Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge *PART 2*

Hey I woke up with my Vaio having shut down itself. Event viewer is giving me nothing, but I noticed there was a windows update at 3:00 am... however if it did shut down because of windows update, shouldn't it have restarted and shut down completely? Point is, I'm trying to determine whether it was windows update or something else (I still have 3 days to exchange for new one or get money back).

Anywhere else besides event viewer where I can check what my computer was doing before the shut down?

 

"I noticed there was a windows update at 3:00 am... however if it did shut down because of windows update, shouldn't it have restarted and shut down completely?" Dunno, why not search Windows info about that update?

Why did you let the laptop run all night? Don't you have sleep or hibernate enabled after X minutes? Check your power management settings. S1.

 

Have to wait half an hour to use the comp, wife's using it now. Anyway, I doubt it's the sleep/hibernate thing, as this is not the first time I've left it on (I leave it on all night regularly). Also, I had it plugged in and did not close the lid.

I checked ''windows update'' and it just says there was an update at 3:00, but event viewer kept logging until 3:47, so I guess it powered itself down around 50 or more minutes later. Why it did not restart and instead just completely shut down is a mystery. No errors in eventviewer, nothing useful in windows update control menu.

 

Ok maybe I should have explained a bit better..

I've created a dual partition install (original config plus dedicated music production install), & the newly created partition install works perfectly, the only issue I'm having is the "product key you typed is invalid for activation" message.

I've since read that other people have had the same problem & that it either fixed itself after the 3 day period or they had to phone microsoft for a new activation key
either way it's not a biggie.

There was nothing "wrong" with it to begin with, I always install a fresh win partition for music production as the "bloatware" does make a difference (this is the fourth laptop I've done this on) uninstalling just isn't the same, the amount of software I use for music is enough for one copy of windows to deal with, the more software installed the less stable win becomes.

As for the pre-installed extra software it's of no use to me whatsoever.

Btw the new install boots considerably faster than the factory install.

 

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update\View update history

Same via Win Update panel.

When you restart, do you have to logon?

 

"Btw the new install boots considerably faster than the factory install" - Depends on how many applications you have on startup. With Autoruns you can disable stuff on the factory install and you can also create different startup profiles & save them, compare them, have one when offline for special tasking like your audio stuff, etc.

ASSIST > Vaio_Control Center > One Click Care > reports my average month boot time @ 1:01 sec. w/ 7200 HDD & anti virus & factory OEM:

 

I checked that, it says at 3:00 there was a new up[date installed.

Yes I do have to insert a pass before I can enter windows.. you think it DID restart and there's a setting telling the comp to just shut down after a certain amount of time if the user does not log on?

 

Do you have your reading glasses on? There should be a ID # w/ the update which you can use to search Win 7 support to see if it required shutdown or restart.

Anyway if it updated just before it shutdown, no need to call Sherlock Holmes.

" Yes I do have to insert a pass before I can enter windows.. you think it DID restart and there's a setting telling the comp to just shut down after a certain amount of time if the user does not log on?" - Yep, maybe.

Disconnect the internet tonight & try again to see if it will shutdown but I still don't see the point in letting the lappy run all night except for some special tasks like rendering a video for example.

Did you check your power management settings?

I don't see any clues leading to think that it's a hardware problem.

 

Yes, you should have explained things better....

 

Yes, first it shows the login dialogue, then screensaver, then "Press Ctl-Alt-Del to login," then it gives up and shuts down UNLESS it is a server running some pre-login network service for Permissions.

 

Hey! I said no need to call Sherlock Holmes.

 

Calm Down.

 

? But he agreed with your statement, why calm down?

 

He just seemed a little excited.

It wasn't meant as an offensive remark .

 

My overnight box hasn't arrived yet but should be here today. I was thinking about trying this but if it did work maybe Sony wouldn't even troubleshoot my PC to find out why this happened. If there are bad parts in my laptop I really want to have them replaced. I want to try it, I want my Vaio back! I'm still debating on what I should do.

 

To say otherwise is to not admit the major flaw with this laptop. The US 1080p display is acceptable, nothing more.

 

Hello everybody.

Be kind who returned to their "Vaio F" back to share your experiences as I do that?

My "Vaio F" has a problem in the first day. He slows down, freezes the screen and there is no reaction to mouse and keyboard. Several times he was alone at startup went into BIOS setup. A couple times I did it restore but it did not help ...
I think that this is a hardware problem (memory, motherboard, GPU or CPU) do not know
I want to send it back and get the new functional and workable laptop.

1. My 30 days from the date of purchase expire after 10 days.
2. I want to return mine and get a new back. As far as possible, and how to do it.
3. Where to send it? In San Diego (if so at what address), or at this address "Consumer Direct Return Center, 10227 Crossroads Loop (Suite D), Laredo, TX 78045"
4. How much time and money necessary for this. I'm in Boston.

I would be very grateful if you help me

Thanks in advance

David

VPCF1190X-CTO, i7-720QM, US Premium Display (1920x1080), 8GB, HDD 640GB, Blu-ray, Key Backlight, Standard Battery, Black, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Limited Warranty.

 

David,

I called support. There is a one year warranty on the computer. Support will trouble-shoot over the phone and send a pre-paid box for you to send it back for repair. I would suggest contacting them. The number was on the box my Vaio came in.

 

gullideth

Can you give me a number where I can get a pre-paid box?

 

Another detail as possible to get a new laptop and not refurbished?
My 30 days from the date of purchase expire after 10 days.

 

Hi dati80,

You can't just send in your laptop and expect them to give you your money back. You need to call Sony Customer Support and they will troubleshoot with you over the phone.

1-888-476-6972 from the US Sony website: http://www.sony.com/faq.shtml#technical

Direct # if you don't mind long distance: 239-768-7669 (VAIO® Computers)

You can also have them call you if you want: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-contacts.pl?mdl=VPCF1190X&LOC=3

If the laptop is defective, then you will be able to return the laptop in for a full refund. Then you would need to re-order/buy another one to ensure you do not get a refurbished unit.

I would suggest you call customer support first and if your issues can't be fixed, then request a return for full refund and they will supply you with a shipping box.

Good luck.

 

Probably a refund will take a lot of time and nerves ...

At SonyStyle site says the following:
"Within 7 days of receiving and accepting the returned items, Sony will process your credit to the credit card used to make the purchase.
Your credit will appear on your credit card statement in 1 to 2 billing cycles. Please note: it may take as long as 90 days for your credit to appear on your statement.
Your credit may reflect re-stocking or damage fees and / or similar deductions. Please see Return Instructions and consult Customer Care for more details. "

Maybe I send it for repair? What do you think about this? worth? Give $ 1800 and that he immediately got in the service and it opened ... I need a new laptop but it takes time ...

 

It sounds to me like memory, which is quite a common failure in new systems of all types, both laptop and desktop. Maybe even one of the rams is loose and not clipped in properly. This is something you could easily troubleshoot yourself if you were so inclined.. Anyway if it takes the technician 20 seconds to click in or swap the memory then you WILL get your own system back.

POSSIBLY it's a power supply problem that a dozen users in this thread have had to some degree..that requires a new motherboard..

Otherwise..

This whole "I want my money back or a new computer" attitude is probably overdone.

 

MelodyMaster
Yes, but I don't want money. I want functional and workable laptop!!!

 

Has anybody here played Battlefield Bad Company 2 yet on the F? I played a little yesterday and had to set the settings to low on the lowest possible resolution. I know this game is new and may be more than the laptop can handle, but I thought I would ask other owners.

I'm amazed how quickly this laptop goes to sleep. Mine woke up last night as well, though I believe it may have been because of me unplugging the external usb drive and usb sprint card after going to sleep. It did get updated last night, and before I put it to sleep I was prompted by the Windows update to restart and I snoozed that for 4 hours, so that could be it as well.

 

David,

Personally, I would use their online chat support first, they may recommend you call Sony Support if they can't help you. They may have an easy fix/solution for you that will have your laptop back to normal in a jiffy. It doesn't hurt to try and fix it on your own with the guidance of a Sony Technician.

If they are unable to help you over the phone and they recommend you send it in for repairs. Do so. They will pay for the shipping charges, they can either send you a box or you can use the box you received it in and simply fill out a courier waybill slip and attach it to the box. They will most likely give you a return authorization number also, so make sure you include that on the box.

If you get it back and it is still "broken" then I would request a full refund. I believe that if you send it in for repairs, you have another 30 days to return it for full refund. I am not 100% sure if it's 30 days, but you can easily ask them this over the phone to get a straight answer on their returned/repairs policy.

If possible, have them send you this information in writing, in an e-mail. So there is no discrepancy of he said/she said over the phone. It's always best to have "agreements" in writing.

 

There should be a phone number on the underside of your Vaio. 1 888 476 6972 for me

 

Yes. Both SP + MP. The put everything on high (shadows medium) @ 720p. 16xAF and 1xAA (AA off). TURN HBAO OFF. HBAO is horizon-based ambient occlusion (I think...). Basically, it's a "cheap" way of making shadows look more convincing. Crysis uses Screen-space ambient occlusion (SSAO) which is similar. In Crysis the difference with SSAO off/on is significant, but I don't notice much difference in HBAO for BFBC2. You can see how the game runs in my videos.

With those settings I get ~25-40 fps. You have to play for a bit for the performance to smooth out a bit.

Do you have the gt330m or gt310m in your F11?

 

Thanks for the reply. I have the 330m. Did you notice the issue about the text in the credits and such that I mentioned. I'll take a look at your videos, I've got plenty of time, stuck in LGA airport for almost 4 more hours now.

 

Came out today and should be good for the F owner.

Mount & Blade: Warband is the eagerly anticipated sequel for the game that brought medieval battlefields to life with its realistic mounted combat and detailed fighting system.

http://www.mountandbladewarband.com/

 

Sounds cool. Haven't played any games in forever it seems. Testing new gif here...

 

@ dati80: Why not try MelodyMaster's suggestion, it takes about 30 seconds or 1 minute if you are slow, From the Vaio_F11’s User Manual:

 

It's happened again, turned prime95 on, came back from work, this time the comp was off again... however when I turned it on, windows just 'resumed' (this is the comuter being in sleep mode I assume?).. no errors from event log, no errors in log from prime95. Prime95 was not running anymore however but when i started it up it continued where it left off and that was a long while ago I see, seems like the comp went into sleep mode 20 mins after I left... why did the computer went to sleep by itself when it's never done this before when I left it on whilst away?

 

The F Auto Sleep was disabled once you applied the mic fix, did you have this fix on yours?If you do, this might be a workaround to put that feature working again.

 

No, didn't do the fix since I did not have that particular morse code problem (do have the fan whining though). It seems it was hibernating btw, since the power button wasn't flashing and a simple key press didn't wakwe it up. Had to power it up again... is it hibernating after 20 mins when I never messed with the options. This laptop is flakey as hell...

 

If I were you, do a clean install..definitely a software issue. Mine freeze occasionally and after a clean install it never done that and its feels faster also. I still have issue with the vaio update, but according to sony kb, its a matter of allowing the program (in and outbound) to access the net plus I have the morse code issue, beside that I'm pretty happy for 1000k laptop. (Replacing my intel centrino laptop)

 

Yeah this is weird as hell. I have power options on balanced and know it will turn the comp to sleep after 30 mins and hibernate after 360 mins... however, this has never happened when I download things using utorrent, so I assume that as long as I have a program running, the comp won't see that as being ínactive', thus not putting the thing to sleep.

Now I'm running prime95, an infinitely more poiwer consuming software and all of a sudden it dedcides the computer has idled for 30 mins and turns itself to sleep?

EDIT: I tested this by setting in power options that it should sleep after 1 minute and guess what? Indeed, running prime95 with it sending my heat sensors to 66 degrees celcius and the cpu working overload is deemed as 'idling' while running utorrent is deemed as the comp being active. Weird.

EDIT: nah and now it has decided not to go to sleep again on prime95. *shrugs* I guess to be safe I have to just choose to not let it sleep ever. This thing certainly has weird behavior.

 

I have tested .. everything works great even blu-ray plays better prformance in games ..

 

Sweet. For which drivers? I gotta get me some better performance in games

 

WHAT works great? Are you saying you havea non-VAIO Nvidia driver, and the fan is not blowing hot and there's no flickeriing of the screen at low brightness? If so, please give the exact Driver version and method of install.

 

Thanks, helped me WITHOUT the arrogance.

 

Mine boot about 49 sec at first, but after installing bunch of stuff boot around 1 min 39 sec with Hitachi 500GB 5400RPM Drive.

 

Yes please- do tell!

 

Got my F last week. (Canada, F1190S)
i7-720QM, 4 GB RAM, 500BG 7200rpm HDD, Blueray read/write 1980p screen, nividia 310M

Happy to report no buzzing sounds.
But, VAIO media plus does not work for me. I get a run.dll error telling me the applicaiton has asked the process to be terminated. Did a restore using VAIO care ie: reinstalled media plus. No change. Is this happening to any of you?
I'm not too worried about it and don't need it that much, but it's something that's got me worried about the general healthy of my F.

On another topic, my VGA out seems to be crooked. The bottom is completely against the lower part of the port in the casing. There seems to be no space for a VGA connector to go there. There just seems to be no space between the casing and the metal of the VGA port. I don't want to force a VGA plug in there, just wondering if it was the case on other Fs as well.


Thanks

 

My VGA out is leveled and there is enough for a connector to connect.

 

Does anybody know why my F11 with Wn 7 Pro will not show images in Google search unless I switch to Private Browsing. I don't have another Win 7system test with. Not expecting anybody to have encountered this but thought I'd ask just in case.

 

Welcome. Sweet lappy! Dunno why your VGA is crooked, that's bizarre, the VGA soldering is usually a little flexible, so you should be able to squeeze a VGA Female on there.

Your Vaio Media not working is disturbing - have you tried a full factory restore? It really seems to be software based, if I had to guess, and that should be some small consolation for you. Keep us informed of your fix.

 

If you click on tools then internet options then the advanced tab and check there is a tick in the show pictures box. Also, do you have an anti virus program that might be set too high?

 

Fishon, I did some research last night and found that only a few people have had the problem. It was suggested that checking the show pictures box was a solution. Mine was already checked. Someone else suggested going to page, encoding and checking auto select and that didn't work. Finally a person suggested using private browsing, (that worked), going to tools, privacy, show cookies, and deleting the google image cookie. I have no idea how to show cookies so I couldn't follow that advice. Also, I disabled NIS 2010 and that didn't change anything.

Images show on my XP and Vista systems though. BTW, thanks for taking the time to try and help.

 

somebody noticed that the pointer animation is not working...? I think this is caused by the touchpad driver, but i don't know really...