Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

Sony Vaio VGN-FW373J/B downgrade to XP???
Original post is under Sony...

Took a lot of work and searches for the right drivers. 2 outstanding problems: I need a driver for the VGA video controller and the one for the modem, which I can live without, I guess. If I try to download them from Sony's site, I can only get them for 64 bit so they won't install.
The graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650. Can anyone help please???

 

Got XP to work on this model - FW373J/B!!! And the Sony tech 'specialist' said it can not be done... this model should only work with Vista... ha,ha!
Granted, the last 2 drivers I needed I got them from a japanese site but who cares... now it's a beautiful laptop!!!

 

The Vaio Summer Refresh thread posted a sneak peak of the Sony line debuting next month in Europe (this is the linked-off Vaio FW section):
http://translate.google.it/translat...otebookitalia.it/&sl=it&tl=en&history_state0=

Basically, a newer ATI4650, and some of the refreshed Centrino 2s...

 

Want to share my experience trying to install Vista SP2 on a FW390 with a factory installed Vista Home Premium with SP1 64-bit.

On the first reboot (between stage 2 and stage 3), the laptop hung on a black screen with a flashing white message:

!! 0xc0000034 !! (amd64_microsoft_windows-network_security...)

Fortunately when I rebooted, the system was able to do a system restore and go back to SP1.

After some research, I found that the error indicates corruption of manifests in the winsxs directory.

Before trying to install SP2 again, I installed all pending Windows Updates and then downloaded and installed the CheckSUR Tool (System Update Readiness Tool) - see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821 - which fixed the corrupted manifests.

After that I was able to install SP2 without issues.

You might want to make sure your system is ready for SP2 before Microsoft starts rolling it out through Windows Update next month.

 

Just got my FW back after two weeks and a replaced screen. Much better, no more major light leakage between the bezel and the screen. Phew.

 

Hey Guy's
I'm having the worst day ever. I just bought a FW 378 J/B and I just got the news that I am getting laid off. So I don't need a computer for work anymore.

What do you sell a NEW but used laptop for? Any suggestions?
Feel free to send me an E-Mail [email protected]

I'm really bummin


Thanks for any help.

 

Hey Beau, that's a tough one. It's sold new online at amazon for just under $1,400. You can get it refurbished on sony's outlet typically for about $1,000. Have you had it more than 30 days? Some stores will let you return it within that time minus a possible restock fee? Have you thought about calling the store and explaining predicament? Maybe, they'll work "with" you under the circumstances and only charge a restocking fee. Explain to them that you have been and will continue to be a customer but the economics you're facing have turned downward. Good luck!

 

Hey,

I'm having a problem with the audio on my FW290. When I connect my laptop to my Samsung HDTV via HDMI, I can only get two channels of audio, instead of 5.1.

Do I have a wrong driver, or a setting I have incorrect?

 

what type of file are you playing? is it a blue ray disc? or something with 5.1 sound?

 

It's a MVK file with 6 channel audio.

 

Just ordered my FW 390 from the SonyStyle Outlet. After months of comparing the Dell XPS 16, HP HDX16, Alienware Area 51 MX15 and Mac Book Pro, the Sony just seemed to hit the sweet spot of performance, reliability, weight/size, and style.

Ultimately, though, it was cost that sealed the deal. By buying from the Outlet, I was able to get this pretty wicked configuration for just over $1400. (not including warranty). That's about $700 less than if i'd built it myself!

Specs below:
Base Unit : VGN-FW390
Graphics : ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 with 512MB vRAM
Display : LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-FullHD™)
Color : Black
Processor : Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9550 (2.66GHz)
8 GB DDR2-SDRAM
320 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive
Blu-ray Disc™ Read Only Drive
Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit

I'm hoping that the 2.66 processor and 8 gig of ram should be able to handle my image/video processing and music making.

It won't get here until end of week next week (the holiday weekend's delayed shipment) but after searching for as long as I did, a few more days won't kill me.

That said, I can't bloody wait!!!

 

You received an amazing deal on your FW considering the specs. You won't be disappointed.

 

@Wolf04 - Thanks! I've let some seemingly "good" deals on the Dell and HP go by over past couple of months, but none of them came were even close to this.

Next Friday - delivery day - suddenly seems very far away!

 

my left side barrel/hinge (AC Power) side, has finally came loose.

anyone have any solutions to fixing it? warranty (which i hope not, cause it takes too long). or any home-mcguyver techniques?

 

Well, I dunno how it is held into place but from looking at mine, it's held only from the bottom so would you be able to use super glue? That was always my plan if the hinge were to ever come off and it weren't covered by warranty.

 

Hey, can you post the details for doing this?

Were you able to get the Fn keys to work on XP?

Thanks

 

I've got some questions.

Is it possible to do an aftermarket upgrade on the processor and the dvd drive?

Are the speakers good quality, and is Dolby Soundroom or whatever it's called just a gimmick?

Finally,
Are all FW models upgradeable to 8gb?

I was thinking about buying the Sony VAIO FW230J/H because I found it brand new for only $799.

 

What do you think about this configuration? Is this to much expensive?


VGN-FW390 Configure-to-Order
VGN-FW390
Customization Details

* Video Standard
* LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-FullHD™)
* QuickBooks Simple Start
* 128GB Solid State Drive
* Windows Live™ OneCare 90-Day Trial
* None
* No Engraving
* Standard Battery
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 with 512MB vRAM
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9800 (2.93GHz)
* WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
* Blu-ray Disc™ Read and Write Drive
* Microsoft® Works
* Black
* Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit
* 8GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 4GBx2)

$2,999.9



3 Year Express Ship Service Plan with ADH for Notebooks
DSES3SLP2EA


$329.99

 

I finally upgraded my router to 801.11n, but was really disappointed to find that the wireless speed of the FW is limited to 150 Mbps, apparently due to its Intel 5100 wifi card.

It's even more disappointing when my other laptop, an inexpensive NS130E, cruises along at 300 Mbps with its Atheros wifi card.

 

This is sitting in the Outlet at www.sonystyle.com as a clearance (not a refurbished) item. Not sure where the previous poster is located, but this is a thousand dollars off the FW390CTO posted with a rather close configuration -- and the esupport.sony.com Website gives it access to drivers of the gamut of Vista.

Loading zoom
In stock. Estimated ship date: 05/25/2009.
VGN-FW290

CLEARANCE - VGN-FW290 Customized Notebook


Features:

Display : LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-FullHD™)
Graphics : ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 with 512MB vRAM
Color : Black
Wireless Local Area Network : WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
Processor : Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
Memory : 4 GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)
Hard Drive : 250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
Optical Disc Drive : Blu-ray Disc™ Read and Write Drive
Battery : Standard Battery
Operating System : Microsoft® Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit
Base Unit : VGN-FW290(2411)
Pre-installed Software : Microsoft® Works
Software2 : Works w\ HST / FA08-IRX4570
Photo Software : None
Video Software : Video Standard
Video Software 2 : None
Finance Software : QuickBooks Simple Start
AntiVirus Software : Windows Live OneCare 90-Day Trial
Graphics Card : ATI\64OS / FA08-IRX4570
Channel : CTO\BDW\64OS / FA08-IRX4570
Software Optimization : No Fresh Start™
OUR PRICE

$2,149.99 $1,827.49
Add to wishlist

 

Oops! I missed that the 390CTO posted above for comment had an SSD drive. Well, perhaps this gives a better idea of the range of the pricing. Of course, one could always install an SSD since it usually adds on about $600 to the price of CTOs. If the install were done at, say, BestBuy, the original warranty would remain intact.

While the posting indicates a location outside of the U.S., the configuration posted is an American one (XBrite and not XBlack is indicated, in addition to the quote in dollars).

Good luck! But do keep an eye on the Outlet. A Z690CTO was sitting there for three days before being snapped up....

 

I've got some questions.

Is it possible to do an aftermarket upgrade on the processor and the dvd drive?

Are the speakers good quality, and is Dolby Soundroom or whatever it's called just a gimmick?

Is the HDMI port output only?

Finally,
Are all FW models upgradeable to 8gb?

I was thinking about buying the Sony VAIO FW230J/H because I found it brand new for only $799.

 

How does the XBRITE-ECO compare to the XBRITE-FULLHD

 

I shut off my FW390 last night before going to bed with the charge at 50% (I have the super battery care function on) and unplugged the power cord. When I turned the laptop back on this morning, 8.5 hours later, the battery was at 22%. I'm positive I shut down the laptop and didn't accidentally put it in sleep mode. I've had this laptop for about a month now and every night before bed I do the same thing. Until today, I've never paid attention to how much the battery drains overnight so I don't know how often this has happened before. Does anyone know what could cause the battery to lose over half its charge overnight?

 

Thank you for your input. I have had it more than 30 days and I bought it direct from Sony. I don't mind selling it under 1,000 as long as it goes to a good home. I guess I have to learn how to sell stuff on E-Bay.

 

when i put a power option on in batter(power saver, balenced and high proformance) i get the same battery life out of them all.

 

The cover for my screen is a little loose at the top. If I put my thumb on either side of the webcam and press the grey bar give a lot. Anyone else have this problem?

 

Yes, same on mine, but I think it is not abnormal for light plastic material to flex like this.

 

Sorry, I have no answer, but same issue here (FW11M), with super battery care function on, whether I turn laptop completely off or put it into hibernation, battery drain is much faster than anything I have experienced with my two previous Sony laptops. But note that they didn't have this specific care function, which keeps battery charge at about 50%. This may explain the issue, although it's only a guess

 

Damn! I was obsessing with this problems a few days ago and I just completely forgot about it, only to read about it now and I'm obsessing over it again.

But yeah, I do have the same problem here. There's nothing you can do about it. I mean, as long as it's not the palm rest or another part of the laptop, I don't really bother with it since I'm not touching that area of the laptop anyways.

 

Thanks. That is the area I usually grab when I open the laptop. I'll have to grab the corner when I open it from now on.

 

What about grabbing it from the area right above the webcam to open it? That area is usually sturdier.

It seems the back cover is attached to the front LCD bezel only in 3 places at the top (the two corners and right above the webcam).

 

I'm afraid I might damage the webcam if I grab it from the middle of the screen.

 

Anyone having trouble using the Sony PMB (Picture Motion Viewer) software? It lets you register folders. So I went and registered "My Pictures" and "My Videos" folders. That works fine for a fews days. But after a few days it adds the "User" folder on its own. The problem with this is that all the sub-folders such as "My Documents", "My Downloads" also get addes. Any ideas on how I can prevent the program from doing this?

 

Hey guys, been really hesitant on deciding if I want to buy a VAIO FW or not. Just a few questions about the laptop. How is the heat and noise level at optimum level [ie playing games or watching blu-ray]. Also, I heard the silver paint on the palmrest seems to rub off pretty easily. Is that true for everyone, and a big flaw if I'm paying $1599 for a defective system.

 

Haha..hey in that other thread from a few days ago you said you didn't have those problems when I described them!

I was in another city today and got to take a look at another FW in a store and it just seemed so slapped together. I really like it, and want it, until I touch it. Same LCD bezel issue, same loose hinge covers, same paper thin palm rest, same warped lid (higher on the right vs the left). The unit I saw today wasn't beat up either. I returned my AW series due to cheap construction and the appearance of cosmetic issues after only 2 weeks of ownership (issues that others in the AW thread are having too), but think i'm going to stick to my Thinkpad until Sony comes up with something a little more substantial than the FW (or AW). If I could tolerate a 13" screen, i'd consider going for a Z series. In today's laptop market, $1000+ is way too much to spend to get completely disposable hardware, even if it is just cosmetic.

I'm really disappointed over it though, I wanted a new Vaio with a nice LCD, something the Thinkpad does not have!

 

I don't remember but was it you who described the problem a few weeks ago (more than a few days ago)? The thing is, it wasn't that bad at the beginning but at the beginning of the month, I took my FW into repairs due to major light leakage and I had my screen replaced. So, when I got my laptop back, it seems it's looser now but as long as I don't touch it, it's fine... haha

Considering how many problems there are with the laptop, I consider myself lucky since I've had very few problems and I bought one of the early units!

My left hinge (where the power cord plugs in) is slightly loose but nowhere near the point that it would fall off (like I've seen a few times). The right one (power button) is totally fine and sturdy.

The palm rest is fine and sturdy but it scratches really easily damn it!! And I take good care of my laptop. The left side of the palm rest has this slightly discoloured area (it looks like a smudge) where I rested my palm.

And my CD/DVD loading tray is slightly loose but I barely use it so I don't care about that much.

I still don't understand what you mean by the warped screen problem. I'm trying to look at mine and it seems fine. And when I close it, the screen aligns perfectly with the palm rest area.

I agree. The thing is, my first laptop cost about $2,300 CDN and it was a tank. It was dark-coloured and solid. And it lasted me almost 5 years! I bet if I can open it up, apply some new thermal paste, it will be up and running again with no problems.

But considering I paid only $1,000 CDN for this Vaio, I knew from the beginning I wouldn't be getting the same quality and yeah, I settled for less. If this laptop lasts me 3 years, then it would have already lasted longer than my Toshiba in terms of value. I was thinking of the Z but it came really late in Canada (mid-September '08 as I recall) - I needed a laptop for school and I couldn't use my Toshiba anymore - and it was also really expensive. And I couldn't justify paying like $2,500 not knowing how durable the laptop is. Like, at that price, I expect the laptop to last at least 5 years.

I don't know what laptop I'd get next. I'm hoping Sony would have learned from their mistakes and fix all the problems. I'm one of those people who wants nicely-designed laptops. Until last July, I thought I was getting a Macbook Pro because all the PCs were too ugly (and I would have actually installed Windows on it because I can't stand OS X). Then the FW was announced and it's the first laptop I actually like design.

So, chances are that my next laptop (whenever that will be) will still be a Vaio (I know, I'm a Sony fanboy).

 

This is ridiculous... today it went from 50% to 20% after 17 hours.

 

Okay I have the FW370J..problem is mine has started to freezing at times and then it goes back to normal. I have the Vista Home Edition. Can someone help me out ?

Thanks,

Echo 7

 

I don't have the problem your described with my FW190. I bought it 8 months ago and I have used it almost every day. Mine is pretty tight.

 

I think I figured out the problem. I shut down my laptop last night with a battery charge of 50%. Today I turned on my laptop after being off for 17 hours, but I made sure to plug in the power cord before I pressed the ON button. As soon as Windows loaded, I checked the battery level and amazingly, it was still at 50%. So apparently, it is the boot process that is causing the battery drain (approx. 9% on a 100% charge, and 20-30% on a 50% charge).

 

anyone here buy the sony fw370j ? Any problems ? i have this small freezing that happens from time to time. Can someone help if they have these issues.

 

does anyone know how to disassemble the FW? I need to fix the side barrel (AC Adapter side), and want to know how to disassemble.

Thanks.

 

You need to disassemble the whole laptop to fix the barrel? Can't you just fix it like this since it's an exposed part?

 

well based off the way the barrel is, i think the part that needs to be glued/or fixed needs to be disassembled for me to access the barrel.

ill take a closer look at the problem area this afternoon.

 

What exactly happened to the barrel? Did it just come off, like other people have reported?

EDIT: Also, you could always try a Sony center to see if they will cover it under the warranty, just remember to be persistent. The people there will always try to find an excuse not to cover you under the warranty.

 

VGN-FW390
REFURBISHED VGN-FW390
Customized Notebook

• Base Unit : VGN-FW390(6109)
• Graphics : ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 3650 with 512MB vRAM
• Graphics Card : ATI\64OS / SP09-IRX4670
• Display : LCD 16.4" (XBRITE-FullHD™)
• Color : White
• Wireless Local Area Network : WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
• Processor : Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9550 (2.66GHz)
• Memory : 4GB DDR2-SDRAM (DDR2-800, 2GBx2)
• Memory 2 : 4GB (2Gx2) 800Mhz\Premium / SP09-IRX4670
• Solid State Drive/Hard Drive : 320GB SATA Hard Disk Drive [7200 rpm]
• Optical Disc Drive : Blu-ray Disc™ Read and Write Drive
• Optical 2 : Blu-ray\64 / SP09-IRX4670
• Battery : Standard Battery
• Operating System : Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate 64-bit

For $1300, on the VAIO Outlet.

Is this a:
a) great deal
b) good deal
c) fair deal
d) no deal
e) bad deal

 

Fair deal. I was able to get a 2.5Ghz version with same specs as above for just under $1,000 using my 10% educational discount. It borders on good deal because of the bluray writer. Add on for 1 year warranty regardless.

 

It is a very good deal. The T9550 is a much better processor than the P-series. These specs represent a very balanced laptop, which would be able to handle everything you throw at it (with the exception of a few of the recent games).

A CTO with this configuration will be around $1700, so you are saving about $400 and SONY refurbs are as good as the new merchandise. It is my understanding that the standard 1-year warranty applies to refurbs as well.

 

How do you apply that discount the sony online store?