Official Sony VPC-Z2 (VAIO Z 2011) Series Owners' Thread

Thanks..plugging the charger to the laptop does it charges both batts..

 

Yes. The internal battery always gets charged first, then the sheet battery. And when not plugged in, the sheet battery gets used up first and then the internal battery.

 

Has anyone managed to make a clean install and got sony's softwares working ?

I couldn't managed to get everything working as it is supposed to be.
Vaio Smart Network doesn't work
Vaio Control Center isn't able to show anything more than System Info.
Vaio Care doesn't work well, CPU Fan diagnostic won't work although I've installed it.
Vaio Update - I have no idea about it, it just keeps saying there neither notices nor update available.

Fn + F1, F5, F6, F7, F9, F10 and F12 doesn't work. But sounds functions key works well and even display the expected notice and sound.
VAIO, WEB AND ASSIST button work as expected.

The crappest ever software, so to say, Battery Checker, is annoying me and puts my laptop to sleep/hibernation as soon as I boot up. It's says my battery isn't properly attach (and maybe something like it is the one designed for this laptop but to be honest I didn't read it very cautiously and deleted that utility.) My battery is the original one and is well attached to the laptop.

I also get the BSOD : ButtonS Of the Death, which used to mean with the two previous Z generation that there's something wrong.


If you think I didn't installed Sony Shared Library, then you're wrong I did it before installing any Sony CRAPwares.


I have installed most of the drivers, softwares and crapwares from this list and followed sony's advices.
Also, I have no Power Media Dock, I installed the latest Intel HD Graphics.
My Operating System is Windows 7 Professional N x64, though I highly doubt the lack of WMP has something to do..




Thanks for further help.

 

My laptop after the first installation was booting in less than 10 secs even without fastboot enable.
It is quite faster than my OCZ Vertex3
But after installing sony's drivers it slowed it up quite a lot and it takes now over 20 sec. The delays happens after the windows logo. The windows logo loading is extremly fast but then the screen turn of and I've to wait something like 12 sec.


I guess I'm giving a last try... I'll format everything again and try not to install the cursed sony driver.

I think it is one of these drivers that caused such a delay :

Intel® Mobile Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller 10.7.0.1001
Intel® SATA Driver HIPM Disable Registry Patch 110801

Perhaps the Intel Rapid Storage technology itself.

 

A bit late in the game for me to have another reason why I'm glad I have the Z2 with the 512GB SSD kit, but I'm getting into photography again and the extra CPU and throughput on the SSD drives makes it almost easy to work with RAW image files.

The Z2 chews right through them in Adobe Lightroom. GPU acceleration appears to work in Photoshop CS5.1 as well, but I could be wrong.

 

Zoinks, I recently bought Adobe Elements Photoshop and Premiere. They both installed fine, but Elements wouldn't run. Gave a Windows Error message everytime I tried to start it with the PMD attached. I then downloaded the latest graphics driver (from another thread on this board) and it fixed the issue.

On another note, with the PMD attached, Photoshop does some weird stuff. When trying to maximize it on one of my external monitors, it completely disappears...it's still there, but off of all of my screens and I can't bring it back. I have to close it and re-start. Basically, I can stretch it to fit my screen, but can't use the maximize button.

Other than that, it works great. I'm still learning the Elements package, but it does appear to work pretty fast.

 

MikjoA, Sony's are notorious for being difficult in doing clean installs. I had the same experience as you with my old Sony TZ laptop. The trick is to load the drivers in an exact order. The Sony help files and install guides have usually been completely wrong. This is why I haven't even tried this with my Z2.

However, when using the Sony back-up disks to restore, there was a setting that allowed to install without the additional programs (bloatware). This worked perfect. It did a clean install with all the drivers and all functions working correctly. Don't know if this option is available on the Z2's recovery disks. Maybe someone else can chime in who has tried this.

 

I finally restored my laptop with the hidden partition, the weird thing about my attempts to make a clean install is that even when I installed programs they wouldn't show up into the windows program list...

These back-up disks are interesting, do you mean they are the back-up we do ourself with vaio care (I've never tried yet) ?

 

I tried both Element 10 products and they seemed to work fine.

I ended up upgrading my old Photoshop license to 5.1CS. Lightroom and CS5.1 share the same catalog engine, so it is easier from a photo organization standpoint. Elements cataloger is good too, it just doesn't work with Lightroom which is a must if you work with RAW images.

I didn't like either Premiere edition, so I might go for Corel Video Studio. Its GPU offloading seems to work well. Don't think Premier Elements has GPU offloading.

 

Yup, the ones we have to create using Vaio care. On my old TZ, when restoring using those disks, it gave an option to leave out crap-ware.

 

One thing I did wrong when installing Elements Photoshop was that I accidentally used the 32 bit version. I haven't bothered uninstalling it yet and going with the 64. Maybe that's where my issue was when the PMD was connected. Don't know why the new video driver solved it.

I am 100% intimidated with Photoshop. I just like to do this for fun, so wanted something simple. I have now checked out two books from the library. This stuff is just way too complex for the average joe.

 

I can also run the 64 bit versions of Lightroom 3, Photoshop CS4, and Premiere Elements 10. I'm using the drivers that SirRobin posted a link to.

The only issue I have is that with Premiere Elements, I can use only one external monitor. If I attempt to use both I get an error about a "generic driver" and it won't play video. Elements doesn't really have two monitor support anyway so it's no loss. CS4 and LS3 work great on both monitors.

 

The first Brush Stroke Manicure I personally saw was the beautiful Jewel Tone Abstract Brush Strokes manicure by Sarah from Chalkboard Nails. I fell in love with how gorgeous the texture of the essie nail polish looked and couldn’t wait to try it myself someday.
Having just finished week 4 of insanity workout schedule DVD program, I am posting my progress to compare with when I started, and am very happy with the results so far . Everything looks more defined and I feel so much fitter.

 

For a clean installation please refer to this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...view-useful-guides-resources.html#post7921009

I had no trouble with it, everything works smoothly, I left out most of the bloatware, saved a lot of SSD space and bootup times are lightning fast (even more so with enabled fast boot).

On another note, I work a lot with Lightroom and it causes a lot of CPU load and makes the fans quite noisy. After working with it for a while it slows down a lot too, which is irritating. Using the latest GPU drivers didn't make a difference here. Does anybody else experience a "sluggish" Lightroom with high CPU load?

 

Right after completing a big import Lightroom will have a pretty high CPU load while it generates previews. After that the fan quiets down and I see no issues. As I don't generate 1:1 previews by default, I will see a few seconds delay when moving from photo to photo in Develop mode (while the 1:1 is being rendered). But that's been true for any machine I've used Lightroom on.

My last laptop would take up to 7 seconds to do a 1:1 image so I find the Z to be pretty fast by comparison.

 

Hello. My config: Z21/i7/8GB/256GB/FHD/Gold.
I thought that the Z21 has WiDi (Wireless Display) built in. Is it really true ? If yes, how can I activate it ? I didn't find anything on the laptop...
My Bravia TV also has this feature built in, so it would be nice if I could make the two equipments communicate wirelessly...
Thank you

 

^
There should be a widi icon at the bottom near the time.

 

Anybody here own the Z227/Z228 Asia pacific model ? Do these comes with Gen3 SSD or Gen2 ?

 

^
They come with gen3 (at least I know for sure the ones selling in HK)

 

If you don't see it in the system tray, there's a start menu item under Intel Corporation > Intel WiDi.

 

Yes I am talking about the same models VPCZ227GG/VPCZ228GG. Both have gen3 or only the Z228 ? The Z228 is quite a bit more expensive than the Z227.

 

Gen 3. The Z21s had Gen 2, so the guy told me. Z227/8 are gen 3. Not sure why 228 costs a fair bit more for just 3G support.

 

Found there ! Thanks a lot. I will give it a try this evening !

 

So I've been following this thread for the last couple of months and got my Z22 a couple weeks ago. I'm aware of the problem with an infinite boot loop if you undock while sleeping, but it seems like I'm getting random boot loops now that persist for a while and then seem to resolve themselves. I just updated to the new graphics drivers and enabled fast boot, and didn't know if anyone else had a similar problem after either of those or in general.

 

Speaking of Undock issues:

What do you guys do when you have shut down every program and it will STILL not let you undock?

 

+1^ I restart, pull out the USB HDD I have in the dock whether it ejects "safely" or not, and then it usually lets me undock.

 

I use the dock everyday - actually two times a day since I work from two locations (I have an extra dock). I have never encountered not being able to undock using the button on the USB/power. But if that ever happens, I would just shut down and then disconnect.

Only once I undocked while computer was sleep. Learned to never do that again! Actually, wasn't too much of a hassle, I just rebooted and everything was fine.

 

I'm now getting consistent boot loops upon restart/shut down. I'm in one now, and as mentioned before don't really know what solves them, the machine just seems to boot properly randomly. Kind of screws the methods of either restarting or shutting down to undock...

 

can anyone confirm if the PMD adapter is 'VGP-AC19V46' ? That is, the same for the F series ? Thanks in advance !

 

^
Yup, that's what's labelled on mine.

 

I updated the video drivers to these http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/625418-new-z2-gpu-driver-released.html that fixes the OpenGL issues, but now I get significant tearing both with and without the PMD whereas before I got none and also the CyberDVD software will not play, complaining about an incompatible graphics card. Anyone observed this? I don't see a way to go back to the old driver as my restore points don't go back far enough.

 

Works fine for me. The CyberDVD software was updated in Oct. I'm using that version.

 

HI guys.

I'm doing a clean install right now and getting an error. Maybe one of you guys already the same problem. Would really appreciate it if you could get me any hints.
I've already posted about that in this thread, please check it there.

thanks!

 

Couple of questions I hope someone can answer...

I think I skim read long before I got the Z2 but does the fingerprint scanner cause issues to anyone else? I use Chrome and get random errors every so often to do with the reader. I haven't looked into it too deep yet. Anyone else run into this?

Also, when connecting to an external display through HDMI to playback video the external display has some lag or framerate issues. If I use WMP for say, a normal avi video it works fine. However, when I use VLC or Media Player Classic to view a HD video in mkv format that's when the issue arises. If I switch to external display only the issue is fine but extend or duplicate not so much. Any solution to this? All I did was download VLC and MPC so no other codec packs have been installed.

Thanks.

 

$ony is running PCIe over Light Peak, you only get a max of 1.25GB/s of bandwidth to-from the 6650M - not to forget the stone-age AMD drivers,
that will render the PMD A BIG QUATSCH.

 

I remember some early comments about people accidentally swiping the finger print reader. If you don't use the reader, I recommend turning it off in Control Panel > Biometric Devices.

 

1-In the Pc World site , the benchmark of vaio SB (1BG/x) is 99 in performance vs 86 for sony vaio z (2011) .assuming that both cpu are simillar , so why is this ?'

2- In the blog .WSJ.com in a review about sony vaio z , Author says :""Interestingly, the 13-inch screen bends – literally bends – which freaked me out a bit at first. And in fact the screen is truly flexible. It’s built with carbon fiber, same as some golf clubs, which Sony says is meant to protect the system if and when it’s dropped. Love this."

Can any one confim this ?

 

Can someone please provide the part number for the gold lithium-ion battery for the Z2.

thanks!

 

VGP-BPS27/N for the internal on the spec sheet, no idea if there is gold sheet battery, and don't know where to buy.

 

That is "$ony's" carbon fibers, it’s not the carbon fibers of Formula 1. But rather a mould of carbon fibres with plastic usually ABS. this sort of thermoplastic is thinner , lighter while maintaining strength and 'flexier' plastic by character, it offers though a good impact reassurance, the carbon fibres delay the onset of cracking of the plastic when it deformed due to impacts i.e. it absorb the energy from an impact and return it.
$ony designs their notebooks with an additional layer of protection in the Z range, the constructions are arranged so as to pop open in the event of an impact, which absorbs even more energy without damaging the internal components - shatter dispersion.
Upshot of this is the difference between looking at a pretzel non-functional Macbook and likely a cracked screen and/or dogeared functional VAIO, in incidence of impact.
For regular consumers the issue is not that sophisticated and subconsciously
they may think that a metal-aluminum Air is stronger 'because it is metal and more rigid' and to someone similarly unaware of the recent developments in the material specifications, flexible is weak, and that is a layman perspective.
Vaio engineering is far ahead of Macbook in terms of outer shell at least.
Still I would like to see a Vaio implementing thermoset construction structure and not thermoplastic to promote the reality that carbon fibers are rigid.

 

but how the screen can be made from carbon fibers ?! it's transparent !!
strange !

 

The LCD panel itself and the clear layer that protects it are not carbon fiber. The rest of the lid and body are plastic reinforced with Carbon fiber.

 

Bottom lines, one should not be discouraged due to the flex design.
Z2 is a stunning mix of usable power and portability in a lightweight bleeding edge stylish form factor with no impact on power saving, runtime and high resolution. Adding the surprisingly comprehensive set of ports and ur handling a benchmark machine no others has come close to it.

 

Samsung 1.8 LIF 512GB SSD MZRPA512HMFU-000S0

 

^
I am tempted...

 

Wow. A spinning SSD.

 

Thanks for copying an old post of mine practically verbatim.

And actually, we went over this at length in another thread on this subforum - and the Z*2* is indeed 'actual carbon fiber', at least in part.

But the reason it looks the same as before is that the 'actual carbon fiber' is a core sheet in the middle of the bottom shell (and probably the top shell), and the carbon-reinforced plastic that they've used before is molded around that sheet of 'real' carbon.

I imagine they did this because they're really pushing the envelope in terms of what the casing has to support. Still, now we do actually get 'real' carbon fiber, albeit a very thin sheet of it in the middle of the structure.

Still a pipedream to expect the bulk of the shell to be 'real' carbon - that would be way too expensive. But maybe a few generations on from now if Sony keeps on plugging away at this carbon (and I personally think from a business perspective it's not a great approach - especially if they don't make it rigid to reassure the layman) thing.

 

Site sells quite a bit of fake items and reviews aren't favourable (especially with items not being sent or misidentified items being sent in place). Sketchy to say the least.

 

I was having the same issue when playing HD videos from Netflix. This board suggested that I change the power settings. I changed it to "high performance" and that solved it. Give it a shot!

 

Strange , a friend has one of those already on his Z2, I got the link from him!