Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Are there any problems with the vaio smart network? I`ve sometimes connection dops using wlan and lan, i think it´s always when my machine is locked during inactivity...what can i do?

 

Try to reinstall it maybe?
I use this version on mine:
http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/down....1.00.07300.ZIP&ip=Preinstalled_Utilities.htm

 

Two drives in Raid0 should always be faster than a single drive (same drives). Otherwise something is broken.

I didn't see that the Vertex came out in 1.8"? I thought the only way for Raid0 in a VAIO Z is by using 1.8" drives.

If you think the write speeds of the Intels are slow, I don't think you will find anything substantially faster for the same price.

Intel also updated the firmware for the X25-M and X18-M drives, that should keep write speeds as high as possible, even after heavy use: http://techreport.com/discussions.x/16739

 

I just realized that there were a lot of responses to my original post -- strangely, I had subscribed to responses and only received one notification and assumed that the forum had just gone silent.

Thanks for all the feedback --

Right now, the chicklet keyboard is definitely kicking my butt and I am not typing with confidence, while I am just fine with a $15 keyboard. So are you saying that there is a fix if I change the keyboard setting, perhaps something about key repeat speed? It will be pretty hard for me to change the way I type, especially since this will only be one of multiple keyboards I'll be using. Going to an external KB is not an option.

Helpful -- my system came with no manuals whatsoever, so I didn't even know about the Sony Vaio control center and the ability to change the key settings and this variable fan speed.
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FrinkTL's experience with the uneven heat issue also makes me wonder whether my issue with heat is an individual unit problem.

I think I'll call Sony to try and arrange an exchange (though I'm not sure if the outlet will allow that). Unfortunately, they don't send to APO addresses, so I could be stuck...

 

So how do we find out which bin we got if we buy a Sony MS? I haven't seen Sony brand MS Pro Duo's as high speed/ultra yet, just as Mark 2.

 

Vaio Care and Vaio Update

Can you remove them from startup and system tray without uninstalling them? (So they only open if you start them from the start menu.)

Neither has an option for this in their menu, and I am not seeing either in the startup within msconfig.

I feel stupid, but ... I'd really like some help if you know how to do this. I think both might be worth keeping just in case, but I certainly don't need/want them always running.

(PS, I did not do a fresh install and probably won't. Seen a lot of people with issues as a result and what a lengthy pain it can be ... I'm not having any issues - and have no Vista disc, LOL - so I figure I should keep it as is. I've done some Vista tips and tweaks from the nbr thread, uninstalled trial software, and now I'm look into what else I can do to keep the notebook clean + running fast, free of crap running that doesn't need to be, etc.)

 

Not always, no. For reads and writes smaller than the stripe size, there's no advantage to RAID 0, and only a small slowdown due to having to calculate which drive to access. You'll also encounter "recoverable errors" more often (mostly on SCSI drives, though).
Overall, it's faster, but not always.

 

then sony's 128x2 = 256gb option is two 1.8" drives. how fast is it then? which one would be faster a vertex or an intel x-25m, or sony's raid0 config?

plus, what about the optical drive part of my question?

 

Sony raid configuration (2x 128gb) is ugly slow:



because Sony uses a first gen MLC drives with outdated controller.

Your second question: there isn't any read only bluray drive out there that fits. For Vaio Z you need super slim (9.5mm height) optical drive. The 500$ extra is a bargain atm. The regular price as a replacement part is about 1000$ (Sony direct) or you try your luck on ebay.

 

As for disabling Vaio Update, simply right click on the system tray icon (has a sort of lightning bolt icon) and select options. Uncheck the first checkbox to Automatically check for updates. That's it. That should keep it from loading at startup.

 

Oh geeze. Duh. I didn't pay attention and was annoyed with the lack of normal options, I figured that check box wouldn't disable it from starting. OK, now for the Vaio Care ... none of the options seem to get rid of it.

 

Start -> Run -> type "msconfig" (without quotes) -> press OK -> go to the "Startup" label -> uncheck the processes you don't like to start up automatically - most of them are unnecessary -> press Apply -> press OK -> press Restart.
You might also check on www.liutilities.com if you don't know what a certain executable is.
Some useless processes are:

• Reader_sl = adobe reader preloader;
• iTunesHelper;
• QTTask = quicktime;
• jusched = java automatic updater;
• NeroCheck;
• and so on

Removing them from the list won't affect their functioning, but will just stop them from automatically start up with the system.

 

And make sure you do that before you adjust the system DPI setting to what's appropriate for the system, or you won't be able to, cause you can't see the checkbox.
Because whoever designed the Vaio Update application never read Microsoft's GUI guidelines, and assigned an area adjusted in pixels to fit a text adjusted in points.

That mistake was common around the year 2000 or so, but rarely since then. Pretty much any coding shop (except, apparently, Sony) will test their apps in different DPI settings, so even if someone is uninformed enough to do this, it still will get caught by QA.

 

OK, experts, I could use your advice. I'm looking at purchasing the Z690 directly from SONY, probably the Z691Y/X configuration with the 320 gig drive and the Blueray drive. This is my primary personal and business laptop. I do a lot of ordinary Word processing, spreadsheet, simple graphics work, but I'm not a gamer or power user from a database perspective.

Now I'm not a complete techno-idiot, but I'm not a techie either, so I could use some almost-english explanations. My questions are these:

• 
  As I understand it, the Blueray drive they're offering doesn't burn dual layer ordinary DVDs - should I care? Does it at least read them?

• What am I giving up by not getting a Solid State drive? If I get it with the regular drive now, would the laptop allow me (from a technical perspective) to upgrade/change to a solid state at a later date?

• I see a fairly similar machine (VGN-Z610Y/B 4GB 320GB Laptop C2D) on sale on Ebay for a lot less. What was different on the 610 from the current 690? (Note, this machine has just the DVD drive, so I know that is a compromise.)

• 
  I've never used broad band connectivity before, but in the future I'd like to. I would probably, however, use the service associated with my current mobile carrier - AT&T. What does it mean that this machine comes with Verizon "Built-in"

Any other thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

1. You should only care if you are big on burning DVDs. It can read dual layer dvds (as all movie dvds are dual layer). If youre not burning massive amounts of stuff, even having a bluray player might not really be cost feasible, especially for the 500 premium it costs.
2. Solid state drives are faster in reading and writing than spinning harddrives which means more instantaneous response when opening closing programs, writing to disc, etc. In all honesty, for what you describe, a spinning drive would be fine. I have a 7200 rpm harddive and its fast enough. You can always upgrade as the prices come down, thats my plan.
3. The 690 comes with a 1600x900 display and 256 dedicated ram. This is good if you do graphically intensive work, or if you just like having a larger desktop to multitask with. The 610 comes with a 1366x768 display and 128 ram, more than adequate for most normal users. It all depends on your needs and how much you want to spend.
4. Im not sure the 610 has WWAN built in. The 690 has the GOBI card in it, which is flexible, meaning it is compatible with Sprint/Verizon as well as ATT, however, i think it is locked to Verizon or sprint. I dont know if anyone has been able to use ATT on it? If anyone else has better info on this, maybe they should answer the question.

 

Thanks. That really makes sense to me. But I would need the Blueray drive to play Blueray movies, right? When I travel I use my laptop to double as a movie player.

When it comes to the details, my concern is that, if I buy a machine this expensive, I don't want to have to buy a new one a year from now. My current Vaio is 4 years old and just starting to die now.

That's why I thought that getting the Blueray and the 64 bit OS would make keeping up with new applications and movies easier. Is that a reasonable way to think?

 

610 doesnt have WWAN

 

We are evaluating one of the 690's with the bluray drive right now. The drive WILL burn regular DVD's (including dual layer) as well as Blu Ray.

The gobi card is locked to Verizon. There is an area where the slot for a AT&T sim "should be " but there is no connection there. This is identical to what they do on the P series.

The SSD drive we tried in the store was VERY fast especially for loading apps, but was also unbelievably expensive.

We are probably going to but some 690's but without the blu ray or SSD and just use it for for what it is which is one of the fastest/smallest/lightest units out there.

 

Does this mean that I couldn't use AT&T even through alternative means? I know I must seem a complete loon, but what do you need to use Broadband?

 

I guess Sony must have "quietly" included the latest Blu-Ray optical drives with dual layer DVD burning capabilities then. This really is good news.

 

How is the 1600x900 screen resolution on the Z series? Is it uncomfortably small when it comes to reading text or is it ok? Or is the 1366x768 screen resolution a better option to go for.

My last laptop had a 1080p (which i think was 1920 x 1080) 16 inch screen and i found the text pretty small and after a while of reading text on that screen it started to get uncomfortable and hard going on my eyes. So that's why i'm asking about how the two screen resolutions compare on the Z series, i don't want the text to be really small and uncomfortable to read.

 

You can switch between resolutions based on your needs, I believe 1600x900 screens are good to watch movies and since i'm not into video editing or design thus I have no clue if it's good for that too. I got Z610 working on 1366 x 768 and I find it more than comfortable for daily use.

 

Do you mean go for the 1600 x 900 resolution so then i can switch down to 1366 x 768 resolution if i want to?

I read somewhere that it's best to keep a screen at its recommended resolution because if you change it it won't quite look as good. So would the 1366 x 768 screen look better then a 1600 x 900 screen whose resolution has been reduced to 1366 x 768?

 

Based on my general knowledge, It will look good but lets hear from the guys who have 1600 x 900 screens on their Z to confirm that

 

Looked, but can't find.

Any chance of a Z35X picture - especially of the lid and the side? I need to know how different the apparently silverish colour looks.

Also to Z3x owners - what else did you consider before buying one? I'm considering replacing the multiple SZ/TT/Z11s combined with Z35X's - just getting fed up of the room taken up, maintenance, etc that an ever increasing niche-on-niche of laptop sizes entails. But going by the Z11/TT's I'm not absolutely convinced tha the Sony build quality is up to par for the current model range.

Thanks

 

Just tried the 1368 res, i think it depends if you will find it acceptable. To me everything looks slightly "blocky" at that res compared to 1600*900.

The better solution seems to be to increase the font size, though i know that wont help with icons.

One other caveat, we have not actually burned a Dual layer DVD with it yet, we just inserted it in the drive and it recognized it. For the $600 price differential, not burning regular DVDs would have been completely unacceptable

Blu Ray movies look surprisingly good on the screen. Just watched about 30 minutes of the dark knight. It is also fairly quiet. The fan only kicked on at low speed

I'm going to hate to give this one back but it's going to a senior VP.....

 

Hope the following link helps you out a bit:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=370180

 

Set the DPI, and both text, icons and toolbars will change their size.

Oh, it's always been able to read dual-layer DVDs -- regular movie DVDs are, after all, dual layer. It's writing them that it can't do.

 

Ditto that recommendation. As a 690 user with the 1600 x 900 resolution, I can tell you that the text is "smaller" but not tiny. I don't wear glasses, though, so my perspective is that of a person with near-perfect vision. I know that my 65 year old parents would have a hard time with the size of the text.

That said, adjusting the DPI setting will resolve that problem for you in short order.

 

I meant that it recognized a BLANK dual layer DVD as writable as dual layer

 

Apples and Oranges...what does one have to do with the other?

The free upgrade Blu-Ray drive on the FW is the BD Reader, normally a $100 upgrade.

The Blu-Ray drive on the Z is a BD Writer, which is a $500 upgrade....

 

I had a Z35X (Premium Carbon) but didn't find any difference with the older Z models, besides the processor and the Gobi WWAN. (Same finish, screen, slightly misaligned hinges, etc.)
I you already have/had a Z, expect it to be just the same.

 

Hi guys!

I was wondering what the Z31 refresh changes with respect to the Z21. I found out about a couple cosmetic changes: processor upgrades (e.g. P9600 replacing P9500) and HDD upgrades (250GB -> 320GB). But other than that, is anything else changing? I didn't seem to find any other differences...

I'm thinking of buying a Z31, but I can get a deal (about 400$ less) for a Z21 and if the only changes are the ones above, I think I'll go for the Z21.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for your answers

-LordPhoenix

 

I've already done this and removed some things ... but I am not seeing anything for Vaio Care. I know how to fully remove the program, but I'd rather not. I can't seem to find a way to disable it from starting itself and running in the system tray. I'd prefer it be one of those things that only runs if I open it.

 

Hello everyone!

I currently have a Dell XPS M1330 and am considering making the switch to this: http://www.sony.co.in/product/vgn-z36gd (In case you are wondering, I am from India)

The laptop configuration is ideal for me (considering lots of coding and development using VS 2008, SQL Server 2008, etc.) But I wanted to ask personal opinions of you all before hitting the button:

The Z36GD comes with a 2.66Ghz P9600 processor. I am gonna be using this laptop in almost 25-30C ambient temps with moderate humidity (low to moderate.)

1) Will it cause the laptop to heat a lot?
2) Is the palm rest hot (or warm) to touch?
3) Since the laptop doesn't have any air intake vents in the bottom part, is it okay to use when kept on a bed?
4) This model ships with a 320 GB 7200 RPM drive. Would this cause the palm rest (the left side?) to heat up?

I went throught 16 pages of the sticky and double tap keys problem thread ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=306453&page=16) but saw the solution posted there by magicmac! (hoping to see the source code) so I am positively considering the Z again. Please help me make a wise decision.

(I am sure all the stuff has been answered somewhere in the 762 pages, but I am unable to locate definite answers.)

 

I'm planning on ordering a z690 cto pretty soon, largely thanks to this thread. I'm going with the P9600, 4gb ram, ultimate 64x, premium cf, 128 ssd, no blu-ray, with student discount and free mobility bundle deal on rebate hopefully. Any thoughts?

I just noticed that sonystyle US is currently offering serious discounts on the p9600 ($157 off) and free upgrade to premium carbon fiber lid. Almost makes me want to spring for the blu-ray, but I really don't need it (it's ridiculously expensive and I need to be able to burn dldvds). Taking advantage of the deals while I can.

 

Help, someone

 

You gave the 5 hours on a Sunday evening to answer your questions within one thread on a forum. Patience.

 

1) Will it cause the laptop to heat a lot?
No. It is quite hot but not as hot as you imagine. When I play a game, the mx temp that I get is around 65C. That still ok.

2) Is the palm rest hot (or warm) to touch?
Not at all.

3) Since the laptop doesn't have any air intake vents in the bottom part, is it okay to use when kept on a bed?
Of course it is ok. Just make sure that you do not cover the right side holes where the hot air is blown out.

4) This model ships with a 320 GB 7200 RPM drive. Would this cause the palm rest (the left side?) to heat up?
Again, not at all.


Sony is big and well known company for making laptop. They will not produced Z series if they have all those problem.

 

Hehehee... sorry for being impatient there for a bit

Thanks for answering the questions again

@AlaskaGrown: I see that your config very closely matches the the Z36GD/B (stock.) Congrats on the beautiful notebook.

 

I have the Z36LD. When you are not really pushing the CPU, it's actually the nVidia GPU that causes the most heat.

You can disable the GPU (and use the IGP) by going into stamina mode. Under Vista you can switch on the fly, with XP you have to reboot.

 

No, I'd say a couple degrees, which is barely noticable.

No, it is totally cool to the touch, even while gaming. (BTW, the CPU is actually under a "A" and "S" keys, so that is where the warmth will be.)

No. It is NOT true that there are no vents on the bottom. There are vents over the memory bay door (which do allow air intake) and also under the front left "lip" of the laptop. It is designed to draw air in over the hard drive and over the RAM, and across the CPU on the way out the side vent on the left. You should ALWAYS use any laptop on a hard surface. When I'm working on the couch, I just put it on a tray I made to hold it.

No (seems to be a pattern to my answers today ). I'm using that drive and it is totally silent and cool (at least the the external touch). The only way to hear it is to be in a library and press your ear to the left palm rest during a defrag.

 

Will the incase 13" neoprene sleeve for a macbook fit the Z well? Anybody have experience with this case?

http://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Slee...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1240241366&sr=1-16

 

Thanks. And about your Q's, I am not sure I can give for-sure answers ... but I've not had any complaints so far about heat or noise from my notebook. Yes, the left side is the place that can get a little warm - certainly nothing uncomfortable or even noticeable to me in normal use. I noticed it more after doing a lot of little things when I first got it (installing Office 07, running recovery discs, doing a defrag, etc) - and even then it wasn't an intense heat or anything. I've yet to do anything intense or push the notebook, I'm just babying it.

 

Quick Question?

What do you do first? Defrag. followed by Disc Cleanup or the other way around? Thanks.

 

I personally do "Disc CleanUp" before "Defrag."

 

If you have an SSD, neither. If you have a mechanical HD, clean out all the unnecessary crap, then defrag.

 

Think. Seriously, you could answer this one yourself with just a tiny bit of thought.

What happens if you defrag followed by clean up?
First, you'll get all your files neatly lined up one after another, and then the cleanup will remove some of them, so you'll have holes between them.

What happens if you clean up followed by a defrag?
First, you'll remove some of the files, and then the defrag will make all your remaining files neatly line up one after another.

 

I don't have the exact same case, but I bought a similar case for the 13 inch Macbook. My Z fits perfectly in it.

 

If you have an SSD, cleaning out unwanted files is even more important. Just deleting the files doesn't cause any noticeable wear on the SSD, because it won't actually erase the files, just the file table entries. But what you do is clear out space and increase the chance that a future write will have somewhere to write to without having to reorganize data to make a contiguous block. Cause that is the expensive operation with SSDs.

If you have an SSD and its speed has started to deteriorate because it's close to full, yes, you also want to defrag it, for the same reason -- to avoid it reorganizing and merging blocks when you do a write. But in this case, you shouldn't use a defragmentation program to defrag, because there's no correspondence between physical and logical block numbers on an SSD. Instead, back up, delete, and restore entire directory trees. That will cause the files to be written contiguously whenever possible, minimizing the amount of partially written blocks.

Why are partially written blocks bad, especially as a disk becomes close to full? Because an SSD can only write whole blocks. If you need to write something that normally can fit in a block, but there are only partially full blocks left, the drive has to do a reorganization, including erasing and writing to scratch areas and erasing and writing to multiple normal blocks. If there are only partial blocks left, a single write, no matter how small, will at a minimum cause 3 reads, 4 writes and 3 erase operations. Yes, that's the minimum.

If you had instead, prior to doing the write, done a pseudo-defrag, you would have had a free block that could hold the file at write time.

Anand Lal Shimpi has a pretty good write-up on http://www.anandtech.com/ on how SSDs behave as they fill up, and what the speed penalties are. You'll be surprised.