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

Hey guys Long time no see

So, I have a little problem with my F11. My fan is really loud and my cpu frequency is on the roof. Few days ago everything was fine. What changed?

My special buttons, Assist, S1, Vaio and the one for changing the display brightness didn't work and I installed Sony Vaion Control Center, Event Service and Sony Shared Library. All special buttons are working now but my fan is going crazy.

What should I do?

 

About special buttons http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...7-owners-thread-part-5-a-392.html#post7274304

did you install sony applications before it became loud

 

Yes, when I installed windows, 6-7 months ago. But I can't remeber why special buttons stopped working, except volume ( FN+F3 and F4 , and multimedia pad).

 

When did Service Pack 1 install? I had several settings change when the installation overwrote a few apps on my wife's machine.

I would look for heavily running processes. If you can't seem to find anything, then I would clean the dust out of your computer, back up all of your files to an external device, scan the external device for viruses and malware and then perform a clean install, including all windows updates.

Do you have your original recovery disks?

 

Based on your answers to James D and Willscary's questions I'd recommend doing a simple system restore- go back a week. Do check for a recent increase in system resources like Willscary recommends. I'd run a few virus scans as well. Start with easy stuff.

 

Hi all again! Another problem with my f12, whistle has been not fixed after laptop went to repair twice. So i just got used to it as ev1 else. So new problem i don't know is it a nvidia or display itself, basically when i watching any movie/video there is like a line on the top or the middlle of the display, after reinstalling the driver the line is gone, i tried diffrent drivers, but soon as i run my laptop on power safe mode and switch it off later the line produced again, also after overclocking as well. But when i shared a screen with my girlfriend in skype she didn't noticed any line, also if i make a prt scr there is no defect showing on it, so i believe it is a display problem, please download this video it is 40 mb and you can see the problem there, may be someone else got it as well, cheers..

Deposit Files

Just done it again, reinstall nvidia driver problem fixed, switch off the laptop, turn it back on and problem is the again, same as on this picture here, but on this screen is xp running and problem been fixed after moved to vista sp1, i am thinking should i perform clean install may be?

http://a9d9.iz.piccy.info.nyud.net:8080/i2/d9/a9/36dd288494b9ea7d8b44ba380087.jpeg

 

Hello all,

I received my new LCD and inverter today and it's not working, unfortunately.

First of all, I was surprised to see that my current screen is an LG, not a Sharp! I didn't note the part number, but I will probably get a chance to see it another time... Anyway, I think it's a crap screen so there's no point other than for info purposes.

The second surprise was that -even though I had specifically asked the vendor if the screen is the Sharp LQ164M1LA4A (and he replied yes), the one I received is the LQ164M1LG4B. OK, it may be the case that these are 100% compatible.

The inverter I bought is the Tamura dual lamp HBL-0365 (also E-P1-50433D) and is the one used in Sony Vaio VGN-FW laptops. As far as I can tell, it's also 100% compatible with the Tamura HBL-0341 (also used in the vaio FW, and happens to be the inverter that another forum member bought a while back when he upgraded to a dual lamp LCD).

When the laptop starts, I get garbage on the screen (see attached image). It has a very bluish tint which isn't very obvious at all from the photo. Not sure if it's the screen's fault, or the inverter's, or if the two parts are incompatible...

Any ideas what's going on? I've contacted the seller in the meantime, and I plan on asking a few pro technicians who might know something I don't...

By the way, I reinstalled my old screen and everything is normal (and bland) again

Edit: The LCD cables are the same, regardless of dual or single lamp screens, correct? Just want to rule this out...

Edit2: I just noticed on this website ( http://www.sonyvaiopart.co.uk/index.php/laptops/sony/vpc/vpc-f1.html?dir=desc&order=price&p=1 ) that there are 2 LCD cables: Full HD and regular! I think I found the problem... I need a new cable too!

 

Did you change the dip switch settings?

 

Good thing I have system restore turned on. I restored the system to the last date available, 3 days ago and the fan is more quiet now. Still, it's weird :|

 

Dip switches? You mean these?

Had no idea I had to change these. Can you explain?

Regardless of dip switch settings, and unless I'm missing something, I think I still need the full HD LVDS cable since my current LCD is 1600x900...

Edit: Ok, I found this about the dip switches: http://www.laptoppartsexpert.com/attachment/30622-.jpg Still, do you know if there is a difference between Full HD and regular LCD cables?

 

Yes, those switches need to be changed if you upgrade to higher res screen.

Try positioning them so it's OFF ON OFF ON. OFF ON OFF OFF(link in the link) also works. Still worth a shot at trying, you never know...

EDIT: I'm not sure about the your questions about the cables. I believe you should be fine, but I could be wrong...

 

Wow, I totally missed this. Thanks so much. Repeating my question in my previous (edited) post, any idea of whether the different LCD cable is a problem? I think I would still need the full HD one... Edit: I see you answered me already, thanks again

 

Well, if Restore worked, what did it change? It will usually tell you which programs will be affected. This should tell you what the problem was.

Once you know what caused the problem, you can usually find a workaround.

 

There has been a lot of recent activity with the new FF 4, IE 9, Windows updates etc. and my physical memory has increased within the last few weeks. For example Plugin-Container.exe is a separate process associated with FF (in addition to firefox.exe). I believe it was always there but time to take another look at what's using my resources. Don't forget to check any browser add-ons as well- historically an area for memory bleed and compatibility issues with browser upgrades.

Also, did you know the Coral Blue-ray software runs a process called PSIService.exe in the background and apparently cannot be set to manual.

 

I created a separate thread in Networking and Wireless letting people know the FCC is giving away a free N router to those willing to participate in their national broadband speed test. Want you make sure you guys didn't miss it.

Sign up to Shape the Future of Broadband in America

Oh oh, I wanted to add this to my post above. I know the rules about double posting. So sorry.

 

Well, all system restores were sony related, and on last one I used was something vaio power management uninstall oO

I use FF4 since RC and didn't had problems except the insane use of memory. Now with 7 tabs opened almost 400 mb for FF and 300 Mb for plugin-container.


Anyway, thank you all for tips

 

The government disgusts me with this desire. They want to permanently sell off spectrum. This sale goes against everything our forefathers envisioned when they created spectrum regulation. The government's desire to sell spectrum, which is a finite resource, is exactly the same as if I came to your local government and told them to sell me your property, promising that I would make better use of it than you are (in the future, of course), and the government selling it to me. It's YOUR land, you say? Nope, your deed is simply a permit or license that allows the bearer to occupy and use the land in a lawful manner. You can sell it if you wish, or you can keep it and pass it on in a will. It is yours to sell...not someone elses. A spectrum license is the same. It is a deed to a certain radio spectrum in a certain locale. As long as that spectrum is used lawfully (it is regulated), the government should have no right to force the sale, especially for its own profit. Again, these sales are to be permanent!

Wireless will NEVER be the best choice. A nationwide fiber network to replace our aging telephone grid would be a much better choice. Voice, data and video could all be handled quite well without taxing our finite spectrum availability. How will thee net get to the towers??? Fiber.

So, we use a bunch of spectrum that could be saved if we simply went with nationwide fiber (which will also be much faster and more reliable) and we force others to go out of business (OTA TV). This is AT&T and Verizon's plan to get rid of the competition that keeps their rates in check.

Nationwide fiber encompassing the same coverage as landline telephone is the correct chioce. From there, individual homes or businesses can have their own wireless network just as we see now.

My wireless in my home is over 60Mbps. Nationwide wireless would be much slower and less reliable. It would need to allow for all traffic and be a huge bandwidth hog. Reliability would be a major problem.

Keep it simple, think fiber!

 

Hey I'm with you, although I think it's private corporations dictating (lobbying) to the government to carry their water on this issue. Internet connectivity should be viewed as a national treasure and necessity, regulated by the government, just like energy, transportation, food and housing. I just wanted to give you an opportunity for a free router!

 

Food and housing? Internet is a public utility like natural gas, electricity and telephone (as well as cable TV, for those who subscribe). It should be treated as such. Wireless national broadband, if allowed, will be a disaster and will have grave consequences.

Thanks for the router, but it would not be free...my neighbors and I would all be paying for it with tax dollars.

I'm not upset with you at all Fishon...I am upset that this is being allowed to happen and I am upset withthe line of BS that is being thrown at us. We pay plenty, and in the near future we will be paying MUCH more if we want to survive as a country. We are spending huge amounts that we can't afford and to pay for it, we are willing to sell finite resources to those who only wish to monopolize the market. Thirty years ago, AT@T was split up because of its monopolistic practices. Now, this government is willing to not only give it all back to them, but give them MORE! If OTA TV goes away (or at least gets severely damaged by this loss of spectrum) then the big telecoms will have the power over all telecommunications and be able to set pricing wherever they want. While this would be a fine capitalistic scenario, the fact taht they will have cornered the spectrum market will stifle any competition and destroy all technological advances that they decide they don't want. This goes beyond the teenager's ability to download and watch movies on his phone. It will give AT@T and Verizon all of the future power in telecommunications.

I strongly feel that this spectrum sale plan of the FCC will completely undo and change everything that has been accomplished over the last century towards antitrust regulation. The sad thing is that our "progressive" president seems to be fine with it. Wait until his ipad costs him $100/month for airtime. OOPS! By the time he realizes what he has allowed, it will be too late!

 

I've got it! Rather anti-climatic actually - it's only 24 pages and really basic, but I have the F13 version of the service manual. Where's the best/easiest place to upload a PDF? It's too big for the small attachments allowed on notebookreview. And is there anyway I can get in trouble for this? I don't work for Sony obviously.

Edit: There are also Excel spreadsheets with Sony part #s. The European Vaio Premium display is A-1772-658-A. Obviously that's not the Sharp Part #. The Sony part number shows up in parts searches as a Glossy/X-brite. The substitution part # for the European Vaio Premium display is A-1803-196-A.

2nd Edit: I'll be uploading later - not home anymore.

 

I have just been looking at the F21, I still think the F11,12 and F13 looks better. I would like to maybe return to an F13 if one day there is a cure for the fan noise

 

I can't say whether you definitely need new cables but there are different part numbers listed for the cables by Sony. So, if the dip switches don't solve the problem, the LVDS cables for the dual lamp full HD part # is A-1772-164-A. Also, the inverter part numbers for the dual lamp screens are as follows: 1-445-379-11 and substitution # is 1-445-758-11.

 

That's the inverter I got, so I think I'm ok there. I also found that part number for the cable in my search today, so we have confirmation- thanks!

I tried all 2^4=16 possible dip switch combinations, and some of them gave me partial success. I had the situation you can see in the attached image (a grey bar on the right side of the screen).

I am almost convinced it's the lvds cable, so I'll go ahead and order one. Fingers crossed. I'm a bit worried about how to dismantle the hinge to get the cable through, but we'll see when the time comes.

I got a taste of what the premium screen looks like, and there's absolutely no comparison to my poor old LG... Does anyone else see the dark-ish horizontal bar on the bottom of the screen in the attached photo (it's more noticeable in the grey area)? Could it be the same as Zperf and others have reported on their EU premium mattes?

Hopefully this will work out I'll keep you guys updated about the progress- thanks to everyone, this forum rocks.

About the service manual- Any file upload site should do- I don't see why you would get in any trouble for this. To be safe, don't give it a descriptive name and just post the link here (or through PMs).

 

I think the two data cables are not the same!
Your previous resolution was 1600x900 (1.44 MPixel), which is less than the maximum possible using single LVDS transfer ~1.47 MPixel.

( from Wikipedia LVDS, Applications chapter )

The 30 pin data cable for HD+ is probable single LVDS cable, and the one for FHD is dual LVDS, so you should buy the one for FHD!

I hope this helps!

 

Blackball +rep from me for the DIP switches link. I already read about them, but this linked image also confirms the “picture” about Sony’s LCDs coding.
I’m speaking about the display groups:
16.4/A-HD_HDAR/EERB
16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/EEBR
16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/HC_SlimAdobe_BP <- FHD “matte” LCDs called EU Premium displays are part of this group!

Under each group there are multiple LCDs! Each LCD has its own Sony part number (like: A-1756-572-A; A-1707-449-D; A-1772-658-A; A-1772-659-A, … , to which directly corresponds the manufacturer LCD coding (like: LQ164D1LD4; LQ164D1LD4C; LQ164M1LD4C; LQ164M1D4C; LP164WD1 (TL)(A1); …; LQ164M1LA4A; LQ164M1LA4A B; LQ164M1LG4B; LQ164M1LG4BZ; …

Also there is the FU-… Sharp part number coding for LCDs made by Fukugaki. Co. for Sharp (see my post for details):
FU-16-006 (LQ164M1LD4C - 1CCFL glossy Full HD)
FU-16-002 (LQ164D1LD4A - 1CCFL WXGA++)
FU-16-001 (LQ164D1LA4B - 1CCFL WXGA++)

Also it seems that nothing speaks (so far) against what I stated in my European VAIO Display Premium screen post, that the EU “matte” LCD is the XBrite (glossy) display with an anti-reflective coating.

EDIT: Changed “this is” to “part of this group” concerning the EU Premium displays.
EDIT: Changed details for FU-… Sharp part number coding.

 

Yeap, I think you're right about the EU matte

Not sure the FU-16-xxx code is specifically for Sony. Every photo of a Sharp screen I've seen for sale on the internet has it. My new LCD, by the way, is the FU-16-008 (same as for the LQ164M1LG4B Z).

Thanks for the info on LVDS! I'd give you more rep points, but the system won't let me for now

 

Yep, it looks like not enough data (single LVDS or bad cable) ! Did you order the FHD cable ?

Let’s hope it’s not! Try some lighter gray or reddish/pinkish solid desktop background colors with your taskbar moved to the top, and post more photos (preferable after you replaced your cable).

 

I did- I found it on the sonyvaiopart and paid way too much for it (but at this point, who cares...).

Will do- And I will also write a post summarizing my experience for the benefit of others who may want to go from signle-lamp 1600x900 to dual-lamp full hd.

Right now I'm back to the WXGA++ (1600x900) LG screen and it works fine, of course. It'll probably be a week (at least) before I get the new cable. Hopefully it won't be difficult to install through the hinge (the rest is easy by now- I've taken apart the laptop a million times today!).

 

Even though this is counter-intuitive, that is actually not the case. The middle set are the EU Premium Display and the ones marked HC_SlimAdobe_BP are the US and non-Premium EU displays.

Edit: To be clear, I mean that it is an error on the "dip-switch settings" page. The one that is marked 16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/HC_SlimAdobe_BP has been switched with the 16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/EEBR. The models and part numbers correspond correctly to each other but not to the SlimAdobe moniker. That is a mistake in the manual.

 

Ok, here is the PDF. Let me know if there is any problem downloading since this is my first file upload to that site: jprideF13.pdf

To open the hidden Excel spreadsheets in the PDF, click on the paperclips.

 

I'll be curious as to your overall experience/cost. Do you have the 310m or 330m GPU?

 

I have the 330m.

Regarding the cost, I went with a much more expensive European supplier for delivery speed, and because I wanted to avoid any issues with customs. I've paid about 250-280 euros (will check the exact figures when I'm done), but someone picking US or Asian suppliers could definitely do it for much less.

 

I made that conclusion based on what I saw when I was searching for LCDs. What I saw was that the FU-… appears only beside some of the Sharp screens, and from those what I checked there was mentioned that it is for Sony notebooks. If you or others have same more clear view about this, please post about it, so I can update my previous post. Thanks!

 

Because you have so much practice already, could you, please, try something else too ? It’s about taking the panel out from its metal bracket, powering the notebook in this condition and check the bottom of the display (the bar/line).

Some people stated that the reason of screen distortions and the waves produced by touching the bezel is due to the fact that the display is mounted too tight in the metal bracket, which adds an unnecessary pressure to the panel. I would like to know if this helps concerning the bottom bar/line. Thank you!

 

I have seen many examples on ebay and online shops. Here's the one I ordered:

Ersatzdisplay für LQ164M1LA4A 41,7cm / 16,4" WUXGA FHD (1920x1080) Display LCD - Elektro-Export.de

Notice the shop doesn't mention Sony notebooks in the 'LCD by notebook model section' ( edit: left navigation menu, in German).

My conclusion based on this is that FU-16-xxx is a Sharp designation applicable to all screens, regardless of the laptop maker they are destined for.

jpride, thanks for the service manual!

 

At some point I did actually power the notebook without the metal bracket on the lcd. However, I wasn't looking for the grey line on the bottom, so I need to do it again more purposefully.

If you don't mind, I would like to wait for my cable before taking apart the laptop again... I use this machine for everything at work, and I'd like to minimize the risk of a disaster. It should be a week or so. Is that ok?

In the meantime, you can give me some tips on what kind of background will make the defect more obvious, or any details about how you would like me to perform the test.

 

To answer another question people have wondered about - there is a different thermal unit for the different processors:

A-1759-308-A M930 THERMAL MODULE (CFD) - Clarksfield
A-1759-309-A M930 THERMAL MODULE (ARD) - Arrandale

 

Jpride, why do you think that ?

In my servicing report the mentioned part is “16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/HC_SlimAdobe_BP”. I have the same information from other two people who had their EU premium display replaced. So the EU premium display is definitively part of this group. I edited my previous post to state that it “is part of” this group.

Also the “Adobe” word is there because initially these displays were advertised as 100% Adobe RGB coverage (see the old Sony press release: New VAIO F series has the power to entertain). Of course, this disappeared later from all Sony sites, but this was already discussed in this forum.

 

Because the listed models and part numbers are not for the Adobe color screens (aka EU Premium HD). You can verify this in multiple ways. One - look at the models listed on the dip switch diagram - the US CTO model is there with the Adobe moniker, while the EU S1E Premium screen model is not, which is backwards. Two, look at the parts lists in the official Sony spreadsheets - they are listed correctly there. Three, look up the part numbers on the dip-switch diagram and you will see the Adobe ones are single lamp while the other is dual lamp - which is backwards from reality.

Edit: I have to go to bed now - it's 3am for me - so if you don't get what I'm saying, I'll try again tomorrow.

 

Thank you jpride and +rep from me!

This document and specifically the block diagram on page 4 confirms that all I stated about the motherboard, memory, CPU, graphics chip and memory, BIOS, EC firmware, … on this thread before is true!

 

Did you obtain by nefarious means? If not no problem. I am curious how you did come about it- not asking mind you. I searched quite a lot for a manual and was unsuccessful. Glad you 'found' it.

 

Well, I didn't break into Sony in the middle of the night.

Edit: Decided to delete what I originally wrote. Lots of people, more than ever post here, have downloaded it from me now, so they must be finding my post here from searches. Now that many people have their hands on it, I am sure it will be turning up other places. I'm sure some people could find my post that wouldn't be happy I posted the file, so just don't want to give them any extra information.

My personal feeling about this is that we as owners should have access to manuals and part numbers for the computers we bought, which is why I went looking for it and why I posted it here for the rest of you.

 

I read your first sentence. Went to the kitchen to make a tea and other. Came back and decided to refresh the page if someone else wrote a post, but all I noticed that you edited your post and I will never know what I could read if I hadn't gone for a tea

 

Actually you are half way right. It seems that the FU-… part number is for LCDs manufactured by a company named Fukugaki. Co., LTD, subcontracted (??) or part of Sharp Corporation (??). The rest of Sharp LCDs don’t have an FU-… part number.

The actual relation between Fukugaki. Co., LTD and Sharp is not clear for me. On the company’s site ( in Japanese, Translation ) Sharp appears as client, as supplier and also Fukugaki. Co. appears as part of Sharp business group. Maybe someone with Japanese knowledge can offer a better translation than what I can get using Google translate.

The company also sells LCD monitors too ( in Japanese, Translation ).

Mystery solved! I edited my previous post “ Sony Vaio F1x LCD Coding” to reflect this new information.

 

I don’t mind to wait. Actually I’m grateful that you plan do this experiment on my request! Thanks!

Because the line is on the bottom of the screen you will have to move the taskbar somewhere else (it is better to move it to the top, not left or right).

It is better if you don’t have icons or any other window near to the bottom of the screen because it affects the viewing conditions (tricks the eye).

Choose a solid color desktop background. In my case the line/bar is less visible if the color displayed is blue or in the color the blue is the dominant value. So you have to choose something not blue. For example you can use a pinkish color (RGB=216, 81, 113) or reddish color (RGB=184, 40, 50). You can try light gray too. Feel free to try other colors too. The above mentioned two colors are already in the Solid colors list by default on my Windows.

Also in my case, the bar was more visible if you reduced the LCD brightness (compared to the case of maximum brightness) – this also because of how the eye is working.

 

This answers the question I raised when we discussed about CPU upgrade. It actually makes sense, because of the TDP difference.

Did you check if the used fan is different ? ( I had no time to look ).

 

This is sold as a single unit - thermal unit and fan are the same part.

 

Sorry jpride, because you replied to my post, my mind remained locked on the fact that you were saying that what I stated is not correct ( “is actually not the case. The middle set are the EU Premium Display and the ones marked HC_SlimAdobe_BP are the US and non-Premium EU displays.”). But in your “Edit:” you explained that the DIP switches page is incorrect, not what I was saying. I'm tired too! Anyway, I didn’t even mentioned the DIP switches or group to models relation, I was just enumerating the display groups.

So, to conclude: on the DIP switches pages the “16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/EEBR” text must be switched with the “16.4/Full-HD_HDAR/HC_SlimAdobe_BP” text.

 

You are right jpride. So we need someone to take his notebook with i5 CPU apart, and check if the fan on that thermal unit is the same as the one from the i7 CPU’s thermal unit. Any volunteers ?

 

NVIDIA DRIVERS 270.51 BETA

Installed and currently no issues.