Official Sony VAIO TT Series Owners Thread

Hi, I'm planning to replace the Optiarc AD-7910s DVD-writer in my TT with a second hard drive, and I'm not sure I understand the previous posts clearly. Why shouldn't my existing bezel work with the UJ862AS caddy or the Panasonic UJ220 caddy if I just need to cover the side of the notebook (nothing to worry about eject button not being aligned)? Aren't these drives the same in size and share the same type of connector and differ only in the faceplates/bezels used? Thanks.

UJ862AS
SATA 2ND Hard Drive caddy adapter replace UJ862AS DV21 | eBay

UJ220
Hard Drive Caddy Adapter Panasonic UJ220 Blu-Ray Drive | eBay

Optiarc AD-7910s
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

PS I managed to upgrade to 8GB RAM using A G.Skill F3-1066CL9D-8GBSQ

 

A more upscale(material wise), and thinner 11.6in and 13in Vaio Y, with maybe the optional GPU intact? Then again the Vaio SB does kind of compete with the 13in Ultrabooks, at least base price wise on the SB/SC.

 

It's not just about the eject button, it's also about the bezel being able to be clipped into place also. I had a Toshiba drive the other day and tried it with a bezel for a Panasonic drive and couldn't even get the bezel to be clipped into place. Other owners have tried using the Panasonic Optiarc bezel for the BD mod but were unsuccessful. As the eject button is not important you could possibly try and modify the bezel if needed and try just gluing it in place as it may not not line up correctly. You can also get some Optiarc caddies on ebay so may be look for one of those.

 

I see. Hopefully, I can find a caddy that's not overpriced as in the link above. Thanks, Rachel.

On another note, my TT already appears to be flying with the RAM upgrade before I could even set up the SSD I ordered from Ebay. Hmmm ...

 

Hello, I've bee in contact with an Ebay seller from Hong Kong but her caddies don't have the exact dvd model number (AD-7910s). The item descriptions only say which notebook models. Are the SATA connectors on all AD-7910s the same across notebook brands and models? For instance, I think the 7910s is also used in the Thinkpad W500 and T500. Do you think that will work, if the seller says the caddy is compatible with the W500/T500? Thanks.

 

I have installed a 128GB Samsung PM800 SSD (from a Lenovo). I managed to upgrade to the firmware that supports TRIM.

About my second hard drive upgrade, the caddy is on its way and hopefully my 1TB 2.5" Samsung drive and my existing bezel will work.

I have a question about the WWAN upgrade. I saw this post: WWAN daughterboard parts.

I found a IFX-517 1-877-105-11 WWAN daughterboard (with SIM card holder) with an Option GTM382 and the needed cable (NO antennas) on the UK Ebay site.

My questions are:

1. Will this UK Option module work in Asia (I'm from Manila)? Does it need any unlocking or are the UK/EU Option cards already unlocked?

2. Will a pair of wi-fi antennas from my old Vaio TZ work or do I need to buy antennas specific to the TT WWAN?

3. Finally, will the WWAN upgrade replace any existing part in the TT or is it just going to an empty connector now on the motherboard?

Thank you.

Here are some photos of my existing wi-fi antennas:

_MG_2885 by landscapist, on Flickr


_MG_2895 by landscapist, on Flickr


_MG_2893 by landscapist, on Flickr

Norman

 

I've been through a similar process recently so I may be able to help.

(1) I've checked the UMTS (3G) frequency band used in the Philippines and it appears to be 2100Mhz, the same as in the UK.
The GTM-383 card I purchased from the UK is model variant M00402 which has tri-band UMTS capability (850/1900/2100Mhz),
so that should work for you.

Another GTM-383 card that might work is the M00401 model which has dual-band UTMS capability via the 900/2100Mhz bands.
[EDIT] According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands , Smart Communications in the Philippines has UMTS
also deployed on 850Mhz, so perhaps best to stick to the M00402 model.

As for whether a card is locked to a carrier, you would need to check with the vendor. The card I purchased from the UK is unlocked.

(2) The TT WWAN antennas appear more than twice the length of your TZ WiFi ones.
How well they might work I couldn't say. WiFi is typically 2.4Ghz and 3G UMTS in the Philippines looks to be 850Mhz/2.1Ghz so not optimal.

I've found on eBay a TT LCD back cover that has the correct WWAN antennas fitted:

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d?r

(3) It has it's own space and dedicated connector on the motherboard.
Make sure your IFX-517 comes with the ribbon cable (I saw a couple on eBay that didn't).

Hope that helps.

Kendall

 

Hi kendallj, thank you for the help!

About the antenna, isn't it just a piece of wire? Do you think something like this will work?
WIFI WWAN EVDO HSDPA broadband antenna laptop notebook

Thanks again.

 

No definitely not just a piece of wire. Antennae at these frequencies tend to be very precisely designed to perform correctly and provide good performance. Even minor changes can effect performance considerably, so my advice is to stick to antennae designed for the job.

The ones in the eBay auction you mention may or may not work well - the green rectangular items will be the actual antennae elements but I'd wonder if they would fit inside the TT LCD bezel/lid. Personally I would be inclined to try and get genuine TT antenna.

Kendall

 

Thank you. I'm having a hard time finding a cost-effective pair of antennas that will work with the TT. I'm going to have the item shipped to Manila so I want to keep it light and get just the wires as much as possible.

 

The TT ones appear to be quite hard to come by.

I had a look at an auction for TZ WWAN antennas:

Sony VAIO VGN-TZ series spare WWAN antenna (pair) with Rx - Dx Diversity | eBay

sony vaio vgn-tz wwan antenna 1-754-501-11 1-754-502-11 | eBay

-they appear similar in size to TT ones although not physically identical, it might be possible to adapt then to fit in a TT. The frequency characteristics will most likely be correct, but you would need to make sure the mini-coax feeder cables were long enough (they look a similar length to my TT antennas which are 150mm and 295mm respectively).

KJ

 

For comparison, here's a pic of the TT WWAN antennas:

 

As the eject button lines up this is not important for this mod, have you compared it with a bezel that is used for UJ862A?
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv77/bargain-stock/95mmIDEcaddy-3.jpg
http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv77/bargain-stock/faceplate.jpg
2ND Hard Drive HDD caddy adapter replace UJ862A UJ867A | eBay

You can get a AD710s caddy here-
SATA Hard Drive Caddy Adapter Bay 4 ad-7910s DVD Drive | eBay
I've not looked at the auction for the other model but the bezel is glued on. It seems to be a pull on pull of bezel for the UJ82A caddy. A S series owner did this mod with the drive that i think that you're considering.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/555620-howto-swap-vpcs-series-dvd-drive-2nd-hard-drive.html

The sata connectors are the same for both of those Opitarc drives.

 

Thank you, you've been a big help. I think I'll get this instead because the wires look longer:
New Mini Pci Antenna 3G GPS WWAN 802.11AGN WLAN 4 Cable | eBay

Thanks again.

 

I actually got this one and it's on its way:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/220840434660?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Will report back how things go. Thanks.

 

No problem, you are welcome.

Looking at the pic in the above auction, I have a question mark over whether they will fit in a TT LCD bezel/lid. Remember the TT bezel/lid is very slim in comparison to most laptops. My hunch is the TZ ones would be a better gamble.

KJ

 

You're right, but those cables really look too short, compared with the ones on your photo.

 

You could ask the seller to measure the length for you. The TZ ones look very similar in length to the TT ones.

 

Good idea, thank you.

By the way, I have a chance to buy either a second-hand Vaio VGN-TT25GN (1.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD, no HDMI out) or a Vaio VGN-Z55GG (2.66 GHz, 4GB RAM, 1600 x 900, 320GB HD, w/ HDMI out). Both are Asian versions.

I already have a TT that I have upgraded to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD (the HDMI board, WWAN and caddy are on their way from Ebay). Basically, I will be using the other notebook at work; the other will stay at home (always on), which is what my current TT does now.

Both notebooks are the same price — about ($930). Is this a good price? Which one would you buy — the Z (I think 2009 model) or the TT? Thank you.

VGN-Z55GG specifications
VGN-TT25GN specifications


Cheers,
Norman

 

Wow, these Ebay sellers are so greedy. So I was about to order the antennas instead from sparepartswarehouse.com, having forced myself to think that it was OK to agree with the unreasonable price. Then I discovered the shipping fee was equally extortionate!

So I went to the Sony parts website. The shipping was more reasonable but they won't accept a billing address outside the US even though it will be shipped to a US address.

I'm about to give up and just pass. I know it's just a matter of dollars, but the thought of being overcharged for a piece of wire irks me. >:->

 

I am trying to put more ram into my TT180c. Took out the 1 GB stick and replaced with a 4 GB stick. It would not boot. Does it max out at 4 GB?

 

The TT is upgradable up to 8GB. Try reseating the RAM into the slot. What brand is the RAM? If it doesn't work, it might be an incompatible or bad RAM.

 

I've bought things from the Sony parts store before and i live in the UK. You need to set the billing address to the same as the shipping address. You also need to use a VISA eqiv card and not a VISA debit card.

About ram-some owners have had issue with Corsair ram.

 

It wouldn't allow me to change the billing address to my home country. I placed the order using the US/shipping address as my billing address and the order proceeded, but I think my credit card will reject the transaction because of the incorrect billing address.

 

I searched the web. Some place say it is 8GB, but some others say it is 4 GB max. This is a Canadian model TT180C.
Here it says 4 GB http://www.youfindit.ca/sony-corporation/notebooks/1012181239
Here it says 8GB http://www.satech.com/sony-notebook...eries-memory-sony-vaio-vgn-tt180c-memory.html

I bought 2x4GB Corsair ddr3 1066 cl7. I did not open the case, only put one stick in the back slot (replacing the 1 GB stick). Both sticks do not work.

 

I think all TTs can go up to 8GB. There are only differences in hardware features, but as far as the memory capability is, they are all the same.

Check here:
Corsair RAM

 

Thanks. As I mentioned before, I tried to put a 4GB stick to replace the 1GB stick, and it does not boot. In the web, there are conflicting information, so I called Sony Tech Support on-line chat, and the support person confirmed that it max out at 4 GB (so did the tech guy in the computer shop where I bought the 2x4 GB sticks)

So, my next question is if I should just buy a 2 GB stick to replace the 1 GB stick, or should I buy 2x2 GB sticks, and replace the internal 2 GB sticks as well. My understanding is that 2x2 GB are dual channel. Do they run faster given the same CL7?

I have to open my TT to put in a SSD, so it is a good opportunity to replace the internal 2 GB if there is some benefit to it.

 

I would first try another brand of 4GB RAM if I were you. Maybe you can borrow one?

You should check this thread and see that some people with earlier TT models (TT1*) have managed to upgrade their RAM to 8GB.

 

Thanks. I think my Canadian model might be an exception. I bought it when it was first release, so Sony might have restricted it in BIOS. Also, I do not have the noise cancellation feature as it is present in other TT models.

My problem is that I bought the 2x4GB corsair (same model as in your link), and it did not work. The tech in the shop where I bought it from check on his computer and said max is 4GB, and he allowed me to return it. I cannot buy another one and try it out again, he may not let me return it if it does not work. Just think of buying from BestBuy. I'll see if they stock it.

 

I read some more of the links provided. This one shows a photo of 8 GB installed
http://forum.notebookreview.com/6054777-post1392.html
The BIOS version is R3061M4.

I checked my TT180C and the latest BIOS from eSupport in Canada shows R2021M4, and I already have this BIOS.

So, therein is my probelm? The BIOS limited my max to 4GB? What do you think?

Edit: just checked Crucial Memory Advisor, and it recommends 2x2GB as upgrade (for TT180N/B). I believe N=north America and B=black

 

try some different ram man.. Certain boards just don't play well with certain brand of memory, you're wasting time trying to figure out why it won't recognize a particular stick when it could possibly be solved easily.

 

Two other Sony TT owners have had issues with Corsair ram.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/555538-vaio-tt-ram.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7187739-post55.html
The second owner switched to Kingston ram and had no issues.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7208114-post65.html
I suggest you send it back and try another brand.

 

Can Anybody recommend a fast ssd 120 or more

 

I have the Kingston V+180 SVP180S2/128G

 

The Kingston V+100 is a good balanced drive. It's the newest version that they have.
Kingston SSD V+100 128GB SATA2 1.8inch Hard Drive: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

 

Samsung MZUPA256HMDR (256GB)

 

I bought a Crucial C300 ssd 128GB, 1.8in with msata connection. Plug it into my TT180c. Used the Vaio Vista Recovery Disk 1 to load vista onto ssd. But, no go. It kept saying my disk is too small. I tried to install using an XP disk, but ended up in error with a dump screen. Then I installed win7 on it and it is ok. But, I do not want to buy another copy of WIN7, since I have Vista. Is this Crucial C300 (I think it is sata3, altho it is micro-sata) compatible with Vista? I am sure my Vaio recovery disk is ok since I just used it on the original hdd. For those who bought Kington V+ ssd, did you have any issue with vista or are you using win7?

TIA

 

Well, I conclude that the Vaio Recovery Disks are used for HDD with the same size. Thus I cannot run the recovery and install Vista on my SSD which is 128GB while the original HDD is 160GB. That also explains why I can install win7 fresh.

Anyway, I used Acronis to save the Vista image and loaded it onto the SSD. Now it runs, but the Vista start time is almost the same as the HDD (1 min 58 sec). But loading programs like iTune takes less tha half of the time. So, I am now stalled at why the boot time is so long. Any ideas?

 

TZ300 if you really want to get best performance out of that new SSD i would do a clean install and optimse your misconfig. Btw, Vista does not make use of TRIM but may be that drive you have has Garbage Collection going. W7 loads a little faster to, but unless you timed it i doubt you would notice it. Sony provides all the drivers you need for your model.

 

Thanks Rachel. I cannot clean install Vista since the recovery disk is for 160GB HDD, and the SSD is 128GB. I cloned it and also cloned the recovery partition over to the SSD, but the recovery option does not work. I also clean installed W7 which loads in 22 seconds (with no applications, and all driver may not have been all in). After many tries, and since I do not want to buy W7, I just rma this C300. My main computer is linux desktop, and I only use the TT for some essential windows programs such as iTune, kobo ereaders, etc. I'll just leave the TT in standby all the time, then it won't be too bad.
Anyway, it was fun opening up the TT and see what the inside is really like. It is real neat, and all items are sandwiched in. I also found a few screws missing (some lazy installer left it out)

 

My external Blu-ray drive from Ebay arrived today. It's really sleek. Still waiting for my WWAN, HDMI and caddy. I am tempted to get a Z1.

 

I love my TT11. I upgraded it pretty much straight away to 8GB RAM + 160GB Intel SSD + BD-RE but I think its time for one last upgrade. I'm going to try out the new 300GB Intel 320 SSD. Kind of hard to get hold of here (UK) at the moment but I've managed to track one down.

 

Please do let us know how it goes.

KJ

 

The HDMI parts from Ebay arrived and I managed to install it. I never realized it could be tricky. It was easy to attach the board; what was difficult was removing the modem because it uses a long wire that extends from the left side of the notebook to the right near the VGA connector (note blue line). The cable is actually under the motherboard so I had to remove the screws of the motherboard at the top so I could wiggle the modem cable out.

Also, you need to disconnect some wires because the modem cable is under these wires (check green shade); you can't force the external modem connector on the left side of the notebook out without loosening these wires. The HDMI connector is the yellow shade.


_MG_3171 by landscapist, on Flickr

I also installed a 1TB Samsung drive to replace the original DVD writer. It was pretty much straightforward, although the caddy did not exactly match my TT's bezel. But it was easy to modify it — I just had to cut some plastic protrusions on the bezel so the main protrusions at both ends would fit right inside the caddy. I used double-sided tape to attach the bezel to the caddy, and I don't think it will come loose.

Overall, both upgrades were worth it. Now I'm just waiting for the WWAN from Ebay and the antenna from the Sony parts website to arrive so I could complete the upgrade. Will keep you posted.

Cheers.

 

Well, I stupidly tried to use Acronis True Image 11 on my first attempt and it managed to screw up the partition alignment (even though I created the partitions manually using a Windows 7 installation disc first and then only restored a single partition at a time) and probably screwed up the map of empty sectors too. So I did a proper enhanced secure erase from an Ubuntu Live CD and started over with a clean installation. I still have lots of software to install before I have time to much benchmarking but my Windows 7 Performance Index shows 7.7 for the hard disk which I think is pretty good considering its not even RAID. An added bonus is that with the Intel 320 I can enable HDD passwords in the BIOS and I know that everything on my hard disk is securely encrypted.

 

- Did you tape it just for additional support, or is it mandatory to hold the bezel?
- Does the newly attached bezel align with the tt's outer body seamlessly?
- How is the caddy secured inside the tt's case?
- Why did you choose an AD-7930 caddy instead of AD-7910 (is it the same model?)
- Does the caddy come with the same connector as the burner or do you need to replace the cable? (I'm a bit confused reading about a FPC-142 cable which I'm not sure if I need it or if its even built in - I'm gonna get a TT11VN/X with 1.8" HDD/AD-7910 DVDRW)
- Which of the 1.8" respectively 2.5" drive connects to the first sata port (sata0)?
- Would you mind sharing a picture of the end result?


As mentioned earlier I'm gonna have a TT11VN/X shipped which I'd like to upgrade. It'll replace the TT11LN/B which got stolen.
What a shame Sony decided to discontinue this masterpiece of design!

 

- Did you tape it just for additional support, or is it mandatory to hold the bezel?
No need to tape it, it will hold fine.

- Does the newly attached bezel align with the tt's outer body seamlessly?
The bezel is perfectly flush.

- How is the caddy secured inside the tt's case?
There are screw holes that match the original AD-7910s.

- Why did you choose an AD-7930 caddy instead of AD-7910 (is it the same model?)
Because the AD-7910s caddy from another seller is overpriced (more expensive than an actual AD-7910s drive).

- Does the caddy come with the same connector as the burner or do you need to replace the cable? (I'm a bit confused reading about a FPC-142 cable which I'm not sure if I need it or if its even built in - I'm gonna get a TT11VN/X with 1.8" HDD/AD-7910 DVDRW)
Same connector, so assuming you're sticking with one hard drive/SSD and one DVD drive, you can use your existing cable.

- Which of the 1.8" respectively 2.5" drive connects to the first sata port (sata0)?
There is only one SATA connector on the motherboard, to which you connect one end of the cable. The other two ends you connect to the hard drive/SSD and to the optical drive/caddy.

- Would you mind sharing a picture of the end result?
Will take a decent photo when I set up the WWAN next week. In the mean time, you can see some photos here.

 

Thanks a lot bobet96 for your answers!

I meant which of the drive connects to sata0 and which to sata1, like primary and secondary.

 

Also I'm going to replace the 1.8" HDD with a SDD (non-RAID) as system drive. The 1.8" SDDs I came across are just 5mm thick opposed to the 8mm of the HDD. Will I need a bracket? Am I correct that as long as it comes with a microSATA connector I won't need adapters or a new cable?

 

I think the HD/SSD is primary and the optical drive is secondary.

The existing hard drive has a bracket and a couple of rubbers on the side, which you can use with a 1.8" microSATA SSD that has a case. You will only need a different cable if you're installing two caseless SSDs (I think they call it slim type).