Official Sony Vaio CW Core 2 Duo Series Owner's Thread

Yeah it was doing my head in as well. After an almost seemingly hopeless endeavour, I learned about Deferred Procedure Calls (DPC) latency which seemed to be the culprit. Download DPC latency checker and it'll tell you how high your latency is - if you're constantly getting red bars then that's (audio) stutter island for you. I followed the recommended method for diagnosing the cause of the high latency and found out it was the Nvidia graphics driver. Uninstalling it in device manager caused the latency to drop down into consistent green bars.

The strange thing is, however, I've managed to get stutter-free audio back by reverting to the stock Sony Nvidia drivers provided on the Vaio website (version 187.25 I think?) but, my DPC latency is still ridiculously high.

So if you're getting audio stutter, try going back to the stock drivers and see if they help.

 

DOH!! Never again am I buying laptop parts on eBay

 

Best Foot Forward, thanks I will try it and post my results.

 

Hello all,

I am torned between the HP dm4t and the Vaio CW7. Since the laptop will be mainly lightly used with NO gaming at all, but casual HD movies, I am more leaning towards the CW7. But I like the 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5450 switchable graphics option of the HP.

I need to ask the good people who OWN the CW7, what pros and cons do you see in this notebook?

Thanks

 

The stock Sony driver on their website is supposed to solve audio skipping problem. I use stock Nvdia + newest Synaptics/Realtek drivers (from their websites), and I don't have audio skipping problem. DPC checker reveals red spikes every once in a while, though. Unfortunately, that seems to be very common with the most recent laptops (perhaps it has to do with aggressive power saving scheme, just a guess though).

 

So I have been using my core i5 since February and totally pleased until now. I recently experienced a power-cut and windows wont start on my laptop. I enabled no gui-boot so I don't keep seeing windows logo and also to speed start up. Ever since the power-cut, all I get now is a blank screen and nothing happens. What can I do other than factory restore. My recent files aren't backed up.

 

Hi guys

I need a little help, i have a problem with my vaio, and i have exhausted all the posibilities which i can think of.

The problem is that i cannot connect an external usb keyboard to my CW, i have tried with two different keyboards. The keyboards works perfectly on another PC. I even tried to force windows to use the same driver, that my other PC uses for the two keyboards, but then i get an error stating that "the device failed to start".

Regards Martin

 

Hi, I would like to know if I can upgrade the processor to qx9300?

my original one is p8700.

please let me know if I can do that. if not, what is the best proc I can upgrade to

 

Is anyone having troubles with video playback on the CW as well? Mine is the VPCCW2S1E and video's that are not optimal quality (yes, torrents) manage to look worse than my 3 year old Vaio FZ (lowest model) . Darker scenes can show squares over the screen, sometimes during a rapid action scene, it's shocky. And colors sometimes seem washed out, they tend to blend with other colors from other objects...

 

they know what is I number of PLL of the P8700 processor, to do OC to him? Thank you very much!!

 

So it has been a year since these CWs with Core 2 Duos came out. Problems have started to surface, and I was not the exception. First, my keyboard skin started to have tears after just a few weeks of usage. Having no time or patience to sit on 4 hour phone calls to try to send the skin in for a warranty replacement, I gave up. Then just a few months later, something started rattling in the computer every time I picked it up. I shook the thing with an open CD drive and a SCREW came out. Do you guys think I should try to send the laptop in for a repair before the warranty runs out in November? It runs fine...and I am afraid that the repair (just to put the screw back in...) would take months.

Thanks

 

I was wondering what these are and are they safe to uninstall?
VAIO Content Metadata Intellident Analyzing Manager
VAIO Original Function Settings
VAIO Content Metadata XML Interface Library
VAIO Content Metadata Manager Settings
VAIO Personalization Manager
VAIO Content Monitoring Settings
VAIO Content Metadata Intelligent Network Service Manager

I also uninstalled the VAIO Entertainment thing but the VAIO Entertainment folder is still in my C drive. Is it safe to just delete it or is there a better way?
Thanks!

 

How to enable booting from USB in CW16FG.I am novice,so a detailed advise will be appreciated.Thanks.

 

I'm having the same issue. I have to tinker with the connection or rest the cord in a specific way just to keep it plugged in. Does anyone know what I should expect if I were to take it to a Sony Style store? I purchased this CW in December but without an extended warranty...

 

You can uninstall all of the above except for the vaio original function settings.
yes,its safe to delete leftover empty folders,why dont you use revo uninstaller its much better than the default windows uninstaller and doesnt leave out empty folders and registry entries of the uninstalled programs.

 

I just noticed that my battery is charged to 100%, and there's no Battery Care option in VAIO Control Center. happened??

 

BTW, anybody know how you remove the keyboard? The manual doesn't have instructions. I tried removing the screws directly behind the keyboard but it won't budge. Surely you don't have to take apart the whole laptop....

Googling turns up nothing which is weird...

 

Yes, the whole thing must be disassembled. That's the good and bad side of chiclet style keyboards.

EDIT: On a happier note, the CW is probably the easiest notebook I've EVER taken apart.

 

ACK... Why would they make it like that? The whole keyboard is a single unit with a faceplate on top. Why not make the keyboard and faceplate able to be lifted off like a normal keyboard?


I have no idea how to disassemble though. Unlike HP, Sony doesn't provide instructions.

 

That's the way all the chiclet keyboards are now because it pratically ellimates keyboard flex while typing. They went for structurally sound, instead of easily replaceable.

But to disassemble, basically you start with the bottom cover... You just unscrew all the screws in all the holes on the bottom, slide out the ODD if you can, then just lift the bottom plate off. It doesn't clip or snap or latch into place anywhere... it's a clean lift. Once the bottom plate is off, you much detach and remove the motherboard from the top panel. So there will be screws holding the motherboard to the frame... unscrew those, unplug all connections like the WiFi/Bluetooth antennas, and the LVDS display connector, then underneath the motherboard, on the inside of the top panel, the keyboard is screwed into place there also. Then you can do what ever you need to do.

Just make sure you do a "neat" or "tidy" job, because if Sony can see signs of disassembly, like broken pieces or missing internal screws, it can void your warranty.

All the screws holding the bottom plate in place are the same head size and length, so they're quite easy to keep up with. I also seem to remember there only being 2 different lengths of screws internally, so that's also a relief.

BTW... What happened to your keyboard?

 

Hi,

Somebody to which could install new drivers nvidia 260,63 beta? there is no way… I suppose that the modified INF will need to me, but not it encounter. Somebody that has been able, me could happen? Thanks!!

Nvidia Gt 230m 512mb.

 

Hi,

How do you know that AHCI is enabled? The reason I ask is that when you check the registry setting in Windows 7 according to the many guides on the net such as How to enable AHCI in Windows 7 RC after installation | iThinkDifferent on mine the entry's value is 3, but it is supposed to be 0 if ahci is running.

Is there any other way to check?

I've just installed an SSD, but am really wanting to work out if it is running or not so I know TRIM is working.

Cheers

 

Can anyone tell me what the Graphics NVIDIA/N10P-LP/512MB Dedicated Graphics card is?.

 

nVidia G210M....

 

hi,

Have main question i have vpccw14fx series t6600 with 230gt, now i feel that i need more cpu performance.

Can anyone tell me if have upgraded to p8800 performance?
Also i saw that new models from sony is equipped with i-3 etc processors , its possible to upgrade of those?
I'll need any software after installing new hardware?

 

P8800 should be possible, but Core i3/i5 is not.
And no software needed...

 

I am trying to replace the cpu, and have managed to remove the bottom plate and begin to lift the motherboard out but there seems to be the keyboard ribbon connected underneath and I can't get access to it.

How do you lift the motherboard completely out?

 

I just wanted to ask for some help.. I have the Sony Vaio CW (VPCCW16FG) and I would like to upgrade the CPU. Currently it's a P8700.

Any suggestions on what CPU I can replace it with? Thanks..

 

Hey

I've had my Sony Vaio Core 2 Duo for about 10 months now, and I've had no problems. However, lately, the left side, by the fan exhaust, heat has been building up a bit more, and the fan is a bit lowder than when the laptop was new.

My question is: Has anyone cleaned their Sony Vaio CW for dust? Did you disassemble? Vacuum? Compressed air? Other tricks?

Any help is greatly appreciated - as dust buildup is the no.1 enemy of a laptop

Coltius

 

Hey,
I have CW 17/FX and was wondering if i could change my processor from T6600 to P8400 because my processor doesnt support Virtualization Technology. If so where is the best place to do it since Sony dont do it.

Thanks alot guys

 

can i upgrade my cw (c2d series) to intel cpu X9100 or T9900?!

 

Apparently the headphone output does not support digital audio (S/PDIF). Can somebody confirm that (on the VPC-CW17FW)?

If so, it's a terrible shame, that Sony would omit they own Sony/Philips Digital InterFace, on a multimedia computer. I shopped for ages and every Dell/Acer/Asus/MSI/HP/Compaq/whatever, they pretty much all have the optical Toslink inside the 3.5mm headphone plug.

Is there a technical manual which I can download, showing chipset information and connector pinouts?

 

I don't see why it has to install from below. The other day I replaced the keyboard on my work laptop, a Dell M1730. The keyboard drops in from the top, and it's more rigid than the CW's. They could easily make the entire keyboard a simple module, including the grid that goes between the chiclets.

 

Does anyone know if it is easy to disassemble the fan in order to clean it?

Also, memory upgrade to 8gb, works well?

 

My sony vaio VPCCW16FG Function keys are not working.Please help

 

Adding RAM

Guys,

I have never added RAM to a laptop before. I have the VPCCW190X with 3GB, and I would like to expand up to 8 GB. I know there is a compartment with RAM, but exactly how do I add it on this laptop? There are "sticks" of 1 GB, and 2 GB I believe. In that case, would I buy 1 "stick" of 1 GB, and 2 "sticks" of 2 GB?

1) Where would I purchase RAM that would fit this particular laptop?

2) Do I need any drivers?

3) What is the installation procedure?

Thanks a lot!!!

 

it depends on where u from, but check out amazon in any case.

u dont need drivers and all u actually need to do is find a screwdriver and screw the middle screw underneath ur laptop in the center.

if u want to upgrade to 8gb, u have to get 2 ram blocks of 4. and i think max is 8 so..

in my laptop i can see it needs a pc 1066 mhz so-dimm which i think urs needs as well.. download CPU-z and check Memory Dram frequency.. mine says 532MHZ which is pc 1066 mhz rams..

i was thinking of upgrading too and amazon has these:
Corsair Memory RAM 8GB (1066MHZ, Unbuffered, SODIMM) DDR3: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories


EDIT: i bought these ram and it only works individually.. not both in the same time, which is odd.. but dunno what i can do to make it work.. both doesnt have any error, did mem test

 

I would recommend just running the Crucial system scanner on your laptop. After you get the RAM, installing it is relatively easy.

 

Could you by any chance tell me how to take the CW notebook apart? :x My laptop needs cleaning (it's been getting rather hot), and I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure how to clean it properly without breaking anything. So yes, this is another one of the "dust" questions. ><

Thanks :3

 

Ive had the Sony vaio cw for almost a year and a half now, It is a pretty good laptop, but Ive had some problems with it. The battery gets KILLED when I put it in sleep mode. I'll close it with 80% and then open it in an hour and it will have 40%. I am also sick of all the vaio crap on this pc, it messes with everything, iTunes runs horrendously slow when the process vdau is running, and the computer gets loud out of nowhere because the vaio apllications are using the cpu. What can I do about this? I am also going to college this coming September, Im thinking of getting rid of this laptop and getting either a macbook pro 13 or the upcoming sony vaio z 2011, what do you guys think I should do?

 

new SSD intel 320 serie is running great!
changed CPU from p7450 to p9700 so its super fast now.. really thinking of upgrading ram as well xD

just got my Caddy so finally i can put my old HDD in there instead of the DVD drive that i never use anyway!

feels like a new laptop cpu idles at 30C !! i luv the P9700 its so fantastic!

 

Hey Gnazz, wich Caddy did you buy? I want to buy one in ebay but I dont know wich model is the correct. Thank you.

 

this is the one i bought and it fits perfect!

2nd HDD / SSD Caddy for Sony VAIO CW and CA Series [OBHD-SATA12-SATA-BU] - $44.75 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

my laptop feels like a new laptop, and im glad i didnt buy a new one!

 

Thanks for the link.

 

Hi,

I am absolutely tearing my hair out trying to update the graphics drivers on my CW (P7450, GT230M).

Basically, the latest drivers I can find which work are the 8783 drivers from Sony.

When I try to install drivers from laptopvideo2go.com using a custom INF, whenever I restart the computer, the computer eventually hangs and I get a BSOD error.


Any help would be much, much appreciated.

 

Hi all,
I have a CW that I've had for about 18 months now. I just reset it to factory settings because it was becoming pretty sluggish and using a lot of ram to do basic things like run chrome. Before I reset my computer I was able to play wow, second life, and sims 3 with no issues whatsoever, I was really happy with my graphics performance. Since resetting, my graphics are awful, but the rest of my system is running great. I literally can not play games I was playing on the same system just a few days before. I'm not sure what i need to do, I've downloaded drivers and updates, I dont know if I should mess with my Nvidia settings at all. Any direction would be fantastic! Thanks

 

I have the sasme problem if you find the solution please let me know.
Thanks.

 

Anyone able to run BF3 smoothly with the nvidia geforce gt 330m?

I can barely play on the lowest settings =(

 

I've found a fix!

Download this driver:
NVIDIA VERDE R258 driver (for Vista & Windows 7, 64-bit):
NVIDIA DRIVERS 285.62 WHQL

And use this modified .INF (if you don't know how, just ask):
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=3489

If the above link doesn't work try this:
285.62.zip modified INI

Credits go to this guy for creating the modified INF:
v285.62 Windows 7/Vista 64bit | NVIDIA OEM Mobile - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

It seems like it also fixes the annoying "driver stopped responding" error! I can also feel a significant improvement in speed, too.

 

That guy was me, and I have a thread here http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/429745-windows-7-clean-install-guide-vaio-fz.html. You can get future modded INF's here. Actually this INF is the same as the Sony provided INF for your GPU.