Official VAIO E Series Owners Thread

chuteless:
I think you'll like the EB series. I purchased a black system but you should be able to view what the silvery white ones look like at a local bestbuy. I chose the EB simply because I didn't want to haul around one of the monster 17" laptops (which are really heavy)

at 6lbs, the EB isn't too cumbersome to carry around and nicer still, the extended battery has the same footprint as the standard battery (should you choose to go that route) so that it's not a huge brick hanging off the back of the system (like the old z series batteries).

having only owned mine for 2 days, I can't give too much input however it's not been a burden to rest it on my lap and it doesn't get hot on the bottom like many other laptops do (the dell inspiron that I have for work is notorious for heating up ).

ps
the messenger bag that is offered on sony's website overall is a really nice item (manufactured by targus for sony), however I have one complaint about it. inside, opposite the section where laptop fits, is a zippered pocket that when closed, the zipper hits up against the exposed section of the laptop. targus would have been better to a) change the direction of the zipper or b) extend the height of soft dividing wall between the pocket and the laptop section so that the zipper cannot come into contact with the laptop.

 

after going back and reading the last 100+ pages of this thread yesterday (I started back at page 200), I've determined that my "battery error message issue" when trying to install windows 7 ultimate (clean install) was due to not installing the proper sony specific updates (and not installing them in a specific order).

seeing as we appear to have quite a few new members (and new owners) of the EB series recently (myself included), I think I'll try and put together a comprehensive guide for a clean install specific to our model.

and while I realise that there are already a few threads on this forum that cover this for other models, it couldn't hurt to put together a model specific guide for the people that frequent this thread.

 

That'd be awesome!

 

Thought I'd update the thread on what has been an aggravating issue since my EB was first turned on - that pesky doughnut over the wifi icon in the task bar requiring numerous reboots to get to that "good" boot where the doughnut disappears.

I think I can now safely say, after several reboots with no more issues, that it was the driver. A few posts back (only last week I think) I describe this in detail along with the remedy that finally worked, and suggest if anyone else has similar issues to look at that post:

The "fix"

This issue would not have happened with my Lenovo because the Thinkpad sites look carefully at your drivers and show clearly which driver version is installed and offers a link to a specific driver if an update is indicated. The interface is actually quite elegant, and I am a bit dissappointed that Sony doesn't offer something similar. When I go to Sony's support site, it will just list the drivers, and it's up to the user to go through and tally each drivert and compare it to the ones offered.

 

it's funny that you mention that, because as I was collecting "data" regarding the current drivers, a pop-up asking if I would like to take a survey displayed and that was one of the items of concern that I voiced (using almost the exact same wording that your reply has)

 

would love to be of assistance..so please holla,

 

here's what I've thrown together so far (I plan to clean it up and and format it prettier so that it's easy to find the requirements for those drivers/applications that have to be installed in a specific order.

Code:

Audio
   |- Realtek® ATI HDMI™ Audio Driver
      filename:      REDAUD-00225760-0042.EXE
      version:       6.0.1.6034
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          15.12 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/REDAUD-00225760-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Realtek ATI HDMI audio driver


   |- Realtek® High Definition Audio Driver
      filename:      REDAUD-00225554-0042.EXE
      version:       6.0.1.6098
      last modified: 04 aug 2010
      size:          57.75 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/REDAUD-00225554-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Realtek High Definition audio driver



Bluetooth Wireless
   |- Broadcom® Bluetooth® Driver
      filename:      BRDBLT-00226888-0042.EXE
      version:       6.3.0.5600
      last modified: 16 aug 2010
      size:          34.86 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/BRDBLT-00226888-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Broadcom Bluetooth driver


Camera
   |- WebCam Companion® 3 Software
      filename:      ARACCU-00225713-0042.EXE
      version:       3.0.21.368
      last modified: 10 aug 2010
      size:          47.81 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/ARACCU-00225713-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the WebCam Companion 3 software



Memory Card Reader/Writer
   |- Ricoh® PCIe SD Bus Host Adapter Driver
      filename:      RIDFMC-00226896-0042.EXE
      version:       6.13.3.4
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          1.10 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/RIDFMC-00226896-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Ricoh PCIe SD Bus Host Adapter driver


   |- Ricoh® SD CPRM Memory Card Reader/Writer Driver
      filename:      RIDFMC-00225749-0042.EXE
      version:       3.1.0.7
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          469.36 KB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/RIDFMC-00225749-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Ricoh SD CPRM Memory Card Reader/Writer driver



Memory Stick
   |- Ricoh® PCIe Memory Stick® Host Controller Driver
      filename:      RIDMSC-00226903-0042.EXE
      version:       1256312
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          1.19 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/RIDMSC-00226903-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Ricoh PCIe Memory Stick Host Controller driver
      note:          this driver also resolves the yellow exclamation point error that may appear in Device Manager next to 
                     "Base System Device" which indicates that a driver is not installed for that device


Motherboard
   |- Intel® Turbo Boost Technology Driver
      filename:      INDOTH-00225701-0042.EXE
      version:       1.2.0.1002
      last modified: 18 aug 2010
      size:          1.47 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/INDOTH-00225701-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Intel Turbo Boost Technology driver


      supplimental download:
         |- Intel® Turbo Boost Technology Monitor
            filename:      setup.exe
            version:       2.0
            last modified: 06 jan 2011
            size:          22.74 MB
            link:          [url]http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3052&DwnldID=19105&lang=eng[/url]

            description:   the Intel Turbo Boost Technology Monitor 2.0 is a Microsoft Windows* application that displays processor 
                           frequency changes including Intel Turbo Boost Technology frequencies


   |- Intel® Chipset Driver
      filename:      INDOTH-00225700-0042.EXE
      version:       9.1.1.1025
      last modified: 04 aug 2010
      size:          2.72 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/INDOTH-00225700-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Intel Chipset driver


   |- Intel® 5 Series 4 Port SATA AHCI Controller Driver
      filename:      INDOTH-00225907-0042.EXE
      version:       9.6.0.1014
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          10.58 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/INDOTH-00225907-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Intel 5 Series 4 port SATA AHCI driver



Network
   |- Marvell® Yukon 88E8059 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller Driver
      filename:      MRDETH-00225727-0042.EXE
      version:       11.25.2.3
      last modified: 04 aug 2010
      size:          1.52 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/MRDETH-00225727-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Marvell Yukon 88E8059 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver
      note:          this driver also resolves the yellow exclamation point error that may appear in Device Manager next to "Ethernet Controller" 
                     which indicates that a driver is not installed for that device



Notebook Control & Utilities
   |- Sony® Notebook Utilities
      filename:      SOAOTH-545A0002-0042.EXE
      version:       1.0
      last modified: 12 nov 2010
      size:          28.73 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-545A0002-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped versions of the following Sony Notebook Utilities: 
			- Battery Checker 4.3.0.05310 
			- Setting Utility Series 5.3.0.07231 
			- VAIO® Event Service 5.3.0.05310 
			- VAIO Control Center 4.3.0.05310 
			- VAIO Power Management 5.2.0.06210

      required:  Sony® Shared Library
      note:      the Sony Shared Library update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system 
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)



Picture Motion Browser
   |- Picture Motion Browser VAIO® Edition Settings Update for Media Importer
      filename:      SOAPMB-00241880-1040.EXE
      version:       1.0.00.12070
      last modified: 25 jan 2011
      size:          2.13 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAPMB-00241880-1040.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility updates the Picture Motion Browser VAIO Edition version 5.5.00 settings for Media Importer to resolve 
                     an issue where the application may not properly import large video files
      note:          this driver is intended only for models with Picture Motion Browser VAIO Edition version 5.5.00 installed

                     the message "Cannot apply the update because PMB version 5.5.00 is not installed" will be displayed if an 
                     attempt is made to install this update on models without Picture Motion Browser VAIO Edition version 5.5.00 
                     installed. If you receive this message, please click "OK" to exit


   |- Picture Motion Browser Update (version 5.5.02)
      filename:      DownloadManager_1101a.exe
      version:       5.5.02.12220
      last modified: 14 jan 2011
      size:          3.58 MB
      link:          [url=http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-spec-eula.pl?mdl=VPCEB490X&upd_id=6311&os_id=47&ULA=YES]Sony eSupport - VPCEB490X[/url]

      description:   this utility updates Picture Motion Browser versions 1.1 through 5.5.01, and Cyber-shot Viewer version 1.0, 
                     to Picture Motion Browser version 5.5.02
      note:          depending on the version currently installed on the computer, it may be necessary to install one or more intermediate updates 
                     before installing the version 5.5.02 update

      Picture Motion Browser version 5.5.02 provides the following benefits:
         - adds the capability to rename files
         - adds the capability to combine videos in AVCHD and MPEG2 formats
         - adds support for uploading image files to the Flickr® sharing service

      note:          this feature is not available in Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, or North Korea
                     improves compatibility when importing MPEG2 videos
                     when updating from Picture Motion Browser version 5.1 or older, adds support for the Personal Space™, and Facebook® 
                     online photo / video sharing services using the Image Upload function
      note:          Personal Space is available only in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Germany. Facebook 
                     is not available in China


      supplimental download:
         |- Picture Motion Browser (version 1.0.06b)
            filename:      SPUDownloadManager_1006b.exe
            version:       --
            last modified: 16 jun 2009
            size:          1.30 MB
            link:          [url=http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-spec-eula.pl?mdl=HDRSR5&upd_id=4598&os_id=43,34,36,44,42,45,30,48,7,35,28,29,33,49,46,27,47&ULA=YES]Sony eSupport - HDR-SR5[/url]

            description:   the Picture Motion Browser Download Tool can be used to download and install Picture Motion Browser, 
                           and related software, when the original software installation disc is lost
            note:          a compatible Sony® camera or camcorder must be connected to the computer, and powered on, in order to use 
                           the Picture Motion Browser Download Tool



Pointing Device
   |- Alps® Pointing Device for VAIO® Driver
      filename:      ALDOTH-00225549-0042.EXE
      version:       7.105.529.104
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          11.44 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/ALDOTH-00225549-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Alps Pointing Device for VAIO driver



Remote Software
   |- Remote Play with PlayStation®3
      filename:      SOAOTH-00227146-0042.EXE
      version:       1.0.2.06210
      last modified: 19 aug 2010
      size:          28.55 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00227146-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility install the originally shipped version of the Remote Play with PlayStation3 software
                     this utility allows you to display the PlayStation3 system screen on your computer using a network connection 
                     and remotely operate the PlayStation3 system

      IMPORTANT:     before installing the Remote Play with PlayStation3 software, please note the following:
                        - this application requires a computer with Bluetooth technology
                        - the PlayStation3 system requires firmware version 3.15 or later


   |- Remote Play with PlayStation®3 Update
      filename:      SOAOTH-00242243-1040.EXE
      version:       1.1.0.12240
      last modified: 21 jan 2011
      size:          35.85 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00242243-1040.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility updates the Remote Play with PlayStation3 software to version 1.1.0.12240 and provides the following benefits: 
                        - resolves an issue where video and audio latency may occur when using an ATI® graphics card
                        - resolves an issue where audio and video do not synchronize
                        - improves playback response times
                        - adds a new setting feature for playback decode mode switching
      note:          Remote Play with PlayStation®3 version 1.0.2.06210 (see above) is *NOT* required prior to installing this update

      IMPORTANT:     before installing the Remote Play with PlayStation3 software, please note the following:
                        - this application requires a computer with Bluetooth technology
                        - the PlayStation3 system requires firmware version 3.15 or later


   |- Remote Keyboard with PlayStation®3
      filename:      SOAOTH-00226753-0042.EXE
      version:       1.0.2.06170
      last modified: 19 aug 2010
      size:          7.05 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00226753-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Remote Keyboard with PlayStation3 software
                     this utility allows you to establish a Bluetooth® wireless connection between your computer and a PlayStation3 
                     system so you can use the computer keyboard or touchpad to operate a PlayStation3 system


Sony Applications
   |- VAIO Care™ Troubleshooter Update
      filename:      SOAOTH-88888888-1060.EXE
      version:       2.0
      last modified: 23 nov 2010
      size:          6.20 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-88888888-1060.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs an updated version of the VAIO Care Troubleshooter utility to add the following categories: 
                        - input & output
                        - storage & media
                        - network & wireless
                        - software & applications
                        - system settings


   |- VAIO® Gate Software Update
      filename:      SOAVAG-00230728-1040.EXE
      version:       2.2.1.09131
      last modified: 02 nov 2010
      size:          6.53 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAVAG-00230728-1040.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility updates the VAIO Gate software to version 2.2.1.09131 and provides the following benefits:
                        - adds the ability to place items into the VAIO Gate application using the right-click mouse button
                        - Windows® Explorer may crash when attempting to right-click within the Recycle Bin window
                        - improves the item drop feature within the VAIO Gate application


   |- VAIO Care™ Software Update
      filename:      SOAVCA-00229335-1060.EXE
      version:       6.3.0.09020
      last modified: 20 sep 2010
      size:          46.90 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAVCA-00229335-1060.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility updates the VAIO Care software to version 6.3.0.09020 and provides the following benefits: 
                        - updates the support phone number listed for Brazil within the VAIO Care software
                        - improves the Self Heal functionality by allowing critical updates to be installed silently
                        - improves the VAIO Care user interface
                        - provides a link to the Sony® forum within the Contact Sony option
                        - improves the performance of the VAIO Care application

      IMPORTANT:     this update requires VAIO Care version 5.0 or higher


   |- VAIO® Gate Default Settings
      filename:      SOAOTH-00227610-0042.EXE
      version:       2.2.0.07020
      last modified: 12 aug 2010
      size:          4.20 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00227610-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the VAIO Gate default settings


   |- VAIO® Gate Software
      filename:      SOAOTH-00226291-0042.EXE
      version:       2.2.0.06080
      last modified: 12 aug 2010
      size:          13.33 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00226291-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the VAIO Gate software

      required:  VAIO® Gate Default Settings 
                 you may install this software after installing the VAIO Gate software. this update is required if you have 
                 performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      required:  VAIO® Location Utility
                 you may install this software after installing the VAIO Gate software. this update is required if you have 
                 performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      IMPORTANT: if more than one required file is listed, install them in the order presented on this page. related (optional) files 
                 should not be considered in the installation order


   |- VAIO® Hardware Diagnostics Software
      filename:      SOAVHD-00226869-0042.EXE
      version:       4.0.0.0623000
      last modified: 12 aug 2010
      size:          28.84 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAVHD-00226869-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the VAIO Hardware Diagnostics software

      required:  Sony® Shared Library
                 this update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      required:  VAIO® Location Utility
                 this update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      required:  VAIO Care™ Software
                 this update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      IMPORTANT: if more than one required file is listed, install them in the order presented on this page. related (optional) files 
                 should not be considered in the installation order


   |- VAIO Care™ Software
      filename:      SOAVCA-00228095-0042.EXE
      version:       6.2.2.07150
      last modified: 10 aug 2010
      size:          21.96 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAVCA-00228095-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the VAIO Care software

      required:  Sony® Shared Library
                 this update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      required:  VAIO® Location Utility
                 this update is required if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      required:  VAIO® Hardware Diagnostics Software
                 please install this update *AFTER* installing the VAIO Care software. this update is required if you have performed 
                 a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system
                 (i.e., installed from a commercial, off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media)

      IMPORTANT: if more than one required file is listed, install them in the order presented on this page. related (optional) files 
                 should not be considered in the installation order

      IMPORTANT: before installing the VAIO Care software, please note the following:
                 a. if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system (i.e., installed from a commercial, 
                    off-the-shelf, version rather than using the Recovery Wizard or Recovery Media Kit), please ensure that all 
                    original device drivers from the Sony support site have been installed on the computer before installing the 
                    VAIO Care software
                 b. it is not necessary to revert to the original drivers if you have properly installed updates from the Sony 
                    support site
                 c. if you have performed a clean install of the Windows 7 operating system, please install all required files. 
                    a link to the required files is available in the You May Need This section above.


   |- VAIO® Location Utility
      filename:      SOAOTH-00179299-0040.EXE
      version:       1.1.00.06060
      last modified: 18 nov 2009
      size:          1.69 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-00179299-0040.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the VAIO Location Utility



System Components
   |- Intel® Management Engine Interface Driver
      filename:      INDOTH-00225702-0042.EXE
      version:       6.0.0.1179
      last modified: 10 aug 2010
      size:          5.71 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/INDOTH-00225702-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Intel Management Engine Interface driver
                     this driver also resolves the yellow exclamation point error that may appear in Device Manager as 
                     "PCI Simple Communications Controller" which indicates that a driver is not installed for that device


   |- Sony® Shared Library
      filename:      SOASSL-00226189-0042.EXE
      version:       5.7.0.06070
      last modified: 10 aug 2010
      size:          1.81 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOASSL-00226189-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Sony Shared Library
      note:          



System Software
   |- 90-Day Survey Patch
      filename:      SOAOTH-01251152-1040.EXE
      version:       1.0
      last modified: 25 jan 2011
      size:          2.53 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SOAOTH-01251152-1040.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the 90-Day Survey Patch to resolve an issue where a system crash may 
                     occur with an error that includes Bucket ID 9681180


   |- Splashtop® Browser Software
      filename:      DVABRS-00230548-0042.EXE
      version:       1.3.4.7
      last modified: 16 nov 2010
      size:          248.45 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/DVABRS-00230548-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Splashtop browser software
                     by pressing the "WEB" button when the computer is powered off, this software allows access to your 
                     Internet connection within seconds after the computer is powered on without waiting for Windows® to load


   |- Sony® Firmware Extension Parser Device Driver
      filename:      SODOTH-00224384-0042.EXE
      version:       8.0.1.2
      last modified: 05 aug 2010
      size:          1.28 MB
      link:          [url]http://s02.download.sony.com/US/pc/SODOTH-00224384-0042.EXE[/url]

      description:   this utility installs the originally shipped version of the Sony Firmware Extension Parser Device driver
                     this driver also resolves the yellow exclamation point error that may appear in Device Manager next to 
                     "Unknown Device" which indicates that a driver is not installed for that device

 

I plan on re-formatting the hdd and performing another "clean install" of windows 7 ultimate from the retail disc (hopefully this weekend) to see exactly which drivers are necesssary, which are optional and which are already accommodated for by windows.

I have the feeling that many of the devices are assigned the correct driver by default with windows 7 w/ SP1

 

hey gang. look what I found buried on sony's website:
Sony eSupport - Electronics - Support Information

 

Nice, but it is for a clean retail version install. I suspect it is not much help on installing from the VAIO Recovery discs (I could be wrong).

 

actually, I would think that it should still help since it has a step-by-step of installing the drivers in which order.

can't you perform some sort of "clean" reinstall with the recovery discs and then manually install the drivers (and only the ones) that you need?

 

I have never seen OEM recovery discs provide options for customizing the recovery.


++I just thought I'd post this, CRYSIS 2 Demo works fine on my Vaio EB, as per my 5470, I can play max settings but not in full resolution, played at 1600x900, looked like it was running at around 20-25fps

 

sorry about that. I've never used recovery discs before. I tend to wipe and install fresh to start with.

 

I've managed to successfully install most everything from a clean, retail copy of windows 7 ultimate (W7U) and will create a thread to post my findings along with the steps that I installed everything once I'm done (I still have to install the sony drivers to re-enable the 3 function keys, but that's about it).

for those interested, a clean boot of W7U started with 33 processes running and after updating all of the drivers to the up to date sony provides [for those initially installed as well as the ones to eliminate the unknown (!) devices in device manager], it has creeped up to 45 processors (but memory consumption actually went down).

 

I'd love to see a dedicated section (or link) in the EB forum on a clean/semi-clean reinstall using the recovery discs. I think most EB owners here are not making separate purchases for retail Windows 7 versions; I suspect most will try to do a semi-clean install via the recovery system Sony provides. From what I have read, there is a point at which you need to kill the recovery process in order to preclude progression to Sony/VAIO bloatware installation, and I must admit I never quite got the sense of just where that intervention is required.

 

god dammet, the Vaio S series ships with AMD HD6470M AND 6630M

 

I've tried it once before. It should be the third or forth restart where there is only a small rectangular box on the top left corner saying installing something.

 

and next year ( or later this year), the new series will ship with something better (e.g. sandybridge). this is nothing new with the ever-changing world of electronics.

I've been eyeing laptops for the past 3 years before I decided to take the plunge. I'm happy with my purchase and I'm sure that I'll get plenty of years of servitude out of it before I sell it off and purchase a new model to replace it.

 

Yeah - regrets over purchasing "too soon" will always dog you if you let them and you'll go broke trying to catch up. It's like riding a train with no final destination - you can ride it forever and never get off, or you can exit at a station and just enjoy where you are. When it's time to move on to the next station, the train is always ready, except everything is newer and better and faster.

When you're ready to move on, that shiny new AMD HD6470M and 6630M you just missed out on will likely be obsolete.

 

Random thoughts...

1) I like that the Sony S at least offers an option for a backlit keyboard ($25 USD). I wonder if that could conceivably be an optional accessory for the EB or other series down the road?

2) Interesting that I can't find Geico Gecco Green as a color option for the EB any more

 

I too would have like the option for the backlit keyboard on my EB. oh well. (next laptop as long as the brightness for the backlighting is adjustable

I think that sony sets up the original colour offerings and then if the demand isn't there, they eliminate those that aren't meeting expectations (or if they change vendors that are providing the case materials)

the one thing that was rather disappointing about the colours that are offered is that the colour only applies to both sides of the display (upper) portion and the topside of the lower half (where the keyboard resides). the bottom of all of the laptops, regardless of your colour selection is black. it's also odd that unless you order a white laptop, your keyboard is black, regardless of your colour selection.

my guess is that the main or core "guts" of the laptops are assembled all in assembly line fashion on one distinct (black molded) base section. when you place your order, they just grab one of the core systems and then finish it up to meet your needs ( color, optical drive, hdd, memory, and display type)


edit:
ouch! on some of the prices for the options on the S series
Blu-ray Disc™ Read and Write Drive [add $500.00]
256GB (256GBx1) Solid State Drive (Save $160 in cart.) [add $830.00]

 

god dammet!!

 

I was able to complete the setup of my EB series (installing windows 7 ultimate w/ SP1) from a retail disc and then installing the drivers to correct any unknown devices, drivers to update older, base [microsoft] drivers, and the ones necessary to get the 3 assist, web, vaio] buttons working.

once I have time, I will create a new thread and post my findings.

and while this doesn't help those of you trying to perform a "clean install" using the recovery discs, it will help out many people since I cover the changes in driver information which is viewable from the device manager.

 

Hi guys,
I got my vaio eb last night and everything's great except the fan is constantly on. I tried to read through the forum and I saw that enabling c3/c6 should help; however, it was already enabled. Is there anything else I could do? Or is this normal?

 

well the fan would constantly be on, even on a desktop its always on. i.e. the processor is always processing something, so the fan is always running.

 

I agree with ravenperch - my EB fan is always going, but I literally had to pick up the laptop and hold the vent to my ear to hear it (and my hearing is fine). Perhaps the problem is not that it's always on, but that you notice it's always on. It could mean the fan is louder or more vibratious (is that a word? I think I just made it up...) than it should be. I wonder if that could suggest a mechanical bearing issue with the fan.

 

I strongly suggest that you evaluate your working environment. Honestly, I can hear the fan on my Vaio all the time. At night, its the only thing in the room I can hear and its like a table fan, I cant hear it at all on the train and definitely can not hear it in my lecture hall or the park. I hope you get the idea. The surroundings in one location overcome the loudness of the fan whilst at night there isnt much going on around so I can hear it loud.

Or it could be a mechanical issue, in which case it would have to be abnormally loud.

 

Hi everyone - I have another quick question about the design of the 15.5" version of the E series...

I was all ready to buy it in Matt White/Silver, until I went into a shop and noticed the glittery palm rest - not exactly the type of thing a 28 year old guy goes for!

Can anyone tell me if the 'gloss' white version, which I believe has the patterned lid and palm rest, also has this glittery effect? I'm not keen on spending an extra £40 on it (particularly as I like the plain silver lid), but the glitter just doesn't do it for me!

 

I hear you chuteless, but you may be stuck with it. my "matte black" built-to-order EB series is really more of a gun metal in colour and has a shiney, glittery black palm rest.
and while the colour is definately better than the high gloss "piano black" finishes that sony has offered in the past, fingerprints still show up pretty easily and I find myself having to wipe down the laptop at the end of every use

 

Thanks j.m.ratkos, I hadn't thought about fingerprints. I went back to the shop earlier and looked at the glossy white version, which has the designed lid and palm rest, instead of the glitter - I can't believe that when choosing which laptop to buy, the difficult part has turned out to be how it looks! Maybe I'll just roll a dice...

 

Or just get smart and get blue The blue runs just a bit faster than the white, and of course the black ones run hotter.

 

Haha...I did look at the blue and green, but I may have to occassionally use the laptop for work, so I'm not sure they'd be entirely appropriate!

I finally took the plunge yesterday and ordered (went with the glossy white) - now I've just got to wait 7-8 weeks to receive it!!

 

I have an EB1S1E and want to ditch the optical drive and put a second HDD in it's place. is there a solution/bracket/thing that is known to work?

I apologize if it has been mentioned, but I've searched extensively without much luck.

 

You'll like the white! I found it intriguing and almost bought it but went with the blue literally in a small moment of irrational boldness. Somewhere down the line someone may look at these posts and wonder how these colors actually look - wondering as you do if they are appropriate for things like work, etc.

In that spirit, I must say that I expected this electric-blue-crazy notebook. With the weeks of waiting grew regret over the color choice. When it arrived, I opened the box with dread, fearing a loud blast of crazy color - I opened it up and...

What I got instead was actually a sharp-looking, not-so-loud laptop. While it is definitely BLUE!, it has a couple of things that keep it conservative and almost business-like. One is that the blue looks metallic, especially around the screen bevel (it actually does remind me of an old teal Plymouth as one of the reviews mentioned). That lends a more industrial look (vs the bubble-gum-pop look I feared). The other thing is that the outside is so glossy it mirrors the items and colors around it, really making it blend more than stand out. For example, there is a red wall in my office, and while the glossy cover is definitely blue, I can also clearly see the red reflected in it as well.

Again, I say this for the benefit of those looking to make the choice - it's tough without actually seeing it but perhaps user impressions such as my own will help.

Last time I looked at the Sony site (about a week or two ago) I did not see the green option offered. That looked far crazier than the blue - very Caribbean.

 

does anyone have any recommendations to get more time out of the battery? I went with the large capacity option when I ordered my EB series and even changing the power setting to balanced doesn't seem to get me remotely close to the 5 hours that sony claims I should be getting.

all that I've done with it so far is a bit of web surfing and watched some blu-ray movies (and while I realise that spinning up the disc is going to drain the battery faster), I can't help but think that I should be getting more than 2 hours a charge out of the larger battery.

 

Have you checked the rating on the battery to confirm it is definitely the high capacity one, because on balanced power setting my normal battery will pull 2 hours of general use no problem at all, so something is wrong if your high capacity one cant.

 

it's definately the high capacity battery based on the part no. (VGP-BPS22A) and while I realise that I may not get the 5 hours on the default setting (according to the sonystyle.com site specifications), I would hope that I should get more than 2 -2.5 hours.

I'll do some more tests tonight to see what exactly that I'm getting by fully discharging and then recharging the battery completely

edit:
part of the issue may be that I'm not using the laptop on a daily basis and it appears that like many other sony products (like the psp), the battery continues to discharge even when not in use. I believe that is is not a flaw, but a design issue to help preserve the life of the battery.

 

Are the c3/c6 stepping options off in the BIOS?

 

yes, the c3/c6 stepping is turned on.

what I did find is that the "time remaining" associated with the battery percentage can flutuate greatly depending on what your computer is doing at the time that you hover over the battery icon in the system tray.

additionally, I found that by flipping the settings from optimal and power saver, that it gave me a much more accurate (or better) estimate. I also found that while I had the laptop in "power saver" mode, I must have kicked up the monitor brightness (from the default level associated with "power saver" mode) which drastically drops the amount of time that you get out of the battery

 

Hello everyone,

I have had an accident with my VPC-EB3Z1E. I have taken apart the laptop but I did by mistake flip some of the DIP switches.

The DIP switch is what i found out associated with the panel id. In my computer i have to FULL-HD display.

The DIP switch has 6 switches.

Do anyone know the correct dip switch settings for this machine?

 

You mean you were really messing around. Please upload a picture of the dip switches(set camera to close focus) and then I'll upload a picture of mine.

Or state the location of the switches and I'll try to find the settings on mine.

 

I got the computer up and running again. Phuu.

The DIP switch is the only switch you see when you take away the keyboard.

DIP Switch 1-6
1:On
2:Off
3:On
4:Off
5:Off
6:Off

Propably it will work with more than one setup.

 

cool, I was gonna open mine up to plan how to replace the speakers anyway.....

 

Hi,
I have a VPCEB46F/G Core i5 480m 4gb ram,ATI 5650 with 1 GB ram.Now that the summers are here in india,i find my laptop fan constantly whirring even when im just browsing the web or listening to music.On battery,its giving me 50-60 mins of backup on 80% charge....do you think this is normal or should i get it checked?PS-:Im using it in temps around 28-29 deg celsius

 

dude someone told me summer's get insanely hot there, anyway, yes, I suggest you get it checked up but before you do so, there is a utility known as speedfan. It will be able to tell you what the temperatures of your cpu, and other components are. tally these figures with general figures and see if your system is too hot.

Download here

My current temperatures in the UK at 13 deg (celsius) are 40 for the CPU, 30 for the HDD and about 42 for the GPU. I guess this may be the idle temperature as I am only running internet explorer 9. Add a few degrees extra for your hot temperature in India. If the laptop is checked and they say its ok, then maybe you should examine what surface you are placing it on and perhaps invest in a laptop cooler.

 

Thought I would reply back to this post as I promised - seeing that just about a month has gone by with ZERO repeat of the blue donut issue. I feel very comfortable saying that this problem is resolved, and anyone with a similar issue may find my solution helpful.

 

aaargh, dude, the 7zip file is unable to extract or something...wonder if its broken, I'll try extracting on another PC.

 

The driver is an exe file. If you are wrestling with a 7zip, I wonder if you are downloading the correct file.

Wow - I forgot how utterly confusing the site is - full of decoy download buttons! I would seriously look at your browser status bar before clicking any links on that page. That said, the driver is definitely there! Here is the link for the actual driver (this link is as close as I can get you to it - the rest requires user input:

• When you are on that page, click the link that requires you to enter the "validate code".
  
• It will land you on another page, then just click the link that ends with "atheros_wireless_9.2.0.105.exe" (hover the mouse over the link and look at the browser's status bar).

 

Thinking of returning my f series laptop for a e series laptop, are there the same issues such as loud and erratic cooling fan and poor battery life?
What other issues are there?

Sorry, I couldn't read through the 300+ pages

 

How do you think Battlefield 3 will run on the E?

Can I expect console-like quality (low/medium) at 1080p? I think I should seeing as the 5650 and i5 are easily more powerful than the 360 or PS3 which the game will also support.