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

I did it and it works great.

 

With the reports of IE10 and its required platform update blue screening computers with hybrid graphics, have you other Z owners had success with IE10 and the prequisite platform updtae?

 

Has anyone experienced problems with running Diablo 3 or Borderlands 2? D3 used to work fine, and then it began stuttering so frequently it became unplayable. I thought it was an issue with the game at first as I tried L4D2 and that worked as normal. So, I then tried Borderlands 2, which on my first half hour play through was fine in the beginning, which was months ago. Come today and it has the exact same issues as D3 - stutters every few seconds. I've dropped all the settings to low and it still stutters. The laptop has only had general use, so I'm pretty confused on what's causing this problem. Bioshock Infinite also suffers the same fate, but I didn't expect that to run that great either, except it does the same thing - stutter.

I should mention this is with the PMD and the Z3 version amd drivers on a Z2 machine.

Might refresh the machine and see how it goes...

 

Might want to try Leshcat's drivers as they are more up-to-date than the Sony ones.... leshcatlabs.net ← Keeping it Simple. Ads free.

 

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=21852&ProdId=2101&lang=eng

The F6 install drivers on this page is the one you're looking for. 32-bit or 64-bit. Unpack and place the files on a USB thumb drive, then, during W/ install, choose 'install third party drivers' or something similar on the partition-screen and load the drivers from the USB-thumbdrive.

1. Install VAIO Control Center

Get CCleaner and boot into safe-mode (F8 during boot if W7) (shift+restart-button on login-screen on W8) and run CCleaner there with the option to wipe free space. It will use a writecycle over the entire free-space area of the SSD but it gives you increased performance if the drive is 'junked' out. Then make sure TRIM is enabled in Windows (in Windows 8, run the Windows Experience Index test or whatever it's called that rates your computer on a scale from 1 to 8 and Windows will recognize the drive being an SSD and enable trim as well as diskoptimizer for SSDs, reschedule the diskoptimizer (program previously known as defragmenter - program name not function...) to run daily.
Under Windows 7: (elevated command prompt)

fsutil behavior show disabledeletenotify - if it returns a zero (0) then TRIM is enabled. If not, then enabled it with the command
fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0

 

Thanks. Actually realised what it was. Soon as I posted I figured I may have not set my power settings correctly and lo, that is what it was! Switched it to Performance and it all runs as it should - D3, Borderlands 2 and Bioshock Infinite.

Thanks for the link as well. May consider it in the future, too.

 

There's an error in the command. It works with fsutil behavior query disabledeletenotify

But thanks for the command anyway - did not know how to query the trim mode before ;-)

 

I just googled it, didn't check up on the information. I hope you'll get your performance back from the SSD. Good luck.

 

Maybe I should not be posting directly in this thread but I have a couple extra aftermarket compact power adapters for the Z2. I'm about to sell my Z2 as I moved to Samsung Series 9 and will not need these power adapters any longer. I also have the extended battery and Blue-Ray Docking station.

 

Sony Extended Sheet Battery (VGPBPSC27) for Z2 only $85 new on Amazon.

I have a Z2 palmrest with German keyboard in used condition available PM me if interested.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

Unfortunately I damaged my sim slot. It looks like I could resolder the damaged pins but would prefer to replace the slot. The code number stenciled on the sim slot is "T1X25 B". This sim slot must be nonstandard due the z2/SVZ plastic sim tray, which is a bit wider than a mini sim. Anyone knows where to get this socket from?

Also my sim tray is ripped to shreds from getting caught in the pins. Anyone know where to buy this tiny piece as sony price for this part is crazy at $26. Part number: 4-276-316-21.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

Hey all - long time reader but only just joined the forums.

Bit of a long shot - anyone interested in selling their PMD? I may be one of the very few that actually find the PMD to be extremely useful. I need one to leave at home.

Current setup at work is 3x 24" Benq full HD monitors connected in with the dock - it's magic. Model is VPCZ21BGX - 6gb ram, 256 SSD, quad core i7 2.7GHz.

And a side note for anyone who has had issues with disconnecting the dock - make sure you disconnect your external monitors first (Windows + P). I'm sure it's been covered by now, but that did cause me some pain initially.

 

I have an extra I'm no longer using, or rather my wife isn't using hers anymore. Not able to PM you because you're new, are you able to PM me?

 

I can sell my PMD as well as extended battery and extra AC adapters.

you can email me at info =at= cybermash =dot= com

Darius

 

I bought a PMD from Qwaarjet.Came in brand new condition with fast shipping

 

Doesn't look like I'm able to send PMs either - could you drop me an email? Address is i -DOT- w -DOT- ledley =AT= gmail .
Thanks!

 

Email bounced?

 

Hello guys, I'm in the club now ) Just receieved my VPCZ2.

Here come somequestion:
1. Does PMD still don't work right in Win8? I see there's drivers from 31 May 2013. I've tried this, but it failed. Hoever I'd like to do a Clean install.
2. Win 7 - all buttons works when doing clean install? I cannot get brightness working and sone more buttons?

 

1) Did you follow Sony's step by step instructions for installing? I've tried that driver without issue with W8.

2) You need to pretty much install all Sony drivers/utilities listed, there's an exact order somewhere.

 

Well, I've already got a working Z with almost all the drivers, and seen an "update" there.
May be you got me wrong, with failed. It installed successfully, but we still don't have a normal working PMD with Win8?

Yep, I got it Installed Win7 second time, found a nice list and doing it now.
Installed Win7. Looks like all what I need works fine. Still curious about PMD and Win8

 

How is it not working normally with Windows 8? I was able to dock and undock without rebooting, everything worked.

 

And you have Radeon running on your external display?
Drivers set up, you can connect the dock, but you won't have a graphic acceleration on external, will you?

 

I've been using drivers from LeshcatLabs with Win 8 for a while now. Works perfectly except for the Fn+Brightness keys, and if you play any games they'll definitely help framerates.

To answer your other question, when externals are connected Intel runs the onboard display and Radeon handles the others. That said, I wouldn't really run anything that you need "accelerated" with multiple displays enabled. Just go into Catalyst Control Center - Performance - AMD XGP and have the PMD boost the onboard display.

 

Anybody tried installing windows 8.1 on the Z2 yet? I have it installed here works fine and the latest LeshcatLabs drivers working well also. Whats not working are any drivers downloaded from the sony update website. I am especially interested in the touchpad driver but when I run the installer I get this error: "This update is not intended for use with your computer model" I have tried a few different drivers from the official sony site for my model z2 and I get the same error. I am wondering if they are doing an OS version check? Or is there an order I have to install the drivers in?

 

This thread looks damn dead, it's a pity.

Anyways, I just stumbled across something that seems like official hybrid graphics drivers by sony for windows 8!
Sony eSupport - SVZ131190X - Drivers & Software
I got an EU Z2, but in the past the US Z3 drivers worked like a charm.

Will give it a shot when I'm home later this evening and update this post if it works
Currently I'm running W8 with leshcats drivers. Overall it's working, but got a couple small issues.


Update: Got it to work. Uninstalled the old drivers with Driver Fusion. Everything seems to work perfectly!
(Additional tip: Had to remove my hdmi monitor from the PMD or the notbebook crashed during installation)

 

Does anyone know what the issue Im having with my laptop can't turn on without my charger plugged in? I don't think it's a battery issue because the battery checkerr says excellent. Battery care also turned off.. Do you guys think this issue with my charger or OS Windows 8?




Thanks,

 

Have you tried removing the battery and reseating it?

 

Still only have 128GB or 256GB in your Z2? I have a 512GB gen. 2 SSD for the VPC-Z2 series for sale for $475 shipped. PM me if interested.

 

I'm interested in your drive but cannot figure out how to PM you. If you can PM me, I'll try to respond.

R. Morrison

 

Does anybody know any good sites to replace the battery?

 

Hey guys.. Hope this thread isn't dead.. I've been having the most frustrating issue with my Sony vaio. For some reason I cannot undock from the pmd anymore. Everytime I attempt
To, this popup titled: problem undocking from docking station, with the message saying I have programs still trying to access and radeon 6650. I'm not the most tech savvy guy out there, and you guys are my last hope. Anyone encounter this problem? Anyone have ideas or solutions.. Thank you all so much in advance.

 

I am looking for a 256gb ssd for my z2, or 2 4gb sticks of ram. Please let me know if anyone has these for sale. Thank you

 

I have 2x4GB, PM me.

Sent from my C6606 using Tapatalk 4

 

Whenever I get this I usually have an external usb drive or something connected to the dock. Try disconnecting these before you undock

 

Hi all,

I have a few questions as I have the Japan 2011 Z2 i7 8Gb 256SSD with PMD 6650M.

1. The Vaio Care stopped working with one of Sony's recommended updates. Sony told me I have to basically reload everything from my Saved Backup disks from when I first turned it on!
I am just minimising the "VCSystem Tray has stopped working" I can not get the Auto updates but can install the other updates direct from the Japan website.

2. I have mine connected to a Dell U2410 via the media dock direct. I have played Skyrim and Civilisation 5 Braveworld and find Skyrim fine and Civ 5 a bit slow at times to generate a picture. I thought it automatically uses the Dock video card?
Do I have to click the catalyst control centre and enable XGP? The picture shows the display coming from the Laptop in that mode not the Dock HDMI I have connected? Is that an issue affecting performace?
What are the drives to get from this site(more specific detail on install please): http://leshcatlabs.net/
How do you get back to original if it stuffs up?

3. I also have the Undocking issue. I only have the PMD connected to the laptop. The Dock connects to the monitor via HDMI and the monitor has two USB ports that I am using. It wont disconnect on?
Edit: might try this as recommended "And a side note for anyone who has had issues with disconnecting the dock - make sure you disconnect your external monitors first (Windows + P). I'm sure it's been covered by now, but that did cause me some pain initially."

4. I have had one battery issue that basically Sony support was useless wanting me to send it to them. A Sony store just said take it out and put it back in....Sure enough fixed it without issue.

5. I leave the lid open when connected because I have been told\read that the bottom of the screen burns in\causes marks due to heat issues over time. Anyone had this?
I read about "Do nothing when close screen" to keep it running but how can you turn it on and off when the screen closed? Can you please let me know.

6. How do you work WIDI on this and can it be done with a PS3? I just read WIDI is built in but see no programs when type WIDI in search?

7. Can the 2012 PMD which is 7670M which I understand is NOT identical to the 6650M work on the Z2 2011?
Where can you get one in Hong Kong or the net...cannot see them on EBAY?

8. The noise cancelling is the laptop not the isolating headphones....hence I bought the Bose QC15 for the tablet....anyone tried the bose on this?

9. How do you update the SSD from 256 to 512SSD? Like this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/702265-upgrade-ssd-vpcz2390x-3.html#post9116245?

10. I updated my profile but specs not listed on post?

11. Can you unlock the BD player region after 5 changes?
How?

12. Anyone know how to get the preinstalled(comes with PC) Office 2010 working via a crack or activator?

Appreciate responses

Regards

 

Hey, long story short my z series got stolen in January. I still have the 2012 dock with the 7760 amd card. I think they are compatible, and you can pm if your interested.

 

ngvuanh, I have VPCZ21L9E and I am looking to buy the ram, any help?

 

I have VPCZ21L9E and I am looking to buy the ram, any help? Doesn't look like I'm able to send PMs either - could you drop me an email? Address is telfoon at yahoo dot se

 

I've owned a loaded VPCZ2390X since last March when I bought it new from Sony. Fortunately I got the extended warranty, even though Sony are tough to deal with regarding the extended warranty. Yesterday, out of the blue, the notebook decided to start acting strange. Within a minute of bootup, whether I boot into OS or boot into BIOS, or recovery mode, the machine just powers off completely. When I do make it to the desktop I am never able to even open an app before instant power off. I'm not talking about a Windows shutdown, but a hard power off.

So after about 6 hours on hold over 2 days waiting for Sony to help me, they are shipping me a box for repair. I wonder what the chances are that they will be able to repair what is presumably a hardware fault. Not sure what my options will be if they are unable to repair because this Z looks like the last model with integrated WWAN (I had Verizon's LTE on the notebook).

Posting this here just in case anyone has come across this or has any other advice ... Sony says it could be up to 6 weeks before I have my notebook back depending on parts availability ...

 

I had this exact same issue, I posted in the SVZ thread ( here). It was absolutely a hardware issue, with me the CPU fan would suddenly ramp up just before it would die.

In fairness to the EU support line I was talking to, they decided on the first call that it was definitely a hardware fault, and even better they extended my warranty free of charge to cover the repair. The box was couriered to me a few days later. They did have to order parts so it was almost 3 weeks before it was back, but they completely fixed it, and free of charge too. Hopefully you will have a similar experience!

 

Well hopefully my problem will be settled as quickly! Thanks for the notification. For me also they decided withing 2 minutes that it was a hardware fault, but I had to spend 6 hours on hold to get there. I do not have any fan speed rampup before power cuts so maybe the fan is dead. I have it set for silent mode so I can't usually hear the fan anyway and I cannot get anywhere in the system before power off to check anything. They are supposed to be shipping me the packing box any day now so hopefully will be resolved. Just a big headache for what I thought would be a solid performer, but it turns out to be very fragile. I really baby this thing and I still end up with a problem. Oh well ...

 

Interested in the PMD, but can't PM as you are too new. Where are you based? Please
live a message on my profile page, thanks!

 

Hi all,
i have a big problem with my vaio VPC-Z21C5E. After a lightning fall on my house my laptop not more power on and my warranty ended two months ago.. i have open my laptop to check power tension and found that the cards that house usb/hdmi/audio/ethernet/wifi interfaces are ko (short circuit) . so now i have only vga-out and sd-slot
there are parts replacement available for that cards ? what solutions i have?
please feel free to ask me any question, soon i will post some photo.

Thanks,
regards.

Valerio.

 

Hi everybody,
I'm wandering whether it is now possible to replace the internal SSDs (2 x 256GB) of my VPCZ21C5E with one Samsung 840 EVO 1TB.
I read on old messages that two years ago this was not possible, but maybe in the meantime somebody found some solutions (adapters or else).
Any news on this topic ?

Thank you and bye,
Diab.

 

So the notebook warranty company called me Friday and said they could find no fault with the notebook?!? Maybe it just needed a good kick to get it working. Presumably the jarring in transit fixed it?!? Most disconcerting ... Not confidence inspiring whatsoever...

 

In other news, has anyone here updated to Windows 8.1? I'm having two issues. Number one is the lack of driver for the intel hd graphics 3000, which is leading to internet explorer rendering issues and the odd crash. Intel do not seem to be interested in providing a working driver for a 2 year old chipset. Secondly is the fact that the laptop now never seems to go to sleep on timer (either on battery or plugged in). Powercfg seems to confirm everything is fine. If I reboot then sleep seems to work for a while, but eventually it will never happen on it's own, I have to manually close the lid or press the Standby option.

Anyone else seeing the same and have any ideas? Starting to regret updating to 8.1

 

Hi guys , would someone please help me find some part numbers of my laptop? parts like the screen, keyboard, screws, rubber bumpers, housing, palm rest and heat sink/fan.
I own a Z22agx/b .
thanks.

 

anybody???

 

Service manual, which includes part numbers, has been posted in this thread i believe. If not, Google vpcz2 service manual.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

thanks, I googled it and found some pdf files but don't know where to find the part numbers in them!