Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

Hi Everyone - I have a few questions about the FW. In particular, I would love to hear how you like the Synaptics touchpad and how well it supports the ability to define tapping zones / functions.

I purchased a NW which I really like. However it has the Alps touchpad which is very limited in this regard. As such I may return it and get the FW instead.

Please have a look at this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5088819&postcount=15

Also if anyone has an idea for how I can get better zones/tapping support on the NW, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

My FW490 has a Alps touchpad. The tapping zones are restricted to the Upper Left Corner and the horizontal and vertical scrolling on the bottom and right sides, respectively.

 

Restricted tapped zones? Not on the FW26G there isnt. Then again ive come to realize that the FW26G is a unsupported australian model. For instance it hasnt even been included in the WINDOWS 7 upgrade program as many other models have.

 

What I meant to say is that the only available tapping zones are the Upper Left Corner and the scrolling (both horizontal and vertical). Because the user cannot customize the tapping zones beyond this with the standard Alps drivers, it is 'restricted' to the predefined areas.

 

Hello, my tab key (FW11M) does not click strangely, but the area around it (keyboard separation zone) does creak and yield slightly when pressed, which does not happen on the opposite side. I would not have noticed it had you not mentioned it. Other than that, keyboard works fine.

 

Thank you. Sony tier 2 support researched this and told me that the only Vaio notebooks that supported the "unrestricted" (i.e. tap in top-right if you want, etc) tapping were the CS and FW line. So I'm a bit surprised to hear that the FW line has the Alps touchpad with same restrictions (same as with NW that I have). Conversely I was under the impression that it had the Synaptics touchpad like the CS.

Does anyone know if it is possible to add a third party driver and/or software to extend the touch pad functionality? I tried going to the Alps website but it looks like its very high level and designed mainly for the manufacturers.

 

Does the functionality on the FW's touchpad support the ability to continue scrolling continuously if you keep your finger depressed by the edge?

For example, let's say I click on a scroll bar and slide my finger up on the pad until it reaches the end. If I keep my finger there I want the scroll bar to keep moving (can't recall what this feature is called).

Can anyone tell me if the NW touchpad supports this type of continuous scrolling and if so where do I enable this? Thanks!

 

My touchpad has that feature. FW450

 

So does the FW190....

In the control panel, under hardware/mouse properties, you should be able to do some customizing.

I find the FW190's Alps touchpad is sensitive all over the place and is constantly closing off screens, etc. when my palms happen to hit it anywhere!

 

Thanks! Does it have the Alps or Synaptics touchpad? Can you please tell me where the setting is to enable this feature? I haven't been able to locate it.

 

Control Panel/Hardware and Sound/Mouse/Mouse Properties/Function gives you the scroll option (at least using Vista on the FW190 Alps it does).

 

Pretty lame...when choosing the FW490 CTO, it now only lets you choose the 'Fresh Start' option if you purchase Vista Business. That wasn't like that only a few days ago.

What a silly switch and it may keep me from buying it from them.

 

Hey, can anyone who purchased the FW490 CTO with the Fresh Start option comment? Just chatted with one of their sales reps online. He claims that by getting the Fresh Start option, it completely disables and disallows all multimedia features on the FW. Did you find this to be the case and did you simply go to Sony Support to get the drivers?

I really got the impression that the rep was flat out lying to get to the 'easiest' answer. He claimed fresh start was never an option with Vista Home...until I pointed out that I had a printout of my cart with those options from last week. He then tried to claim that was an error on the site. Ugh.

 

With past Vaio CTO models (starting from the TZ in Mar 2008) it has always been a prerequisite to select Vista Business if you want to get the Fresh Start option. Having the Fresh Start with Vista Home Premium was most likely a bug on the FW CTO order page, which now they have fixed.

What you get with Fresh Start is the removal of any trial software or bloatware - trial Norton Antivirus, trial MS Office, trial Windows Care etc.

You will still get the VAIO Utilities, Win-DVD and Roxio. All drivers (including the ATI catalyst software) should also be loaded.

Perhaps when he was saying that "all multimedia features will be disabled" he was talking about the VAIO Multimedia Organizing software, which hopefully is not included on a Fresh Start system. It constantly scans your HDD for media files and kills the performance.

A Fresh Start is not going the give you results as good as a clean install, i.e. there will still be some VAIO software and more running services than you need.

Most likely after you uninstall all of the trial software and disable all non-MS and some unneeded MS services, you can bring a Vista Home premium FW machine to a "Fresh Start" state. It will take some time, but it will be free.

 

I got the vista home premium 64 with the fresh start option on my FW490. It only disables the sony viao multimedia software as mine didn't come with it. But unless you really need those things you can do without it. I rather use photoshop, premier, etc anyways. However, I think you can download that stuff on Sony's website. But the multimedia button features (such as pressing the A/V buttons up top) work without a hitch.

My thoughts on the computer is that it's a nice computer. I have no problems with it since I had it (2 weeks). Runs silent, great bluray playback, etc. I held back from saying anything positive about it because I wanted to get over the honeymoon phase but so far my experience has been quite pleasant. I don't really care much about vista however (even though I don't find it as bad as other's have said it was) I can't wait until my upgrade to windows7 comes.

 

I also want to add that I followed one of the vista tweak guides on the net. I didn't see anything unusual when disabling certain services outside of microsoft, ATI, a few sony services (probably not more than 4-5), and whatever I installed on the computer. But even after tweaking the system, vista is still running certain processes that uses up a good chunk of memory...windows7 can't come soon enough. I have the RC installed on my girlfriends 6 year old toshiba P4 with 1G ram and it runs nice without any problems. It should run even better on a more modern system like my FW490.

 

Exact same as FW450. Alps as well.

 

Any lucky FW490 owners care to make a video review of the laptop? Perhaps gaming performance, battery life, pros and cons, etc.

 

Thanks Der and OB2. I see what I was doing wrong. You have to use the scroll on the edge. With the Synaptics I am used to you can scroll anywhere and when you keep your finger there at the edge it keeps going.

 

I posted a little earlier enquiring about the fw's heat and noise emisions.
Thanks to Derrida, matixryder and Jingibi for your responses.

Jingibi, shame I already ordered mine with a p8700. But I wouldn't have been able to afford the T series anyway. It costs considerable more here in the UK. I'm on a student budget, alas. But the information is good to know.
Thanks

 

I've used an FW390 and an FW190 both with SSDs (which rules out the heat effect of a HDD), the FW3 with a T9550 and the FW1 with a P8600. Believe me, the heat difference and fan noise (with the FW390's fan mildly "hmmmm"ing as well) was very noticeable. The FW390 was much warmer than the FW190. And this with just Vista operation after a few minutes even, and no gaming or intensive software use.

I think you'll be VERY happy with your P8700 processor.

 

What I have noticed so far with the FW490:
I got 2 hours of battery life playing a high-def movie from the dvd drive while using the optimized setting.
Able to play Bioshock on Medium Settings at 1920x1080 with the 1GB ATI Mobility 4650.

 

Hi guys,
I just wanted to share my worse experience ever with Sony.
I broke my FW290 XBRITE-FullHD and they are asking for more than 1200$ CND to fix it.

That is sarcastic, this money can get my a new laptop
OR, if someone needs so spare parts we can buy a new one and split the cost

What do you think?

 

Has anyone ever upgraded a CPU on a Vaio FW? How difficult or easy is it to get it opened up and access the CPU assembly on the mainboard?

I did it on my Vaio Z and it was a total and utter nightmare so I wonder if its any easier to get it done on an FW?

Thanks for the input

 

Has anyone managed to get the touchpad's Web Assist feature (gestures for acting like browser back/forward buttons) on Firefox? Works great in IE. Hard to believe that with such huge market share the software has not been updated to support FF!

Anyway - I did some googling and found posts from a year or two ago that talked about hacks with hex editing and so forth to get this working.

However I was wondering if there is a better approach now that a lot of time has passed since those posts were originally made (and perhaps some new Alps driver is around that supports this)?

Thanks!

 

Excellent! Derrida, thanks for the reasurrance.

Say, has anyone ordered a custom FW from the UK? Haven't got mine yet but was wondering how to register it for windows 7 as on sony's windows 7 registration page my configurable model (FW45V) isn't on the drop down menu.

Do customised models go through a different registration process? Mail in voucher?

 

Not the FW in particular but we have 2 via UK and are very happy with them.

cheers ...

 

Since you appear capable of doing some of your own repairs, why not check out this Website for a compatible screen?
http://www.lcds4less.com/models/son...ny-vaio_vgn-vgn-fw_series-laptop-screens.html

 

has any decision been made on whether or not configure-to-order vaios are eligible for the win 7 upgrade?

 

I have made my decision to buy a Sony VAIO FW~

The next time Sony refreshes the model (probably at Windows 7 release), I will buy it.

I just hope they have options with a higher range video card!

 

I don't think Sony is going to refresh the VAIO FW again. At least not until Christmas.

I mean, this refresh is still very new, and Windows 7 comes out this October. This makes the refresh very unlikely.

They would only start including Windows 7 with it, that's about it.
Plus, the current VAIO FW updates are pretty much future-proof. Those new components like the newer processors and the ATI 4650 with 1GB are bound to get the laptop to last for a long, long time.

 

I have been having some trouble reconnecting automatically to wifi networks after coming out of hibernation. Normally, the wifi connection will work for around 30 seconds, then cut out. I have to manually disconnect, then reconnect to the same wifi network. Only then can I resume using the internet. Sometimes I have to reset my connection two or three times. Has anyone had similar troubles or any help on what to do? I really hope I don't have to do this all the time when I go to college and hibernate my FW490 between classes and the dorm. Thanks.

 

FW450 with similar problems. Worse in fact. Working on a solution.

 

That because u guys wifi driver is not up to date i update mine and problems fixed for me. Try to find and install newest Intel® Wireless Network Adapter Driver to fix it

 

Thank you matixryder. I looked for the latest drivers. I found them on Intel's website: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=3062
It updated my drivers from 12.1.0.4 (2008) to 12.4.3.9 (5/28/2009).
I tested these by putting my FW490 into hibernation then turning it back on. There was no loss of internet connection this time. So, it works so far. I'll see what happens in the morning.

 

I had the same problem with my Vaio FW468/J and I finally found a solution. I did a google look up on my WiFi Card (Intel WiFi 5100 AGN) and I found the utility located here:

Click Me!

And downloaded the Intel Pro Set Wireless WiFi Utility (ICS_v64.exe.) I ran the utility, it took about 3 min to install and in the process disconnected my WiFi connection. After it was done, it asked me to restart, I did and now I have a solid connection to any WiFi with no problem or drops. Before the utility when my Laptop booted, it would constantly connect to my network with nothing but local access and no internet. I would have to disconnect/re-connect several times to get my internet to work. I would also get periodically dropped from the network.

Since running this utility my WiFi has been flawless. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me.

 

Hiya !
Anyone has got a clue when UK will have a choice for a new colour finish ?!

 

I wish they would make blue for here in the US!!!! i want BLUE!!!

 

Looking at getting at this one here:
http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_VGNFW465JH/
how hot do these get while gaming? hot to the touch? going to explode without a cooling pad? etc.
thanks!

 

I just bought a Sony Vaio FW less than a week ok. I'm using Core Temp and am wondering whats TOO high of a temperature? The highest it has got to is 56 degrees celsius, but that was after running all night and being ontop of a hard wooden surface, which I've realized stores heat. I moved it to a ceramic tables and its dropped 10 degrees. What temperature should I turn it off after? Should I get a fan? I am playing games such as WoW, etc.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117938

That's the computers stats (Yes, expensive, but I bought at a lower price)

 

56 is not high for a laptop u also can buy a cooling fan for ur laptop.

 

the 465J/H is good enough to play all modern games at medium settings at a very playable FPS. If you overclock the GPU you can usually push it to high settings with reasonable fps. I play SF4 on 1600X900 with no AA, almost all settings on high with my GPU overclocked at 660/760 at 60fps

 

I have had a bad experience with overclocking.

I overclocked my desktop GPU one time and everything worked fine until 2 months later. The GPU was fried to hell and to make matters worse it melted to the PCI slot, so I had to replace the whole computer.

I don't think I ever want to overclock again, esp on a laptop.

 

its safe as long as you monitor temps, the heat sink on the FW seems to be really effective at removing heat because even overclocked my temps never go above 68C and you will see alot of laptops these days with GPU temps above 90C without overclocking!

 

Desiree285: No need to worry. I don't own a Vaio FW yet, but 56*C is safe for pretty much every chip.

 

So if it's getting up to 58 while playing WoW, don't be worried?

 

If the FW is based on the Centrino 2 and uses the latest and fastest recently released Core 2 Duo Processors, why does it use slower DDR2-800 memory instead of DDR3-1066 like on all other Centrino 2 based machines like the Vaio Z???

 

DDR2 is cheaper than DDR3. Check the FW's price in comparison with the Z's. Sure, there are other factors, but DDR3 is an extra excuse to jack up the price for little to no gain in anything.

DDR3 currently yields NO significant speed nor power difference with DDR2 so there's no reason currently to want it in your machine other than "I want the latest tech for tomorrow".

 

Here are some results of a surfing the internet battery test:
Start: 80%
End: 0%
Time: 3 Hours
Screen Brightness: 1 of 8
Power Plan: Power Saver
Battery: Extended
Processor: P8700
Screen: 1920x1080
RAM: 4 GB DDR2-800
HD: 320 GB 5400 RPM
Graphics: 1GB ATI Mobility 4650
Programs: Google Chrome with 2 to 3 tabs open on average

Since Sony said up to 5 hours with the large capacity battery, 3.75 hours is a little disapointing, but reasonable. Perhaps with some tweaking of settings, one could eek out 4 hours overall battery life.

 

Has anyone fully opened-up an FW and checked if the CPU assembly is easily accessible? I have a X9100 3.06GHz Extreme CPU and would like to know if it possibly works with the FW... the problem is the heat it generates at 44W...