Official VAIO E Series Owners Thread

Other way around. The CCC installer you get down doesn't start the download of the drivers if you don't have a "supported" graphics card. Sucks.

ATI Mobility Radeon 10.6 Drivers Direct Links - Guru3D.com Forums - 10.6 that should work for us. Apparently someone always links to the unrestricted mobility drivers on guru3d, which we appreciate.

However they have yet again failed with keeping Battlefield bad company 2 performance decent (EDIT: bad performance may only apply to crossfire-setups, and the vaio E:s certainly don't have two graphics cards). Hotfix coming soon anyway.

 

Oh so it's just as it was pre-10.6 then - using the installer rather than the downloader works, that's okay.

 

I am looking to purchase a new Sony laptop for college. I want either the EA or CW series laptops. I really like the color and style of the EA, but it seems as though the CW might have slightly better specs, including a marginally longer battery life. Which would you suggest I purchase?

Thanks for all the help!

 

I received my EA2 laptop yesterday along with my extended battery. I charged the battery over night but upon booting up it's only at 90%. That can't be right surely?

I checked the Vaio control centre, the battery care function is NOT on. so it's nothing to do with that.

I also have the high pitched noise when running on battery, it's quite annoying when the ambient noise levels are quiet. I'm going to run it for a week or two and see if it goes.

 

Well, just put a deposit on one of these from the Australian lineup:
VPCEB26FG : E Series : VAIO Notebooks : Sony Australia

Core i3/R5650/1080p screen. Should last me through the rest of my degree.

Pick it up on Thursday. Cannot wait to be off this netbook I've been using since my desktop kicked the bucket last year..!

 

I have a problem with the e-series when i connect it to my tv via HDMI and close the lid.

I watch iplayer, sky player etc on the tv, but once i close the lid it loses internet connection.

I have set it to it does nothing when i close the lid, but this doesnt make any difference.

Any help please?

 

I just got the production email. Should be shipped between the 25th-30th June. That sounds good to me

Here's hoping that I get lucky and don't get the high-pitched noise problems. Touch wood.

 

According to the Sonystyle US site, the EA, EB, and EC series comes with the Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 (802.11a/b/g/n) card, which is a dual-band card. So, if Sony's site is correct, you can go with the dual band router. If you go the Sonystyle site, look under the specific model you're looking at, then click "explore details" and then click on the "specifications" tab. You'll see it down on the right side columns on the page.

 

Does anyone know what the cause of the high pitched noise is? I've since noticed I get it when running on both battery and when plugged in. It's getting on my nerves.

I've heard people mention it's to do with the core i processors but I doubt this is the cause, I had a CW2 laptop briefly before this EA2 and the CW2 did not have the high pitched noise.

It seems to be coming from underneath the SDF area of the keyboard. Does anyone know what is under there on the EA series?

 

No! Sony just made a faster 7200rpm hard disk available on the UK Sony Style. I could only configure with 5400rpm

But there is only 320GB 7200rpm so I still have higher capacity of 500GB

And the performance difference wouldn't be that noticable would it?

 

I'd say it would. But it also probably drains the battery faster, and is still inferior to SSD.

 

At least I have the higher capacity...

 

Hi all

Newbie here.

Thanks for all the useful information in this thread on the E series. As I debated which laptop to purchase a few months ago I was a regular visitor to check out what the real users thought of the machines so far.

I ended up making a purchase (despite the loud clicking/humming noises, low battery life/charge) and am expecting delivery by the end of the month (although I haven't yet received my "gone into production" e-mail so possibly that will be delayed).

Specs:
VPCEB1X5E .... i5, 500 Gb, 4 Gb RAM, basic screen and graphics.

So as I await delivery I'm starting to think about what else I might need... got a backup external HD and TV tuner USB so I can record TV (hopefully).

I'm planning on use my ipod to transfer my music from another computer (I'm figuring just plug it in and let it sync?).

Was thinking of just using MS Essentials for my security. Although was also considering Kaspersky (is it worth it?).

When it arrives is there an easy way for me to check that I've got what I paid for? Is it just My Computer -> Properties?

Was considering what software/freeware to get - itunes and a pdf reader where the obvious, but what about anti-spyware, firefox, VLC. Any ideas?

I guess I'm just putting this out there to see if anyone has any useful tips they'd like to share with a first time user of personal laptop - I have used work one for 7 years now but there's lots of things you're not allowed to do on it (and I'm sure they've got a big brother scan monitoring this entry as I type).

Use: media, internet, office apps, possibly minor gaming but nothing major. Specs purchased are an attempt to future proof it and also were chosen based upon available at Sony Centre.

All tips advice appreciated.

 

Hi there.

With itunes, i'm pretty sure you have to copy the files over independently of your ipod... it won't act as a transfer device by letting it sync with the new PC.

As for Security Essentials, personally i've been using it since it's debut last year and see very little point in paying for another anti-virus suite that is quite simply, just more intrusive.

 

Thanks for the reply.

I had to tailor my itunes quite a bit when initially bringing music in, would hate to have to do all that again. Wot about ipod touch applications? How would I transfer them? ... possibly I should just read the itunes help guide

 

This should help. How to Transfer Music From Ipod to Itunes | eHow.com

If you're interested in having a laptop without any bloatware that comes with it then try the semi clean install. http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/146033-how-optimize-any-sony-vaio-semi-clean-install-34.html

 

I'm looking at the info from my device manager, says artheros

 

How long have you had yours? Is it an EB(15.5")? Maybe they just switched the card with the introduction of the EA and EC series in North America this month.

 

I have a problem with the e-series when i connect it to my tv via HDMI and close the lid.

I watch iplayer, sky player etc on the tv, but once i close the lid it loses internet connection.

I have set it to it does nothing when i close the lid, but this doesnt make any difference.

Anyone know a fix or can test they have the same problem?

 

anyone managed to install ati 10.6? On mine it won't install, read now that vaio are not supported, we should check with vaio OEM but it seems there s no update.
Any news? I need a new CCC badly, this one's not compatible with playzeek.

LE: I read a few posts and it seems some of you managed to install it. Mine doesnt see the CCC and the driver, only the Catalyst Install Manager, a C++, 10 days of LOTR and no sign of the driver or the Catalyst Control. Help? I reverted to 10.5a, sadly.

 

10.6 catalyst - grab and install like normal. If you have problems, uninstall the old catalyst driver in control panel, reboot, use driver cleaner and clean out just the ATI stuff. Reboot, run installer as admin and smile.

Catalyst 10.6 unlocked for VAIO
ATI Mobility Radeon 10.6 Drivers Direct Links - Guru3D.com Forums

Driver Sweeper (uninstall normally first)
Guru3D - Driver Sweeper

 

The squeal some hear: I believe the noise comes from the location of the graphics card. I have tested this several times and here is what I found:

1) That IS the graphics card you hear - I opened it up and the noise is coming from right there (to the left of the touchpad and under the ASDZXC area).

2) I have the squeal (it doesn't really bother me but never-the-less it shouldn't do that). Mine makes the noise when on battery. This probably means the card struggles with the lowest power settings, thus creating the buzz on some capacitor or resistor.

3) There is also the slight possibility Sony has something added to the mobo that restricts SATA performance and this "janky" power saving modification is done poorly and cheaply. I have a Vertex 2 SSD in mine, which is screaming fast. I boot in 15 seconds, 230+ MB/s read and write speeds at 64k and up, and that all to often overlooked 0.1ms access time. What is gimped are the 4k IOPS. The drive performs 30,000 4k IOPS on my Desktop. In this laptop that is limited by something to 5,000 4k IOPS. Sure, this is better than the 400 4k IOPS the original HDD can do, but still something is limiting it. That something might buzz. The only thing that makes me think this isn't the buzz culprit is that the HDD/SSD slot is a bit away from where I hear the noise. But, the limiting add-on could be there under the graphics card.

 

Thanks alot! It actually worked! + repped!

 

got mine bout 1 month ago in UK. They obv use all sorts of components I reckon. 2.4Ghz aint so bad and probably in keeping with the lower price of this laptop.

What I'm trying to do is to get fast wireless access to network storage around the house. 5ghz wouldve been nice.

 

I see. I guess it just depends on what part of the world you're in. With the F-series in the US, it was the reverse. Owners were reporting the Atheros card while some European owners mentioned having the Intel 6200 dual band card. The EC series in the UK has a 1080p screen available but none for US customers. It's too bad things aren't more uniform in terms of options.

 

EB in the UK also has 1080p option as well as EC

 

Thanks for the info. It's nice to know what the cause is even if there's not much I can do about it. My laptop makes the noise on both battery and when plugged in but I'm sure it's more often and louder when on battery for some reason.

I was wondering whether I should send it in for repair but would a Sony service engineer be able to do anything about this if it's down the design of the GPU? All he could do would be to exchange the mobo for a new one but as it seems to be a design flaw, the replacement would have the same problem.

 

I wouldn't bother sending in, Sony usually has acceptable noise levels established for their equipment and if your noise is like mine, it is only heard in a completely silent room and it is still not very loud at all. I have asked a few people using mine if it they notice any odd sounds, none have even noticed. All they do say is "wow it is so fast" and "look at all those fingerprints". hahah

 

I hope this noise problem is only the case with some laptops since I'm looking for a laptop that I can use in a library and can't have noise-issues. Did you install the SSD yourself? Wouldn't I void the warranty if I did it myself?

 

Noise - The noise problem is fairly over-exaggerated. My definitely has a buzz but again, it is so soft, it can only be heard in a completely silent room and you must be VERY close to the unit to hear it. Again, I have had several people use the laptop and none notice any noise at all.

SSD - I did install the SSD myself. You just need a small phillips head screw driver. It is REALLY easy - just remove the two little screws from the back storage dock cover, remove the cover, remove two more screws from the disk caddy and slide it out. Remove old drive from caddy by unscrewing the 4 screws and place your 2.5 inch SSD (they are making some 1.8 now for netbooks) in the caddy and screw back in. Slide caddy back the same way it was, tighten the two screws, replace cover, replace screws. Turn it on and install your OS. Do it all with care so you can replace the stock HDD should you ever have a problem with the SSD or warranty issues. Keep in mind you shouldn't use your recovery disks from the stock HDD, you really need your own OS media to install. Also remember to use the newest Rapid Storage Drivers version 9.6.0.1014 or better for TRIM capability on Windows 7.

 

I've just gotten my EA i5 2.4-2.9 processor for 2 weeks. It was running well and my games installed had no issues. The fan sound level was low too even when i'm running my games application. But then something happen, i don't know what happen, my fan level was getting rather loud and audible. this might be after i had installed a new game, i don't know. i was investigating ard until i look at my task manager the cpu usage is at 100%! wow that's quite high. since it's a new com with not much data stored, i've decided to reinstall again pressing F10 at startup. now the fan level goes back to a soft level and the cpu usage is ard 20-30%. can anyone point to me what should i do if this happens again? i do not want to keep reinstalling my com.

 

Use the task manager to see what it is that's hogging the CPU. Is that 20-30% idle, though? Something not quite right there if it is.

 

A rouge program must have been using all the processor power. In task manager you can kill any process that takes up way more than it needs to.

I agree with mythdat as well, 30% idle is not a good thing. Maybe run an antivirus scan?

 

guys thanks for your help. it's not 20%-30%. saw it wrongly. it's single digit so i guess im fine.

 

That's okay then, single digit is fine

 

im having problems with the installation of the new updates on the VPC-EB1S1E/BJ :

VAIO Control Color Setting MRLE Updater 1.5.2.05210

VAIO Control Color Setting 1.5.2.05211

have windows 7 64bits the error is : Previous version of VAIO control color settings is not installed upgrade is will be canceled.

and i have vaio control color settings installed

can anyone help,please

thanks

 

Try running the update as admin. If that doesn't work, uninstall vaio control color, reboot, reinstall, then run the update.

 

I was wondering if anyone's had any problems with the animated cursors freezing? I'm using the default Aero theme on W7 and none of the "loading" or "processing" cursors spin like they should. I recently updated to the ATi 10.6 drivers posted earlier... And I ensured I completely removed the old ones first.

Anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

 

not working,already have made a fresh install of Windows 7 and give the same error,anyone have this problem to?

 

I am getting really annoyed with the trackpad.

It seems to play up randomly and become inaccurate when trying to move the cursor around. Sometimes I cannot get it to move to a certain position on the screen without trying many times.

I do not know what is causing it. Am I the only won suffering from this?

I am thinking about sending the laptop back to Sony but will they actually be able to fix it?

I am surprised no one else has this issue or puts up with it.

 

I put up with it sometimes.
but mostly i just use my mouse!
i dont know whats wrong with trackpads these days. my old acer used to do this as well.. someone got rid of it for me. stole the damn thing

 

My current HP laptop's touchpad is fine. I hope my Vaio's will be the same.

 

I rarely use the touchpad but I haven't had any issues with it. If you're having problems though, you can try installing the Synaptics drivers. The touchpad is an Alps model but Synaptics drivers work on it, and are generally a little better.

 

Any advice on overlcoking in the E-series? I've read that Sony have underclocked the Ati's too much. What's the best software to use, and how much over clocking is safe?

I have the 5470 by the way, not the 1Gb one.

 

From what people have told me on these forums it seems as if all Sony Vaio laptops have underclocked and undervolted gpu's so that puts a limit on the amount you can overclock them so you could never get to dangerous heat levels anyway.

I've been told that AMDGPUClockTool_v0.9.26.0 will be able to overclock my 5650 in my laptop. I haven't been able to try yet because my laptop I ordered hasn't arrived yet! But it seems that it works for other people with the 5650. Not 100% certain about the 5470 but I think it should work for all ati 5000 series cards in laptops.

 

Hi!
I got my new vaio yesterday same specs but with i3-340M procesor... It's great but i have a question about partitioning the hdd. I have posted a thread about this here http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/494571-how-partitionate-my-vaio.html If anyone can help i would really apreciate it! Thanks!

 

I have seen some people having issues with the touchpad. I also had occasional oddities with the touchpad, nothing major just some cursor jumps now and then. A couple days ago I looked into fixing it and can report I have had no problems for two days with the following ALPS POINTING DEVICE driver dated 6/8/2010. I believe the driver available on my e series support page is from December 2009.

Sony eSupport - VPC* alps pointing

It is the 64-bit version. This link was pulled from another laptop that was just released, so newer drivers posted in the support

 

I haven't seen much about the EC on this forum. Or maybe I missed it?

But I've been thinking about getting the ready-to-ship model of the EC from sony's US website. Today, I just returned the F12K (fan whistling and annoying beeps from palmrest area) and I thought maybe the EC would work better.

What do you guys think try another F or try an EC?

The only computer game I play is sims 3.

 

Cheaply assembled I'm guessing. Have had that too. On this laptop and the Acer I had before.

Just give it a hard tap (hit it -somewhat- hard!) with your finger on the left side of the trackpad and it should go away.. at least it does that for me.

 

This doesnt work. Believe me I have hit the touch pad very hard on many occasions. Pressing the finger hard during scrolling doesnt work either.

When i just hold my finger in place without moving it, the cursor moves around and isnt even still. It even moves around when I place my hand/finger close to the touchpad without even touching the touch pad.

I have noticed that it happens alot when the mains adaptor is plugged in but it also sometimes occurs when using the laptop on battery only although less frequently. Not sure if it is a heat/light or power issue but it is very annoying.

I have emailed Sony and will expect a fix.