Official Sony VAIO TT Series Owners Thread

been lookin around and noticed a few owners having 8GB Ram TT's, just need to know I'm running Win 7 Ulti 64b with all drivers and updated bios, do I need anything else to run 8GB ram? Thanks

 

hey everybody!

just picked up on a thai model vaio TT. its got their foreign keyboard and all lol.

I was originally looking for a TZ to replace my aging TX, but got a really good deal on this one. it wasn't perfect, and needs a couple parts (hinge, cd-drive door)

any places besides ebay to pick these up? any other forum members? i may just sell it... i desperately want to dual boot OSX/WIN on the TZ, but love the ability to go to 8gb RAM....

what do you guys think?

 

We can't really discuss running OSX on non Apple hardware in this forum.
However, aside from Ebay and other members purchasing the spare parts direct from Sony or another company is really your only bet.
In my post here if you download the copy.txt you can match it up to the parts you need in the images.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6878970-post1811.html

Those parts you listed are not that expensive.
https://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ecom/accessories/web/index.jsp

I would not purchase a laptop with the TZ specs now. In fact even the TT at this point is pushing it with the 4500HD and ULV SU9300 being just about acceptable for HD.

 

My TT180c is now ready for upgrade to SSD. I have questions for those who did the upgrade.

1. I am thinking of buying
OCZ Vertex 2 Extended 180GB 2.5IN SATA2 Sandforce SF1200 Solid State Disk Flash Drive

I understand running TRIM is important, and Win7 can run TRIM. But, I plan to keep Vista (do not want to pay Bill). Can Vista run TRIM.

2. Is there enough room to put in the SSD and keep the original HDD as well? If so, what do I need to buy (cables, brackets, etc). If not, can I just swap out the HDD, and do I need to buy cables, connectors, brackets, etc.

I do have the links to the Japanese sites to open up the TT:
http://kunkoku.livedoor.biz/archives/51485813.html
is one of them. Is there other sites that you used?

Tx

 

2: I don't think that's a good idea to use an SSD and then put them into RAID with a mechanical 5400rpm. I suppose you could have the drives in JBOD, basically as two seperate drives and then install the OS to your SSD and have that as your main drive and then the other drive as just storage. I tried this and my computer wasn't that stable. My computer was locking up and didn't want to turn on.

You will have problems getting the drives to fit. The mechanical drive is bigger than the SSD. See what problems the OP had here getting two SSD's to fit. I suppose you could remove the casing of the SSD but then you might void your warranty of your drive.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5366264-post1.html
If you want to go the RAID route you need an FPC-167. The RAID bracket is intended for the G1 Samsung drive-the bracket has holes that can be aligned to the drive and then secured by screws. Your drive won't have this but it can give it some support but it's not ideal. I suppose you could use some form of tape.

If you want to just use the SSD on it's own you don't need to buy anything else.

In regards to your question about TRIM you might want to try posting in this thread if you don't get an answer to that question here.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...ssd-thread-benchmarks-brands-news-advice.html

I used the guide that you linked to upgrade my SSD and had no problems. Just remember to remove the remove the expresscard slot screw and also to remove the top case by pressing on two tabs on the furthest side of the battery compartment.

 

Thanks Rachel. I'll just use the SSD on its own.

 

Rachel: after reading the link on the Raid SSD. The OP was using 1.8" SSD's. The one I have in mind says 2.5". Would it work or do I have to look for 1.8" SSD?

 

The 2.5 will only work if you plan to remove the dvd drive, do you have that in mind if so you need different parts.

 

For an in place replacement you need an 1,8 inch drive with a msata interface. I did the switch myself a couple of weeks ago. Replaced my 120Gb HDD with a 128Gb Kingston SSD (Kingston SSDNow V+180 SVP180S2/128G 128GB)

Windows Vista & XP don't have Trim built in the OS. Intel and OCZ have programs that mimic trim but you have to run them. It's not automatic as in Windows 7 with the correct sata controller driver.

 

Thanks falcon and Rachel. I am clear now.

falcon: thanks for the info. I'll have to wait for something like that on sale. So, will delay it a bit. Do all 1.8" come with msata interface?

I also understand that for TRIM to work I need set AHCI instead of IDE in BIOS, but not sure if Sony TT BIOS can let me set it?

 

I think the default is AHCI. Didn't change anything in the bios and the loaded sata driver is AHCI. TRIM is enabled and active with my drive. You can check if TRIM is enabled in Windows 7 with the following command. It doesn't say if the drive supports TRIM but only if it's active in Windows 7. A non trim ssd can give a positive result.

You can check if TRIM is enabled by accessing the Command Promt (running as Administrator); then go to C:\Windows\system32 and enter:

> fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify

The result will be one of the following:-

DisableDeleteNotify = 1 (Windows TRIM commands are disabled)
DisableDeleteNotify = 0 (Windows TRIM commands are enabled)

Don't know for sure if all 1,8 inch drives have the msata interface. I think so due too size issues but it should be on the specs page for the drive you're intrested in.

 

Falcon: thanks for your explanation. I'll wait till end of spring to see if price will come down a bit.

 

vista has no trim

7, one of the linux and osx lion have trim

 

I am now dual boot vista/linux debian squeeze, and I understand squeeze can do TRIM. Can I partition the SSD as I have in the HDD, run squeeze and let it run TRIM? Squeeze can access vista nfs file system.

 

@TZ300 : invest on Win7 x64 , it's really , really better than vista

 

I've been having a problem turning my laptop on. It stopped for some time when i opened my laptop and removed/reconnected the cmos battery and it's been good for the most part for a while. Since last week it has started again. I need to apply a bit of pressure to turn the laptop on.

I opened my laptop yesterday and tried doing that again what i did before to cmos battery. It worked the first couple of times i put my laptop on then it went back to being problematic.
It all seem to start around the same time i had the thermal paste changed.
Well, i've purchased a new cmos battery-i'm not sure how long these things are supposed to last. It was out of stock with Sony parts store so i had to purchase it from sparepartswarehouse.
1-756-820-11 - Sony Laptop Batteries Backup RTC

I'm getting it shipped to a friend in the US and they will ship it onto me.

I'm not positive what could be causing this but i'll start there. My TT is a little unreliable like this especially for travelling overseas. If this doesn't work then i'll look again and start doing a process of elimination/swap those parts.

Edited to add:

In the past I have tried the remove battery, power supply and press on the power buttons for about 45secs to reset the cmos battery. It's never worked for me before but i tried it just now when i was powered on and it seems to be good for now, let's see how long it lasts. This laptop is about 18 months old and i've not been getting any other symptoms of CMOS battery faliure like date and time settings being lost and my settings in my BIOS getting wiped. This is a little odd and i've read that these batteries normally last from 3-4 years.

 

I have a Toshiba laptop which was from 1997 and a Dell laptop from 2002. Never had problem with the cmos battery. Maybe something is loose inside?

 

Thanks TZ300, it's quite strange. I'm not sure what is causing this. It has been ok since yesterday since did the 45secs reset thing. It doesn't seem like a serious problem as i can use it ok and even still power on (but just have to use more pressure) when this happens.
I've changed my page filing size for my ram quite a while ago but i don't think it's that. I've just today set it back to its default size.
My order from sparepartswarehouse has been declined. I tried to get it shipped to a friend as their prices for international shipping is too high in my opinion. So it seems that i'm not going to get the part now anyway.

I usually order through Sony parts and have no problems using my international visa card and getting my stuff shipped to my friend in the US and using their address as my billing/shipping address.

 

Hear hear! US$35 to get a piece of metal (SSD holder / RAID cable), the entire shipping size no bigger than a wallet shipped to my door. I would understand if the order is about the size of a text book and just as heavy. But heck... Ridiculous!
Though odd that the order was declined. I was so close to using their services via a US-resident relative of mine...

Anyways, you say your power issue started happening around the time when you changed the thermal paste? And this was your first change of paste? If that's the case, have you checked your fan connections? Might be a bit of dust or something between the connectors (hence why sometimes you require some pressure to start her up).

Though don't check for that now. Wait and see if your TT refuses to start again, THEN go check the connections out. From what you've mentioned, if there is absolutely no power at all despite you trying to start the machine up, there is a bad, key power-connection (ie, dust as above is a possibility). I would be hesistant on saying it's a piece of hardware gradually going belly-up on you as you're having random success at getting the machine going.

Anyways, if it stops again, key points to check are the inter-board connections (ie, the connection points of cables connecting the numerous boards together), power button switch connector, and depending on where you need to apply your pressure, right there.

If anything, the few times I got my machine back from service they reset my BIOS once or twice. Most recently, the clock was set all the way back to 2000 and my BIOS settings were reset. Though they were replacing the fan on my Z so I guess that was neccessary. Never had the CMOS battery die on me in a laptop, but once on a desktop; nothing wrong with that, just couldn't keep the time and the OS sometimes threw up non-genuine messages, even though it was (genuine).

EDIT. Come to think of it, my Z threw up a non-genuine message once. It's geniune, MSDNAA license for W7 Pro x64. I clicked ok, and all was well. Restarted and couldn't get it to reappear, and haven't been able to since. I was powering the machine on from battery, was in another country, and was in a hurry at the time. The unreliability; coincidence to Rachel maybe?

 

^
Thanks for the tip 5ushimonster

......
So, it happened to me yesterday night again having problems powering on. Like i said it does eventually power on after applying pressure but not instantly like before.
This is highly annoying. So i dismantled my TT again and did everything that 5ushimonster recommended. I checked the fan and that was ok and i checked the power cable. I also made sure that all the other connectors that could somehow be connected to this was ok.
But, i had a bit of a mishap. I removed the FPC that connects the BIOS battery and the clip came of that secures it. I tried to put it back and it snapped in half. Now i'm just using tape to secure it and i doubt it will ever come of if i don't remove it but it's not ideal.

I've seen a few TT's on ebay with defunct power buttons. May be others have had this problem as well. I'm kind of glad that Sony has moved away from this power button design now.
Anyway, i've contacted some sellers on ebay and will contact some more to see if i can buy the clip that i need.

I still doubt that what i've done has resolved this. I hope its not on the way out. If i have anymore problems if i can get the clip i will put it back of course and then just send it in to Sony.

Edited to add:
I've just purchased a dead motherboard of ebay for £20. I could try replacing the FPC-145 which connects the palmrest to the motherboard but it was replaced by Sony less than a year ago as was the power button part. I might try that though and getting a new CMOS battery before giving up and sending it to Sony.

.........
May be some progress lol, i've just dismantled my TT again because i had a clip here from another board which i wanted to try. Also, i wasn't happy using the tape i was using. I thought it might give me a lot of problems removing it down the line so it was best to remove it now. Anyway, i had a look at the power cable again, i pulled it right out and that's the only thing i see that could be possibly suspect. It looks like it has a little bit of wear and i have no idea how that could have happened.
Just buying random parts i felt like amounts to not much more than the needle in the haystick analogy.

It does though look very difficult to completely remove it.

 

Sorry to hear that the clip gave way, especially considering you were taking my advice in regards to the cable / dust possibility >_<*

That clip; so it's broken away from the actual 'clamp'? Those are extremely fiddly being thin pieces of plastic and all. Though I would assume you would be able to squeeze the thing in and out with careful effort. Though such clamps are usually made as 'one design'; they're not actually supposed to come away from the clamp in the first place. Though that's not to say removing / replacing the clip isn't possible. It may be difficult as you say, but it's certainly worth a try.

Also, tape is indeed NOT a good option to use in the long term, as if you do move the lappie while it's on there is that tendency of the flex cable to come loose. Not as effective as actual (friction) clamps, and after a while plus a bit of heat the adhesive might start trickling around...

It's interesting that you say your power button shows 'a little bit of wear'. And as you say, power-button issue seems to be decently documented issue with the barrel designs (did a google search and saw a few issues with the FW and SR). I would now 'carefully' suggest the power button itself be replaced (with its respective cable).

I wouldn't waste much time on the CMOS battery. It (from my experience) isn't something that will prevent a machine from powering on. But anything is better than sending it to Sony. If the CMOS battery replacement is your last resort before the service centre, go for it (battery replacement).

Keep us posted. Most interested in the clamp / clip issue as a fellow modder...

Also, where do you have to apply the pressure to get the TT to power up? Near the CPU or the power button itself?

 

Thanks again 5ushimonster.
The clamp is broken in half and is completely detached from the laptop now. It's now sitting on my computer desk.
The faulty mobo was £20 so this is easily fixable. That clamp must have been open and shut a few times and may be just gave out, it's pretty weak compared to some others i've seen.

It's not the actual power button that has got a little bit of wear but the actual cable itself, this part.
SONY VAIO VGN-TT11N POWER BUTTON BOARD & CABLE on eBay (end time 10-Mar-11 17:26:47 GMT)
I've got the service manual but am having a bit of difficulty finding out the part number for it. I'm just planning on purchasing this from Sony for now.

I want to get some tape the type that Sony uses it's like black and almost made out of material and it's also resuable. It must be the same for your model. Do you have any idea what the name of this type of tape is that they use to tape down FPC connectors?

I need to apply pressure on the actual power button.

I think you know as well before i've had problems with my RAID taking out my keyboard and burning a whole in my keyboard connector. May be it's about time i really invested in a surge protector.

 

Ah. Seems like I misunderstood the question a bit.

If you're talking about the black matt adhesive (see attachment), I'd like to know as well...

(credits to a Mr Dmitry Silaev for the photo, Sony for manual).

I tried a quick search on ServicePlus US (where you get the parts from in the States for Sony machines), and see a few 'plastic sheet w/adhesive'. Part no.s :
410407921
410408251
410408261
410408241
410408281
411580101*

The above are $5.65, with the * being $2.25. And I ain't even sure if that's the right stuff without pictures... You could try buying the more expensive one, which I would assume is the more larger one. And maybe cut that to size?

Not too sure if they're resuable, being adhesives and all. The service manual for the Z don't mention anything about reusing them, as attached. The manuals seem only to say what adhesives are NON-resuable (thermal ones from the CPU for example), so I think you're safe to assume they are multi-time-use stickers.

And in regards to the button. If a surge is causing problems, I'm not too sure if the button is the part to blame. Though that's a worst-case scenario (something in the mobo). Source a cheap button anyways and see how it goes.

As you say, surge protectors make a decent investment indeed. Nothing too expensive, a basic US$15 here in New Zealand saved my backside a few times over the 10 years I've owned it. And it's still working~

 

Thanks again 5ushimonster. I was trying to buy just a pack of the tape on ebay or from another retailer. Sony charge like $5 for one little bit of tape. I don't mean that tape, although the TT also probably uses that tape elsewhere.
I don't know if you can see clearly in this picture but it's the tape used near the fan and on some other FPC connectors.
I looked at Kapton tape but that's not it.


-picture taken from this thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...upgrade-crappy-slow-hdd-rocking-fast-ssd.html

They're reusable up to a certain extent. I've reused them quite a bit and borrowed some for other parts lol when those became unusable so i wanted to get some new ones. It seems to be the best stuff to use so am trying to get hold of it. Surely it must have a common name which it is sold under? If worse comes to worse i will pay Sony $10 for 2 small bits of tape.

 

I see. It's the tape with the fabric-texture on the non-adhesive side. Well... I've never seen such variants on sale in consumer-level stores.

Something like this I think (though supposed to be used for something completely different...)
Black Cloth Ice Hockey Tape 12 Rolls-1"X20 yds per roll - eBay (item 350440876798 end time Feb-20-11 15:00:42 PST)

Search for 'cloth tape' on ebay and you get stuff like above, including various assortments of sewing enthusiast products...

EDIT - Just checked the price of that 'hockey' tape and it does seem to be extremely expensive. Some cheaper alternatives. I might even consider stocking up on one for some other use around the house...
http://cgi.ebay.com/3m-Scotch-Black...927?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4156a4d7a7
...or...
http://cgi.ebay.com/HOCKEY-1-X-60yd...578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25616a16e2

ANOTHER EDIT - On hindsight, these tapes are designed for more practical outdoor uses. Not too sure if these are suitable in electrical applications? Fire hazard might be a possibility being cloth and all...? Though looking at the current requirement, adhesive-wise these may have less sticky paste than electrical insulation tape (which may start oozing after a while in higher temps).

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks 5ushimonster, that's really helpful. I did all different type of searches but never thought to search for cloth tape.

 

Hello,
after installation of an Intel SSD (160GB) and new install of Win 7 Prof 64bit from the upgrade kit I see that the supplement disc of the Windows 7 Upgrade kit will not install as it sees that the original drive (250 GB) is not present. Is there a workaround?

 

May be you could download W7 and try using your COA. It might work when you try and activate it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

 

Hi Rachel,
I have no trouble in installing the Win 7 Prof as it is a clean install from the Vaio Upgrade Kit and not an upgrade; it simply accepts that. The Supplement Disc however detects a strange partition information (of course!) and asks to restore everything to the factory default settings. So we have to mislead it to think everything is all right.
Any ideas?

 

Renfra i tried the supplement disc and it won't run for me either. I get an error message come up about my C drive as i've deleted my partition. I'm instructed to restore my partition as i've deleted it. I've also changed my HD to an SSD.
I though opened the files to browse them and i think your best bet is to extract the files that you need. People have done that in this thread.
You may find this thread helpful.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/121966-extract-software-new-sony-format-image-3.html

 

Hi Rachel, I think this is the reply I was waiting for. This forum has hundreds of posts in which it is not easy to find the right answer or solution. Even a find-option does not yield always the right place. I remember to have read the thread you are referring to. I hope this will help...

 

I got the faulty motherboard yesterday and used the clip for my TT. It has all gone ok. I also looked at the power cord again. I've purchased the power cord from Sony but i'm hoping that i won't get this problem again. If i do i will always have the parts to hand.

 

Thank you for the tip. I have worked (tediously...) with the Imagex-program and it does it's job very well. First transforming the MOD-files into WIM's and then extracting these to operational files with an install or setup. The supplement-disc now is readable and usable.

 

So, Rachel, did you finally managed to solve your TT problem?

 

zero endorphine, i guess time will show me if this problem has been fixed or not. Like i wrote before sometimes things have seemed to been resolved then after some time a few months it can start up again. For now it seems ok.
I had a look the other day again at the power cable and it doesn't seem as hard to replace it as i thought.

 

Glad to hear that it at least seems to be ok.

 

I am looking to replace a Sony Vaio TT, although I am not sure what with, as it seems Sony no longer make an 11.1 inch laptop? Does anyone know if Sony is planning to bring out another 11.1 inch laptop with similar specs to the TT?

 

vaio Ya and Yb 11.6 tho

 

Hi (Rachel)

where would the best place for me to buy the fpc raid cable for the TT

i have a normal TT11WN and would like to put in raid ssds.

thanks in advance

 

^
Sonyspareparts if you know someone who you can send it to in the US.

https://servicesales.sel.sony.com/ecom/accessories/web/index.jsp

You could also get it directly shipped from sparepartswarehouse.com

Other than that ebay is your best bet part nunmber- 1-857-159-11 or FPC-167.

There is a thread about this RAID upgrade also.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...py-slow-hdd-rocking-fast-ssd.html#post5366264

 

Hi Rachel: is there a converter to use so I can use a 2.5 inch SSD with SATA2 connector or it would not fit at all?

 

I'm trying to visualise how something like this would work-
1.8" Micro SATA HDD SSD to 2.5" SATA convertor adapter on eBay (end time 13-Mar-11 16:59:42 GMT)

or this-
Micro SATA 1.8 Inch to 2.5 Inch SATA Adapter on eBay (end time 31-Mar-11 06:55:00 BST)

I think that the 1.8 drives run at a lower V and may be it's not ideal to attempt this.

If you can visualise the above working may be buy it and try it. Do you have any 2.5"HD's you can try? I think you'll have a problem fitting it but may be you might have some luck if it was bare and you don't use the HD bracket but use tape to secure it instead.

Getting an FPC-168 or FPC-142 is the connectors Sony sell to do this mod. Like i mentioned before you would need to remove your dvd drive. Again you could try may be try getting a HD bay but then again you'd need to remove your optical drive.

 

Thanks. I do have a 2.5" SSD intended for my desktop. I might open up the TT and see what kind of space is in there.

 

@Rachel
Was researching / searching for some bits and bobs for my Z and came across this; might be what you are looking for.

Part no: 387550901, it's called "PRECUT NONWOVEN PAPER TAPE". Don't know why PAPER TAPE didn't spring to me head at first thought. But I'm very sure that's what you are after. Though again, the price is quite high at US$2.25.

BTW, not trying to jinx or anything but your TT is all good so far after your last repair?

 

Thanks 5ushiMonter, my TT is going ok.
I though have the parts which i bought. I have that part the pre-cut woven part and it is really something one might not want to bother with. It's the pinkish bag in the picture.
Some of the parts for the power cable are not listed in the service manual.
One would though need-
SW-Harness 1-966-365-11
COMPL_SWX-295 -A1599662A

Edited to add:
I changed the power cord today. My TT obviously started giving me problems again. Hopefully that's the end to my problem.

 

I have what seems like an easy question, but might not be. I want to purchase a new battery for a TT190. The 190 came out in the US 3 years ago. If a battery is new, but sits in someone's drawer for 3 years, then it really isn't new is it? Do unused batteries deteriorate from non-use? And should you still replace batteries every two years as in the old cranky laptop days?

 

A battery deteriorates all the time so it will do so in the conditions that you described especially if left and never charged in that time it's probably emptied by now and this could damage the battery cells. The best way to store a battery is to charge it to 40% and leave it in a cool place and charge it say every month. I have a spare Sony TT battery and this is how i've stored my spare battery although i've only been charging it about every 6 months but it's still ok. I just got it out of my drawer and it was at 40% and i must have stored it away at around 40- 50% so it hasn't degraded much.

My Sony SZ battery will be three years old in April and the battery still shows 0% wear. I wouldn't replace it-there is nothing wrong with it. For the last year or may be longer i've been using battery care and have my battery set at 50%. This way I am minimising the rate of deterioration. It's probably only had less than 40 cycles and that's not discharged to fully empty.
Btw, the first gen Sony TT's started shipping around October or may be November 2008.

 

Thanks for the information, Rachel. Helped me decide to wait.

 

Hello All,
my wife has a vgn-tt290 that needs the left/right plastic chrome outer hinge covers. One side surrounds the power switch and the other is on the opposite side. Can anyone help me source these parts or even the part numbers? It has been a great machine so far and would like to return it to like new condition.
thanks in advance

 

Here are the part numbers-
X-2318-649-2
ASSY DOOR ETHER HDMI/BSS [Black/Premium Carbon/Red]

X-2318-652-2
ASSY DOOR ETHER HDMI/NSS [Gold]

X-2320-798-1
ASSY DOOR ETHER HDMI/WSS [White]

TRIM VGA
4-000-570-01