Official Sony VAIO F Series Owners lounge

Btw, why is sRGB the default color profile when it''s Adobe RGB that is 100% reproduced by the premium display? Can anybody share a calibrated profile for the latter one? There was a profile for the non RGB led screen somewhere in this thread, if don't confuse anything...

 

Yah but no Premiere. I can always put in hardware. This actually is not just a laptop but also my new video editor, replacing the Q9450 with CS1. It's a tempting offer though...

Is there no Smiley for "Undecided"? gee.

 

Well, I can't say about the others, but I don't At the same time, I'm now looking at similar screen on my old vaio and while I'm working with graphics, especially photos, this shift in colours is really annoying and I'm very tired of constantly adjusting my body or screen to get the right view. So while I don't really look at my screen from such angle, I know that it that colour shift affects my everyday use of my laptop. I do not think it was a right move for sony to offer this screen in the us market as the top spec, they should at least give people the choice.

 

Got it! Coming Monday or so.. Yes, it had to be escalated, and the problem WAS an extreme shortage of GT330s worldwide.

 

they are LED lights under the keyboard, should not burn out, too soon...

 

As I've already mentioned some tens of post before: so far with laptop displays (= TN) it's either the viewing angle or the color accuracy (see this page). A couple of days a made myself a side-by-side comparison of my Adobe RGB display and this wonderful Hydis display: it terms of viewing angles the latter overcomes Sony by all possible means, but it's just opposite when it comes to colors ))

 

Can someone please comment on the most recent status regarding the buzzing/whining noise? I know there is a temporary fix out there, and then I read that Sony did eventually look into it and may have fixed it? Is that true?

That's the only thing that keeps me from buying it right now (I'll be ordering from Sonystyle US). Would really like some feedback about this. Thank you.

 

Search this Tread with whining fix. Do an other search with: round green sticker.

Easy DIY mic whining fixes still work meanwhile: STP12's easy fix and Fix #2.

 

Congrats!

Looking forward to your review & hope they triple checked that all was OK before shipping it to you.

 

I remembered earlier in this thread someone complained about not being able to burn the Vaio recovery discs on a dual layer dvd.
Maybe the new hotfix from Microsoft solves this issue?

According to The Windows Club:

"Microsoft has released a hotfix to to fix an issue, where a burning operation fails with a time-out error, when you try to burn files to a DVD-R Dual Layer (DL) disc in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2."

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-d...-dual-layer-disc-fails-in-windows-7#more-6818

 

U'r welcome. But unfortunately it doesn't solve my problem. Why is there no Adobe RGB 1600 x 900 screen... And I've just found that there's a separate thread on this forum for people like me: 16.4" screen - 900p or 1080p?

 

Well im going through the repair process with them now. Just hope it all gets fixed, cos i do like this lappy.

 

are there any benchmarks for the core i5 processors out there? i would like to compare with the i7!

Grtz Jan

 

Thanks for the link!

So*ny Support says somewhere (can't find the link @ the present) that Dual Layer (DL) discs are not too good for recovery discs.

-------

Before attempting anything (out of the box!):
1- create recovery discs (to preserve factory state, DL not good, 2 or more DVD's depending on factory installed software)
2- create a system repair disc (one CD)
3- - after customizing & adding software, 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.
4- Backup your personal data & files, if any.

 

Yes there are

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html

 

It's an old debate, check the date of post #1: 06-21-2009.

It's all in the eyes of the beholder.

BTW the real terms are: the display's % of coverage of the Adobe RGB color gamut space as a reference. Most lappies cover only 60% of that gamut & most user never notice. That's what prevented me from buying an Acer 18.4" for photo editing.

I could not find data of the various gamuts coverage of the US 1080p so far & intend to measure & post my data in a few days using a colorimeter and Gamutvision:



There's also sRGB, Adobe RGB and NTSC gamuts, see this LCD Monitors and Color Gamuts article.

A good read: Monitor Calibration: Who needs it?

 

Since the VAIO utilities use Windows SPTI (or whatever it is in Win7) it does make sense that a fix for the native driver would solve the dual-layer burning timeout. However DL buring is an inexact science anyway, and shouldn't be used for the storing of critical data. Have you seen the number of errors that spike at the layer change when using a disc check tool?

 

How do you remove the space bar on the F Series laptop? I've never had a laptop witht his sort of keyboard and my space bar squeaks alot as well.

 

@NHMike

yes my box comes with the green dot sticker on the spec label at the face of the box.

Now I just have to wait till I get home to find the screen's id # for waitwaitwait

 

Squeaky spacebar? DIY easy fix:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5852864&highlight=spacebar#post5852864 with videos.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5851955&highlight=spacebar#post5851955 testimonial

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5856291&highlight=spacebar#post5856291 testimonial

 

I used DL discs and had zero issues.

 

Did you check for writing errors? Did you try to restore your formatted HDD with it?

For the rest of us, why risk it?

 

Note, the MAC LCD is angled a lot more than the Sony too.

 

That's because the Mac cost $1,000 more so it should give more viewing angle maybe?

 

Well either way, I personally OWNED one, and Owned a Sony F. The Macbook Pro was 10x better than the Sony F is at any angle. And this is from real world experience not some website.

 

Regarding the notorious whining noise issue, does anybody who has it tried to plug in an external mic?

I've done this and was unable to use the mic. It may be the case that the buzz is just a side effect of a defective line-in (a poster has already referred to a shielding or solder issue). If this is so, the two fixes that have been posted only solve the noise issue, while the line-in remains inoperative. It also means that no software update will ultimately solve this problem.


Any thoughts or feedback (no pun intended) on this?

 

Hey all, I received my F a week ago, but am now having problems with it.

I cannot connect myself to a wireless network because I can't switch on my wireless capabilities. I put the little switch on the front to On and the light does not turn on, and the system does not register as it being on. Further more, SmartWifi (the little signal icon in the notifications area, does not appear anymore.

I tried following some help from the VAIO care module, but all it told me was that my Wireless switch was turned off, while it was actually on.

What should I do?

 

I share with You the steps I've made to install a fresh Win 7 on A Vaio VPCF11Z1E (EU model)

1 Before anything else be sure to make Your recovery disks If You haven't already done them. It's very important to actually do them since we'll need them later. You will use them for a future installation of the bundled utilities You may require.

Not strictly regarding this guide but if You have another drive You can try them to see if they work properly

2 If You're installing on the original drive don't format the recovery partition (you never know..), if it's a new drive than You can use it all. Still don't format the original one as You may need it for warranty purposes.

3 Go to the sony site and download all the original drivers and also the updates (to date only 2), and save them in an external HD or pendrive.

4 Insert the Windows 7 DVD and install Windows 7 in the desired partition, be careful since the first 9 gigabytes of disk are used to restore the note at it's initual configuration (if it's the original drive). Choose the version that corresponds to the serial number in your possession.

4b If You don't have a win7 DVD look at this link http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=428068

5 Once inside the new system will notice that some devices have already been recognized by windows but still You have to install the following drivers in this order and reboot the system anytime it's required:

- Chipset drivers (restart)

- Sata drivers (click on install.bat)

- Nvidia-Driver (restart)

- Then go to Device Manager (start and right click manage on computer)
- select the ethernet card (double click or right click and properties)
- click Update Driver
- search software driver in folder
- browse to the folder "Ethernet Driver (Marvell) 11.10 (TF2) 11.10.6.3" that You should previously unzip.
- Update the driver to the newer version. (restart)

- Wireless Lan Driver (Intel in my case, should be Atheros for the US)

- Bluethoot-driver (Broadcom), the bluetooth is already recognized prior to this installation but it's needed to automatically enable all the devices (like audio bluethooth).

- Again Device manager
- double-click on "base system device" (PCI bus 3, device 0, function 1)
- click on "update driver"
- search for the driver software on your computer
- browse to the folder "Memory card reader writer (Ricoh) (MS) 6.13x64" that You should previously unzip.

- Also in device manager
- select the device "sd card reader" with the icon of the blue memorycard and again either double click or right click/properties
- click on "Update Driver"
- search the driver software on your computer
- browse and give him the folder "Memory card reader writer (Ricoh) (SD) 6.13x64" You previously unzipped.
- After installing that device will disappear and appear a new one under "IDE ATA / ATAPI"

- Then You also have the driver-CPRM (memory card reader writer SD_CPRM) which should only serve to those who use encrypted SD, if needed repeat the above procedure.

- Finally also in Device Manager
- select "unknown device" (Intel PM55 Express Chipset LPC Interface Controller - 3b03)
- cick update driver
- search for the driver.....
- browse to the folder "SFEP Driver Sony 8.0 10Q1 O 7 8.0.1.1" again previously unzipped.

At this point you should have no more icons with exclamation point in Device Manager, if you have an i5 I believe You should also install a driver for the onboard video adapter but I'm not really sure about that.


6 It remains to update your sound card, so click the downloaded update from SonyStyle and upgrade, the installation is "silent" so you will not see anything after unpacking and nothing will be reported when finished.

7 At this point there are only the special keys on the Vaio, which are now only partially working so install in this order:

- vaio control center
- vaio settings utility
- vaio event service
- sony shared library

Always remember to reboot every time you are asked and not superimpose installations.

8 Ok got to this point, you have your laptop working perfectly. We havent nstalled Vaio Color Settings, Vaio Power Management, Vaio Smart Network and VAIO care, if you want You can install them as well but they are not really necessary for the proper functioning of the machine.

9 Here is a big trick! I guess You don't want to pay for programs like corelwinDVD and roxio image creation since You already got them bundled? And do You want to install the alps touchpad driver (to enable multitouch) Well it's time to use You recovery disks!

It's quite easy you need sonyextractor http://www.mediafire.com/?xm2zjz2yn5t to unzip the .mod files in the dvds

The bad new is that you have to unzip them one by one to see what they are.

To speed it a little up I've searched in the dvds all the *.mod files and pasted them on the drive so that I had them all toghether and ordered them for size, then expect office trial to be the bigger one and so on it should be faster than browsing all the dvd directories. You'll find quite a lot of stuff there, maybe 80 .mod or even more.

To actually use sonyextractor right click on it and run it as administrator, otherwise It's not going to work

10 If You want You can download Windows Live from here: http://download.live.com

11 A nice Windows Update et voila!


Hope this helps You

 

Is the Mute selected?

Try: STP12's easy fix

 

ilfuca, you are a star !
Huge thanks for all this info.

 

I've checked that the external mic wasn't muted and also tried out two mics and different options in the audio properties, but couldn't make it work.

The built-in mic works fine though, which makes me suspect of a defective line-in.

 

Switch it off? I'm not kidding, I have an Atheros WiFi card on my Asus netbook, and it can only be turned ON by software when that switch is in the OFF position.

 

@waitwaitwait

Under device manager, the hardware ID says Monitor\MS_0025. Is this what you're looking for?

 

That's right. No true Premiere. That is what you asked for.

Sometimes in life you unfortunately get exactly what you asked for.

(Me, I'm waiting for March and the refresh.....)

 

There is a software program that is one of the icons near the clock, that if you click it, it brings up the two on and off switches for bluetooth and wifi. You need to make sure those are both turned on as well. I can't remember what the icon looks like, but it's there.

 

The new models are already listed in North America for March release.. the refresh is the sound problem cure, (probably a redesign) a different screen, and some power supply thing.

The GT330 will always be short-stocked, so they'll be pushing the 310. ATI cards won't fit.

 

@MelodyMaster

Would the march release screen be completely different from what I have now?

 

Thanks. Sorry for bringing it up again - I'm sure the topic has been beaten to death by now. Great forum - very helpful suggestions.

Kinda disappointed to hear all these problems with the Vaio though. I've been shopping for a laptop for more than a month now, and after reading reviews after reviews, I thought I finally found the complete package in the F series (for my need at least). *Sigh* guess there is no such thing as a "perfect" laptop is there

 

Its called smartwi. Its a green icon.

 

I don't think that green sticker means its guaranteed no problems. Mine didn't come with it and there is no whining noise from speakers.

 

Have given a shot at a video review.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW5LKOuAkr8
(General overview of the main body, aesthetics and build quality (first
impressions)

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja0h_oiDWWQ
(Keyboard (Flex?), Bottom chassis, Display Quality, Speaker Quality)

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEvJCu06cg8
(More on the display quality / viewing angles, resolution comparison,
processing power, fan noise)

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5r4rG69m18
(Initial impressions of stock software install, tips, gaming performance,
nvidia physx, more on fan noise)


First video review, first youtube vid. In retrospect, there's a lot I would have done different so easy on the flaming

 

I think it's already out there, some of us have it.

 

The F-series has fewer problems at launch than just about any laptop. Look at the Dell forums, Asus G51VX, Alienware (forget which one) and even the Sony CW.

 

tcklim, great job

if we have that screen here, we'd be happy, that Euro screen def handled vertical viewing angles radically better then my screen does

Microcenter is advertising the F as having an LED screen. Even if a new CCFL looks great and bright, they do dim over time, whereas as LED screens stay brighter longer.

 

Yes, thats exactly the same hardware id i have, i guess it must be the same. Still Im not overly happy about the vertical viewing angles, but i can live with it. Thanks.

 

I find that what works best is to disable the windows WiFi utility and use the Atheros client (with multiple profiles) It completely takes care of turning on the wireless card.

 

@tcklim yeah great vid review and i'm still watching it. By the way, I find it odd that i can now match a voice to your username

 

Nothing I have would be classified as a problem, I don't think. I don't like the screen, but that's just me. I was able to fix the morse code with a few mouse clicks. Works pretty well otherwise.

 

@melodymaster

Ah cool!!

 

The CCFL screen requires high voltage, the LED is a current device at very low voltage. There isn't easy interchangeability between the two.