Official VAIO E Series Owners Thread

Does anyone think that i should return this laptop and buy a sager instead? Earlier today i was satisfied with my vaio assuming a technician comes but earlier today... my touchpad didn't even click at all. I'm talking about the regular touchpad and not the left and right clicks which never worked.

By the way, has anyone here got a sony technician to come to their home and fix their laptop? Support told me it will take 8 business days maybe before they can even contact me to schedule an appointment. Can someone tell me how long it takes for them to call you ?

 

Hi again.

I would like to know if I start the recovery disk and choose to not install the VAIO partition, will it be equivalent to fresh start?

I will buy photoshop CS5 and I will not need elements anymore. So, I think about get rid of all the programs come from factory and to install the programs which I need only.

Another question, I have an office 2010 copy and I don't want to lose my license. So, I want to know how to not lose it.



After looking at some complaints about wireless device. I checked my device manager and it appear to me that I have Intel Centrino 6200. I don't have any problem with it.

 

that is so weird of the touch pad, have you tried to reinstall the Alps Pointing Device Drivers?

If you install using the recovery disk, VAIO software will still be installed and so will not be equivalent to a fresh start(by fresh I assume you mean a retail Windows version equivalent), you can do whatever you want with installing and uninstalling your software after recovery

What exactly do you mean by lose your license? If you reformat your VAIO, you will just have to install Office 2010 again and use the same product key again, you will not lose any license.

 

I hope a tech can replace or fix your touchpad. There are a lot of problems with the e-series touchpad - look around at the reviews. Mine almost works, but no matter what driver I try it still freaks out occasionally.

You would never lose your license, but when you activate (it is automatic with 2010) it might make you call a number since it will see there are more activated copies than you have licenses for. If you uninstall Office 2010 before you do a fresh install it will clear the previous activation and you shouldn't even have to call Microsoft for activation when you reinstall.

If you do end up calling Microsoft for activation, it is just an automated system and I have never had it deny me reactivation of any product. However, since you mentioned CS5, which I also have, make sure you deactivate using the help menu or uninstall completely before any reinstall. Adobe is not as forgiving as Microsoft.

 

Anyone experience problems with bad transfer through USB? I have an external USB connected with eSATA, transfer around 10 MB/s between laptop and the external drive. Same for SanDisk Cruzer 16 GB, around 4 MB/s while copying!

 

The reason behind my office question is that I have one more computer in the product key, but I am saving it for a desktop which I will buy in the near future. Thanks for the help and I will contact Microsoft support before uninstall it.

Regarding CS5. I have a trial version which will end in 17 days. I will buy a complete version of it next few days. Must I deactivate this also??


lastly, for the recovery. As I understand all the application will installed even when I don't choose to install the partition. I remember that I read like that if I don't install VAIO partition i will be install VAIO programs manually live from CD. So, I asked before involved with all that stuff and have no results at the end. The problem is I don't have an original Windows CD


and Thank you very much for the information.

 

Just tested it as my SanDisk Cruzer 16GB attached and I got a rate of 3.75 at most and hardly reach 4 Mb/s. That is for copying to flash a 1.5 GB file.

In the opposite side, I copied a 1.8 GB file from the flash to the computer and it started from 600MB/s until it drop to 24 MB/s and finish the task.

 

Can anyone advise me on whats the best way to update the onboard graphics driver[Intel]. I normally do them via
the Vaio update app but ive manually downloaded them instead [ EP0000219982 ] Do i need to uninstall the old
ones 1st?? Dont want to muck things up, and being on a mobile broadband dongle, i'm running out off my data
allowance to redownload them via the Via app..
Cheers Steven

 

I get my E series tomorrow

 

hi Guys

I have bought a EA, and updated the bios from the sony webpage
after updating, the fan has become very noisy, I am so sad, because before updating it was very silent,

has anybody had same problem?
how can i get back the original bios version?

 

I updated my bios and I don't notice any noise from my computer. I think it's related with the setting of the bios. There is a post related to this issue in the last 5 pages. You can check them.

 

Many Thanks for Your Respond
In better words, after updating Bios, it seems the CPU is more heated and makes fan to work at higher speed which makes noise

I just wanted to make sure, can it be related to Bios?

I will go through the related posts.

 

You can do a clean install using this method:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/146033-how-optimize-any-sony-vaio-semi-clean-install.html

 

Make sure C3/C6 states are enabled in the BIOS

 

I dont know if this is because I installed the new bios, but what the new bios comes with, is the ability to disable/enable the c3/c6 option. When I disabled it, the fan was loud because, I believe, from what another user said on here, it makes the cpu workat 100% all the time.. If the c3/c6 is enabled, its quiet, but you get a hissing noise.

 

Hey all, I am new. I just bought the blue EB-27FX and I love it. I previously had a cr220e white laptop that I also loved, which was a little smaller than this one, but I enjoyed the wider screen and the number keypad.

My cr220e still works fine though, the battery won't work and dvd drive won't write. But if it were fixed up it could be a nice computer for someone. I had that one for about three years and had absolutely no problems with it other than with the peripherals; power cord, battery.

My dad bought a VAIO desktop in about 2002 and although they've gotten a new once since (and Acer, which I can't stand using), it still works fine. I am very loyal to this brand and recommend it to everyone for its performance and hardiness.

So, I thought it would be nice to talk to some other VAIO owners and get some info and tips.

 

Hi all,
I am trying to run media from my VAIO on my PS3. Just till a week back, my PS3 could detect my vaio directly and also through VMp (Vaio media plus) .i.e my PS3 showed two icons - one for the media plus server and another for my laptop. I used to play my video contents of the laptop using the laptop icon visible in PS3 and never tried VMp. I don't know what made some difference, my PS3 only shows VMp icon now and not my laptop. And, I can see all my laptop's media contents on it but no videos. When I try to access videos, it says no titles found. Then I checked my VMp communication settings and it also shows all media files except videos. Though I have selcted the videos folder and all proper paths in the setup of VMp but still doesn't work. Any suggestions?

 

Greetings!

Got my Sony Vaio EB 390x (USA) yesterday. Played with it all night last night and today after work.

I agree with the previous posts about the speakers. They are terrible and if this is an important feature for you then this laptop may not be for you.

Other than that, the keyboard is great. I'm not having any problems with the mouse.

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer.

As for me, does anyone have any suggestions on what I need to do to optimize this computer? Any must have software.

I'm considering using OCCT to test out my CPU/GPU is this a good idea?

Also, is there a way I can reassign some of the keys...i.e turn them into volume control keys?

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sony Vaio EB 390x: i5-580M, 4GB SDRAM DDR3, ATI 5650 (1GB), 320GB HDD (7,200 rpm), 15.5" FHD 1080p. DVD.

Previously:
Dell Inspiron 6000 (2005) Intel Centrino 1.86Gz, 4GB RAM, ATI 128MB, 60GB HDD (7,200rpm), 15.6 (1920x1200). DVD.

 

I uninstalled nearly all pre-installed softwares, only keep vaio gate, roxio and the important things which relate to the hardwares. I think you should have some basic softwares like defraggler, ccleaner and revouninstaller... which are very useful to keep your computer run well.

About the volume control keys, I think you can use the Fn key with F3 or F4 to adjust the volume, no need to reassign anything IMO.

 

Does the extended battery stick out in the EB model?

 

If you are referring to the high capacity 5000mAh battery the answer is no, it is the exact same size as the standard capacity and fits perfectly. Mine gets about 1.5 hours more than the standard capacity for standard usage (internet, photo editing, music listening, office work).

 

Where do you buy the extended battery and how much does it cost? I have the sony VPCEB390x laptop with the 6 cell battery. How much more does the extended battery add in terms of weight to the 5.95lb laptop with the 6 cell? Can you get it on ebay?

 

I received my EB3/i5-470m/1080p yesterday.
A fine laptop overall, except a dead pixel almost in the middle of the screen
1080p on 15.5" is great (I wasn't sure before)
Indeed sound is crap, but nice with headphones.

Disappointed by the dead pixel (I can't ignore it), I'm returning it today...
Should the screen wasn't spoiled, I would have been glad with my purchase.

 

Try this solution if you have not tried yet
This will certainly make the speakers sound much better than the factory state. Enjoy...

 

where can i get the Quick Web Access kit ?
i did a clean install of win7 (although i made recovery dvds just in case.)

 

Does anyone feel a weak joint between the laptop screen and the body?

I just got my E series and compare to my previous VAIO, the joint seems weak and the screen is swinging more than my old VAIO. Can anyone have same issue as me?

Thanks,

 

Just tested and it's still solid. Sorry but I think you got a defect product.

 

Hi everyone
I have upgraded my notebook's bios.
now its fan is working a lot and I hate its sound. Im going nuts! I wonder if there is any way to downgrade my bios to its original or do something to lower the fan activity..... there is no link for original bios in the sony website...

 

I noticed that "Fresh Start" has been removed as option for the VPCEB390X CTO.

I know that it's possible to do a clean install, but would rather get a bloatware-free laptop out of the box.

Is there any hope of the option returning?

 

Thats odd, perhaps they are making room for new deals

You could try calling a sales rep and asking for that option.

 

Ati Catalyst 10.10 has been released!

And I'm not going to link them because I don't think they'll do you any good!

Why? Because the WHQL-signed 10.10 drivers are basically the same as the 10.10 beta ones , and those were not good for my vaio. If you were to close the lid and then reopen, colorspace changed to 16 bit in most if not all 3rd party applications.

Here's hoping for that the 10.10a hotfix drivers will come soon.

 

I have just upgraded my Sony VPCEB17FX to the latest BIOS version R0300Y8 and I noticed that the fan is now much louder. To be more precise, when just browsing the web and not doing anything CPU intensive it seems like the fan speed doesn't go below a certain level when before the update the fan slowed down much more and therefore was more quiet.

I tried changing the C3/C6 from enabled to disabled and some different tweaks, but it's still louder than before.

It looks like the BIOS update increased the default fan speed level and the computer just doesn't go below that. In a quiet bedroom it gets quite annoying and I am thinking about selling my 2 months old VAIO because I can't take it anymore.

Did anyone else notice the higher fan noise after the update?

 

Just installed them - they seem to be working fine for me, no colour issues!

 

Hi, I just received my EB notebook today. Overall, I'm very satisfied so far, minus the sound and battery which I knew was subpar. Screen is gorgeous especially at 1920x1080!

I ordered Windows 7 Professional with fresh start, and now I'm having trouble finding VAIO media gallery to install. I looked under VAIO care as suggested from other posts, but I don't think it comes with the fresh start. The program isn't on sony support either. Is there any solution? Or better yet, is anybody willing / able to post the installation file somewhere? Thanks so much!

 

You sure? It won't say 16 bit in any setting, nor will it disable the for what I know 24 bit dependent aero. It's just in some third party applications where the the colors will be off. In my case all adobe software plus I saw it clearly on the blue display picture on the "desktop and displays"-page on catalyst control center.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/RGBR.png
Check the picure. It should look smooth. Close the lid, reopen. Still smooth?

 

Way to Go, SONY Europe! I ordered my EB CTO (customized) laptop 6 weeks ago. Delivery time should've been 2-3 weeks. Now when I asked from the store, the lady said that "Sony has canceled the order without letting us know". Waht the phuck?

How can Sony cancel an order, and I paid in cash when I ordered! And she said this is not the first time. If Sony doesn't want to sell me a computer, I think I'll take my money elsewhere.

I guess I'll go with Asus and buy it from the shelf. That's what I originally intended to do.

 

Yup, exactly the same for me. Your mileage may vary

 

I have the exact same problem. If you look at the last page, I have posted same problem. Its sound is really annoying and it's killing me... and I want to use my laptop to study and it really kills my concentration!
I searched on the internet to find a solution to downgrade the BIOS to its original one, but there is nothing out there!

I ask people who view this post and have not upgraded their BIOS, please go to your BIOS and see what is your BIOS version. somthing similar to R0300Y8 (but obviously different) must be there... and inform us. maybe we can search for that version and find something on internet.... (All VPCE VAIO notebooks use the same BIOS software)

 

For the EB series...
Here are the BIO's my laptop came with:
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. R1100Y8, 8/17/2010

Here's the website which comes up when I google that:
http://biosagentplus.com/techsupport/

 

What is your notebook's exact model ?
here is the complete list of models that this R0300Y8 update is issued for: list

Is your notebook among this list?

Anyone else? we need your help! any VPCEA / VPCEA2 owners here?

 

EB390x CTO

 

It is not in the list.... But thank you

 

I am glad I am not imagining the noise and someone else had noticed it too.
I'll keep digging until I find the solution or I'll keep complaining until the fix it.
I found this thread where they discuss downgrading a BIOS. At least I know it's possible. Now just to find the correct bios.

 

How did you install them!?! Once I install it I get hardware not supported error!! I have the VAIO VPCEA16FA - ATI Radeon HD 5650. If you have modded it plz provide the link I really would appreciate it.

 

Hi Guys,

Hope all is well.

I am hoping to have my EC series delivered next week as I have just received confirmation that my order has been factorty dispatched to the logistics centre.

Ahead of this I just wanted to find out a few things. I know there is a lot of bloatware that will need removing, or maybe even a clean install. There is also the restart and press F10 method where you can do a restore before post software that has been advised by Digital Soul in the previous posts.

My question is that If I remove unnecessary factory installed software would this make my warranty with sony invalid? I have read somewhere that if the factory software is removed it can affect your standard warranty?


Is this the case and will I need to make recovery discs before I start uninstalling various software?

Your time and help is much appreciated.

Many thanks

 

Ah gotta love that 5650 mobility, Fallout New Vegas which is a game Ive been looking forward to greatly, is flying along, Ultra settings and 2 x aa.

After complaints from so many people about the games performance on desktop cards, I definitly wasnt expecting good things from the EB but its proved me wrong.

Still on 10.5 drivers, will try out the 10.10's once I get home hopefully these will finally be an improvement from amd.

 

please! someone help here. I need to know what was my BIOS version.
If you have a VPCEA or VPCEB , look in your BIOS (restart-> F2) and report your BIOS version. (must be Something like R0300Y8)

 

Not modded, just not using ATI's downloader app. There's a restriction in that that prevents Sony, Toshiba and Panasonic users from downloading. Just bypass it and download the raw installer file.

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/10-10_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe

 

Removing stuff won't void your warranty, but yes, you can just use the recovery partition or DVDs to restore it to factory state if you need to.