Official Sony VAIO TT Series Owners Thread

Well, I got my Intel X18-m and it turns out the one I got (from NCIX) is the OEM version, with no mounting bracket. It's a tiny credit-card sized thing with no holes for screws. Trying to decide if I should send it back, or if I can just secure it somehow with tape, or what... :-(

 

REALLY???
WOW!!
That sucks. Mine is on the way but I can't remember if it was OEM or not!
Once I get it I'll post about it. I feel I can engineer it in some way though!

 

Sorry man, I was the one that told you where to buy it... It seems like all the ones in stock anyplace are OEM (although I don't know that 100% for sure).

 

Dude, that is of little concern to me, at least someone had an answer as to where to buy it. I'll figure something out! I mean whatever has to happen has to happen to get it in there! I'll engineer something to get er done!

 

Maybe it'll be a non-issue once we actually open it up... (I'm crazy busy so it might be a week or two before I actually find the time to do it!)

 

Waht do you mean by "open up"
The drive? The box that that was sent to you with the drive (OEM packaging)?
Sorry I ask too many questions!

 

No, I meant the TT!

 

Gotcha! You must have a heavy schedule!
It is funny, because I can't work on it for about the same time frame........because I am waiting on that ribbon cable!

 

Yeah... it's not just the install of the SSD, it's the fact that I'll have to do an install of Windows 7 & all my programs at the same time, so I figure it'll be a full day job (I'm still on Vista, so I can't just clone the drive... plus I'd have to try to dig up a microsata enclosure if I wanted to do that, anyway...)

 

GOT MY 2 CABLES IN TODAY!
GO SONY PARTS!!!!
I am wating on my 160GB drive from NCIXUS now though.
As soon as it comes I can rip another cables.......er.........I mean I can start putting the laptop back in one piece and enjoy it again!!!
Wish me luck everyone.
PS I bought 2 cabels just in case anything goes wrong!

 

I got mine in!! In the process of installing Windows 7 now. First noticeable change is that the Vaio is now dead silent!

I found that the only hard part was getting the keyboard off -- especially the part near the screen hinge. Aside for that it was straightforward (thanks to your warning about the ribbon cable, guyyyy). The X18-m fits in nicely, there's rubber drive holders that keep it in place.

 

Grrr.. now I can't get all the drivers to work. I followed the instructions and for whatever reason most of the stuff (function keys, special buttons, ethernet on my docking station) don't work...

On the bright side, between the SSD, upgrade to 4GB RAM and Windows 7, this feels like a totally new machine! Way more responsive, & definitely worth the cost (assuming I can find the right drivers and get everything to work as it's supposed to).

Update: I think I got mostly everything to work. Seems that some of the necessary drivers were missing from the Vaio TT190 page (like audio and memory stick). Windows update got a couple of them for me, and I got the rest from here: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ890G

 

Dropped it

The really strange thing is Sony is buying out my service contract because they can't find the parts to fix it. They're giving me nearly 100% of my money back.
I find this VERY suspicious. I've been buying small laptops from then since 2002 and they've never been the least bit generous

 

At the risk of repeating myself, I can't believe how much difference 4GB ram + Windows 7 + an SSD make, now that I've been using it for a couple more days. Anyone with a TT should make these upgrades ASAP.

I haven't quantified it, but almost everything - web browsing, installing programs, wake/sleep - feels WAY faster, maybe 30-40% overall.

I also can't believe that I have 115GB space left after installing MS Office, Windows 7 pro, VMware and some other apps. I guess I might have been able to get away with the 80gb X18-m.

 

Do any of the mobile network providers in the UK sell a SIM only that i can use for the 3G built in modem in my TT? I do not wish to go on a contract with the T-mobile sim provided.

I understand that the computer is not locked, but the only one that i have found is 3G, but you can only use the sim with their dongle.

 

Ian22, I have a 3g dongle with a sim inside and i just took the sim out to use in my laptop.
I've also bought 3 data 3G sims of ebay and just topped up on PAYG.
I bought one of this seller recently. Very good deal it was to as it comes with 3 months of free credit.
You might want to check if they sell others for other providers as well if you don't use 3.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300392867746&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Mr T, it's good to read that your upgrades went well.

 

Thanks for the information. Is the sim shown in the ebay link the same as what 3 provide in their dongle?

Based on that if i take the sim out of a 3 dongle or a BT dongle and put it into the internal slot than it will work?

I think i tried that once with 3 and it didn't. Prehaps i didn't download the generic software.

 

I used the one that i bought recently in my nieces laptop in the sim card slot and registered it online to confirm that all was ok.
Yes perhaps you didn't install the correct software.

I took my sim out of my BT dongle and use it in the internal slot and have no issues so yes it should work. You just need to find out the manual login details that you'll need.

Edited to add:
The 3 one came on a card and not just a sim on its own. I would tend to think that if you bought this with a dongle that it wouldn't have this. You might want to email them any questions if you have any concerns.

 

Hi everyone!

I have read through hte Forum a few times and I remember a guy named netcop or nectop or something like that.

He added 8GB RAM to his machine and it was recognized in the BIOS. I never checked after I installed mine, but I now see in Windows 64 bit I get a regiser of only 2GB and it says the same in the BIOS, does anyone have an idea as to why it is like this?

Please help me. Is there a BIOS update that fixes it or is there another problem?

Thanks!

 

Guyyy -- can't help since 1) i only have 4GB and 2) i'm on 32bit W7. No problems with my config however.

Hope you figure it out as i would like to upgrade to 8GB and 64bit at some point.

I'm guessing you got your keyboard ribbon back on and everything's OK as far as that goes??

 

YES! I got the ribbon cables in a few days ago, and I wanted to wait on mySSD (160GB Intel G2), but I couldn't wait so I fixed it now. Works like a charm, although now I have new questions for when I actually DO get my drive. I work in a computer shop with a duplicator. I want to use it to duplicate from my HDD to my SSD by cloning it, but I have never used an SSD before.

Everything is good just waiting for my SSD!

I may need to flash the BIOS or something like that!

 

I know you have a license, and I just bought this over again to use my licccenseee, I can send it to you if you like, let me know..................

 

Yes, try upgrading your BIOS guyyyy and then give it a go, good luck.

 

Sadly I ahve tried several, even the Z model and none have done it for me.
Although I have contacted NECTOP and he gave me some advice.
I am looking at getting his BIOS from his model.
If that doesn't do it, then it is simply a matter of hardware. I like this little TT, so if I can, I may get one of those new nifty Japanese MB if I have to and see if Computerupgradeking can hook me up in that department!
Well, I'll keep ya'll posted for anyone who is interested.

 

Hey guys I have a TT93 with Windows 7 installed, everything seems fine EXCEPT for two things the first is minor but my bluetooth will not under any circumstances connect to m iPhone? It's driving me nuts, anyone have a similar issue?

The second is REALLY upsetting me. My SD card reader will not work at all. The blinking status light will not flash when I pop in an SD card and when I check the SD device in the device manager I see "This device cannot start. (Code 10)" under the status and I have tried everything from disabling and enabling the device, trying to update it, and uninstalling and the rebooting and trying the reinstall the driver (which it automatically tries to do and then says something about "sda standard compliant sd host controller" failing to install, which leads me to believe its a software issue but the status light not blinking when I attempt to put an SD card in makes me think the hardware has failed? Any help would really be greatly appreciated, I am fairly commputer literate but most of you are much more savvy than I so I figued I'd give it a shot. Many thanks

 

Dunno about the bluetooth issue, but for the SD card, maybe try using the Windows 7 driver from the VGNZ890G sony support page? (that's where I got it for my TT, and it works fine)

 

hey guyyy,
have you tried putting in 4gb to see if it recognizes 4gb? how about 6gb? just to check that your ram chips are good...
just an idea...

 

6GB Yes, 4 No. When using just 6GB it shows 3GB in the BIOS and in Windows Systems Properties.

Right now, it shows 2GB in both sections.

Oh well, gotta fight and research on this one.................Alienware M11x is on the way!!

 

Hope things with the SSD and memory upgrade will do fine (both options are allright as far as I can conclude from my System Diagnose Program!), as also I am going to install 8 GB and 160 GB SSD (Intel X18). I own a TT36GD, bought in Hongkong. I am very pleased with this little marvel.

 

RenFra I've got that model a TT36GD. If you haven't done so you may want to think about going one step further and adding WWAN and a HDMI port to your notebook. I've done this (well i got someone else to do it for me, i wasn't comfortable with opening this notebook up just yet) and it works perfectly. You need to replace the dial up modem which the HDMI port.
I've got no need for 8GB of ram but what does interest me may be down the line is getting a bluray drive.

 

The blu-ray drive is awesome! I have watched a few movies on it with the HDMI out. Looks fantastic. I am still in much search of a BIOS or memory stick that is going to give me my 8GB of RAM to show up in the BIOS and Windows system properties. Is there a "cradle" where a hdd or ssd could be housed for sale somewhere? Like I could swap out my blu-ray drive and use the space for that cradle and the drive or drives in it? I know some TT's came this way, and I have a HUGE interest in getting one of these cradles, to be able to switch back and forth between disc space and removeable storage. Anyone know? I got my drive in today, now I am just waiting on the Micro sata to regular sata adapters I ordered to get in, I need these to clone my drive properly.
I really wish I could get this whole 8GB RAM deal worked out, as I don't want to sell this little guy. I don't need 8GB, but I am just so darn stubborn!

BY THE WAY......NCIX is the way to go if you are in the US or Canada. It got here pretty quick!!

A guy named nectop emailed me back and said he got the latest BIOS driver from a place called vaio-club.com, this won't even come up when typed in, any ideas?
Thanks!

 

May be try vaio link
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/downloads/preinstalled/index.aspx?l=en_GB&m=VGN-TT4

As for using a 2.5 in the optical bay. Yes, you can do that as some models came with this. However, i'm not sure about the part numbers. A model like this was offered in the US for a short time. If you can find out what the model number was well i'm sure you know the rest lol.

Edited to add:
Club Vaio is the official Sony support pages for EU owners. It comprises mainly just a support forum but you don't really get drivers from there, you get those from Vaio Link. Also, what BIOS version is it that you're looking for?

 

I'm considering buying a TT and I have a couple of doubts (no luck searching for the answers).

First, does anyone know the difference between the Japanese TT93 and the US TT290 versions? From the specs, they look the same considering that I need 4GB RAM and I want to replace the SSD with Intel X18-M.

The specs for the TT93 are at the conics website.
The specs for the TT290 are at the Sony USA Business website (I am able to order there through my company):
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-TT290YBB

Are there any differences in design/weight/screen quality/etc? It seems like the 290 has been around for a while, while TT93 is just being released these days, so something's got to be different, right? If there are no differences, I'd definitely go for the US version since that is cheaper with the same options and I won't be paying import fees. And, of course, I'd get full US warranty.

And second, has anyone bought their Intel X-18M from here and can confirm that it's the right one?
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/de...Drive - solid state drive_INT-SSDSA1MH160G201

 

If I am not mistaken the key difference the to the TT93 offers is official support for 8gb of ram. Unless there is something else and someone wants to correct me.

 

Also, I just realized that only the TT93 officially has Win7. Didn't even think that they'd be selling new models with Vista installed. So seems like RAM and OS are the main differences, plus some better storage options.

Going back to the SSD issue, I also realized that since both of these models use RAID, the Intel X-18M probably wouldn't work and I'd need two slim uSATA drives such as Samsung ones. 128GB is too little for me, and even 160GB is close to my current limit, ideally I'd need 256GB.
Or maybe it's possible to replace the RAID connector with a regular one and put the X-18M in there?

Has anyone actually ordered the TT93 from conics? The page hasn't been updated in a while and I'm not sure if it's still a pre-order or not.

 

How did you manage that: WWAN and HDMI?

I've placed anIntel X18 SSD into the TT36 and it works really fast and smooth. Startup from Vaio-logo onto Win 7 desktop: 23 secs.

 

I did on the 5th of February. I am currently waiting for the item to be shipped.
So far the people at Conics have been very helpful and responsive.

 

These parts do come up on ebay very rarely. The WWAN is an IFX-517 and you would need the antenna, and cable as well and mini pci card.
Vaiorefurbs has sold a few of these on ebay. I didn't get mine from ebay though. I couldn't wait in the hopes for one to come up. I had this done in about October and since then none have turned up on ebay. I paid to get a new one from Sony in the UK so it came with a sim card slot. If i would have ordered from the US i would have had to have had a sim slot soldered on which is a bit of bother.
You would need a contact to order these parts from Sony in the EU as they won't just sell them to you. You could ask Vaiorefurbs to possibly assist and see if he can help you buy them brand new in the EU.
I paid about £75 for this part brand new without the wwan module. I also bought a GTM382E on ebay for about £45. I also bought the TT antenna from him.

I bought the HDMI part of ebay. I have only seen two ever sold on there. Again may be contact Vaiorefurbs and see if he can help you.
The part number is
CNX-418 A-1599-655-A but i'm not sure if this includes the cable as well.

I sent my laptop to vaiorefurbs to upgrade for me. He is a nice guy and has done other upgrades for me. To fit my SSD and install my OS, fix the antenna in the bezel add wwan and test and fit my HDMI port it cost me £80 which is not bad at all. If you get less done it should be cheaper.
Contact him anyhow if you want to know more info about the parts needed.

Everything works though perfectly.

 

I'm just looking for a viable solution to get the 8GB of RAM to show up in that BIOS and Windows System Properties. I think I have come down to what the problem is and how to fix it. I have a pair of G-Skill 8GB DDR3 PC38500 1066MHz sticks. NECTOP sent me a few ebay auctions with the type of memory he installed, although he may have a different BIOS then me. He definately has a different TT model. So the memory he sent to pick up is the same type, but a different brand (samsung).

I got my adapters to convert micro SATA to SATA, so I can use NORTON Ghost to clone my HDD to my SSD.

We'll see how all this goes tommorow.

 

That's good to know. Did they tell you if it's still on pre-order or are you just waiting for it to be built and delivered?


I can't decide if I should go for this TT or for the new Z. I definitely prefer the size of the TT and the battery life and since I do some traveling, that makes a big difference. But the then the processor/graphics of the Z are just so much better. With the awful integrated graphics, you can't even do occasional gaming. Last time I tried running some 10 year old games at full resolution on a Core 2 Duo SU9600, it was unplayable and much worse than my 4-5 year old Vaio S360 with a discrete 32MB Radeon. Though I'm not an avid gamer, sometimes I can't believe Intel's integrated graphics are so far behind.

 

You said it yourself, you are just an ocasional gamer. What I did is, I have a TT290NBX, and I pre-ordered the Alienware M11x. This way I know I always have the best of both worlds. And they both conveniently fit in a 15" or 17" back pack plus all accesories!

Just think about that one.
I didn't go with the Z, because I have this thing for the 11 inch screens.
11.6 Alienware and 11.1 on the Vaio TT.

Good luck on your decision!

 

Well if you do occasional gaming you could always pair the TT to one of those DIY Express card VIDock setup, where you hook up a supported desktop gpu to boost graphics on your machine. There is a whole thread about it in the hardware section about it

 

Yes. I was told that they do not have stock so Conics must order it from Sony.
I am not a gamer so the TT's graphic performance should be OK for me.
The size compared to the Z make a lot of difference when you carry the computer every day and thanks to the battery life I think I will not have to carry the AC adapter. When traveling by plane the size matters too.

 

That won't work for me, I couldn't take all of that with me when traveling and I don't use an external monitor, but thanks for the suggestion.


I just found something that might make my decision much easier. Check the conics page for the TT93. It says that the new model is coming out soon, possibly with LV or ULV i5 / i7. If that is the case and if the wait isn't too long, I think that would be my perfect laptop. The new integrated graphics might even run Quake 1, hehe. I'm just a little worried about buying a laptop with a 2 year old processor at this point. Even if it's good enough for today, I'm not so sure that'll be the case in 1 year.

 

That's very interesting about Conics the-Orb.
It would be good if Sony could continue with this line.
I use the TT as a second computer so i'm sure in a year or even a couple of years time it will still be ok for my needs.
I've been keeping an eye on the JP website and i think that the TT is still being sold.
http://www.jp.sonystyle.com/Product/Vaio/T/tt93hs_gs_fs.html?view=biz
The high end model right now is not available to order in the EU. I think the SU9600 is meant to be being phased out.

The TT as it is right now is weirdly postioned between the X and the Z and it wouldn't surprise me if Sony discontinued it.

I'm looking to buy a white leather case for my TT, if anyone sees a Sony one going relatively cheap do let me know.
I just bought a spare new battery of ebay for just under £100 with shipping, not bad and i really need it with the holidays coming up.

It is interesting to see what Sony will do. The Fujistu P770 is interesting as well.

 

Better driver for Alps touchpad
-----------------------------

Vaio TT-180C
Alps Touchpad, device ID *SNY9001/*PNP0F13
Vista 32bit
original Alps driver 7.0.501.11

I just tried the more recent driver from Alps offered by Toshiba,
v 7.5.303.117, available at
http://support1.toshiba-tro.de/tedd-files2/0/tpdrv-20091015152335.zip

It is more configurable and scrolling precision is *much* improved.
Day and night difference.

Uninstalled current Alps driver from Control Panel.
Deleted residual references to "Apoint" from the registry.
Restarted computer, which now loaded default Microsoft mouse driver for PS/2 pointing device.
The Toshiba file auto-unpacked to a temporary directory.
In the temporary directory, fired up Setup.exe
Shut down and restarted.
Configured settings from Control Panel -> Mouse

 

I got my Drive in FINALLY!
I tried ghost with an adapter (SATA to Micro SATA) and using an external enclosure. That didn't work at all. it tried, but just didn't in every single situation. So I tried again the next day making an image with Windows backup and Restore. It looked to have gone really well, but then it would not load the image created on a WD external 1TB Passport drive.

Then I finally said well, I guess I have to put a fresh intall on this thing. So I did and it installed. The only problem was for about 5 min it was stuck at 0% but then loaded up in about 10min!

I wasn'r happy with this, because I wanted my EXACT image back from the old 250 HDD I had. So I tried Ghost one more time. I made an image on my external Passport drive and it took like an hour and 45min.
Then I tried to load it to the new SSD and that took another hour and 45.
It took a while but everything restored GREAT!

I turned on my Blue Tooth Logitec DiNovo Mouse/Track pad andit was already connected, just like on the last drive AWESOME!

Now I have to find the right memory to show up as 8GB, but I am talking to computerupgradeking about it now. We will see, Nectop was of some help, so that is another route.

Hopefully everything turns out TIP TOP!

 

Rachel: another question. You own also a Vaio VGN-TT36GD from Hongkong or thereabout. How do you manage to automatically update drivers etc. from the Sony site. This 36GD model is not sold in Europe, so the Vaio update program version 5 returns the answer that it could not find the right information. I guess the Vaio type data is written somewhere in a file.
In fact I do not need the automatic update program as I could find out myself if more recent updates are visible on the Asia site, but it is much more comfortable to have it done automatically.

 

RenFra, i haven't installed Vaio automatic updates. I have no need for it. In fact i disable all automatic updates as i find them to be a nuisance. Also, a lot of the extra Sony programs i don't need them.
I installed W7 from a retail disc and installed my drivers using the Vaio EU TT4 drivers and that was it.

Edited to add:
I just quickly tried this and had no problems getting it to work using the TT4 V5 update software. It directs me to Sony Asia.com which is no good for me as some of the drivers may not include the HDMI software and may not show up in my control centre. I'll remove it now.

 

the-orb: I finally received my TT from Conics. The delivery time was as advertized but it feels always too long.
I recommend Conics.

So, I am an happy owner of a TT93 with 4Gb RAM, 1.4Ghz Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor a 2x64Gb SSD and a 500Gb HD. I choosed the cosmos blue model which is quite different from some pictures I saw on the net. It is darker, almost purple. Very nice.

Now, I have been using exclusively Linux for the past 10 years or more. I will try to use Windows 7 this time. I consider myself a complete newbie with respect to Windows. I would like install stuff on this computer so that the essential is on the SSD. I would like to be able to disable the HD for situations where I need extra long battery life and put less important stuff on the HD. Any advice from experimented users in order to optimize my config is welcome.

Does anyone knows if it is possible to edit the keymap in windows ? There is one key a would like to redefine.