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

What do you guys mean by "BOW" / "BOWING"?

 

With the screen open if you look either from the top or from the side the top part is bowed out/arched.When I closed the screen the right/left side(top) sits flush against the chassis but the middle doesn't(have to pressure it down to be flush but goes up again after you let it go)...

 

Pics.

If it's likely to happen with my usage mode I need to start looking for ways to mitigate it. Unfortunately I can't e.g. buy a hard case like the Crapbook Air's to mitigate their tendency to warp in frequently mobile-in-soft-case use.

 

Mine has the same as well. Perhaps its normal to keep the keys away from the screen.

 

nope its not normal. the middle part of mine is flush.

 

Mine doesn't bow as well.

 

Well, I checked price for new keyboard for my Z2, and it was - 268 Eur with tax for backlit english one. apparently, Sony sells them only completed with aluminium faceplate.

I put my laser engraving plans aside for now.

If anyone from Europe would know, or had acces to just one key for Z2, I would buy it / be very grateful for any info where to obtain it

 

mine bows in the middle and the corners are flush against the palmrest and is like that since i got mine new. the gap in the middle is about 3-4 mm. isn't the bowing a design feature to allow more compressive force on the lid before the screen rubs against the keyboard?

 

I see what people are talking about but just thought it was designed that was to protect the screen. My screen is (so far) pristine. I wonder if the perfectly flat lids are more prone to marking?

 

Hmmm. I doubt it. You can make the screen contact the keyboard with virtually no effort. I haven't poked a camera in or anything when in a bag but I have tried putting stuff on top and it's so easy-peasy to get the keyboard to contact (centre of) the screen that such a relatively miniscule level of bowing seems highly unlikely a designed-in feature to prevent that happening.

The one unit I have to hand right now has a >2mm ~ <3mm gap in the middle and a ~1mm gap at the edges (i.e. it shuts flush to the bumpers), and that discrepancy is due more to the screen than the base. I can't say I've really noticed anything obviously different with the other ones I use.

Still no pics.

 

Folks

I've had a fully loaded VPCZ21C5E since August 2011, and a couple of days ago I noticed that the unit no longer worked on the battery, either internal or the slate. It would show the state of charge of each battery, say it was charging, but did not charge. When the AC was removed the unit shutdown immediately as if there was no battery at all.

As neither battery worked, I assumed it was a motherboard fault: typically the MOSFETs used to switch battery power are commonly failing parts, and sad person that I am I have fixed a couple of laptops by replacing the MOSFETs in the past. However, I didn't fancy opening up the Z as it's still under warranty.

Well, I was wrong about the MOSFET switch. When I called up to organise a warranty return, I was taken through a process of removing the internal battery (which means unscrewing eight screws) and blowing away dust from the connectors (although it looked clean to me). Admittedly with much cynicism, I replaced the battery, and sure enough it now works. I guess the unit just got itself into a muddle.

A fantastic result!

Cheers, Howard

 

Hi all first time post.

I managed to lose my 'B' key. I don't know how. Sent it to Sony and they wanted over £300 to replace the keyboard. They said they do not replace keys. I read someone got a free replacement. No such luck for me.

Anyone know where I can get a 'B' key or anyone breaking apart their Z21?

 

By 'lose' did it just fall off, or was it helped along?

 

@ Howard Long
I experienced exactly the same thing with my Z2. I had been working on the battery until 15% or so. When I plugged in the charger, I saw the little pop-up saying its charging the battery. After 30min it was still at 15%... I thought, maybe the plug isn't plugged in right, so I unplugged it and the laptop stopped immediately. After a reboot I did the same thing, and another instant shutdown.
It rebooted fine on the battery though.

After I reseated the battery, the issue was gone.

I don't thing it was purely hardware related, more likely something with the (software) power-management.

 

I had the same issue with the battery stuck to 70% charge and the system shutting off immediately upon removing the AC. This led to one instance of "operating system not found" error on the subsequent reboot.

Removed and reinserted the battery and everything has been smooth since.

 

Hi,

same story here. 2 times. First time i got "operating system not found" too, and even if i cleaned the battery, the message was still there: only chance was to format all the computer. Intel storage software said that RAID was broken. Probably instantly switching off the pc when removing the AC power to try the battery broke some things. Unlucky. Thanks god i was able to use the vaio software to save important stuff before the format. Second time just removed and cleaned the battery...waited 5 minutes then booted the pc with the battery with no problems. Strange that this thing happens soo many times.

Only thing i noticed was: the battery was detected cause windows said that it was charging (even if it was blocked at something like 60%) and the battery led on the PC was red. Very strange.

sorry for my english guys!

 

@Vogelbung
Took the key off to clean under it. Got home and it was not there. I'm sure I replaced it. Maybe I did not click into place but I cannot find it anywhere.

Anyone out there know where I can get a 'B' key for a Z21.

 

If you will find out, please, let me know too. Or if you will buy a new one, I would gladly buy few of the keys of the old one

 

Where can I buy a new keyboard? Sony UK refuse to sell it.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

In Czech republic, I wrote to the external vaio servis center and they could order it.

 

URGENT!!!

All Vaio Z owners be warned back up your data!
Raid 0 will failed for me when I was installing an update and closed the lid!

It was a 128kb strip failure and long story short required a full format and re-setup of the RAID0 configuration.

Luckily 99% of my files are also on my external HDD so very minimal loss on my part.

This being said does anyone have recovery disks that they could burn me a copy and mail or in some way send online? I'd be willing to pay for your inconvienence even though sony will do it for free they gave me eta of 1 week before the "parts" (disks) get in

If so I believe my email is available through this site, if not leave a message up here as I will check this fourm a few times a day.

Sigh, windows update…

 

So - how's everyone else's palmrests?

All of mine are *really* heavily marked now.

And all the more irritating as each of my Z's gets < one-quarter of the use that a "true everyday" notebook would get - since I rotate multiple units depending on where I am and also have to use a Mac every now and again.

 

Only minor marks for me -- you can't really seem them unless you go looking for them.

I'm about to take my Z21 on the road -- 3 weeks in India -- so I'll see if all that backpack time will leave some obvious marks. I am putting a cloth over the keyboard when storing to prevent screen marking.

 

My palmrest has no marks or at least it didn't prior to being sent to Sony for repair. We'll see how it looks whenever they send it back.

 

Hi All,

Long term admirer of this thread, and had a Vaio Z2 since it was first introduced into Australia. Been a dream upgrade from an Alienware M11X as I only game at home, and at work I should look somewhat "professional".

However, got a problem I hope you elites can help me with. My PMD has been operating fine, and I recently completed Deus Ex Human Revolutions without any problems, but occasionally the "Graphic card" seems not to kick in - nothing a quick reboot didn't fix.

The last few days though - can't get it to kick in AT ALL! The usual flicker and then asks me if I want to proceed is gone, and frame rate dropped to as if I was just using the integrated. I did just come back from a 20 day US trip and I didn't bring the PMD.

DVD is working fine, so are the USB ports on the PMD. Any ideas ?! Is there some nasty driver update that kills it?

Thanks for thinking about it for me!

 

Click on the Catalyst Control Center and make sure its set to accelerate your desktop and not an external monitor. Some how it got switched on me one time.

 

Oh that's fixed it! Thanks so much, feels a bit stupid and wasn't expecting that to be changed on me.

 

Palmrests are still flawless with my unit despite daily use.

 

Glad to help.

 

As you all know the thread search is broken, but I used Google to search this thread for "battery drain" - and found only vague answers. My problem is, battery drain in Standby Mode is really big. After 1.5 days with 40% loaded at the beginning the system went off.

And even worse, it did so without first hibernating. From my last vaios I was used to see the notebook coming back from standby by itself as soon as battery level reached a few percent and hibernating to preserve the data.

But the Z21 does not do so. It just goes off - all data lost. Can anyone confirm this, and if not maybe post his/her power settings for me to compare? On first glace I could not find any wrong settings here.

 

I have just got my new VAIO Z227 in the weekend (YAY). However I am having some issues migrating from my old VAIO SZ.

The first thing I have noticed was the security software it was TrueSuite instead of Protector Suite, I purchased the Protector Suite version and hoping to use the Power-On Security via fingerprint scanner like my old VAIO SZ.

However it doesn’t matter what settings I have done I still can’t get that power-on security to work. When I set a power-on password it only comes up as the BIOS password other than the fingerprint screen. I have been trying to search online but nothing came up and I wonder if anyone has the same issue with me?

I really hope that VAIO Z is supporting the power-on security otherwise it’ll be a big issue for me :-(

 

Hello:

Thanks for accepting me in this forum that I have met in seeking solution to a problem with my laptop
Sorry for my bad English, but I hope that you can understand me.

1.- I have a Sony VPC Z2. In reality it's my second netbook, and in this moment is in the technical support, I think in France (I live in spain) for a serious problem. I wonder if any of you have had the same problem, my laptop when is connected to the electric (whit charger) and connected to video projector through the VGA (simultaneously) occur interference bands in the image of videoprojector (in desktop laptop no, only videoprojector) It's the same with the dockingh station (external). With HDMI no problem.

Any person has been a similar problem? I'm scared because the messages that SONY sent me told me that the netbook don't have a problem, which used a "ground loop isolator" HORROR! "connecting it through BNC" !!! is finally sent to technical support, to work better than the company initially serving, non-technical.

2.Another question is graphic card ATI, I read in this forum that OpenGl not working. Is there any solution for a this driver hybrid for INTEL and AMD? I repport this problem to technical support, what will happen? I hope one driver with solutions.

Thank and soory my very, very bad english

 

Maracoa, you have to use a very good VGA cable! I had the same issue using the VGA output of both the laptop and the PMD. I had tons of VGA cables sitting around and none of them solved the problem. I had to buy a superior VGA cable (I think Belkin makes it for home theater purposes) and that solved the problem. Others have reported the same results.

There is also a new video driver that solves the open GL issues. It was posted in one of the threads on this board. I believe you can also download it from the Sony US support website.

 

Thank TradeJoe, I use various cables, no Belkin, but is good cables, and in diferrence sites (home, University, my Provider). When the tecnhical service returned the laptop, I will use this cable (Belkin).

The installed on my laptop is the latest in Europe SONY support. The driver linf in this forum is SONY support USA?

Thank

 

Maraca, look at the following thread for the new video driver:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/625418-new-z2-gpu-driver-released.html

Also, have you tried using the VGA cable to connect to a regular monitor (instead of a projector)? What were your results? And how long is the cable you are using?

 

Hi TraderJoe, the SONY tecnichal support in Europe I was told that the ATI graphics card works well, do not have to give all the functions of ATI because it is adapted to SONY. I was really upset and told them that if I buy a car with 5 doors, I open the 5 and not only 3. Now I have no the laptop here, I guess in a week I get it back, anyway I'll contact them and ask them SONY there may be a driver and not offer me.

Yes, I connect with VGA difference monitors, EIZO, BENQ, DELL, with the same results. I forgot to say that if I cancel the earthing plug, that removes the interference.

Thank TraderJoe, I go to sleep, here is a 01:00 a.m.

 

maraca : newest driver can be found here http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/636724-universal-driver-set-all-switchable-intel-ati-graphics-3.html#post8307606

 

Hi TraderJoe, the SONY tecnichal support in Europe I was told that the ATI graphics card works well, do not have to give all the functions of ATI because it is adapted to SONY. I was really upset and told them that if I buy a car with 5 doors, I open the 5 and not only 3. Now I have no the laptop here, I guess in a week I get it back, anyway I'll contact them and ask them SONY there may be a driver and not offer me.

Yes, I connect with VGA difference monitors, EIZO, BENQ, DELL, with the same results. I forgot to say that if I cancel the earthing plug, that removes the interference. I can not normally choose the VGA cable (only in my home) because it is preinstalled in the classroom or auditorium. I have connected other laptops (including my anteriro SONY Vaio Z series) and I never did this.

Thank TraderJoe

 

I have my Z2 set to automatically hibernate after 12 hours on standby, to save battery and data in case the battery is low. This always works for me. And although I do have it set to automatically hibernate at 5% battery ("critical" seeing in Windows Power Management), I've never actually left the battery "die" unplugged from the mains power. But I imagine it should work?

 

The OP of that question has clearly changed the power profile if he's set it never to hibernate (assuming of course he is running it on Power Saving profile) - so I'd suggest going through it once again to make sure you haven't made any elementary errors in terms of setup, especially power management of peripherals and so forth.

 

I have done factory recovery today, and VAIO Update doesn't find any updates avalaible, and I know they are.. figured to just download them manually, but it's mildly annoying, that something doesn't work :/

 

Is Z2 base noise is identical to the noise of the vaio sb ?

 

Could you explain how you did that setting, please? I can't find a "hibernate after X hours on standby" setting anywhere...

Of course I did that. Tried a few settings also, already. See nothing wrong. Have set "Standby" at 10% and "Hibernate" at critical 5%, as last resort.

 

Hi Guys,

please tell me if my Sony Vaio Z21 1600x900 is compatible with fullhd lcd 1920x1080 (LT131EE11000). Want to upgarde. Thank you

 

I assume this is an external monitor or TV? There's no problem connecting the Z2 via HDMI. I run two 1920x1200 monitors via HDMI (one on the laptop, one on the PMD) no problem.

 

Hi im looking to buy one.. are you UK based?

 

Hi im looking for one. are you UK based?

 

Sorry for the delay getting back to you.

Click start, type "Power Options". Click "Change Plan Settings" for your active plan. Then click "Change Advanced Power Settings"

In the Sleep category, you have options for "Sleep after" and "Hibernate After", for both plugged-in and on-battery.

My Z2 always goes to sleep after 15 mins of activity. I have hibernate set to 300 mins on battery, and never when plugged in. So if the laptop is asleep in my bag for 5 hours it will automatically hibernate.

However, if the laptop was put to sleep when it was already plugged in, and disconnected from power whilst in sleep, then Windows does not recognise the on-battery setting (ie hibernating after 300 mins); it only recognise my setting for being plugged in (ie don't hibernate). For the 300 mins setting to be applied, I need to resume from sleep and put it to sleep again whilst running on battery. Or, of course, you can simply set your power plan to hibernate at 300 mins for when being both plugged in or on battery.

With my own settings as stated above I never run into issues as I don't seem to have any major battery drain when in sleep. I'm always able to charge the laptop every evening. If the battery is very low at the end of the work day, I manually put it into hibernate using the Fn key on the keyboard instead of just closing the lid to put it to sleep. Your mileage may vary but it works great for me.

 

Ok thx, I guessed that you use a setting like this. Don't know if this would help me, because my problem is that I don't want to have it hibernate after a certain time, but at a certain % of battery left, so in case I set it to sleep with say 15% left I guess the battery would run out earlier than 300min.

But thanks anyway, I will play around with the time settings a little, maybe I find a good compromise.

Can't understand, however, who is to blame for this lack of functionality, compared to my last TX3XP with WinXP that was capable of hibernating automatically when the battery ran into critical state, even when the system was in sleep...

 

What is this "new" Z that's reviewed?
Sony VAIO Z series VPC-Z390X Review - Laptops - CNET Reviews