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

That video is heartbreaking. I think I may have seen it once before.

 

Look at this picture, it's been done few minutes ago without flash sorry for the qulity though, but even on that you can see that brightness on my 3 years old sony fz21s with x-black LCD double lamp, better then this vaio premium full hd on f12s1e...

 

Have you calibrated the display yet? I know that was very important with the F11.

 

mmm123, I assume that you disabled the ambient light sensor and set the brightness to maximum . Also the picture you posted it was taken in less than appropriate conditions to evaluate or compare brightness (one display has a very bright background light, the other has a very dark background).

Based on the picture you attached, your screen is definitively not calibrated (for example, it is too blue).

Nevertheless, you are complaining about the brightness, so calibrated or not, the question is if this difference really matters. Higher brightness helps if you work in a very bright environment or direct sunlight. Otherwise what is important is to have enough brightness to match the desired calibration target. The recommended brightness for calibration is between 70 and 120 cd/m^2, and after calibration you must not change the brightness. Today’s LCDs offer a much higher brightness than that (250 .. 350 cd/m^2, some even higher). Even if at the beginning you will find the recommended calibration brightness to low, if you let your eyes to get used to it, later you will wonder, how you were able to use it at much higher brightness. Not to mention that in low light condition higher brightness will just hurt your eyes!

 

I`ve NEVER had any whistling sound, no matter how severely I load up my F1390, with 4 threads, 8 threads etc, and the turbo-boost is on.

I have i7-740QM, though, where turbo boost is
"1/1/6/9"
so the boosted frequencies are 1730+133*(1/1/6/9) = 1863/1863/2528/2927 MHz,
and the higher frequencies show up only in the exotic situations when
you use only 1 or two threads at 100%..


maybe the whistling sound comes from those 2 higher frequencies, /2528/2927 MHz?

It seems I still hear no whistling even when only one or two threads are busy, but I did not really check this attentively, since I have no programs that behave that way - occupy only 1 or two threads at 100%
I do not even know what dumb program would do that...

cheers

 

Hi, no the whistling is happening when is going in low mhz, i spoke with sony and they listened to my file and agreed it something else causing the problem, so i might keep the laptop and send it for repair or might return it, don't know yet, i like everything else about it..

 

is there any automatic calibration? In display setting only manual calibration i found, any ideas?

 

Thanks a lot! I wasn't looking for the right key words...
Kinda weird that the Sony Notebook Utility is only downloadable through the us website (no such thing in the european websites...)
Everything is working perfectly now

 

Welcome don't use built-in search function TRUST ME. Even moderator said that we should use google giving options to search our site "www.notebo..." http://forum.notebookreview.com/sit...ts/542031-forum-search-function-broken-3.html

 

Hey ZPerf thanks for replying. The HDD model is My Passport 0730 USB Device. I actually did not use an application to do the benchmark test. I just tried to transfer a big file from my laptop to the HD and checked the speed. It was getting 30Mb/s which is the same as by USB 2.0 HDD.

 

F13, try to benchmark it using a dedicated application ( Atto, HDTune, CrystalDiskMark, HdTach, …).

You are right, 30 MB/s for a single large file is slow.
I looked up some reviews/benchmarks and for the 500GB version they reported for large files around the double ( see link), which is not very big either (see their conclusion).

I forgot that for the WD external HDDs the name displayed in Device Manager is not the HDDs name. You will need a system info application to query the real model of the hard drive inside. Example you can use ( AIDA64 EE/Everest UE -> Storage -> ATA -> ModelID ).

 

so, the cause of the whistling is the fan?

I'm surprised to hear so many complains here about this noise,

while my vaio F is as silent as a fish

BTW, have you tried to obtain the frequency spectrum of your whistling noise?
(many audio-processing as well as scientific programs can do that- for example audacity, matlab etc)

 

Hey ZPerf you were right. When using ATTO to do the benchmark test I got 80-90MB/s on usb 3.0 compared to 25-35MB/s on usb 2.0. I wonder why when I transfer a large file I do not get the same speeds. It is a loarge pictures file.

 

Good to see a few of the oldies still active =)

Sorry I haven't been on in a while. Classes and work take up a lot of my time these days

Incidentally, I do have a question about linux though. Does anyone know of a microphone buzzing fix for ubuntu? So far I'm getting around it by having movie player run in the background to keep the minimum cpu state above a certain level...

EDIT: Also, another note: I also got a sypder3 express to calibrate my vaio screen (US F11 1080p - one from one of the first batches way back in January of last year). It makes A RIDICULOUS DIFFERENCE. I needed some retail therapy and I figured I owed it to myself to get a color calibrator and I'm not disappointed. I would highly recommend one (I'll post pics later, but they'll be from an iphone camera :/)

EDIT 2: I've been playing a few games since last posting. Specifically, Metro 2033 (runs horribly, but it's known to be a gpu killer, so I'm not surprised), Far Cry 2 (runs well with almost everything set to high). Looking forward to playing Test Drive Unlimited 2 (which gets here tomorrow ) and the Crysis 2 demo (coming sometime before the end of March).

 

Hopefully it is a fan, but i don't mind now because i decided to return it to the company where i bought it and wait for f13 models to come in stock, but how long i don't know, when i'm looking at sony wensite uk and germany i am really surprised as in germany they have more laptops available to buy then in uk, that is strange. What is yr model? F13 one? All i want is the same as mine f12s1e but with 425m gt and no whistle

 

i have a VPCF115FM...it's roughly a year old and it has suddenly gone stupid. the 'w' and 'left arrow' keys have both stopped working. this was an instant change (not a slow failure as is common with keyboards). I've exhausted all the software and cleaning options i can think of.... not virus.... not a loose connection....not a keyboard registry issue.... not water/fur in the mechanism. has anyone heard of similar issues? Or have a suggestion that doesn't require sending the pc in for repairs? I am currently out of the country and cant afford the shipping costs or downtime.

for those who are curious how i managed to type all those w's...i changed the keybinding for the useless 'caps lock' key to 'w'

 

Had a similar issue happen to me. Try calling sony support and asking if they can ship a keyboard to you (they should send the keyboard, tools, instructions and a prepaid shipping label for return shipping).

Just tell them that your keyboard stopped working suddenly. This happened to me once and they sent me a replacement free of charge.

 

Anyways, the LCD screen is a SHARP in case anyone is wondering.

It's a SHARP LQ164M1LA4A WXGA++ 1920 x 1080 screen."

Hey all, i am new in this forum and i would like to ask you smthing, if you can help me...
I own a SONY VAIO VPC F12 Z1E...my laptop screen has broken and i am one step away from buying a new one from ebay...i have dissassembled the screen and found out that the screen's type is indeed ---SHARP LQ164M1LA4A B-----
The screen that i found has exactly the same code but without the B in the end...does any1 knows what this B stands for and if i am going to have a problem with this screen?....thnx in advance for your answers...

 

It seems that Aero is disabled. Did you reinstall your video driver recently (maybe an update) ?

First try to enable aero by doing a refresh of the Windows Experience Index score:
Control Panel -> Performance Information and Tools -> “Re-run the assessment” (in the bottom right corner).
Check if you can select an Aero theme now.

If you still have problems, run the Windows 7 troubleshooter:
Start -> enter in the "Search programs and files" field: find and fix visual effects -> enter. On the first screen ensure that under Advanced the “Apply repairs automatically” is checked, then press next. After the troubleshooting is finished, check again if you can select aero themes.

If still not working, then go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced System Settings (in the left column) -> Advanced tab -> Settings… (Performance group).
If the “Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer” is selected, then choose “Adjust for best appearance”, if none of the previous two is selected, then choose “Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer”. Then Apply -> OK. You might need to rerun the Windows Experience Index score refresh (I don’t remember).

I hope this helps!

 

F13, could you post the benchmark result (screenshot) and the exact model/size of your external HDD.
That is a good result for HDDs these days (for the center part of the plates ).

Real world speed is always different from benchmark results, and depends on which application you use, and how this application is reading/writing to the drive (chunk sizes, parallel operations, …), what is the file system on the drive, what is the cluster size, how fragmented is the drive, if you are writing/reading from the center or external part of the plates, …

 

I have the VPCF113FX i7 w/nVidia 310m 512mb video. I want to swap it out for the 425 w/1gb like in the newer model. I've asked Sony and they said it's impossible. But I know it IS possible because the service guy at the Sony store whispered it to me and said it's a perfect fit. It just requires new drivers and manual labor (your own).

I've searched EVERYWHERE, and can't find a place that sells it.

Does anyone know how I might get one? And has anyone had any experience replacing it?

 

In my opinion what sony can do is replacing full motherboard with gt 425m chip, which can be expensive as they also will be happy to charge you for the shipping as well, of course its possiblle anyway. Look at ebay for people who repairing vaios motherboards they might got answer for your question as well..

 

hey guys! Where can I find that Synaptics application to make my pad work with two fingers ? I have the f12 vaio
and also, what's that program name that uses the webcam to detect your face and apply lots of drawings to it ? and where can I find it ?
thanks!

 

Webcam companion. All you need you can download from official sony support site USA.

I think manual labor means using air soldering iron because I doubt it is switchable. Otherwise it would be possible. I doubt you will by new card as no one sell this to usual people, only to manufacturer. I think that even people who repair computers can't buy it until they are from official service center. If you find where to buy - tell me that OK?

 

It's not possible - the 310m is part of the mainboard (literally part of the motherboard - not just soldered in, mind you it is actually embedded into the logic board) and would require that you swap out the entire motherboard (or if you wanted to you could cut through your motherboard =P)

 

Importbeats, the video card/chip is not a replaceable unit in F series. It is soldered to the motherboard. In case of servicing, it requires motherboard exchange.

Nevertheless it is a soldered chip, so it can be de-soldered, and a new one soldered in place. There are specialized companies/services and also some experienced people who can do that at home. Just to have an idea what that means, take a look at the video on this page. Home replacement use less professional devices, but the procedure is the same.

I don’t think that Sony redesigned the motherboard between revisions, so the chips are probable pin compatible. Although, very likely, the new chip will need BIOS support, otherwise will not work with your motherboard.

I think the only place you can find it is on another notebook’s motherboard (ex. on eBay).

Does the difference worth the risks ?
Also put in balance the involved costs and the cost of selling your notebook and buying a new one.

UPDATE: Don’t forget that you will also need two more memory chips and maybe additional components around the memory chips if I'm not mistaken.
Check this F11 motherboard image for reference from eBay.

 

Interesting for sure. F owners bought their calibrators a long time ago and you seem to be the first in a long time to buy one. Many have been using their calibration settings, knowing each monitor is unique, resisting this unexciting product. Strange that many would easily spend an extra $200or so on a better monitor but resist the dollars on this product. Gotta get one now. What was your OTD price?

 

I have a US F11 too. You think you could post the color profile you made? Would appreciate it.

 

i want to make a clean install on my vaio f 1390x and i would like to do that using my recovery discs but i don't know 2 things :
When should i interrupt the recovery process ?
In which order should i install drivers and softwares ?
Thanks very much and i need the answers as fast as possible knowing that i read the How to make a clean install topic and i couldn't extract that information

 

Does this help ,mido201005

http://www.vaiofseries.com/Vaio_F_Clean_Install_Guide.htm

 

I am quoting myself again so that you can see my question...if any1 has the answer pls tell me...thnx again

 

Hi all,

I just recently bought a Sony Vaio VPCF132FX with an Intel Core i7 740QM quad core processor. After using it for a short time, I realized a high pitch noise was coming from the fan exhaust.

From discussing with other members of this forum, i'm pretty sure the noise is due to acoustic resonance that appears when the fan is at a specific RPM range... anyway, it sounds like this is a common problem.

What i'd like to know is if anybody reported this issue to Sony, what have you heard back from them, and what has been done, if anything?

thanks

 

Hi Anseio, remember me?
Posted about heat problems and a loud fan (before it was fine, only started a few months ago), and happy to say it's been solved.

All I did was update flash and uninstall some flakey HP drivers for my printer. Temperatures now varying between 45 and 58 degrees... haven't reached 60 yet! Bliss...

 

If you look few pages back i uploaded the sound which is coming from my f12, i send it to sony as well and they are agreed it's a hardware fault and they said they can repair it, or i can return if not 14 days past since i bought it..

 

why don't you ask sony trechnical support? They know for sure..

 

That's awesome news. Those temps are much more like it.

Just a few days ago, I converted 1,000 songs in flac format to VBR 256. CPU was at 100% for just over an hour and my temps wouldn't go above 60c. Who'd've thought that flash and printer drivers were the problem!

Congrats!

 

This was discussed before somewhere deeeeeep into the threads. Not sure if there ever was an answer but I do recall this topic. Good luck.

 

HP is notorious in having bloated drivers for their printers, but I cannot reason why this would cause an overheating issue unless a print job was in queue. I recall having to choose between Win7 64bit PCL5, PCL6 or Postscript drivers so you may want to play with these choices if you plan and attempt to reinstall. I also cannot reason why having a recent, but not the latest version of flash, then updating, would make that big of a deal either. But congrats as well.

 

I listened to your mp3 - we have the same problem. and it's encouraging to hear that sony is acknowledging it!! where are you from? i'm from canada... i wonder if customer service will be the same if we are in different regions. i'll contact sony soon... or exchange for a new one.

 

It now seems that Sony is not seeing any fault in my Vaio screen. So grey bar is feature.

 

Here I return after a month wait over a backlit keyboard for my Sony VPCF110FL. Got it off Ebay from chinagemwon for a very reasonable price.

I replaced the keyboard to enable backlight functionality, whicha wasn´t available from factory, but didn´t know if just switching the keyboard would work and no user here could confirm.

Well, I wanted everyone to know that IT DOES work... if your VAIO F series has the CN39 connector for the small cable that feeds backlight, it works as soon as you plug it. So maybe other users looking forward to replace ther non-backlit keyboards for a backlit one will find this info useful.

 

Your first post on 1/12 states this gray bar issue. I have already previously agreed this is indeed weak on Sony's part, and how they allow something like this to go into production is beyond me. But the ball is in your court. You've got the 30 day return guarantee by Sony so use it or live with it.

In my mind you cannot fight every fight. In a perfect world you could converse with a Sony manager, ask them if they are aware of any other monitor in the world, Sony or otherwise, that has a gray bar feature like the one yours has, then ask them to justify. You then call consumer affairs and they would deem the gray bar a 'defect' and a new monitor would be put into your laptop. It's just not going to happen.

Again, return or get beyond the issue.

 

Hi - I love the lappy (VPC-F12C5E) - i have always had one main bug bear.

TRACKPAD!

It's never worked since I installed my Logitech VX Nano. I really would like to get the trackpad sorted for secondary use when the laptop's on my erm..lap.

Anyone else have this issues?

Tried messing about with the drivers already to no avail

 

Start - Vaio Control Center - Pointing Device

Is the "enable" box checked?

 

I am having some issues on my VAIO F12 I purhcased in late June of this year. I have been having an uncorrectable hardware errors whenever i watch any kind of video or attempt to do something flash based. Its completely random, BUT, happens relatively quickly when watching a video, although sometimes it will hold off for a while.

Here's the thing though, this was happening a while before my computer got a bad trojan (which I assume was completely unrelated). The Trojan started messing up system files, so I used my Sony recovery media. This did not work, when the recovery media completed the wipe and started recreating computer for first use, it got a BSOD pretty quick, I think it may have been in the same place but I am not completely sure. I ran the recovery again without success.

Finally, I did a clean install of W7 Home Premium which worked. But I am still getting the uncorrectable hardware errors. I am getting the errors when I:

*Watch videos in Firefox AND Chrome
*Watch videos in WMP
*Sometimes facebook IM causes it
*Radar on the weather.com
*Bassically anything flash based it seems
*Hasnt occured in VLC yet, but i havent tried it for long

So far it hasn't happened while im just on my desktop, using word, browsing sites without flash or some sort of video. I just dont understand how it is still occuring after a fresh install unless somehow it is hardware related. I did not erase my original VAIO recovery partians, but could that even be causing this? I have the 330m dedicated graphics. Ive ran memory tests on my main system RAM and they have reported no errors.

 

Yes it's enabled.

I bought a 2nd one for someone else in work a few weeks later - exactly the same mouse. Her trackpad works though, only difference is she hasn't installed the Logitech software, and has let it plug & play... so for her, both the trackpad and mouse work but her mouse doesn't have the additional functionality such as scroll wheel.

I don't want to be in a situation where I uninstall the Logitech drivers and nothing at all works!

 

I am in the same position. I cant offer any help (I have the WXGA++ screen). However, how easy do you think the screen is to assemble/disassemble? Is it worth paying someone to do?

 

If you do clean install erasing and formatting only drive C, not all hard drive then viruses may easily stay on other drives (D) and inficating new OS again and again. Did you format all hard drive?
Suggest you to delete EVERYTHING, format drives and do a clean install again. Don't connect any USB or other devices which can have viruses. Then look if you will have same issues. If they will after using windows 7 disc - it will be hardware problem. But you will need to spend many hours to check that

 

Hi all,

I have a VPC-F12E1E/H and I recently upgraded my main hard drive to a Corsair F120 SSD, and performed a clean install from the backup discs- the original HDD is now in a caddy in the optical bay (thanks to this thread for all the tips, and especially to Joe Bleau for his webpage ).

The problem is that *sometimes* when starting the laptop, I get an "Operating System Not Found" error. As soon as I hit ctrl-alt-del to restart, it starts up normally.

I've noticed that it might be happening more often after the laptop remains off for a while (e.g. I don't remember this NOT happening when I boot it up for the first time in the morning). Not sure what this means...

Any ideas how to fix it?

Other than that, I cannot imagine NOT having an SSD in my laptop anymore. Anything else seems so slow now! Next on my list is the backlit keyboard and will eventually replace the screen to a premium full HD (my old vaio had a dual lamp x-black screen, and the current one is simply pathetic in comparison). And before anyone asks why I didn't buy a better laptop in the first place, it was given to me by my employer with a strict 1200 euro limit, so I had no choice

Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

What a heck is imfcpowerscheme and where did it came from??? It is second time something strange happens with my power plans. First time (when second balanced one appeared and high performance was deleted) I just set back power plans to default by using registry or command prompt and peacefully forgot how
But now it is not switched it is added as 4-th and it has strange name.