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

I just got a 1TB Western Digital 3.0 USB portable drive. I just found this from a quick search:
Buy.com - Iomega 34947 USB Adapter
will using this through my express card slot provide the same speed as a 3.0 USB drive hard-wired into the motherboard such as in the new F13s? In other words, will the express card 3.0 USB adapter create a bottle neck and slow down the maximum transfer rate?

 

For practical purposes as things stand today, it should provide similar speeds as the built-in USB 3.0 port. Theoretically, the expresscard slot would slow things down as it has a lower potential max transfer rate. But nothing exists today that can come close to those rates anyway. Both current hardware and software make transfer rates much lower than the potential rates of USB3.0. Your external hard drive (or any current 3.0 HDD) will be much slower than USB 3.0 or expresscard speeds so you should not reach the speeds that would make the expresscard a limitation. Let me look up a previous post of mine about how fast my USB 3.0 port was and I will come back and add a note to this post.

Edit: Here is my previous post below just comparing my USB2.0 port to my USB3.0 port (I have an F13 with built-in USB 3.0). Most tests I have seen online that are more intensive than my little test below show a 3-3.5x improvement. Also, I don't have an eSATA connector on my external HDD so I couldn't test that, but the online tests I looked up when I was buying my drive (there may be newer ones out now) showed that USB3.0 was about 15% faster than eSATA in reading and about 3% slower in writing. Here was my post:

"Just in case anyone was wondering about the USB 3.0 ports. I just did my own little comparison test between the 2.0 and 3.0 ports on my F13. The 3.0 was about 3 times faster than the 2.0. This is an unscientific test of course but real world tests matter more to me.

I needed a bigger backup drive than I had so I bought a Western Digital My Book Essential with USB 3.0. All I did to test was transfer about 10GB of files from the backup drive to the F13. I did the same files to the same location on my computer, under the same conditions, for each port, and I did each port twice to confirm the results. So, anyway, the 2.0 took three times longer than the 3.0."

 

much appreciated. Right now, through my USB 2.0 factory port, I am seeing speeds around 18.5-22.5 MB/second transferring avi files from my 7200 rpm hard drive to the external.

 

I know you didn't ask, but since you said you have a WD external drive, I would advise against installing their backup software - slowed things down horribly for me at least. I just installed the option that includes the drivers, diagnostics, and password utility. (I forget what that option is called without loading the CD.)

Edit: Oh, now I remember it doesn't come with a CD, the software is on a partition of the drive. Anyway, I don't have it connected right now to look at it.

 

I've got the Cavalry 2TB eSATA external drive. Requires a power source, but I get sustained transfer speeds of 80MB/s with it. I'm quite happy.

 

YouTube - Mirror's Edge on Sony_Vaio_F11

Mirror's Edge is up (the lighting and art direction is absolutely beautiful). ~29-60 fps with all settings maxed @ 1280x720 with 4xAA (PhysX is on). I turn off AA for fraps recording though.

*EDIT* After playing the sewers level, the fps drops to ~23 fps at times where there are a ridiculous number of particles being drawn (a common trait of the Unreal Engine 3 this game is made with).

I have the i7-720qm and the gt 330m.

IMO one of the most underrated games released in the past 3 years. If you like what you see, you should consider buying it soon (over 50% off at the ea download store right now - only $8.95 for a unique parkour/shooter/puzzle game).

 

Looks great! Wish it were 3rd person though.

 

Yeah, the first person gets a little hairy at times (especially when doing rolls or climbing up pipes and things).

-------------------------------

Also, the newest James Bond game is up (its been up for a while but I had it set to link-only/private for some reason...):

YouTube - James Bond: 007 Blood Stone on Sony_Vaio_F11 - Part 1/2

You can play it at 1280x720 with all of the eye-candy turned up. FPS is almost always 40+ (usually 45-ish)

I should be studying for my finals but... this is more fun hehehe

 

Hi there,

i got problem with the display. When the display is on full brightness theres no feep noise. So, when i dimm the display one or more level down - FN+F5, it makes a feeping noise like the usb-noise. I also kicked it from the device manager and changed som' profiles - nothing. Somebody know what it is ? sorry for my bad english

 

I tested eSATA and USB3.0 ports on my F13 by transfering 23GB video file to and back from external 7200rpm G-Tech hard drive.

Both were about 80MB/s in both directions.

not bad.

 

When playing music, with either itunes or wmp, the music is crackling. I dont have this problem when watching a movie or playing a game. I had klite codec pack deinstalled to see if that solved the problem (codec problem I thought), but it didnt. I have external speakers connected but the crackling also occurs with the internal speakers. Also, it does this on two different installs of Windows 7, on two seperate harddrives. Does anyone have the same issue?

Secondly. I did a clean install and download all the drivers manually. Though one device I cannot get to install. Its tapped under "Other devices" and is called a "Base system device". Does anybody have any clue what it might be?

 

THATS EXACTLY WHAT I DID, THANKS THOUGH

 

Card reader?

As for your sound problem, I have no idea, my system plays all sounds and video sweet! Then again I havn't installed any codec packs, gave that up years ago as they tend to screw up more than they enhance! I get individual codecs if needed.

Try getting the latest driver from Realtek and see if that helps.

 

Hi everyone,

Is there still a tutorial on how to do a clean install on the F12?
Could you please give me a link?

Unfortunately all the links about this topic that I was able to find in the different parts of the thread are broken.

 

Hello guys,

Your replies and time are much appreciated please.

Can you brief me on the vpcf13 SOE 740QM problems again...........

& would you advise it over the faster 5i 500 series .........

I want the laptop for ideally for engineering cad ware and 'sometime' heavy numerical (FEA CFD) calculation real time simulations. So 2/4 faster 5i is the better option or the 4/8 7i?

Bless you all on your time and advice

cheers
mes

 

Hi Molino,

Go here:
Vaio_F Series Windows 7 64-bit Clean Install Guide Using OEM Recovery Discs

 

hi guys,

I've got a bit of a resolution problem with my f12, it's set to the highest 1920x1080, but for some reason, dialogue boxes and other programmes seem to be opening up in lower resolution (at least lower than 1600x 900). It's even preventing me from running certain programmes like Autocad which likes to be in high resolution.
I don't know how to fix this, really annoying... makes my screen look fuzzy . I've tried joggling the resolution manually, tried rebooting but I can't seem to solve it.

Thanks in advance

 

Goto Control Panel/Display...

(Make it easier to read what's on your screen)

Check this option is set to smaller (100%)

 

Any chance it's the setting that changes the text size? The one that if you go to the Display-Screen Resolution page and then click on "Make text and other items larger or smaller"?

 

hey,

thanks for the suggestions guys, I checked those options and they're all normal. Text size is normal, and the display is at 100%. I think it's definitely a resolution issue, because like I said, when I'm trying to use software it won't allow me- it says words to the effect "Autodesk performs better at a resolution of 1024 or higher". Normal Windows applications are all fine as is browser, it's *mostly* third party software that all seem to think my laptop is at a lower resolution and thus is displaying at that res.
Any other ideas how to remedy it? I'm really grateful, btw.

 

Have you unstinalled and reinstalled the video drivers? What version are you using? Are you setting the resolution from the Control Panel, NVidia Control Center, or VAIO Control Center?

 

Have you checked your compatibility settings for the programs you have problems with? Right click on program, Properties - Compatibility.

 

Hey guys, I was wondering if you can help me choose some aspects of my custom F13 Sony...

I'm pretty much settled on a configuration, but I'm a little confused about the screen resolution. I would love to get the 1080, but I'm worried about the text and fonts, etc... being too small. I already have problems reading smaller text. Can't I buy the 1080 and set the fonts/text as "large"? Would that help, or am I better off with the 900?

Also, what kind of Windows version should I get? Home, Pro, Ultimate?

Thanks guys, hope you can help, I really want to buy this bad boy soon!

 

Yes, you can change the text size under the Display settings. This will also change the size of other things proportionally such as windows, dialog boxes, etc.

Most people only need the home premium version of Win 7. If you want to get Fresh Start on your computer, you will need to go with at least Pro but you can always get home and do a clean install for free. There are a few reasons to go for pro or ultimate, mostly for business users. XP mode is not licensed in home prem but there is a workaround if you need that and none of the other extra features. Here a link with good comparison charts: Windows 7 Product Editions: A Comparison

Edit: There is also a Clear Type tuner that can help make the text a bit clearer/crisper. And there is also a magnifying tool with various settings if either your sight needs significant help or if you find there are just a couple programs or circumstances under which you need extra help reading the text.

 

yeah, the workaround to access XP mode in Home Premium is sooo easy to do. I mean sooooo easy.

 

Hello guy , i just bought my laptop vaio F13 yesterday , , but it's slow with group of sony software, so I upgraded to Window 7 Utimate clean and installed full driver .It still slow and very lag , it take about 15 minute to boot and 10 minute to logon , sometime frezze while running software , in Event Viewer , it' have error with ACPI driver, Rundll32, and a lot of Critical .. i dont know how to fix iit ?.Can someone help me ?

 

This is what I was looking for.
Thanks a lot!

 

Was it taking 15 minutes to boot before you installed Ultimate? If it got slower after the upgrade, I would think something went wrong and would start over again with a new clean install. If you do a factory restore to original software and OS, how long does it take to boot and logon then? Since your laptop isn't really in a usable state right now, I don't think you should really hesitate to do this recovery. Make sure of course to save any data you haven't already saved.

If after a successful factory restore it's taking those ridiculously long times I would take it back to where you bought it for an exchange or call Sony if you ordered it from them. That would clearly indicate a hardware problem and since you just bought it yesterday, I wouldn't bother troubleshooting it, just ask for an exchange. If your boot times are reasonable after a recovery to factory settings, then like I said you should try doing the clean install with Ultimate over again, making sure to install the drivers in the correct order and install the necessary Sony programs needed for proper functioning of the laptop. This info and/or links to it is found in this thread so I'm not going to repost since it's not clear which problem you're having.

 

hi everyone,
first post so be gentle,
just purchased f13 i7 with 4gb ram can anyone reccomend which ram to buy to upgrade to 8gb? and do i need 204 or 240 pins? thanks in advance

mark

ps in uk

 

it's 204 pin. some people have used this successfully: G.SKILL
i haven't upgraded so not a personal recommendation - just passing along info. got to go to bed now so if you have other questions maybe someone else will answer.

 

Hey I have VPCF116FG , are there any Nvidia drivers available to download that would help run games etc. I have gefore gt 330m

 

Here you go.

NVIDIA DRIVERS 260.89 WHQL

 

I haven't uninstalled and reinstalled and I'm not sure how to go about finding out what version I'm using. I'm sorry I'm not very technological in that sense! How do I do it please? I've set the resolution from VAIO Control Centre and Control Panel.

I've checked the compatibility and there seems to be no problem there although if I'm honest I don't know what I should be looking for?


Thanks again.

 

I didnt get any replies ;( Can I ask again please?

I want the laptop for ideally for engineering cad ware and 'sometime' heavy numerical (FEA CFD) calculation real time simulations. So is the dual core / quad thrd faster 5i series better or the 4/8 7i?

also what are the vpcf13soe problems again other than the noisy fan?

thanks

 

Anyone please?

...................

 

i7 quad core is better

 

Problems? These are great laptops - read some of the reviews or google " vpcf13soe problems "

As for Engineering CAD: depends on whether your SOFTWARE can use more than 1,2 or 4 cores.

But I can say, 4/8 cores are good for multitasking (running things in the background).

Good luck with your purchase. i5 has higher clock speeds (if your SOFTWARE cannot use multicores), but multicores in future might help alot.

i7 if you want to keep the laptop 3+ years
i5 if you have enough money to upgrade in 2/3 years time...

 

can anyone tell me if the link that fishon posted for nvidea drivers is the latest one and is for Europe.

Also can anyone tell me where i can get the bios update for my f12 mdoel, as i have read there is a bios update out.

 

Hi,

I just bought a monitor to attach to my vaio 1390S and I was surprised that there is no DVI output.

 

Thanks _Wolverine_ Thanks J.....

cheers

 

Its the US one.

 

HDMI is DVI with added audio basically. So just get a HDMI to DVI adaptor plug.

 

will do, thanks

 

There's a newer one if you guys with 330 or 310 want to try it.
NVIDIA DRIVERS 260.99 WHQL

Edit: To avoid some unnecessary problems and posts, I wanted to clarify that this is not intended for anyone with a GT 425 GPU. Stick with your original driver.

 

You can see your version in either the NVIDIA control panel or Device Mgr. You can also uninstall in Device Mgr so I will tell you that way.
Control Panel - Device Manager
Double Click Display adapters then double click on the NVIDIA adapter
Click Driver tab. The driver version is the last 5 numbers on the driver version line. Should be something like 259.03 or 260.xx (the decimal points will be in a different place on the driver tab, just ignore that and list the last 5 numbers.

Now you can also uninstall on that tab (read whole post before doing this). At the bottom click Uninstall. It will ask you to confirm you want to delete the drivers, click the box and OK. After a minute or so, your display will go blank for a couple seconds and then will reappear in very low resolution. Just let it continue until you get a restarted needed dialog box and then click to restart your computer.

OK, the reason I wanted you to read the whole post first is because before doing this, you should go to your Sony eSupport page and download your video driver. Will be easiest if you place a copy or a shortcut on the desktop. You should then close all programs before doing the uninstall.

When your computer boots up again after the uninstall, it will search for a driver. You can either cancel this or just let it go through. It will install a generic VGA driver. You will still have the low res screen. If you have any programs that automatically open at start up, close them. Then click on the driver file you downloaded from Sony and just let it run. It may take a few minutes. Do not do anything to interrupt it and do not open any programs. When it's done, your screen res should go back to the default. Check to make sure of course and check your driver version again.

See if you are still having the same problems as before. If so, you could try installing the latest driver, which is likely different than the one on the Sony page. I just posted a link to it in a previous post.

As far as the compatibility settings, you mostly just wanted to make sure none of those boxes were checked to force low resolution or low colors.

 

can anyone help me with the latest post.

 

Omaroo:

Please visit www.nvidia.com and click download drivers. Then, select the menu dropdowns that apply to your graphics card and operating system. You'll be directed to a page with the latest drivers.

Also, if there is a BIOS update for your model, it will be on the Sony eSupport page that you've visited for the other drivers/software you've downloaded.

 

You took my complete post out of context. The on site tech did not put any thermal paste on my laptop thermal unit after the mobo swap.

Now with the new thermal unit it runs like it should I also said the tech gave me arctic 5 compound if I needed later down the road as long as my temps are fine I wont probably touch it.

Now I have the old thermal unit here and the paste is hard crap. All the thermal properties are gone and it looks like clay. Take it as you will if you are believing that a Sony applicator is better than some of new stuff in the market its your opinion. Also I am aware Artic 5 is not a new applicator. Ive heard of some new ones that are supposedly better.

 

Just received my Intel Centrino 6200 wireless wi fi card today. When it came new I was surprised it actually had a box with a driver software disc and instructions.

I had the bottom lappy cover off and back on in about 20 min didn't want to rush it. I Installed the driver software and its running like a champ. Very happy with my purchase. I bought it from a distributor off of amazon for about $26 us.

Ill just hold on to the atheros for spare parts if this one fails. So far so good I took pics of the installation will post them maybe later.

The funniest thing though is this. When I asked Sony tier 1 support, and the actual floor technician back in San Diego,Ca I was told this. " You cant put an Intel Centrino wireless card or any other besides the atheros that has been equipped with My machine." I asked why? " The motherboard is locked down and would have to be reconfigured to make the change" Ummm ok.

Well to anyone contemplating to make the change if you shall desire. Yes it successfully works on the F11 series laptop. Just like the fine person how posted in the unifaction post. Thanks to your instructions sir.

5GHZ here I come LOL!!

 

Tier 1 support tends to not know cr@p. I remember when JB posted his chat with support about warranty and swapping out the HDD. They insisted it would void the warranty. I had a call to Sony Support a month ago about my Seagate and its bad blocks. They had told me that if the HDD were bad, they'd send a replacement for me to change and I'd send the bad one to them.

But wait! How can that be? Wouldn't it void the warranty? Clearly not. Dorks. LOL

Glad you got it swapped and working. I don't think I read the posts as to WHY you wanted to swap it out. What's wrong with the Atheros? I'm curious now.