Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge *PART 2*

How long have you owned this laptop? If it's more than 30 days, no, Sony won't send you a new one.

And did you try [email protected] with your problem? Some NBR forum members have had good success with customer service from that email address. The advantage is that you will have a written record, too.

If you call tech support during after hours in San Diego, then you'll get Costa Rica or the Philippines -- and they have a much better customer service ethic than the Americans. So, call after 5 pm Pacific time and escalate at tech support on the phone as another alternative.

Good luck.

 

Isn't that the CTO route? MY F11 is a CTO and it only says VPCF1 while Joe's is a pre-configured model with a definite number. (though CTO's in USA should be VPCF1190X or ...GX.) My CTO FW590 if I recall was also incompletely only tagged VGNFW5

 

Armed with Bliss' written email saying that it's a perfect fit for my VPCF115FM, I would not hesitate to order a LCD identical to the OEM from them. It's not "risky" at all.

I agree with this: "...one needs something like that compatibility guarantee so that you can return it".

But this is false: "FullHD means dual lamp and Joe's is a FullHD, that's all". Only 1 lamp in mine.

One thing not discussed yet: why on earth is it necessary to physically remove & look behind the display to find out the brand & model number? Sony_blocked that info from appearing in the OS (Device Manager) and also in all the system info utilities I tried so far.

I guess they want to push their OEM parts sales & make finding an aftermarket display replacement more difficult. Just like Apple_with their non-user replaceable batteries "feature".

 

I had an FW390CTO and the front right corner was VGN-FW390. It used to be that the x90 always meant CTO but then Sony started creating 490s with the most common configurations getting additional letters and being thereby pre-configureds from SonyStyle. And I think I remember that it was hard to find a 590 -- most models were 5-something else.

Interesting that you have just VPCF1 because that's what this series is called in Japan: F1 with the FW being F.

 

Too bad I didn't get the Euro/Japanese model with the VPCF1. (Darn )
The FW590 I purchased last year mid-december during Sony's Christmas sale.. It was great save for not having bluray at all which was out of stock.
I wish I held on to it.

 

Mine shows on the LCD's bezel:

 

This is serious.

Joe Bleau, please check to see if the side of your American F's box says that the FullHD is premium or not.

Up until now, all FullHDs in the American market were dual-lamp. All Sony FullHDs in Europe were dual-lamp.

Then Europe got two FullHD screens on the new F, with one called premium which was matte and RGB. The American market had only one FullHD screen and it was glossy and called premium and in no way an RGB screen.

So, if Sony has now made FullHD one-lamp screens it should NOT advertise them as premium as it did on the CTO sites for the F.

No wonder the American Fs are so much cheaper than the European ones.

Wow.....

 

Mine says VPCF1 as well (it's a US CTO built in January). The model number is VPCF1190X.

Btw - is there any way to tell if you have 1 or 2 lamps without taking apart the screen (ie by looking at the backlighting of the screen?). Maybe taking a photograph on a black screen and looking for light sources?

 

You are totally missing the point, and just don't "get" the whole idea of what we're trying to do. The Sony part number is THEIR SKU, after they have taken the Sharp screen and added their own $5 invertor and 15 cent cable, so that they can sell it for four times the OEM cost as "their" screen for the F11.

We don't NEED the Sony part to replace the screen, because we HAVE the invertor, and mounting, and any other item that is part of the F11, we just need the display, shipped to the end user rather than to Sony incorporated.

A very good example is when I had to regularly replace capstan motors in JVC professional VCRs (7000-something) The original part from JVC was $137. HOWEVER that same exact motor, sans a shield which could be reused from the old motor, was exactly $8, that's right EIGHT dolllars from a Japanese parts supplier, so for the sake of not using the JVC SKU I was able to save $129 on a single part! Likewise there was a record switching relay which was $19 from JVC and $3.49 from Active Electronics.

To get the Sony SKU, for now, one would have to get the Display FROM Sony, at $600 to $1000. EVENTUALLY a part may tend to get overproduced or overstocked, in which case an OEM part configured for a Sony device ends up on the grey market, at which time we THEN may be able to use the Sony SKU to obtain that part from a non-Sony SOURCE, at a price only somewhat more than the Sharp part number; but with the current high demand and short stock of these screens ONLY Sony currently will have the Sony-sourced SKUs.

Kapisch?

Not too long from now we will have all the numbers for all the Sharp screens used in various F11-series, PLUS we will have a grey market source for the invertors, both of these items being off-the-shelf items, and will be able to replace or upgrade our screens for a fraction of the price of the Sony SKU.

 

Si, capisco.

My point is that the part number from Sony enables us to have Sony tell us what manufacturer and its part number the screen (or whatever) is. It also enables us to have Sony track which subsequent screens used are also compatible because Sony will have its own part numbers cross-listed. As the grey market develops this will be useful.

Also, not everyone has the skills and the courage to be doing the extensive readaptations that some NBR members are capable of. So having the screen with the correct cables, etc. is not "incidental" for many who read this forum.

Besides, Joe Bleau actually found a vendor selling a guaranteed compatible screen for his very own Sharp screen model number. Who'd a thunk it, this early in the game!

 

Are you sure? Have you let the Sony site auto-detect your model number? Mine also says VPCF1190S on the box, but in fact the full model number on the invoice and as auto-detected is VPCF11G9S.

There appear to be some 30 different F-series model numbers in North America, including the prebuilts and semi-prebuilt CTOs.

 

That's true...

The bezel on the US CTO is VPCF1
The CTO Model No. is VPCF1190X-LBOM (Shown in box and Sony purchase confirmation email)
Sony autodetect finds it as VPCF119GX

 

Sorry for all the back-and-forth between the forum members regarding my screen situation. Bottomline, I just missed the fact that I should also have obtained the screen inverter, when I went for the dual-CCFL version. Going in, I knew that the "premium" US Full-HD screen was a 1-CCFL screen and missed the fact that I should also have ordered the Inverter, when purchasing the 2-CCFL screen.

Either way, I am now searching for the specific Inverter part# that I need to order and will place the order shortly - even though it will delay my being able to use the laptop for a couple more days. Any ideas from the forum members on any compatible dual-slot Inverters that will work with this Sharp screen ?

Bottomline, this is something the folks in the site have to be aware of, when replacing a 1-CCFL LCD with a 2-CCFL LCD screen.....that they need to also make sure that the 2-CCFL inverter also comes with the replacement screen.

Derrida, as MM etc mentioned above, this is not something that we need to get too agitated about. This was just a minor faux paus on my part. Lesson learned and fix is on the way.

 

Ok this is just great - on my bezel, it says VPCF1, on the bottom of my computer, it says VPCF1190X, and the sony site autodetects my model as VPCF119FX.

My guess is that the VPCF1190X and VPCF119FX have the same hardware, but are different colors (?) the 0X being black and FX being silver. Extrapolating from that, I assume that the 19 (or just 9) stands for CTO, while the VPCF1(1) stands for the name of the model series (the F series).

EDIT: When I called S0ny to repair my keyboard, the model number that they used to reference my model was the number on the bottom of my computer.

 

Going by your inverter part number as 1-445-672-12 I found this from a google search

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/Sony,Vaio-VGN-NS-NW-FW-BZ-Series,Laptop,Inverters.aspx

 

Yes, Sony has gotten smart and is making it easier for itself to know what the original configurations of most models are. Not a bad idea, after all, having extended model codes (yeah the letters at the end tell the OS, etc.).

As for finding the inverter, well, how about posting on the FW thread to get a part number (manufacturer's, not Sony's ;-)) for the inverter? Or try the part numbers at this Sony site searchOperation=modelSearch&sessionId=WJRyh4VIadlTeXIa1WHiZqU&modelNum=VGNFW490&searchText=VGNFW490 on the web at sites that sell inverters and might actually have catalogued the FW490 by now.

Or call Sony and ask them?

Not sure which of the two invertors goes with each of the two possible FW490 screens. (See how useful a fuller unit number would be?)

Good luck.

 

Here is a link on the same site for the inverters for the FW490 (with pics: http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/Sony,Vaio,VGN-FW-Series,VGN-FW490,Laptop,Inverters.aspx)

EDIT: Apparently they are not the actual pics *facepalm* sorry

 

eek....that's running up to the cost of the LCD screen itself..

 

Is yours silver? hence the FX? my autodetect for the black model is ....GX though my tag at the bottom is ...0X

 

You can get the part directly from Sony for about the same price: https://servicesales.sel.sony.com/e...1WHiZqU&modelNum=VGNFW490&searchText=VGNFW490

(I had a feeling that Inverters weren't going to be as cheap as all that.)

Good luck!

 

Nope black (my model number ends in 0X) - sorry for any confusion. What does the GX stand for then??? lol

 

My guess is that the "0" in 1190 is simply a placeholder, a fill-in-the-blanks with a letter type of thing. In your case the 0 is filled in with "F." Mine has the G followed by 9 then "S" where 0 would be. 9 does appear to be CTO, the same number 9 is only in CTO for other series such as CW and Z. And I've suggested that the second "1" might be changed to a "2" for the first major refresh. Thus the F12-series. Going through the list there seems to be no such model named VPCF1190-something, there are no zeroes in any model number.

 

Don't know if this fits the dual lamp LCD roweraay got but you can see in these photos that the inverter has two output connectors for the 2 lamps & not only one to be used with a y cable splitter:

http://www.nylaptopparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91_99&products_id=563

The second inverter in NEC's photo is for a dual lamp:



http://www.nec-tokin.com/english/product/piezodevice2/piezo_inverter.html

Check page 2 for the data needed by Nec for an inverter order in this pdf doc: http://www.nec-tokin.com/english/product/pdf_dl/piezoelectric_inverter.pdf

 

The Sony part# for the LCD screen Inverter (effectively for the previous generation FW 2-CCFL Full-HD screen) is made by NEC Tokin and Tamura (2 different suppliers).

There are several models of Inverters but one needs to look for the 6-pin 2 lamp versions.

Edit: Made the post more search friendly and also removed the reference to the Internet site from where it can be purchased, since it did not look very reputable. It did not have a phone#, nor a physical address and only had an email address to get in touch with them.

 

@anyone

Do you think that inverter was just slid in place in what looks like a transparent sleeve? Hopefully there are no more surprises with Roweraay's fix and that the mounting brackets fit as well. If soldering or crimping is involved i'm not going to do this myself.

I will open my notebook tomorrow to get a better understanding on what's in there exactly.

Edit: Sorry, photo from Roweraay's pic was not included in the quote above of his post in page 171

Edit 2: Also would the computer recognize and accept a different screen or will we run into compatibility problems?

 

Yes, every time I have called tech support, it's the number on the bottom that they want. In the case of my FWs, it is identical to the number on the bezel and different from the autodetect.

 

Actually, the Inverter was stuck onto the bottom of the screen by adhesive (applied onto the transparent plastic sleeve). With light pressure, it came right off. Essentially, once the screen is available, and the Inverter is in place, it is just plug and play.

The Sony part# is on the plastic sleeve and it says "1-445-672-12".

 

Nice!! Sony cheapening out comes in handy once in a while!

Edit: Good Luck Roweraay!!! My hope is that once you get your screen up and running you will get FW screen quality which from my experience with my FW590 was amazing!!!!!

 

If you want an FW590, here you go -- on sale at SonyStyle:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...1&categoryId=8198552921644675496&N=4294954231

And adding a 128GB SSD is only $260 (probably a Toshiba).

Enjoy!

 

Wow I did not know that Sony Style sold CTO FW's anymore. To get the configuration I had before is now over $1800. It's now more than what I paid for my F11's configuration (15% discount applied)

Thanks...

Edit: LOL!! I realized that page is residual. Current site doesn't list the FW anymore.

 

I'm finding it strange how the inverter isn't part of the "LCD module" lol That's how I'm used to seeing it done.

 

Here's an additional $200 off with a coupon code: http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/sony-vaio-vgn-fw590-configure-to-order-laptop/18395.aspx

And don't you think you can keep an eye out and perhaps bargain it down further in a few weeks? Seriously, as we get nearer the July date for the F refresh, FW590s are going to seem "old" and Sony will likely run a real clearance on them.

 

Hang on ...How did you get to the Sony FW page? Through Sony Style USA it's no longer listed. I edited my post to say that it's a residual page left behind.

 

I never saw the "American F's box" as a US friend brought me the naked laptop to Costa Rica.

Since in my F there is only 1 pair of cables coming out of the inverter I'm pretty sure there is only 1 CCFL backlight lamp.

My US VPCF115FM has the only 1080p display version available in the F_Series for the North American market @ the present.

Besides, searching for specs about my SHARP LQ164M1LD4C:

"CCFL 1-Bulb" http://www.laptopscreen.com/English/screen-part-number/LQ164M1LD4C/

"CCFL 1-Bulb" https://www.screencountry.com/index.php?section=products&part_number=LQ164M1LD4C

This notebookcheck.pl VAIO_F11M1E / H review in Polish is just out & contains my LCD's model #: LQ164M1LD4C.

From that article & this is quite interesting as it confirms my gamut test in the Vaio_F_Series Monitor Profiles Roundup & US glossy vs. EU Premium Displays post and that the EU 1080p non-premium is the same as in the North American market:





Compare to EU 1080p Premium matte:

 

Edward, I've been going through a similar ordeal for the last two months with my faulty screen. At first, I was sent two boxes with the wrong repair depot address, which wasted two weeks. For the last month, my laptop has been sent to both Calgary and Toronto depots, all with the same result - all hardware tested ok. Because of this, Sony considers the matter closed and I was told that my only option is to trade it in for a few hundred dollars! If you find a way to contact a higher level, I would sure be interested - customer support always refuses a transfer to a supervisor, and I've never received a call from a supervisor - they always say they'll call in two days but never do.

 

I hate to jut in during the middle of this screen convo, but has anybody used their eSATA port for external harddrives with their own power supply? (so not power over eSATA like Joe Bleau did, but for larger external drives). I'm considering getting a 1TB external drive for storage, and I recalled that people in the thread a while back were having issues with hard drives and eSATA?

 

"has been sent to both Calgary and Toronto depots, all with the same result - all hardware tested ok. Because of this, Sony considers the matter closed" - Real or imagined, you consider your display subpar & Sony_techs @ different repair facilities disagree with you.

Maybe you bought a Toyota expecting a Mercedes @ a Toyota price?

*****
F & 1 TB external Drive via eSATA

Yes, I included a while ago a comment & benchmark about a 1 TB ext HDD in the VAIO_F Power Over eSATA Port & ext Enclosures Benchmarks post.

 

I've tryed , it is not working unfortunatley, i will keep trying , maybe .... thanks anyway .

 

To be noted: you are the second person w/ dual boot Linux & fan stuck @ 100% problem. Just sayin'.

 

Ah - much thanks Joe.

 

FW is still available. From deals2buy.com with $200 coupon,
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...198552921665961655&XID=A:1260291:10693102::CJ

 

You are welcome.

Did you see the new WD HDD 750GB WD7500BPVT 2.5" 9.5mm 5400 rpm is just out & the price is really affordable.

That & the compact enclosure I reviewed is tempting. Wanna buy 3 slightly used full size 1 TB extenal HDD's? I'll thow in the box 1 kilo of excellent Fair Trade Costa Rican Dark Roast coffee.

 

The last several threads have been people trying to get a hold of aftermarket screens! Like I said before, I ordered the "Premium Display" with "...the clarity and brilliance of a 1080p High Definition viewing experience..." I didn't expect something like a full RGB LED screen, but I was expecting a panel that didn't suffer from an extremely narrow viewing angle and a washed out effect that I've never seen before in any other laptop screen. And I love my Toyota.

 

"The last several threads have been people trying to get a hold of aftermarket screens!" - That's not true. It's easy to get an identical LCD as the OEM US 1080p. The discussions were about using a different FW_LCD model in a F.

As mentioned before, many other US owners like their 1080p, including I: Sony_F_Series Owners Display Poll. 111 votes so far.

My F LCD is not "washed out" & displays excellent contrast, saturation and true & accurate colors thanks to the monitor calibration I applied to it.

 

Hehehe i dunno, the coffee alone makes it a very tempting deal . I'm actually thinking about getting one of these while the rebate is still active, but I'll have to think about it some more. It's incredible how cheap the cost/gigabyte has gotten. I remember a few years ago "cheap" 80GB hard drives were $100.

 

That is a good deal indeed for the home office. OK, I'll match that rebate + 1 kilo per HDD's.

 

Looking at the photos from different users, the quality of the screens vary and you happen to have a good one. Unfortunately, I got one of the bad ones. The poll clearly shows that there is at least some variation among the screens.

 

Yeah - some of the photos of people's (US glossy 1080p) screens in this thread are terrible. I remember seeing a silver F11 (from Turkey?) where half the screen was basically inverted.

here are (again) some pics of mine, which is one of the "good" US 1080p screens:








For Comparison, these pictures are from my (older) Vaio PCG-Z1ra

 

Originally Posted by edward.m.omalley View Post
Update on this saga....

Turns out Sony never sent a technician. The next day (3/19) I received an e-mail saying that since the model I bought was brand-new, the "technicians" wanted to look at the laptop in the Sony lab for special handling. It took a few days for a mailing box to arrive, sent the laptop in, and then 1.5 weeks later I received the laptop back. The service receipt had illegible handwriting so it wasn't clear what had been wrong. But I was happy to have my Sony back working....until it stopped working with the same symptons less than 24 hours later (4/1). In disbelief, I called Sony again, and they again told me that I had to ship the unit back. I was irate and they really didn't give a damn. I asked to speak to a manager and they said it wouldn't do any good. They recommended that I speak to Customer Care but that I'd need to call back the next day b/c that office was closed for the day. I did speak to someone in that unit and asked if I could be shipped a brand new laptop while Sony was busy learning how to fix its defective machines - I was told no, this isn't possible. In the meantime they shipped another box for me to return the laptop, and I did so, angrily (on Tuesday, 4/6). Tonight I received an e-mail saying that "parts are on backorder" with no indication of what that means.

Needless to say, I am terribly sorry with my decision to buy from Sony. What a nightmare.

This has happened to me - my F11 failed after a week, same problem as yours. I sent it back aaaaaaaaages ago and they have replaced the motherboard. It should be back early next week. I have to say, the Sony support team are a mess - they never call back and half the time you can't understand what on earth they're saying, due to the poor quality lines. They also seem to fail miserably at communicating with the other departments, as all I got for two days was "it's under repair, sir" repeated over and over again. Hopefully when it comes back it won't die again.

 

Well I have a plan of action to deal with my bad screen, I leave the notebook on the carpet where the cats like to play, with the the lid open and an animated screensaver running. Hopefully the cats will damage the screen attempting to attack the bouncing objects, causing me to have to install a replacement....

Toyotas are ok but boring, I prefer Hondas anyday....