.

Grr. *#@% What the hell is the point of buying a $1500 laptop if you can't use it and have to wait 7-12 days to get the defective POS fixed.

Morons.

 

Did you tell them that your new F11 is "too new" to be broken in the first place? They need to fix it for you, it doesn't matter how new or old it is. Especially when it's well within their 1 year warranty guarantee.

 

They didnt even offer me on-site service, the only option for any F series fix is to send out the item to san diego, they wont even let me go to the facility and waited. Its couple hours drive from where I live...sigh!

 

That's a good one!

 

Nope, I'm using that fix and Skype works fine.

 

Wait what were you getting fixed on the laptop again? I only ask b/c sony repaired my F11 onsite the next day after I called to give them a piece of my mind about my faulty keyboard. I'm guessing that simple keyboard/hdd/memory replacements are done on-site?

 

Hi Guys, just got a new F series (UK). I'm not sure if this has been covered before but I had a quick question someone might be able to help with.

As the pc has a eSATA connection I thought I'd get a LaCie Rugged eSATA drive. Problem is the pc doesn't seem to see the drive. Even when using the usb power cable.

The drive works fine connected on usb but on eSATA it just hangs when any program tries to access it eg. disk management or even the "Computer" view. I'm using the supplied LaCie cables btw.

The drive works ok in eSATA mode on a Dell Vista pc.

Am I doing something wrong or is there an issue with this type of drive on Sony?

Thanks
Mark

 

Hi guys,
I would like to replace my wireless card to the intel one. Any help would be great.

#############################################

 

The HD (vibrates too much for the given config), LCD (dead pixels), and power brick (lol).

It'll be a little while. For those of you who sent your computer in, how long was the turnaround time? I'm up in NorCal so it shouldn't be THAT bad I guess.

Still going to have to wait until sometime late next month.

 

Hi Bobby Lee...erm...mangosango! (I will always remember you as Bobby Lee )

OoTLink had multiple issues with his unit. Sony agreed they would send out a technician. So why are they changing their minds all of a sudden??? Doesn't seem right at all.

I am in BC, Canada (sent mine to Toronto). The first time I sent mine in for repair it took a week. The second time it took two and a half weeks. It just depends on how busy they are. Ask them to quote you a date on when you can expect it back. Take that time and multiple by two. That would be my best guess

 

HA!! At least you guys are getting support from sony. I'm in australia and i've rang them up and they pretty much said they cant do with my laptop eg techincal support and i'm sure if the time comes they probably wouldn't be able to repair my laptop if the screen broke or something of the sort. Sony Australia are rubbish!

 

Damn, you would think that the service would be good in the state where these things are actually shipped from in the States

 

There are several utilties that change a file from M2TS to TS or MP4 in each and every direction just by changing headers and a quick remux.

 

I think someone asked loooong ago if I could down-block in street fighter on ym keyboard? Well I can - http://virb.com/mangosango/videos/9499787

 

By the way, regarding past discussion about running MS Train Simulator (2001) on the F11, I'm running Kuju RailWorks (June 2009, what MS Train Simulator 2 would have been). It only does about 10 to 12fps with everything maxed, with AA at 4X a couple of textures have to be set to medium to obtain more than 20fps on a non-overclocked GT330 in the F11.

 

If you are within the first month after date of purchase, I would NOT go this route. I would order a new one and have them pick this one up on their dime (they've already indicated it's defective).

My guess is that you could end up with everything fixed but the pixels (Sony has a limited number permissible, BTW). It is also possible that they are now aware of problems fixes that are not easily done on-site.

 

I bought my Sony F series Feb 12 and it is not working at all. It will not even boot up. I treated it like I would a baby. I don't understand how a $1500 new laptop can completely stop working in less than two months. I feel like I have been robbed!!!!! I love my VAIO!!! I don't want a refurb back either...I want the laptop I picked out and paid for in the store.
Has anyone else s Vaio completely died?

 

Hmmm, unfortunately, having actually updated to the new driver myself, it does not fix this... however, as I said, no big deal, just ignore it and continue on in 1920x1080 res.

Hopefully they'll fix this eventually though.

 

You're the tenth person in this thread to have had the power completely fail on his/her F11.

 

Call Sony tech support. You are within warranty. Sony will repair your laptop (maybe even onsite) but Sony policy is that you must first have troubleshooting done on the phone.

If you are in the states, I would suggest calling in the evening when San Diego is closed so that you will be able to talk to the Philippines whose techs are superb and have a concept of true customer service that not all Americans have.

Good luck. Let us know what happens. Sometimes it's something simple. And unless the computer is totally defective (rare), you will receive the same unit back with replaced parts.

 

Another issue...I have to click "check for updates" again to fix it, reinstall the program and install it again doesn't seems to be different.



PS:Now my Shift key is squeaking, same fix with the space bar?Or it has different kind of mechanism.

Tried both, mic Fix#1 and #2,both came out the same...still halting the system to go to automatically sleep after 30 min, the only fix is not applying the mic Fix, but I'll get a morse code by doing so ><

 

I am considering the new Sony Vaio F119.
It has a 7200 rpm hard drive, full HD screen, and lots of connectivity.
HOWEVER, Can anyone tell me how is the brightness of the screen, and contrast?
I would gladly take the ASUS G73, only if it had Esata or express card slots.
I know that Acer will release soon the Ethos 8943G

http://www.slashgear.com/acer-aspire-ethos-8943g-5943g-hd-notebooks-debut-2479012/

The Sager NP8690 has only limited battery life.
I just returned a Dell Studio 17 because of random freeze and super hot AC adaptor.
The Acer 8940 and the HP dv7 and Toshiba Qosmio screens look too dull.

 

@ MelodyMaster

Yer there are codecs and crap for converting it but thats just he long way. Home cinema was the shortcut the inevitably ended up not really working...

 

Well, I called and tried everything I already tried earlier on the phone. Took the battery out and put it back in...booted up and punched the Function keys over and over....the light kicks on and blinks sometimes but nothing else happens. They are overnighting me a fedex box to send it to San Deigo. Has anyone had to send their computer back to Sony before? What was the experience like? I am going on vacation next week and hope that fed-ex just doesn't leave my laptop on my front porch if it gets there before I do. I wonder what went wrong with my lovely Vaio.

 

@gullideth

Does your unit blink green just once everytime you press the power button but nothing else happens? The same thing happened to me and I presumed the unit got stuck in sleep or hibernate mode when the battery went into critical state. Eventhough the battery is charged by plugging it back on ac leaving the battery in the laptop, the computer thinks it's still drained and won't power on. No response from the Sony tech yet.

I got it to start again by first unplugging and removing the battery. I then proceeded to press and hold the power switch for a good 1 minute to drain residual charge. (I don't actually know if having the lid open or closed makes a difference but I did mine open.) I next plugged it back just on AC. In my case, it powered on right there. I just inserted the battery while powered on.

It fixed two issues for me.
1. Unit powered on.
2. Fan reverted back to it's normal state from running full blast at 100%

 

Thank you, I am looking forward to read it.

 

Nope, not on mine. There must be something wrong with your settings or use of an external device as I just uploaded for you a very short video I made with my Vaio_F11 going to sleep in 7 seconds flat:

Video: Vaio_F11 Going To Sleep Fast w/ Optical Mic Listen FIX Enabled

While powercfg -energy reported a Realtek error on my F when using the STP12's easy mic whining/Morse code fix Optical Listen (my video), it does go to sleep as the video #1 proves.

Energy-report errors w/ optical listen & a wireless USB mouse:

Sounds like a dumb question but how do you try to put your F to sleep?

If it's via closing lid, are you sure the behavior is set right? Did you try to do it via Power button as shown in the video or via Windows button > Start > Sleep?





If you manage to fix your sleep problem please report here as it may help the next Vaio_F11 owner with a similar problem!

Again: check the Unification Post #2 under Vaio_not sleeping or hibernating correctly as a pilot can do many things that will affect adversely his plane.

Ouf! Hope this helps.

 

... waiting on Joe's comprehensive HD in Optical Bay post .......... (that was promised for today).

 

I said today or tomorrow.

I wrote the comprehensive VAIO_F Series w/ Mic Fix Goes to Sleep Fast! troubleshooting guide above instead.

 

Have you found a fix to it? Mine is almost always doing it constantly. I can hear the speakers crackling in a quiet room.

 

Err... you forgot to mention in your post that you bought a USA Vaio_F11 that you now want to be serviced in Australia.

Sony's warranty policy is not any different than Canon & Nikon's warranty policy for my devices bought in USA. They both won't repair a device shipped from Costa Rica.

I registered my US Vaio_F115FMB bought from BB USA & double checked afterward with Sony_support using my F's serial number: it's now covered by their international warranty.

Maybe you could have done some research before blanket bashing Sony_Australia?

There is always some risks when buying stuff abroad to save money or avoid local taxes. There is no free lunch.

Anyway as To No End & I suggested to you: try a factory restore to make sure it's really a hardware problem & not some messin' around you did yourself.

 

I'm assuming that you've read about the faulty screens on this forum, and are planning on buying the F in the US. If you do get one of the "good" (not broken) screens and do some color calibration on it, the screen looks amazing. I recently went to a lan with lots of unibody macbook pros + an hp dv7. My Sony's screen (using slrosenfeld's calibration) by far had the best colors and contrast. The screen gets quite bright too. That said the screen does suffer from reportedly poor viewing angles (even if you get a "good screen" the narrow viewing angle leaves a lot to wish for), and if the screen is completely black, some light bleed is noticeable on the bottom (even on the "good" screens). Normally, this isn't too noticeable, just when you play movies with an aspect ratio like 2.39:1, does the bleed become apparent.

If you live in the UK, well then, you get one of the nice matte displays, so good for you .