Official Sony VAIO F Series i5/i7 owners thread *Part 3*

I don't "think" that one will fit. They both do. But if you choose the dual CCFL tubes then you need to change also the inverter as mentioned in the article.

The best would be to get the EU 1080p matte premium dual CCFL LCD + it's inverter but nobody reported so far what is the exact model number. Maybe you could try to get the info from_Sony & report here?

 

Thanks again. At this point I'll be happy with a screen of lesser quality that doesn't need the inverter. If it's 1080p I am happy. But i can't find the model you mentioned I the article anywhere.

 

Maybe "the google" is broken in your part of the world? Have you tried Fleabay?

If the price difference between the US OEM and the_FW's or EU matte is only 50 to $100, the upgrade is well worth the $ IMO & in the opinions that everybody who posted about it and/or voted in the F display poll.

 

Well actually 44,100/2 = 22050 .. which is the 22.05 I stated

But I've had a look at it again, and think you're probably right - the roll-off from 19khz does seem quite nominal.

Though, tested on my Asus Xonar, it doesn't start to drop will 21.5

 

I just replaced the old keyboard with the new ebay-bought one out of curiosity. Thanks Joe for your guide to remove the speaker grille using the LCD removal guide and to Gandalf The Grey for the link to KL643's additional pic from the Dutch forums.

Keyboard fit is perfect with latches snapping into place. The blackish-grey finish of the keyboard panel is the same as the casing and the backlight works as it should.

Inserting both the backlight and keyboard circuit cables? into their respective slots should be handled with some care though as the cables are fragile.

Backlight circuit cable
Easily removed and inserted from the slot.

Keyboard circuit cable
The connecting slot has a black tab that needs to be pushed out to unlock the cable from the slot.
Inserting the new cable requires the tab to be in the unlocked position to fit it. Once inserted, lock black tab by pushing it back into place.

Interesting observation
Both the backlight and keyboard circuit cables were additionally bent on the original keyboard when I removed it. When I replaced it with the new keyboard, I did not bend the cables but carefully laid it as flat as possible and snapped the keyboard panel onto the laptop. I observed that while the keyboard panel snapped correctly in place, the unbent cables had a spring-like action which made the keyboard feel spongy. I removed the panel and proceeded to carefully and lightly bend the cables exactly like my old keyboard. Voila! no flex..

Some minor changes in the part/model number located in the back. (no change in usage though)

New Keyboard:
Darfon P/N: 9Z.N3S82.201
--550102H03-035-G
--D9460006187 Ver: US
Sony P/N: 148781111


Old Keyboard:
Darfon P/N: 9Z.N3S82. C01
--550102H03-035-G
-- DA040003558 Ver: US
Sony P/N: 148781111

Very happy overall!!

 

I meant Sata 2 - 300 because some laptops only have Sata 1 - 150. Sata 2 have a max data transfer of 300 MB/s. So if I buy Corsair Force 128GB (reads 285 MB/s and writes 275 MB/s) the Sata 2 will not be a bottleneck.

Yes crucial needs Sata 3, however it also need 2-4 times more power to work.

Just bought the Vaio F12Z for 1 435,84 GBP or 2 247,71 USD with 132,23 USD discount from Dustinhome (cheapest in Sweden ), will have it tomorrow afternoon.

Was it expensive, I can not get it cheaper?

I will have this computer for 6 years when studying abroad. When I upgrade again, everything in the computer world will be new and everything to day will be unknown to the youth of the future.


Thanks Joe for the answer.

 

+1 rep. Thanks for the info!

 

Thanks Willscary

One other thing i'd like to mention to everyone is that once I removed the keyboard panel, I had access to the GPU fan. I've had the F11 since February and the fan accumulated dust over the months. Not a whole lot but enough of it and it presented an opportunity to clean it good!

If you guys want to clean that fan in the future, removing the speaker grille and unlatching the keyboard panel (but not the cables) will get you access to it.

 

My VAIO update informed of new BIOS update. Gonna try it now and report back.

BIOS Update version R1110Y6
Applicable Models:
VPCF127HG

This program will update BIOS to version R1110Y6 and improve the following:

- Thermal management

 

Could you run some benchmarks before & after?

Search this thread with: Everest.

 

It was late, sorry ..

The Xonar probably uses oversampling, but even then the tiny bit of extra bandpass is not really audible.

 

Why are you speaking in Chinese when talking about the F's audio input?

What are your opinions & tips about the audio output. In plain English... please?

 

Since when has an audible difference mattered in audio equipment? It's all about () waving and proving there is one

 

I found an answer to my question about external monitors -- according to MelodyMaster back in part 2 of the thread, only the HDMI or VGA output on the F series can be used at one time.

Looks like I'll have to look into the Matrox DualHead or TripleHead2Go boxes to make my multi-monitor setup work.

 

Oops already flashed. I was only hoping it solves the "fan slowing down" and "fan spinning up/down whining sound" issues. It seems like everything is the same so far.

 

"It seems" hence the benchmark request.

Hey F12_owners, please benchmark before updating your BIOS!

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to upgrade just the screen so that I can increase the resolution from 1600x900 to 1920x1080

I have the VPF126FM model from BB

Hopefully, the only thing that would need to be changed is the screen without having to change the video card.

 

Why not exchange the unit for a GT 330M & 1080p display?

Are you passed the return/exchange period?

You can't change the video card on the F, it's welded to the mobo.

 

Hi I'm new to this forum and I was just wondering if someone could tell me if xp17 had his/her question answered?
I have that exact same question as I was thinking about buying a Sony Vaio f12 I think it is for use with Avid Media Composer 4. I sifted through a good few pages to find an answer to his/her question to no avail.
Any help is greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

thanks for this. I too was asking that question, would have been great if it could handle 2 seperate monitors simultaneously!

 

Fan still slows down when key is pressed. And the fan still spins up and down making a whining sound when idle.

 

Best Buy doesn't have that version it seems. I should have done more research since there's a 15% restocking fee if I do choose to return it.

Regarding the screen itself, if I were to pick that up I shouldn't really need to change out the vid card right? I already have the 330M on the machine..just a lower res screen.

 

If you could find a defect, maybe there is no restocking fee? You bought it online, right?

Yes, you can change only the display w/o any problems but you are looking at $180-250. See my sig for how-to link.

 

Open Notepad @ idle or remove some bloatware running in the background & don't press that sticky key!

 

I am too looking for a screen but your guide mentioned a LCD that is nowhere to be found.

 

If it's for a_F12, my finder's fee is a set of recovery discs.

I mentioned 2 different models, you can't find either?

 

180-250 isn't too bad since the restocking fee would have been that anyway.

I can't find a defect without causing one

I guess i can pick up any of the 1920x1080's that I see for the F12 i have?

 

I don't know how i missed the second model. That one i did find. Thanks! Sorry can't rep you today, I am out of rep
Is it ok that eBay auction says that it's for te VGN-FW models?

 

Hi Lars,
well I think its best to try to answer here, so everyone has a the information if needed.

The most important part of the clean install is to kill the vaio care rescue process while the restart driver is installed.
Please read Joe's clean install guide from top to bottom:
Vaio F Series Windows 7 64-bit Clean Install Using OEM Recovery Discs

In short, these are the steps you have to take (this is only an overview!!!:

0) Read Joe's guide from top to bottom and have it in front of you while
going trough the routine ( a second computer would be handsome)
1) Create the rescue discs (you just need them for reinstalling "VAIO Care"
2) Remove the discs and shut down the computer.
3) Press the "ASSIST" Button on the keyboard (This will do the installation
through the rescue partition.
4) Follow the instructions of the "VAIO Care Rescue" and after that the Joe's
guide.
5) Be alert when window starts the first time and starts to install the drivers.
You should open the taskmanager right away otherwise you won't be
quick enough to kill the process
6) After the installation is completed (without any other software) check out
if all drivers have been installed properly. You can compare them to the
once in the guide.
7) Install "VAIO Care" from the 1st of your new DVDs.




8) Re-activate the special keys (ASSIST, VAIO, etc) by following step 7
from ilfuca's guide (you install the programs with "VAIO Care"; hint: "vaio settings utility" is actually called "Setting Utility Series" on my computer):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/460685-win-7-fresh-install-guide-vaio-f-series.html#post5903300
9) Now install all the programs you need through "VAIO Care".

I hope this helps!

Servus,
kcirtaP

 

Dithering and filtering methods are both important to the quality of digital sound in general. The consensus seems to be that the minijack output has very good audio quality indeed. The INPUT is badly compromised however.

Well I use vacuum tube amplifiers for both the stereo system (including the F11's playback through an external USB D/A) and for the front two channels of my TV multimedia setup; I've navigated the audio jungle with all the bullroar and nasty flying particles tossed about in the audio forums, so I know whereof you speak.

 

I won't even TOUCH an audio/video cable unless it costs at least $150/meter ($300/meter for a decent quality HDMI cable) and my speaker cable MUST be no smaller than 6ga ultra-stranded, braided OFC with solid gold ends that were attached in a vaccum chamber so as to ensure that the wire remained OFC!

Even so, I can't bear to listen to anything solid state, and I will NEVER consider ANY type of digital music. My God! Most people are complete idiots and wouldn't know a decent vinyl recording if it jumped up and bit them!

EDIT: OOOPS! The HDMI cable is for video only...I would never degrade my audio by listening to digital music. In fact, I learned to read lips simply so I didn't have to listen to that horrid digital sound when watching DVDs many years ago.

 

mariog,

I also ordered Win 7 Pro not just for the extra warranty, but also because pro will go on an microsoft domain, regarding the warranty though, although it mentions it on the website, as you said it did, my order doesn't mention it, do you have any paper work to confirm you have a 2 year warranty.

 

The only place its mentioned is in the Guarantee booklet that comes with the laptop. On page 19 for UK its: "Models with Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate: 2 years guarantee period. All other models: 1 year guarantee period". There's no mention of warranty on the invoice.

 

Hi everyone,

There is sale going on for the VPC F1190 on the sony website for Canada. It costs about $1000 CAD. and the laptop has these specs:

Intel® Core™ Quad i7-720QM processor (1.60GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.80GH
Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium
Black
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
320 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
DVD +/- R DL / DVD +/- RW / DVD-RAM Drive
16.4" VAIO Display (1600x900) with NVIDIA® GeForce® 310M GPU (512MB VRAM)
Keyboard Backlight
Standard Capacity Battery

Is this a good price? I researched and found out that this model had overheating problems but there was an update.

 

I'm in the US but price seems great. Also, the F Series has no heating issues at all. This is one of the very positive features with this laptop.

 

I had a look at the F12 in London today. I liked the matte screen and overall it seemed a beautifully constructed unit.

On having a browse of the UK Sony Style config options, my question is whether the VAIO F (V) Series, which comes with a 1600x900 res screen (better for my peepers than a 1920x1080), is also a matte. . . If it is then I've got a tough choice between the F12 and an HP ProBook 4720s.

 

If I had the $ and could do it all again, I would have chosen the 1920x1080 display. There are text size settings in Windows 7 so you can still read easily at full res. You can also set the res to 1600x900 when you need.

 

Ok, I'm a dogged XP user and used to its cack handed way of dealing with DPI which invariably messes with webpages and some apps.

How flexible is Windows 7 for scaling?

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. I am leaning on getting it, but my main concern is portability as it has a 16.4" screen.

 

Don't you guys hate it when you just miss the FedEx driver ...

 

Can you guys recommend me a stylish and simple backpack for my F serie? Not with the messenger types

 

I'm thinking about getting a sony vaio and am leaning towards the F series. I just have a few questions for those of you who already own one. Is it worth the price? Is it the best laptop to get for roughly $1,300?

You can go ahead and recommend a different model but these are the two I am looking at right now. The only difference seems to be that one has turbo boost and the other has 1920x1080 resolution. Which is the overall better model? Thanks.


CTO | Customize | Sony Canada


CTO | Customize | Sony Canada

 

Can you provide the link please?

 

My last laptop was 17" so this seems quite portable to me. I bring mine to work everyday and am able to plug in. The side numeric keypad is also something I require for efficiency. If, however, you are taking your laptop in and out of classes for a few years you may find this laptop cumbersome. Also, the brick is big. Strike your balance.

 

Hey, good to see another person from Canada interested in the F series. Actually, the link is the second one but when you add it to your cart you have to type VAIO200 (caps) under ecoupons to get $200 off. Basically with tax it comes to $997 for the basic build.

 

Hm... I will be bringing it to class and home (15 min. bus ride) on occasion.

 

Likewise. That seems like a pretty good deal. Are they only offering the discount for that specific model? Because there's no option to add it to my card. Instead this appears "No longer available for purchase."

 

Yeah, they are offering $200 for four models:

DEALS

 

I keep getting "No longer available for purchase." Are you getting that too?

 

I am getting "currently not available". It was fine yesterday, but they might be out of stock? We can try waiting until tonight to see what happens.