Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

Actually, the 1920 X 1080 screen with the GT310 is still ok, it just goes into "unavailable" when the card is the GT330.

 

+1, LOL ! My wife too !

 

Nice! Don't let this thread get too heavy; it's been far too usefull. I'm expecting my F11 on Wednesday and plan to be prepared to rescue, recover, restore, unsqueak, and gamutize (sp?) my new laptop thanks to this thread. I figure to be able to listen to DVDs with a minimum of fan noise as well. Please keep it coming all!

 

Thanks for your response MelodyMaster. Can anyone else help, reinstalling the existing Nvidia driver does nothing to eliminate these line. Is this normal & does anyone else have this issue?

 

I'm addicted to my wife too.

 

I get the same psychological benefit when I change the oil in my car by myself. WAY more satisfying that taking it to the dealer !

 

I'm not quite clear, do you ONLY see the shading behind an open but transparent window, (which is a characteristic of the Theme) or is this actually the desktop that has the lines?

(edit) to clarify, diagonal patterns of that exact spacing and angle are supposed to appear behind any glass transparency in Aero, seen as you move the window about. It SHOULDN'T appear outside the Glass parts. If it does then it might be an error in Windows itself. Try changing the theme, disabling Aero, anything to remove the expected appearance of the lines, then go back to the default Aero theme.

 

@Joe Bleau,

Thanks for the tip..Back then it never occured to us since our techs (offsite consultants though) did all the work. But I remember that day. It was quiet at the office and then all of a sudden there was a loud rattling and tearing noise coming from one of the workstations. Scared the hell out of a lot of people..

 

I could be hardware related, but to see if it's software or drivers:

- First: create a new system restore point. You could try going back to a previous restore point created before the problem appeared.

- From Win 7 support: Optimize Windows 7 for better performance see "Try the Performance troubleshooter" and "Turn off visual effects" to see if the lines disappear.

- create a system repair disc & try-it.

- - create a system image, which contains a copy of Windows and copies of your programs, system settings, and files with Windows Backup or an other backup utility and restore to factory state.

- post your question on the Nvidia forums & report here!

There are good points in this post:

 

@MelodyMaster: I think that this is characteristic of Aero, because when I "Optimized Windows 7 for better performance" the issue dissappeared.
Yes, the only time that the diagonal lines appear are behind any glass transparency in Aero, & it DOES appear when I'm dragging a window to the edge of the desktop when it automatically wants to expand to full screen.

@Joe Bleau: Thanks for the troubleshooting tips, great info. & help!

 

You are welcome.

Since Win 98, I always "Turn off visual effects", my priority is speed over eye candy.

 

A PC World I was in this afternoon (Stretford, Manchester) had an F11.

It's a special for them using an i5-520M, 6GB memory, 320GB drive, BD-ROM, GT330M graphics and 1920x1080 screen. All for £999. It was either silver or white in colour - the website has it as a black one which it wasn't. The "/H" code at the end of the model no indicates a silver one doesn't it?

 

My new F-series has been ordered, with an expected ship date of 02/16. Includes i7-820QM, 8GB RAM, 1920x1080 screen with 330GPU, 256GB SSD, Windows 7 professional with fresh start, backlighting, Vegas 9.0 Pro, Black.

I have a whole month to decide whether to go with the 3-year ADH warranty, but I might lean towards not going for it, based on past experience with Sony products. If there is a problem, it should shake out within the 1 year factory warranty period, I suppose. I bought a 3-year ADH warranty for my Sony camera and it has been over a year with not even a whisper of a problem - extended warranty was a waste of money !

 

No, you do NOT have a month to decide to purchase an ADH. You have to purchase that at the time of your purchase of the computer. Accidental damage may NOT be added on later, only the other plans can be added on. (This is reasonable. Too many people would damage their machines and then buy the ADH plan and it skews the whole basis for setting the rate schedules.)

Yes, I know there are after-market companies that swear on five stacks of Bibles that they use Sony techs and you can add on the ADH whenever you want, etc., etc. Well, a friend of mine checked that all out with Sony and they said that NO ADH WILL BE HONORED BY SONY PURCHASED ANYWHERE UNLESS IT IS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME OF THE PURCHASE OF THE COMPUTER.

So, if you try to get a Sony ADH later you will be told no by Sony. If you buy one from somewhere else that coordinates with Sony's tech support, you will discover that Sony will NOT honor the ADH, only the ordinary service part of the warranty.

Just so you know. My friend pushed this up through management in Sony USA to get a definitive answer and that is it. So if you want ADH, call Sony before that computer gets to your door. Remember, it's just the "accidental damage and handling" part that must be purchased at the time of purchase -- all other service plans are a different story.

Sony swore to my friend that they would make this clearer on the SonyStyle Website when they refused her the purchase of an ADH after the initial purchase date. That they were going to revise all the explanations on the site, etc. Sony has not done that apparently, so she has emailed for information.

 

That near full-screen "box" that appears a few line in from the edge of the screen when you drag the window to the edge is an Aero effect complete with drop shadows. Switch to 16-bit colour and it will vanish.

Or am I mis-understanding?

 

I have under 24 hours til my BB model F11 arrives. So very, very soon.

I have been refreshing my tracking infor every hour since I woke up this morning. It's been stuck in Nashville (two hours to the west) since 10:34 AM. Damn you UPS, damn you!

 

Really? When I ordered my F Series from sony style US I told them I was uncertain about which Service Plan to get so I bought the laptop alone. I specifically mentioned ADH and was told I had 30 days to purchase. I thought you could even purchase a Service Plan without ADH up until the manufacturers warranty expires, which is one year.

I've been mulling over which Service Plan to get - ADH or no ADH - and where to get it from - sony style or Provantage. I thought I'd have 30 days. My laptop will arrive any day now. Can anyone corroborate any or all of this? If this is correct, just to make sure, can I still purchase an ADH Service Plan before I receive my laptop?

 

I think ADH is the only one worth it, and I work at a best buy. I just can't afford it, I can't even afford a F series. What do you guys do for jobs anyway?

 

A friend of mine has written to a Sony VP to ask for clarification. When she gets back to me, I'll post the answer....

 

OK, A second sales rep has confirmed that I have 30 days after purchase to get a Service Plan with ADH. And 6 months for one without ADH. I'm on the phone with sony as I type this.

 

Just playing with my brand new F CTO, and wondering why the display appears so washed out. I've seen in this forum where some are recommending a display calibration tool for $80, but this is a company machine that it ain't happening.

Anyone know of a good free one?

BTW, I opted for the lower-rez (1600X900) display since this is a work unit (no BD player), and man is it GLOSSY and reflective! I wish it had more of a matte finish to it... I hope I can get used to it, it's pretty distracting so far--I can see reflections of my fingers as I type!

 

Recovery disk 1 burned just fine, disk 2 is stuck at 51%... anyone have that happen?

Doesn't look like there's any way to cancel it either... I'm not excited about stopping this process or resorting to a hard boot to try again.

 

Just get the name of the rep and ask for an email confirmation from that rep.

It is beginning to look like my friend was given inaccurate information by two reps (who just happen to no longer work for Sony, she tells me, since her email to them today just bounced back) who were misinformed and misinformed her.

I hope the Sony VP answers her email because I think management should be willing to confirm the offers being made on the phone.

Good luck....

 

Has anyone here purchased a Service Plan from Provantage? They claim that they are the same plans sold by sony style and use sony techs, but they are $120-140 cheaper. There was a couple of threads a while back that discussed Provantage, but I couldn't find specific info.

 

I wish I could find a concrete source for info on Provatage. I was given the number to the sony warranty dept and bounced around until I finally spoke to someone who said that the Service Plans offered by authorized retailers (listed on sony style), of which Provantage is one, are the same ones sold by sony style. She said that laptops sent in for service under an authorized dealer's Service Plan are sent to the same repair shop and techs as the sony style Service Plans. This is all heresay, and not confirmed 100%, but it's looking more and more like the Provantage plans offer the same protection for quite a bit less. Don't quote me on it, however?

I'll investigate further...

 

Derrida, thanks for the feedback. Actually the salesrep in Sonystyle, via whom I bought my laptop, told me that I have 1 month from the date of purchase to get the 3-year ADH warranty and 6 months from the date of purchase to get the non-ADH warranty. Logically, that makes sense, right ? Especially since Sony has a 30-day money-back guarantee ?

Push comes to shove, I will just skip the extended warranty in its entireity, and save some money.

 

You're correct on both points, now that I know it's an Aero effect, which can be eliminated by switching to 16-bit color, I can rest at ease! Thanks!

 

Yes, search thread w/ recovery discs or recovery dis ks.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5837755&highlight=recovery+discs#post5837755

You are the third user reporting this, hence the suggestion to do it out of the box as some software you installed messed-up the Sony recovery disc app.

"I've seen in this forum where some are recommending a display calibration tool for $80, but this is a company machine that it ain't happening. Anyone know of a good free one?" - Nope as it includes a "puck", a colorimeter sensor the size of a mouse. Check: Monitor Calibration: Who needs it?

Try tweaking the video settings, Win 7 support: Calibrate your display.

Cover the ambient light auto-sensor or disable: VAIO Control center > display tab >automatic brightness >Uncheck the Adjust Brightness Automatically box > apply.

"BTW, I opted for the lower-rez (1600X900) display since this is a work unit (no BD player), and man is it GLOSSY and reflective! I wish it had more of a matte finish to it... I hope I can get used to it, it's pretty distracting so far--I can see reflections of my fingers as I type!" - I did not use this anti-glare film yet but saw several recommendations in some forums: http://www.photodon.com/mm5/merchan...egory_Code=Sony Vaio&Product_Code=MXS-3190-01

I'm waiting for my US F 1080p, if I can't stand the glare, that's what I'll get, even if you loose some brightness & contrast. Also, I work w/ kids & they have a hard time not touching the screen.

 

Someone earlier on this thread posted a file with the settings for the color calibration for his screen, but it was the 1080 high res screen. Has anyone used the Spyder tool on a lower res screen and if so could they provide the settings for that screen? just a thought.

 

Of course that makes sense, that's why my friend is upset to learn that she was given a "line" six months ago about how it had to be gotten at the time of purchase. The fact that the two reps who gave her this story no longer work for Sony might say something about the quality of their work, eh?

One of the two reps had told her that Sony had been burned by one of those after-market vendors, that someone had purchased a plan from Provantage or one of those like it that advertize the use of Sony techs -- and that they were taking steps to stop that and were revising the info on the SonyStyle site to make this all clear.

Doesn't sound like that's happened yet, does it? We'll see, I guess....

 

Okay: on the service plans --- when you go to through the online purchase, you come to the page with the service plans choices where the limitations can be found a link away. Here's what Sony states:

"Plans that must be added on at the time of model purchase include any accidental damage from handling plans. These Service Plans are not offered for stand-alone purchase and cannot be purchased after you have bought your product.

Also, purchasing Extended Service Plans at a later date requires a valid proof of purchase and are only available within the first 6 months of your product purchase."
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...52921666069165&categoryId=8198552921644692000

Go to "Add a Service Plan" and at the end of the list in blue is a link "Discover the benefits of a Sony Extended Service Plan." The pop-up window has the info under the section "Why add your Extended Service Plan today?".

Can anyone find the 30-day deal mentioned on the phone actually advertised in print on the Website? And notice how deeply buried this "time of purchase only" warning is.

Can't wait to tell my friend...and I wonder whether Sony will answer her question about the discrepancy. And whether the reps who are telling forum members differently can prove their statements in writing.

 

I also was planning to do a dual boot with XP and Win 7. What happens with the screen resolution in Win XP without the driver. Does it stay at low resolution? I need this to log into a PACS system to read CAT scans and ultrasounds on call. I had no problem setting up my partners Dell studio XPS 17 and another persons HP ? what kind with dual boot and was easily able to get drivers.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the info. I managed to remove my space bar (without breaking it), and that fixed the squeaking issue, it is so much better to have a quiet keyboard!

Joe Bleau,

some pages ago you asked me if my whining noise issue was related to the mic, and no, it's related to the fan speed (I know that because I already fixed the mic-related issue). But I'm not going to send it for repair because of that, too much of a hassle. Now I'm really happy with my Sony VAIO F

 

Glad it worked out for u

 

My F has been at a dest sort facility at a fexed location that is only 45 minutes away since 12:22 am, IT IS NOW 10:14 pm so hopefully I'll have it tomorrow?

 

So far, I'm really liking my new F. Keyboard and screen (U.S. "premium") are lovely, and I'm digging the backlit keyboard. The only weakness is the dreadful speakers on this thing. Not a huge deal for me, but people should be aware that Sony has really cheaped out. If anyone has tweaked settings that made theirs sound better, I'm all ears (sorry).

I have had one serious issue, though. I just returned to my laptop after a couple of hours. I guess it had gone into hibernation mode. My black screen would not wake up, and I was forced to do a hard shutdown. This gives me pause, as my now-returned Dell Studio 17 had the same issue, except it progressed to not being able to boot at all. I don't recall anyone else reporting this here. Am I alone?

 

Two different notebook brands, same problem and both w/ Win 7?

Windows support: Troubleshoot problems waking computer from sleep mode.

Search: Windows 7 hibernate not waking up.

 

When putting the weight of my left palm on the left palm rest, I'm getting loud plastic squeeking both on the front & the side above the "express port". It seems like the only way to fix it would be to dissassemble?

 

Just picked up my F116FX from Fry's this weekend. A great machine! Workaround # 2 posted in this thread took care of the whining noise. The only remaining issue I have with it is that every once in awhile it will reach out and smack me across the face, which is somewhat annoying.

On a serious note, I'm now dealing with all the bloatware and unwanted processes. To that end, two questions:

1. My silver "VAIO" key is assigned to Vaio's Media Gallery. I don't see a way to reassign it. Any ideas?

2. The sqlservr.exe process is taking up a bit of memory. Is SQL server really necessary on this machine? What does it support?

 

Is it as bad as this Acer Aspire squeak video?

I had a similar problem w/ an Acer, I flipped-it & some screws holding the two half of the body together needed some tightening, it fixed the problem.

 

Mine steals my money.

You could try this from the link posted previously (sleep troubleshooting): click Start, type keyboard in the Start Search box, and then click Keyboard or Microsoft Keyboard in the Programs list, On the Key Settings tab, double-click the key that you want to change to access the Reassign a Key wizard.

 

Pretty close to that, that's what I'm going to do - I've taken my IBM T40 apart a couple of times to install a new screen etc., hopefully tightening screws will work but if I have to apply a little silicone at the "squeek" points I will. BTW, I've noticed there is some flex in the chassis, but with plastic it's to be expected.

 

Why dont you just run virtual box instead?

 

Maybe it will get lost somewhere inbetween? Just Kidding.
Mine comes friday, I can't wait to get my hands on my very first laptop.

 

My Shuttle desktop system running Win7 doesn't wake up properly half the time either, so I just disabled hibernation. It's not an issue with Dell or Sony laptops in particular, for sure..

 

Some professional legacy software and security programs simply won't run in Windows later than XP or even W2K due to the way they work with the kernel or because of the tighter security in Vista.

 

Are you talking about the diagonal lines going across the background? That is part of the texture of the Windows transparent area-- that's normal. You can always see a little bit of it in the top border of the window.

If you're talking about the white border, that's normal too. It's showing you where the window borders will be if you release the mouse button.

 

Hmm. First i would like to say thank you for all the great info here posted by you guys! it really helps with questions about my first lappy.

next i would just like to ask if anyone is having this issue.

The internet is as fast as my cable company allows and all pages load very quickly. however, when visiting "phonearena.com" or "phonedog.com" the pages take a very long time to load. I have used several browsers (opera, chrome, firefox, ie.) with the same results. it is just these pages so far that i have found to take forever to load. wondering if anyone had any advice or know what is causing this?

im using windows firewall and trend anti virus, if that helps...

 

Hello fellow forum members,

I orderd the VPCF11S1E/B, but now they have released the EB series and I just don't know what to do. The EB series has a better graphicscard, but also a slower processor. While the F has a worser graphics card, and a faster processor.
My question is: are the F's graphics compensated by the better processor and more/better ram? If not I will cancel my order and buy an Eb.

Thank you in advance
Joe

 

Still following this thread... Just curious, did anyone in the US opt to spend extra to purchase the F from overseas? What was your experience with doing so? I remember talk about it, but don't know if anyone pulled the trigger on doing so.

Thanks in advance.