Official Sony VAIO F Series i5/i7 owners thread *Part 5*

You can also set up a Homegroup network amongst your Windows 7 PC's.
Windows 7 Features: HomeGroup

 

Final version of the 260.89 nvidia driver is now available and I am getting an hardware compatibility error when I try to install in on my F13.

 

They are not hybrid drivers, they need to be modded before you can install them.

 

If you're desperate for the newest driver, I could try to help you mod it. I've done it successfully for Windows XP using the 310M and 330M GPU's. Will need the hardward ID from Device Manager for your GPU though.

Device Manager > Display Adapters > NVIDIA GeForce... (or whatever it reads) > right click - properties > Details Tab > Dropdown list and select Hardward Ids

It should look similar to this:
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A75&SUBSYS_9067104D&REV_A2

 

Guys I am talking about the official Windoes 64 bit driver for 425M just released two days ago.

Looks like nvidia screw up with their validation process.

 

Exactly. And this is what I'm trying to help mod, if you want me to. It's very easy to do really. Just need to know where to look and what # to change.

 

This is tempting, but the posts I've seen there refer to the old AMI BIOS, and older Vaios - ours use AMI Aptio (EFI, not a plain ole' BIOS).

That doesn't mean you can't mod it (In fact, in theory it should be easier), but the tools for the old ones probably don't work on the new ones.

 

FYI - I fixed my Vaio Care error by downloading the latest software update. Even though I was not getting any notification of an update being available when I ran the Vaio Updater, there was a newer version of Vaio Care on the Sony Support site. My laptop came with 6.2 but there is a newer 6.3 version.

If anyone else was having that problem or simply wants to download the latest version and was not being given the download in Vaio Updater, you can go to your Sony Support page for your model and click on drivers. It was under Sony Applications and is called VAIO Care Software Update. Here is a link for the support site for the various Americas (I assume those in other countries can find a similar site on your Sony page or maybe you can even download from this site?): Sony Esupport

 

Hey. Good find, thanks! I just installed it, and it's a bit snappier than 6.0, which I was running.

 

Have you not had trouble with conflicts when using Dropbox? My F12 hangs for 10 minutes before giving me a BSoD whenever I sleep or hibernate with Dropbox running in the background.

This problem seems not to be hardware specific since it also happens on my girlfriend's EB11 series running Dropbox ( thanks to me =S ). From un-installing, fiddling, and searching around i'm pretty sure it's a conflict with ESET Smart Security, so i'm interested in finding out which Anti-virus you are using. I however assume that you have no problems sleeping/hibernating with Dropbox!

 

Lol, my GT 330M OC beated GT 425M on 3DMark Vantage - 2.9k GPU

 

Has anyone successfully used the TransferJet feature? And can I use any camera with it as long as I have a TransferJet memory stick?

 

I have disabled hibernate since my SSD gives me 29 sec boot times. Sleep mode does not have issues with Dropbox. Using paid versions of Avast and Malwarebytes. The paid version of Malwarebytes is realtime too.

 

You may be able to exercise some control over the fan RPM by reducing the maximum processor state. Try creating a new power profile with it set to 50%. If that's not enough, try 25%. Even that ought to be enough power for basic web browsing & productivity use. You can always switch back to Balanced when you need the CPU. Underclocking the GPU might also help.

Unfortunately, I don't think that running the fan at a constant average speed would be safe. The heat pipe cooling design has very little thermal mass, so the fan has to spin up immediately once the CPU starts producing heat. And these i7 chips start producing a lot of heat as soon as you do anything with them. It's possible that the constant fan speed changes are the price we have to pay for a cool running i7 laptop.

 

Researchers one step closer to 'bootless' computer - Computerworld

 

These came from color calibrations on the F11 courtesy of Joe Bleau and others.

http://tinyurl.com/2eaw7ze

 

After a few days with the F13, I really like it. Here are some of my observations so far.

When the cpu is working hard, I do notice a slight whine/high pitch noise. It doesn't bother me and I only notice it when i'm in bed and it's extremely quiet.

With the Momentus XT, the boot times are pretty fast. from the time the windows logo shows up, it takes under 30 seconds to boot to desktop. I'm sure it'll get longer as I load up more software.

I calibrated my monitor last night with a spyder 2 that I had from a while back. Just as Joe mentioned on his site, the screen is OVERLY blue in stock form. It looks significantly better after calibrating it.

The video card isn't bad at all. I'm using photoshop CS5 and the zoom/pan seem pretty decent. there's a tiny bit of initial loading/caching when I start zooming, but after that, it's pretty smooth.

Does anyone know if the bluetooth supports stereo output? I'm looking for some bluetooth headphones to use with the F13. Anybody have any suggestions on decent bluetooth headphones that would work with the F13?

Thanks

 

I think the user John_WA is using bluetooth speakers with his VAIO F and speaks very highly of them. By this, I would assume that, yes, the bluetooth audio is stereo.

No suggestions on headphones, sorry. I'm still using the corded type. Additional bluetooth devices interfere with my tethering to my cellphone for internet.

 

Hrmm.. that's interesting about the interference with tethering. Does it interfere with the cell connection or the bluetooth connection from the phone to computer. What phone do you have?

I'll be tethering with my HD2 when i'm out on the road, so I'll have to keep that in mind if I see any issues..

 

Fishon i have installed windows easy transfer on my PC, but thing is i want to know how to transfer files from PC to laptop when i am uni or somewhere else and not at home. It will be hassle if i have to have my PC on to transfer the file.

 

Based on what you describing you want to use Dropbox. Its an excellent program. Easy transfer is more for transferring initial files from you old computer to a new one. Dropbox syncs. Give it a try, it's easy and free for 2G of storage.

 

Is the wireless card in the F compatible with 5GHz Wireless? Only my 2.4GHz SSID shows up on my F but on other devices, both show up, so I don't think it's a router problem. Anyone connecting to 5GHz?

 

Fishon 2GB isnt enough, i want to transfer quite alot of stuff from pc to laptop, is there free good programs, i dont know how other people can access their files from their pc from abroad.

 

Then use Easy Transfer or if you have two Win7 PCs use HomeGroup. Easy Transfer does not sync but HomeGroup does.

 

Joey123 in part three of this thread states: I clicked on the pictogram in my taskbar on the right, and clicked settings. The only big setting you can change is in the wireless lan menu. In this menu u can change the frequency, you can choose for 2,4ghz , 5ghz, or both 2,4 and 5ghz. In my original settings it was 5ghz, changed it to 2,4ghz and then everything worked again.

 

Hmm, I don't seem to have that in my taskbar. The wireless icon in my taskbar only brings up the Smart Wi setting which you can only turn off or on. But since I know that setting exists somewhere now, I will keep looking for it. Thanks.

 

but my pc is vista thats the thing, any other programs.

 

Check Services and WLAN autoconfig it might be there.

 

can anyone confirm if the Eu screen is semi glossy as thats what it says in joes colour calibration guide.

 

Did you receive the laptop?

 

Its not semi glossy at all. Its matte.

 

I didn't see any options to set there either. I'm wondering if the poster you quoted either had a different wireless adapter or if he was really changing the setting on his router and not the adapter card. All I've found on my searches are people who cannot connect at 5Ghz and no answers for them. I'm going to search more later - have a doctor's appt to go to now. But thanks for trying to help.

 

For my HTC HD2 I'm using the Sony WM600, which is a Bluetooth microphone/interface with which you can use your own headphones. I like it very much, it even has a display for music/caller ID which unfortunately only works with a phone, but the volume and play/pause, back and forward do work.

 

Knew its was Matte, perfect, knew this great screen wasnt glossy. Anyway help me with my other problem regarding the transfer of files from one computer to another.

 

hi everyone, just got my f13, is there anything new to take note of when doing a clean install? or will ilfuca's instructions suffice? thanks a lot...

 

yes it's completely different unfortunately

I attempted it the other day:

 

ok thx, guess i'll be putting a clean install on the backburner for now...anyway, any recommendations for manually uninstalling the bloatware? (i'm not sure if revo would work on that stupid pmb)

 

Don't you own such a screen anyway?!

 

hi guys
i just bought a F13
it will arrive on tuesday

take a look on this guide looks like it will work on 11, 12 and 13
Vaio_F Series Windows 7 64-bit Clean Install Guide Using OEM Recovery Discs

 

yes i have got a matte screen gr-fan, just wondering if it was glossy as well.

 

According to everyone over on Sony's Forums, the Atheros AR9287 wireless card in the F only supports 2.4 GHz. This is disappointing and rather hard to believe that Sony would not put 5Ghz support in a brand new computer with the function of the F series.

 

Got my F13 yesterday here in the US. The screen is matte. I put in 8 GB of GSkill and it works great.

Newegg.com - G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Laptop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBSQ

So far I do not hear any high pitched noise coming from the laptop.

 

Matte screen in the US?! Where did you order it from? What's the model number?

-Chad

 

Opps, am I bad. I was not thinking when I wrote that. I have a glossy screen. Sorry.

When I ordered the laptop I asked Sony on chat if it was matte and they said yes. Of course I knew that they were probably wrong.

 

What?! More info please! About the screen of course. How did you get this matte screen? Can you post pictures of it?

 

Dude, sorry man. I messed up when I typed. I guess I had matte on my mind. lol

 

Oh well. A split second of hope.
The light bouncing off my highly glossy screen is blinding me at the moment. I'm missing my matte.

 

I guess the light is getting to me too.

 

jpride, i thought i understood what you said but i didn't. sorry.
I have two questions:

1. can you tell me please what is the S1 button and where it is located because there is no such key in my present laptop (Dell). does sony has this key which can act as mute.

2. How to re-map the S1 key so that it performs as mute button?

 

The VAIO comes with three dedicated keys; ASSIST, S1, and VAIO. Each of them has their function.

The S1 key opens up the VAIO Control Center, which allows you to manage settings from one location. In this control center, there is an option to change what the S1 key does. Mute is one of those funtions.

There are no dedicated volume/mute keys. It's something that we live with.

Now... were you to do a clean install on the VAIO, the Sony media software would no longer be present. The VAIO button opens up the media center. But, if it's not installed, then pressing the VAIO button will actually mute/unmute.