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

You can just create a performance power plan under power option in the control panel. Create a plan and call it performance or vroom vroom or whatever and then just make sure to make the minimum processor state plugged in to be 100% and maximum at 100%. Once you create the plan, then go into change plan settings and then into change advanced power settings and this is where you can change the processor power management.

 

thanks

it shows 2 balanced for me, i think high performance got renamed or something.

im tempted to just do a system restore though. we'll see atm that's the only problem, if there's anything else i could prolly just do a total system wipe. T.T

@MaxieHQ - is that really the only difference between balanced and high performance?

 

Unfortunately this doesn't seem to have worked. Thanks anyway.

 

That's strange, I've used TuneUp a dozen of times, never had a single problem plus you can normally rollback changes. You would be the first person in all 3 F owner's threads that reports a TuneUp problem to my knowledge. Are you sure you did not do anything else before or after?

Explore Vaio_Care's options, I know that if you select Empty Profile, you will loose your Windows 7
Jump Lists so if you customized the power plan, it may have been deleted or renamed as you said.

[/IMG]


If you compare your duplicate Balanced plans, are all the advanced settings identical?

Are you using a third party application that can tweak power plans like BatteryBar or whatever?

I agree with MaxieHQ, just create a new performance plan, it's easy. It's not a "serious problem", luckily.

Otherwise, just revert to a recent restore point. BTW, some recent Windows updates caused problems to some F users as reported in the last few days.

Are your Vaio_Power Management and Vaio_Care utilities up to date? Check esupport for your model.

 

I have just received my new F12. As it was preloaded with Win7 Home Premium I did a clean install of Win 7 Professional x64. Everything went fine but I cannot install any WinDVD/BD software nor the media burning software because there is none posted in the notebook's Sony support site. Does anyone know if previous versions of that software for other models do work on F12 ? FW versions or other models ? Any other link where I can find the missing software ?

 

Hello ygaurav, welcome to the F owners thread. As I wrote in the article, I had that error, ignored it & rebooted & never saw it again.

I don't understand this, could you explain differently? "I typed the explorer from task bar and i was able to open windows explorer and task manager."

Are you saying that you get the error message but then you can use the OS normally? If so, with the message on screen, open Task Manager then close the message & try to spot the process that gets closed or download the free Process Explorer which is a super Task Manager & do the same. You can export the process list before and after with that small & standalone utility. Same site: download Autoruns, a super msconfig and check the Logon tab.

Check anseio's F11_OEM clean install post, he had that recurring error & tweaked the process suggestion.

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WinDVD Gone!

Sorry, as mentioned in several clean install guides, these are added value software & not available for public download on esupport. If you did not create the recovery discs before wiping out everything, then that & other stuff like Roxio, etc, are gone. If you have the discs, just insert #1 & reinstall or follow guide linked in sig below.

 

I've had a problem with Internet access with my F12 several times in the past few weeks.

I suspend the machine and change location. When I resume the machine connects to the wireless Internet service as it should as it is in my preferred networks list, but I don't have Internet access. I receive an IP address and a default gateway address in the new location, but "No Internet Access" is shown in the Network and Sharing Center window. I am unable to ping even the default gateway.

I've verified there's no problem with the wireless access (other machines moved at the same time work fine), tried releasing and renewing the IP address, disabling and enabling the wireless adapter and running the Windows Troubleshoot Problems diagnostic (long shot, I know) and it has made no difference, I still can't access the Internet. The only solution is to restart the machine.

This looks like a driver stability problem to me. Has anyone else experienced it and perhaps found a solution?

 

So far so good on my new F12 picked up at Costco two days ago but I have one easy question (I think) for you guys with way more computer knowledge than I. I have a new copy of Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Business (disc version) and plan to install it on the notebook and another desktop computer as allowed by that license. Do I need to (or should I) uninstall the version that is preloaded onto the notebook?

 

Like Joe mentioned in his reply, I had the same problem. I hope that you've gotten past it by now. If you have not, let me know and I'll type up instructions for a different approach, the one that ultimately worked for me.

 

Hi Anseio,

half way down Joe's instructions is this:

"How To Do a Clean Install with the Recovery Discs
To do a clean install: after a while, it will ask for disc #2 and so forth until your last recovery disc, then tells you to remove it, reboots and under Installing custom programs it installs Audio Driver Realtek, Pointing Driver Alps, Installing Restart Driver [abort Restore Complete System application with Task Manager! (called "Vaio care rescue" on the F12*)] The trick is to quickly start Task Manager when you see Audio Driver Realtek by hitting Ctrl + Alt + Delete, highlighting the Restore Complete System (or F12: Vaio care rescue) application & get ready to kill it (End Task) when Installing Restart Driver appears. The system will reboot & may tell you that the process did not complete properly, disregard that. I just rebooted & it went away."

I find it a bit confusing, is this really the start ? but in the 1st line it is asking for recovery disc 2, what about disc 1? Also, as I plan to use the recovery partition, it will not be asking me to insert discs. Sorry if I am sounding dumb but maybe what has thrown me is the above Title suggesting that this is the start; The title at the very top of the page is : Vaio F Series Windows 7 64-bit Clean Install Guide Using OEM Recovery Discs

What about all of these, when do we get to choose which to keep and which to not install (if at all), or are none of them installed:

"Adobe Flash Player (out-dated version). It's better to get the more recent version manually on adobe.com

Adobe Flash Player plugin (out-dated version). It's better to get the more recent version manually on adobe.com

Adobe Reader (out-dated version). It's better to get the more recent version manually on adobe.com IF you don't have Acrobat Pro

??? CSUP, TXT Creator (MOD-CSUP.mod found in recovery disc #2)

??? Factory Update (MOD-Factory_Update.mod found in recovery disc #2)

Google IE Setting (Bloatware IMO) An other beacon for the Google mother ship. Have you seen V the US TV series or read Orwell's 1984?

Google Chrome (Bloatware IMO) better to get the latest version manually if you want even more Google in your life reporting your surfing habits to the mother ship. I prefer Firefox because they don't sell anything.

etc..."

Also, if you could post your solution to ygaurav's problem it might be helpful to others.

Finally, how long does the clean install using the recovery partition take, how much time do I need to allow ? Is it 35 mins as i think I may have read.

Thanks,
Tausif.

 

I don't understand this, could you explain differently? "I typed the explorer from task bar and i was able to open windows explorer and task manager."

I get the message each time I open windows. So i did following steps

1. I opened task manager and killed explorer process
2. I typed explorer from task manager and I got the task bar and all usual windows. ( There was nothing in the desktop , there were few ini files on the desktop.)


I also know the process which is running when I start windows. It is called "audit.exe". I killed the process and I was able to use the computer as normal. But each time I restart my machine I get the message with black screen in the background so each time I open taskbar and kill the explorer process and then start the explorer process.


I have recovery disks so that should be not a problem. I can install all the applications.

 

That would be great. I have now done the installation twice but I am having the same problem. So any help would be great !!!

I would prefer to keep recovery partition in my hard drive ( 9 GB of space) if possible.

 

I had a long reply all typed out, then this site decided I wasn't actually logged in and I lost it all.

In short, if you want to keep the partition, you must try JB's method until you succeed. If you want to give up the partition, then it can be done much easier.

 

The mention of disc #2 is either a typo or an assumption that the process was already started using disc #1. I have a 2 disc set (single layer), and a 1 disc (dual layer). Since I'd use the 1 disc, I won't be asked for disc #2 at all.

If you're going to use the recovery partition and initiate the process from VAIO Care, you won't be asked to use your discs at all.

Re: the programs. His list is just mentioning what gets installed, and what he thinks of them; whether they're bloatware or useful in some way. You won't get to choose from them during the installation process. First thing, after the recovery is finished is for you to install VAIO Care. In the Recovery & Restore section, you'll be able to reinstall drivers and software. It is in here that you get to choose what to install. I only installed a few of the programs.

I may go back and install PMB later, when I decide to scan in all of my film. It's a memory hog though. It has about 5 programs that support it in the background.

UPDATE - I went back and looked at JB's page. Disc #1 is mentioned higher up in the instructions. A lot of changes have been made to that page lately, with the addition of F12 information and all.

 

Lads

Just wondering what is the cause of the problem. Am I slow in killing the process ? I had my task manager opened and as soon as I saw "installing restart drivers" I killed the process.

Machine did not ask me anything. It just restarted !



What will happen if I let it install the "restart driver" and kill it after it is done ?

 

Hi Joe Bleau,

I didn't wipe out my recovery partition, so I can either re-install the full original factory condition or the original C drive. The recovery options available (F10 at boot time) did not offer the option to re-install an specific software product, just the options to re-install full partitions.
If I restore original condition to the C drive, is there a way to extract the things I need and re-install after in another OS ? Thanks.

 

Hi,

are you clean installing using the recovery partition itself or the recovery discs ?

Anseio, thanks again. So it seems Google Chrome will be reinstalled hence why you didn't use this method. Do you still have a recovery partition on your c drive ? What was your boot time after your clean install ? Joe's was 48 seconds.

 

I never got to figure out why it didn't work. because it actually did work on the time I was going to take photos. The worst that can happen is that you have to do it again, right? So, let it install the restart driver and see what happens.

Again, if you're willing to let go of the recovery partition, it is much easier to do.

I clean install from the discs. Since I don't have the full recovery partition anymore, I cannot initiate the recovery process from VAIO Care.

That is correct. I didn't like that there was a process left behind after I had uninstalled Google Chrome. I'd rather have it never installed. I do not have a recovery partition. When following Joe's method for clean installing, I had problems with the interrupt process and getting a perpetual Windows error that I could not work past. See above note about when it did actually work. When I got my SSD, due to other issues, I did the Clean Install again, but just opted to not have the recovery partition. It's been much easier for me to do that way.

My boot time was down to 48 seconds as well, and about 45 processes. On my ssd, my boot time is about 22 seconds.

 

Hi, hope you can help. I'm wanting to buy a UK Model Sony Vaio 'VPCF12V5E' this of course does not have the ''backlit keyboard' option. I have been told that the backlit keyboard will not work in the UK Vaio models, do you know if this is true? Thanks.

 

Anseio,

so you were getting the same problem using Joe's method as ygaurav is currently having ?

So with your method, do you have to lose the recovery partition or is that something you elected to do ?

BTW,out of interest, is it possible to use the discs for a clean install still preserving the partition, even though you can use the partition to do the install ?

 

Hi Joe Bleau. Do you know if the US backlit keyboard will work with UK Model Sony Vaio 'VPCF12V5E.' I have been told as the UK model doesn't have backlit option it wont work and could potentially mess up the motherboard, hope you can help. Thank you.

 

The UK F11 can be, I did it to mine. I presume the F12 could too but can't personally confirm this.

 

Thanks for your reply, do you know where i might be able to get a definite answer, as not having a backlit keyboard is a deal breaker and the US site wont ship to the UK. Thanks again.

 

Here is F127HG
VPCF127HG : F Series : VAIO Notebook : Sony Asia Pacific
and F12GFX
Sony | For Business | VPCF12GFX/B

I'm really confused which on is better.F127 has 8GB of RAM , 650GB HDD(5400 rpm) but f12gfx has 6GB of RAM and 500GB(7200 rpm) HDD.

What do you mean by "they just add a few final components"?
What components?

sorry for my English mistakes.

 

Sorry no, but this website is your best bet- sooner or later someone with a f12 will attempt it, if not already. I do not recall someone already posting about it.

 

Hi Joe

What do you say if I let the installation do the "restart driver" and kill after that.

 

He means that while the laptop chassis, screen, and motherboard are assembled in China, components such as the hard drive, RAM, disc drive, and processor are added here in the states. Essentially, the pieces that are configurable are added once you configure them on Sony's site.

Again, if you tell us how you will be using the laptop, we can help you decide between the two much better.

The laptops are identical with the exception of the RAM and HDD differences you pointed out. The system that has 8GB of RAM will be better at multitasking (you can have more programs running at once) and should feel slightly faster overall. That system also has a larger (but slower) hard drive.

In general, the higher the RPM of a hard drive is, the faster your read/write speeds will be. So you will have to decide between a faster hard drive and a larger hard drive, or buy one separately and install it yourself.

 

As I have mentioned in a previous post, the 720 also had the sound. I owned a 720 before and currently have a 740 - both have the same whistle/whine sound.

Yes I know this topic has been beaten to death, but it's obviously still a concern for users.

Anybody want an F13? CTO | Customize | Sony Canada

Seems like Sony is working on it...

 

Looks like it will finally offer the European display, and a TV tuner...

 

Why A F13 when the F12 was launched this summer

New model every 6 months?

 

I'm in Iran and unfortunately I can't customize my laptop.I think it's directly sent to my country from china and all of it's components will be assembled in china.
There are somethings I worry about them:
1 - Is any difference between a Chinese and an American laptop?
2 - I wonder why when I search for F127HG I get very small results and most of the results are in indian.but searching for another models gives many more results from all the world.
I use it for programming and photo editing so I guess there is no sensible difference between 5400 and 7200 rpm.Am I right?

 

Just a thought, should as an interim solution be needed or should the illuminated keyboard not be adaptable to the European F12 after all...

I know it would be something of an inelegant kludge, but there are those very inexpensive tiny little "gooseneck" lights that can be plugged into a USB port and then bent and pointed to illuminate a keyboard from above... that's what I've been using when typing in the dark on my current laptop, which doesn't have an illuminated keyboard. (I've got a keyboard-illuminated F12 now on order from Sony Style here in the US...)

 

I received a RMA for my F1290 and have the option of re-ordering a F1290 with same configuration price protected so I don't have to pay the $212.16 price difference. However, I noticed the new F1390 available. They refused to price protect a F1390 order so I will have to choose between re-purchasing a F1290 now, or waiting a month for the F1390.

I was told this is an error and was not supposed to be up until Sept 19 2010, the date the F13s are supposedly officially out. I don't know what I should do. The options seems almost identical in pricing to the F12s with only the base pricing being higher. Not sure if this is an error or not as the options seem to be full of errors (upgrading to Blu ray read/write is cheaper, large capacity batter is cheaper, listed prices are actually larger in difference in the side bar when you change certain options, etc).

I did notice when you select more information for the display options that it lists information for the Z series. This could explain the pricing being so much higher on the F13s at over $2000 compared to the F12s when the options are basically identical in price.

As for Euro screen or not, I'm not sure what 1920 x 1080 "A HD" means, but the $100 1920 x 1080 FHD option seems the same as the glossy NA 1920 x 1080 FHD option upgrade from 1600 x 900 on the F12s.

I was told these things won't be cleared up prior to release since it's not supposed to be up on the site, but if that's not true, I hope they clear this up soon so I can make a decision. It's not up on the US site.

 

OK Guys, instead of replying to individual questions about the clean install using the OEM user created recovery discs, I re-organized (bloat comments at the end) & updated the article & tried to add info that should answer your questions.

Thanks to Emil who sent me his F12_OEM recovery discs, I was able to make some F12_specific recovery process screen captures. The F12_discs do not work on the_F11 as it stops after a while but those first screens are quite helpful to understand the process IMO.



I regret a little bit starting that thing as it took me about 1 hour to clean install & customized my F to a mean, lean & efficient machine with this method & I must have spent at least 8 hours making that page & replying to questions to date. Sorry but from now on, I can't do individual support if you do not read the guide carefully & follow the links to other user's feedback.

If it's too complicated for you, you could simply uninstall unwanted software on your machine with Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features instead of doing the custom or whatever clean install.

Even if you don't do the clean install, the comments at the end of the article about various Vaio_software & the comparison between my OEM out-of-the-box OS & MelodyMaster's CTO "Fresh Start" is a valuable road map to spot the bloatware that OTOH can be useful to you. Just try all programs before removing them. There is no risks if you have a set of recovery discs as you can re-install them anytime.

*****

Good for you! Follow the red box "Installing the Useful VAIO Software" in the guide & create recovery discs after that. It should use the partition to create them so it does not matter if you installed a generic Win 7. Then install WinDVD & whatever added value software with Vaio_Care as described.



*****

Correct as the process started with disc #1. Using OEM partition or recovery discs is almost the same anyway, see updated guide.

*****

I linked to anseio's post in the article. He did that, not me as it worked twice as I did it twice before posting the article to make sure it worked.

*****

How many time must tausif tell you that the US backlit keyboard works on his UK F? Search this Thread (top right of this page) with: backlit keyboard for more F owners testimonials.

*****

The same happened to me a long time ago and to MelodyMaster more recently.

That's why I always use Notepad to copy & save the text before posting it in case of an NBR server failure. After posting it, I also copy the post tittle & URL to refer to it later in an other post or in case a mod is having a bad day. It's the same backup idea that everybody should apply to their own computer!

 

Good! Please, please not an other round of hundreds of speculation posts about the_F13!

The only interesting point for me is the upcoming i5-460M CPU that Sony_Can says quad core while this page says 2. An other batch of speculations.

Normally Intel imposed an embargo on it's new CPU before their official launch and that's why Sony_may not clear up the info & details.

 

But I sad I would give you the pix

Choosed --> Tools
IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

start advance recovery wizard
IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

Skip rescue
IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

Factory
IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

Start recovery
IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

IMG_2483.jpg - Windows Live

 

Hi Joe and anseio

Thanks your guys for helping me out. I tired Joe's method for the third time today ( I must be really thick ) but it didn't worked out for me.

So I followed anseio methods and It worked out fine. Now I have a brand new sony laptop without any sony stuff.

Now I have few questions

1. How do I get Realtek drivers and ALPS Drivers drivers installed ?
2. I would also like to install vaio care ( I assume I can download from sony website and install it. anseio you installed it from sony web site , do you have a link ?
3. I am planning to install vaio care ( is there any thing else you recommend?)
4. How many CDs do it need for system backup. I was thinking once i have everything installed then I will make complete image.

 

But I wanted to try the F12_discs on my_F11 anyway. I'll check your photos & update/include in the guide.

Looking @ your screen caps, I guess that you used the OEM recovery partition instead of the discs?

*****

Already answered in the guide. See red box. Refresh the page if you don't see the updated one.

4- Depends on what you install. Windows Backup will tell you. It's DVD's BTW or use an external drive which I do for my weekly system image as I don't want to loose all my work & customization that I did since the OEM clean install.

 

Congratulations! I do not know how to get them from the recovery discs, so I don't waste my time.

Please visit the Sony eSupport page for your specific model and download the drivers for Realtek and ALPS. You can also download the VAIO Care program. From VAIO Care, you'll be able to install everything else that you're interested in. Please see my clean install post, linked below, for what programs I chose to install.

Once you've got your clean install set up, you MUST make a backup so that you don't have to do this all over. Do not use CD's for your backup. I made a system image via Windows onto 5 single layer dvd's. It took two attempts and about 6 hours to creats. And guess, what?.... Restoring from that image failed and messed up my partitions. I ultimately ended up losing all of my data on that drive. Soooo.... you need to make a backup to another HDD to be absolutely as safe as can be.

 

What the difference between VPC-F1390 and VPC-F1290? Why new VPC-F1390 is so expensive? The models are look pretty same! Any comments guys?

 

Please don't go there!

Before asking such questions, we ALL appreciate you visiting the Sony site HERE and compare the models. What you'll notice that the options on the F13 CTO are preset to SSD and BD-R/W. Those two items alone account for over $700 difference in price.

Look at me! I answered the question anyway. I need a good slap.

 

Can someone tell me where to download Vaio Media Gallery and other related software. I did a Fresh Start on my F12 and all I see on the Sony Support site are updates - not the original programs. I'm interested in trying Media Gallery and maybe a couple of other Vaio applications.

Thanks in advance!

 

I talked to my Sony contact last week and he suggested the F12 was a "fixit" but the true upgrade is the F13. THAT has some of the features such as USB3 that we originally thought woud be on the F12. I knew about this but now it's out there...

 

All of those can be installed via VAIO Care. The Recover & Restore section, then reinstall drivers and software.

If you have not already installed VAIO Care, you may need to download it from the eSupport site.

 

Using 5 DVD's or DL DVD's is not a good idea for backups as MelodyMaster & I mentioned many times. If backup is too big, the risk of mistakes with spanning critical data over so many discs & sides is crazy! In that case, it's definitely better to use an external drive via eSATA because via USB it will take 3x more time.

Again, I'm not sure it's good advice to keep on recommending to clean install w/o a recovery partition, especially if one does not have a small SSD but a large HDD instead. The space cost in that case is trivial (9 to 12 GB out of 320, 500, 640 or 750 GB as everything is relative) but the advantage is appreciable, especially if you are on the road w/o your recovery discs and your OS becomes totally messed up.

Why assume that because you got an error after aborting the process than everybody else will?

 

OK... having read every single post on this (part 3) I am ready to do my own custom F12 install on a new Momentus XT (4GB SSD) 320GB new drive (I thought I had ordered a 500Gb, but oh well, 320 will be replaced with 320?? SSD in future).

1) Did the recovery disk (3 single layer DVD)
2) Not to open old wounds, but my F12 shows SATA 2 with Intel Rapid Storage Technology 9.5.4.1001
3) It is a SAMSUNG 640GB 5400 rpm drive.

hdtune-seagate-640gb-5400rp
intel-samsung-sata2
intel rapid storage

Going to bed now . Will do the HDD replace tomorrow (and check this forum if there are any requests for other images before / during / after the install to a NEW HDD).

 

Already replied in the last 5 pages or so like here for example. Please read a little bit before asking questions!

Basically it's on the recovery discs or the OEM recovery partition if you wiped out everything and nowhere else.

BTW, you did not do a "fresh start" but a clean install. Fresh Start is a CTO option on_SonyStyle.

 

And if you noticed after going on the site again, if you configure equal specs the F13s are still vastly more expensive than the F12s.

My configured F13 came out to $784 more than an equally configured F12. There better be more than just USB 3.0 ports to explain this

of note: mine was done inferring that higher price meant better upgrades despite what it might say. so for example, i chose Blu ray read only drive for $150 b/c it would make more sense for that to be Blu ray read/write, b/c discounting $150 to upgrade to Blu ray read/write makes no sense. And downgrading to DVD read/write COSTS $70. Same reason why I chose standard battery when I wanted large capacity battery. b/c it should cost more and not less. Definitely typos here.

EDIT: for fun, configuration according to written description as opposed to based on inferring on price, comes out to $584 difference between the F13 and F12 for me. For identical options. I don't think past F updates had such a significant price difference. Or the Z. If I'm wrong let me know!

 

Oh yes, the fan is not an issue for me (I always have the TV or something louader on in the background)

The screen (matte, premium, 1920*1080 - 100% Adobe) is amazing (well I have not done alot of editing on it YET). But it looks good and works well for me.

I love the keyboard (helps me to type really quickly)....

Size: Not that big or heavy (but not a small laptop) - but only 2cm (1 inch) wider than my current 15.6" Acer Core 2 Duo. And 1? pound heavier (have not weighed it).

Will be using it for Multimedia (Flash, Photoshop and Premiere) so sure it will be more than enought!

But yeah I got the BIG brick power cord Oh well, will just have to order the smaller one as well (one at work and one at home)...

Also getting the large capacity battery (for better air flow and just in case I need a bit longer battery life - but will mostly be plugged in).

FINALLY: also got the Bluray-Disk sticker (will auction it off one day .