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

Never switch it on or swap it for anything but another F!

I don't remember anyone EVER getting it repaired, the noise is part of the design and unless they change it, we're stuck with it. You never know, you could be the first to get it sorted and if you do, you will become famous on this board!

 

Differences in the summed file sizes versus the occupied space on the hard drive can be the result of multiple factors:
- File size is not multiple of cluster size => files uses more space on the HDD then their real size.
- NTFS specific compression is set on folders/files (example on “c:\Windows\Installer” and its subfolder/files, …) => files uses less space on the HDD then their real size.
- You don’t have enough rights to enumerate/view some files/folders (example the “c:\System Volume Information”, …) => Those files take space on the HDD, but not counted.
- The application which recursively counts the used space is not counting the hidden and/or system files. => Those files take space on the HDD, but not counted.
- The application which recursively counts the used space is not handling (correctly) the linked ( directory junctions, hard links, symbolic links, …) or OS redirected folders/files. => Those files take space on the HDD only once, but are counted multiple times.
- The application which recursively counts the used space is not counting the data used by the Alternate Data Streams. => That data also take space on the HDD, but is never counted.

If you are using Explorer to see the used space, make sure that the visibility of the hidden and system files are enabled, and also that you have rights to all the folders/files. Also in the properties dialog check the “Size on disk” instead of the “Size”.

If you are doing file based backup, the backup software has access to these not accessible / visible files and folder. It is also possible that some links or redirections are not handled correctly and some files are backed up multiple times (through different access paths).

Reported used versus free space problems can also be caused by NTFS corruptions. Run a volume check and see if finds and corrects something (chkdsk c: /f).
See this link for details (it applies for NTFS): How to locate and correct disk space problems on NTFS volumes

I hope this helps!

 

Good point. That is why I enable disk write caching on all laptops and on all machines that are connected to a UPS. I also check the higher performance box below the write caching box. My Crucial M225s have 64MB of onboard cache memory allowing for the elimination of small writes.

There are two differeng camps on SSD "tweaks". Some say that you should treat an SSD like a regular HDD other than defragging...leave indexing, prefetch, superfetch on. Others, like myself, feel that all uneccessary writes should be eliminated to minimize write wear. My computer is very fast without these services...prefetch, superfetch, paging file, disk indexing, file indexing. Perhaps the loss of these services slows me a bit, but with fast SSD reads and 0.2ms seek latency, why would I care? Sure, for benchmarking, perhaps I could do better than the 250+MB reads and 230+ write maximums. Perhaps my small file reads and writes would improve. My thought though, is that if my 4KB files can be read at 6MB/sec with a 0.2 second seek latency, I am looking at about a quarter of a second to open and read that file. Do I care if I can save 0.02 second by adding these other processes back into the mix, or am I happy that I have fewer running processes that are using memory and CPU resources that could be slowing me down in other ways?

Just my opinion.

 

Yeah lol, my sony going 2nd time tomorrow, i ask them to put f13 mainboard with 425m gt in to my f12 as a discount and compliment or exchange it for the custom build vaio or f13z1, let's see how it goes, after first repair they replaced fan and main board. May be somebody know how many repairs could be done before they offer a new laptop?

 

What kind of max gpu temps are normal for the F11Z1E?

Furmark Burn In Test takes it to 100 degrees within seconds.

I have HWMonitor running in the background whilst playing CS Source at 1920x1080 and once finished it reports that my max gpu temp was 104!

I have a Notepal U3 laptop cooler btw.

Are these temps normal because they seem dangerously high to me?

 

That seems a bit high. Most of us report stress temps in the upper 60's. I guess first thing is to ask if you have dust clogged up in your fan area?

 

You're definitely in a danger zone. Does your monitor show artifacts or weird lines on it? It should throttle down on it's own. I hear 88 degrees and above is a real danger zone and I'd be worried 80 degrees and beyond. You have the 310, but on a 420 stat sheet shows 104 as a max temp.

 

hello everyone, are they going to refresh the F series with sandy bridge CPUs and new GPUs and HD webcam? without the 3D option

 

It's the nvidia gt330m card in mine.

The CSS Video stress test takes the temp to 88 degrees. If I run one stress test then another straight after, my fps result drops by around 10-15 fps (due to throttling?)

Playing CSS for a length of time I'm hitting a steady 90 degrees continuosly.

I have ran a hoover over the vents but thats it.

This machine is second hand and apparently had a new motherboard fitted last summer due to the previous user messing a bios flash up (I have all the paperwork from the repairers). Would there be a build-up of dust already to affect temps that much?

I run Furmark and within seconds the gpu temp is hitting 100 and the alarm comes on. I get too scared then and close it down.

I am competent at building desktops but never touched a laptop before. Is it straightforward to inspect and clean inside? Do I just unscrew all screws on the back and lift the cover off?

I bought it off ebay and if I have to I will return it but I like the laptop, it's perfect for me except for these temps and the excessive fan noise.

 

http://tinyurl.com/3xuf23c

 

They are also shooting for a better monitor, reduced fan noise, better speakers, better battery life, Thunderbolt, and I know I forgot something...oh yeah, and for the same price too. Seriously have not heard of any refresh without 3D.

 

I have! While ordering the F13s (which have now shipped!), I asked about the refresh. The salesperson (2nd level supervisor) said that they had heard plans of offering a 3D option with the standard display being non-3D.

 

Wow that looks quite complicated. Is the fan area where I need to be looking?

Is the fan a system fan or is it just for the gpu. The reason I ask that is because my cpu temps don't go above 70 degrees using Prime95 torture test. I take it these are normal temps? So the CPU is not overheating but the gpu is? :S

 

sorry but either there is a part of my grandmother's fur carpet which stops the air ventilation inside or there is a crappy thermal paste or thermal pad (whatever is on the GPU). Tell us what is your CPU temperature to know your situation better

 

cpu temp hovers around 50 degrees idle.

all cores maxed out under stress its 70 degrees.

 

that's almost normal. maybe 5 degrees higher than average. That's why I think that all the case is about bad connection between GPU and thermal tube.

 

Can I fix this myself? I have thermal paste. Is the GPU easy to get to?

 

Im getting up to 71 degrees C with just 4 or 5 % gpu load!

That cant be right

 

It can be if your software, hardware or drivers are conflicting.

 

What do you mean by this?

Btw I am running the latest WHQL nvidia driver downloaded from the notebook section on nvidias site.

I take it that the driver wouldn't cause this problem?

 

well yeah actually. someone got 80-85 degrees because of Hp printer driver or epson. you can try to do a clean windows install and see what happence. to get to gpu u need to disassembly all laptop

 

My current install is a clean install.

This is a snapshot of the gpu temps after opening solitaire and playing one game.



Obviously the fan is really loud.

Whilst playing CSS.

 

Hello everyone!

I bought an Vertex 2 120GB SSD for replacing my 500gb hdd from sony vaio VPCF1390X. I want to know how to do:

1. To put ssd on my laptop and format it using windows DOS before i'll install windows 7 or is better

2. To connect it to a regular pc and format it and create new partitions? and just then connect to laptop to install OS on it?

SSD is different in creating partitions or is the same thing like on HDD? I want to create 2 partitions, 50GB for OS and 70GB for rest of files. Please let me know the best way to create paritions for my Vertex 2 120GB SSD. Thanks!

 

I'd check things out in safe mode. Did you update to the new BIOS? Run> and type 'dxdiag' will show you your DirectX version. Should be version 11. Maybe roll back the driver. When did this start to occur? Do you remember any downloads prior to this occurrence? You say this is a second hand F. That fan of yours may very well be dirty.

 

Yes the bios is up to date.

Just performed fresh clean install.

Same problem.

Just to confirm with other owners of the F11, your gpu temps never go above the 80ish mark?

 

I believe it's time to open er up, clean that fan, and apply some thermal paste.

 

You won't need to connect it to another PC to format and create partitions. You should be able to do that with the Sony VAIO Recovery Discs.

Partitions with SSD's are not the same as with HDD's. They logically create walls so you can keep your data organized with different drive letters, but the controller of the SSD will put the data anywhere on the drive that it decides to. So, partitions on SSD's don't allocate physical locations as they do with HDD's. Having said that, the only reason you'd need partitions is if you want different drive letters and/or you want to keep your data separate from your OS in the event of a reinstall.

 

I think this is what needs to be done.

When you say apply thermal paste, where do I do this? I thought the card is soldered to the board? Does the card have heatsinks on it? Will I need to solder anything? If so I will take it to a shop.

 

These pics should show you what you're dealing with. You don't need to solder.
Laptop Forums and Notebook Computer Discussion
Laptop Forums and Notebook Computer Discussion

Edit: I'm posting from my phone. I'll fix the links when I get home. Just copy and paste for now.
Edit: Done

 

yeah. just interesting what drivers did you install?

 

Before trying the thermal paste and opening the case, try this...

With the laptop running, hold it up and vacuum out the bottom intake grills with a normal vacuum hose with decent suction. Then, put the upholstry brush on the hose and cup it so it fits well over the exhaust port on the left of the machine. This port is on the angle, so try to seal it half way decent with one hand and the bristles of the brush.

I actually do this while watching my temps on Everest. After a few minutes of holding it so the bottom grates are clear and the vacuum is sucking the exhaust heat out, the fan will slow to a stop and the temps will get to within a degree or two of the ambient air temp. I then stop the procedure.

This has worked well for me and even quiets the fan because it should now run at a lower RPM after the dust is cleaned from the heat sink fins.

Do this at your own risk, but I do it on several F11s and I have had no problems.

Just my opinion.

Bill

 

this is the reason i want two partitions to keep my files separate from OS partition. so if i'll have two partitions when i'll want to reinstall OS will format OS partition but files from the 2nd partition will stay on their place or they'll be also affected by formating 1st partition? thanks!

 

It should be noted that the end of a vacuum cleaner nozzle is a rather effective device for creating static electricity.

I can't speak for how close it is to any sensitive electronic components as I do not have this model of laptop, but there is a reason that the general advice for cleaning electronic equipment is to blow the crud out with a can of compressed air, rather than vacuuming.

 

Thanks mate that's really helpful!

So from looking at them pictures the cpu and gpu heatsinks are connected to the fan unit. And this is just screwed onto the motherboard? I think I may have a go at this.

clean install

tested with the nvidia driver that windows installs. then the sony vaio updated driver. then the latest whql nvidia driver.

 

Was it fixed properly?

 

Do you guys have any experience with laptop coolers? My F13 gets pretty hot and slow after I play wow for a few hours. Does using a cooler extend the machines life time?

I was looking into something like this

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER SF-19 Strike Force Notebook Cooler Model SGA-6000-KKYF1

 

If you have partitions, they will behave as any other partition. So, you can have one for OS and one for data. Though the controller of the SSD doesn't even see them at the hardware level, you wouldn't have issues trying to reinstall your OS.

 

The CoolMaster is very popular with many F owners and the NZXT as well.

NZXT :: Unique. Unprecendented. Inspired - Cryo LX Product Detail

http://www.amazon.com/ACC-NT-CRYO-LX-Aluminum-Notebook-Cooler-Adjustable/dp/B0014GZFZ4

 

Agreed on the CoolerMasters. That SF-19 looks wild. I did notice on the images though that neither of the two large fans put air out under either of the 2 vents on the VAIO F. If you're going to spend that much money on a cooler, it'd be nice if it had a central fan that did blow air up the center vent or moveable fans.

here's the U2
Flickr: jasonedward's stuff tagged with notepalu2

 

but you know что you can use 2-nd HDD inside laptop?

I also use U2 However i recommend U3. Costs 10 backs more but I think it will fit better

 

This is probably nothing, but digging deep into trying to find some solutions to fan noise.
Check your Nvidia settings and make sure your v-sync is enabled. Vsync will cap your frame rate to 60fps and this is the downside. Upside is that it prevents tearing and keeps fan quieter when enabled .

Nvidia control panel > manage 3D settings > global settings > last one on the list.

Mine was preset to 'use 3D application settings' and I changed it to 'forced on'.
A long shot to be sure but it might help some of you.

 

I installed those but my S1 key isn't working (Assist and VAIO as well). I also installed the Alps touchpad driver and it's not working either. So which drivers have to be installed and in which order? And how, I mean, am I doing something wrong or what? Thank you!

Oh, by the way, I'm installing a "normal" Windows 7 DVD and then the drivers form the VAIO support site, I don't want to use the recovery - I'm making a fresh install.

 

assist is for vaio care. also do you have unrecognized devices in device manager?

 

Here's Sony's order of installation: Sony_eSupport - Electronics - Support Information

Edit: Your VAIO button is not going to do anything other than Mute after a clean install. That button is dedicated to Media Gallery. As James mentioned, you should install Vaio Care, which you didn't mention if you had done. Also, Vaio Care and Vaio Control Center may or may not need to be run manually the first time after a clean install before the buttons work.

 

I just posted a question in a separate and then found this .. so posting it here as well .. Original thread is this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...hips-viao-f-series-vpcf1390x.html#post7234311 ..

Also, another general question .. How much does this laptop heat up ? I ask this because I currently own a HP laptop is its *always* warm to hot, even when the CPU is completely idle ! I'm virtually sure its a hardware issue but HP wont have a look at it before ripping off my wallet as my warranty just ran out .. So, I want to buy a laptop that doesn't heat at least when your doing something simple such as web browsing or word processing or something .. if it gets warm slightly during gaming, thats understandable ..

 

Below is what I posted in the other thread. And just to add that if you're going to be doing longterm gaming, and especially if you're going to overclock, you may want to get a laptop cooler, which you can see some recs posted in this thread today. But a couple people have said that just elevating the back of the laptop during gaming is sufficient as well. Anyway, the F is as "cool" a laptop as you're going to find with an i7.

"Heatwise, it is the coolest running laptop I've ever used. The fan is very active, which bothers some people, but not me. My old Inspiron 6000 used to burn my lap even at idle and it's fan was insanely loud. My F never gets too hot to use on my lap and at the same time the fan is quieter than my Dell, but like I said, it's been an issue for some. But you should be very happy with the cooling aspect if that is your main concern."

 

Well I'm not a very enthusiast gamer .. I am primarily a console gamer, so I normally play games on PCs very rarely .. But since I am getting a laptop, I might as well get one which is gaming compatible and is decently cool while gaming .. however, it really should be *cool* when I'm NOT gaming, and this is my main concern .. If this is satisfied then a slight heat during gaming is okay by me ..

Also, I dont plan to overclock anytime soon so thats okay for me too ..

 

The reason why reps don’t know the model is that Sony uses multiple models from different manufacturers, so you will find out what you have when you receive your notebook. Concerning the characteristics, you can check the specification of the preconfigured models. From the VPCF13Z1E/B specification:

Before I bought my first F12, the notebook I checked in the shop (F12Z1E) had the “Panasonic (M.a.t.s.h.i.t.a) BD-MLT UJ240” Blu-ray writer.
My F12Z1E came with the “Sony NEC Optiarc BD RW BD-5730S6” Blu-ray writer. Sony repair changed it to a “Panasonic (M.a.t.s.h.i.t.a) BD-MLT UJ240AS” Blu-ray writer.
My F13 (CTO) came with the “Pioneer BD-RW BDR-TD03” Blu-ray writer (Note: the TD03 is not misspelled!).

There are not many 12.7mm, tray load, SATA, 6x Blu-ray writers out there. If you check the prices, I would say that the extra $70 is hard to beat by swapping out the DVD writer to a Blu-Ray writer. I personally would go with the extra $70. Sometimes Sony offers it for free, like now on the UK site for the VPCF13X5E (CTO):

.

Concerning my CPU temperatures when idle or on light load, see my previous post. For my CPU temperatures under full load see all my posts concerning my tests to maximize Turbo Boost multiplier on four cores. Example: this post, this post, …

I hope this helps!

 

wow thanks for the details input dude .. If only all the CS reps in the world were this efficient (instead of saying first "OK, I'm happy to assist you with that .." .. and ending with: "I'm sorry I don't have the information that you need, let me forward you to department XYZ" .. Yes, I hate CS reps ! ) ..

Anyways .. actually the upgrade costs are as follows:

CD/DVD reader/writer -- base price
Bluray reader, CD/DVD reader/writer -- Add $70
BD/CD/DVD reader/writer -- Add $150

Meaning the upgrade from a CD/DVD reader/writer to a BD/CD/DVD reader/writer is actually for $150 .. !

After some googling, I found out that a top quality external bluray burner combined with an external enclosure is at max around $130, so both quality wise and price wise this beats the option Sony is giving me .. However, its a big burden to carry around an external drive, for which you need a separate power supply point as well .. And from this point I would really prefer to do with having an internal drive ..

I guess what I'm overally trying to say is, generally speaking, are the Bluray burners coming in Sony VAIOs *reliable*, or will they just give burn errors or probably disc not reading errors or something ? .. I mean if they *get the job done*, then $150 is not a problem ..

Whats your opinion on this ?

 

I believe you can buy smth here Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! no matter that it's big but you will use it externally and on the table/desk.
Besides do you need burner for sure? I have mine BD reader and thinking to get rid of it as I don't use BDisks