Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I'm sure you can re-install those apps even if you do a semi-clean install. You just need to insert your recovery discs (Disc No. 1) into your notebook after you're done with the semi-clean install & the system will give you options to install each individual apps that came pre-installed on your Vaio notebook. Good luck.

 

I wonder how many discs would b needed if burning on blu-ray?

 

Thanks for the tip. I might have to give that a try. I know this thing should be able to fly; it's just too overloaded with bloatware at present, and is struggling to walk..

zimbros12 - I would imagine you'd only need a single Bluray disc for recovery.. (taking a stab in the dark here.) My recovery partition is about 14GB, so that would comfortably fit on a 25GB Bluray disc. Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone.

(Although Bluray discs cost around AU$30 EACH here, making that media far too expensive to use for recovery purposes, especially if one were to make more than one copy as a precaution! )

 

I've got the Kiwi Z (2nd gen) - Z26GN - from what I know, the Aussie and NZ versions are the same. And my one only needed 3 discs for the recovery media. But then, I guess it depends on what model you have (gonna guess it is something like Z27 or higher). And yes, from what I read, only the Australasian models come with the Adobe Photoshop and Premiere preinstalled (as was the case for me)

Just wondering, are people experiencing errors in their recovery discs despite the fact that they choose the 'verify data' option when making their discs? I already have 2 sets (both in the same CD wallet), so maybe I should make another 3 and keep them in the wardrobe or something...

The recovery media scrambles the names of the setup files, so you need to go through each folder. An example, I found the Office 2007 trial setup in disc 2, and it was named with random letters and numbers. I am quite sure that the adobe software are in disc 1 (or 2, though pretty sure it is not in 3 but can't confirm).

The photoshop on my Z came as a setup file - I needed to click on a shortcut and that installed photoshop. Premiere was already installed. I guess Sony was giving me the option of install or delete potential bloat (though I find photoshop useful) - just wish they did that for all the other crapware...

 

Interesting.. I've got the Z47GD/X. Am I the only one having needed to use four discs for recovery? I hope I didn't do anything wrong..
Both Photoshop and Premier came preinstalled, with no setup required on my machine.

 

Could it be due to the DVD's capacity? Single v dual layer DVDs.

 

I believe it is determined by the volume of software that is preinstalled. Photoshop and Premiere Elements add quite a large chunk. US versions of Z do not have that (at least my Z690 did not). That is enough to account for 4 vs. 3 DVD difference.

 

4 vs. 3? Mine required two single-layer DVDs, and very little space on the second.

(Just enough to crash with an "Unknown Error" when trying to actually restore from them. For both copies I made.)

 

Hey guys, I am going through the Vista x64 drivers on Sony's site, as I need some of them for Win7.
Can someone tell me what these are?:

- "UPEK Protector Suite QL"
- "Original - Gobi™ UNDP-1 Image"

What are they for and do I need them?

Thanks!!

 

UPEK Protector Suite QL: software for the fingerprint reader
Gobi: Driver for the card HSDPA/EVDO

 

Speaking of bloatware, I came across something very interesting on the Sony eSupport web site:

VAIO Applications Uninstaller Software
Installs the VAIO Applications Uninstaller software. This software is used to remove pre-installed software on the system (especially trial software).

Link (it's under "Sony Applications"): http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ750DB Seems to be on the page for the Z690 and Z590 too...

Edit: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=238055

Also, Portable One sells bloatware free VAIO recovery discs: http://www.laptopsinc.com/_e/dept/03/P1_VAIO_Images.htm I've ordered one along with my Sony VAIO Z. Anyone tried these?

 

Hi all, I've finally purchased my Z a couple of days ago, its a wonderful machine despite a few hic-ups (there's a bad light bleed/un-even lightning on my screen).

I'm still waiting for MS to officially release win 7 before i install it but i've been following this thread and there are all sorts of useful info here

cheers

 

Congrats! Have you checked the photos other members have posted of their screens? It seems some light bleed is to be expected... Is yours worse than the photos posted up here?

 

I wonder how this application works? Does anyone know? Or has anyone used it?

(edit) I just downloaded that application. I'm sure it would work universally to my Z550 and other Z models and not to just to the Z750 where this was found, correct?

 

Much appreciated. How about "Infineon Trusted Platform Module Professional Package"?

I love my Z btw! SOO slick, especially with Win 7!

 

Check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_platform_module#Uses

Windows 7 installed drivers for TPM on my SZ on its own - I didn't need to install the VAIO package. So, I take it you got everything working just fine on 7?

 

So far things are working fine on Win7, but I havent gotten around to the nVidia drivers yet which are the toughest part.

One more thing.
After I installed Sony Utilities, I keep getting this error message in Windows:
"The installed battery may not be properly connected to the computer or may be incompatible with the computer. Click 'OK' to enter hibernate mode, and remove and reinsert the battery."

I've done as it says, but I keep getting the error. Obviously the battery is compatible with the machine.

Has anyone seen this?

Edit: It is the ISBmgr process (Battery Manager) that causes this. Killing the process makes the error go away. I do want my battery manager tho. And I have an original battery. ??

 

I can totally agree. I simply upgraded from Vista ultimate 64 bit and I have no issues what so ever.
Very quiet machine for office work. I have yet not challenged it though...

 

Agreed on the above statements.

By the way, I needed 3 DVDs for each set of recovery discs. This applies to my current Z690 & also the Z610Y/B that I previously had.

 

Agreed. I've got light bleeding on both the top & bottom of my Z690 screen. I recall seeing the same kind of light leakage on my previous Z610 too.

 

Light Bleed??? Gah every time i check out the systems in stores i never noticed it (then again those are prime condition setups) anyone got any shots of the bleeding? and do all the systems show it in the same spot or does it depend on you luck?

 

Can anyone tell me how I can turn off the "beep" sound when adjusting FN-functions?

 

Been living behind a rock lately, so im not totally up to date with what has been happening so far in the world of Z. Does the Z7xx series offer WXGA or is it limited to WXGA++ (1600 x 900)?

 

Just did a quick search, and it would appear that you are correct, they are limited to WXGA++ (1600x900)... I hadn't noticed this.

 

LOL, that's one of the first things I did with my Z, is to disable the beep. It's so annoying! A loud beep is the last thing I need when needing to mute my laptop in class...

Go to c:\program files\sony\vaio event service. In that folder, you should be able to find a WAVE file names pi. Just rename it or delete it to remove the beep sound.

 

Hi, thanks its a very pleasant machine esp after i've installed the Kingston SSD

hmm mine seem to run across vertically in the middle of the scree, I'll try to take some picture of it later. in a glance its not noticeable but if I back away 1,5 meter from the computer, there seem to be a light balance discrepancy (darker) across (vertically) the middle of the screen with 7cm width, so far it hasn't bother me, but as soon as i get someone who would sell me a Z screen, I'll swap it (Planning to look for the 1600x900 screen hopefully it'll fit). i honestly dont know whether this is a light bleed or not, but it definitely sadden me to have this on a newly purchase machine.

cheers

 

I don't think this type of vertical brightness non-uniformity is normal (but I'm not a Z expert - nor owner [yet]). Can't you exchange your Z? Or get it looked at (under warranty)?

 

Mine screen has this horizontal strip of light leakage on the top & bottom of the screen.

Regarding your "light bleeds," I believe that is called "lighting unevenness." I could be wrong though. I do have this unevenness too. Mine is kinda similar to yours in the sense that there is a darker patch (vertical) in the middle portion of my screen. I can only see it on low brightness or so on & if I look closely enough.

Is it normal? It depends on whether one is picky or not. I've been through so many notebooks that I can honestly say that there is no single notebook that I've owned that have a perfectly even brightness screen throughout. I guess there is always going to be some slight variations from the ideal perfect screen in terms of lighting evenness.

 

hmm i honestly dont know whether this is normal or not, but for sure it physically doesn't really bother me much but its more to the emotional discomfort of knowing that my Z is not perfect nonetheless I'll live and I'll keep the notebook, I honestly feel that i cannot get any better notebook than this (this is a personal opinion ).

unfortunately i purchase this notebook from an Indonesian distributor (which i get cheap for just USD-1300) and not sony indonesia, thus i cannot claim warranty to sony indonesia to make thing worse sony indonesia would only repair or inspect notebook purchased in their authorized shops

yes, i think its very similar to yours, and yes, i agree instead of light bleeds i think it should be called "lighting unevenness". but if i may ask, whats the width of the lighting unevenness on your Z, mine is quite big, I measure 6,8cm in width

hmm, this is the first time i've notice a lighting unevenness on a notebook and this is also because a friend of mine notice it not me, he was standing 3 meters behind me when he saw the unevenness. but for sure my TZ and Acer 751 does not have this much worst unevenness but again this doesn't really bother me much physically as it is emotionally.

I'll just need to swap the LCD once i get the chance

 

Guys, I thought I had time but by the next week it seems I have to buy my Z.

I live in the US now.

So, I want to trade-in my old computer, which an old european fs series (fs115m). Would I be able to get 300 cash back for it in the US? How do I apply for it?

I'm also interested in the productivity bundle, if I trade in my old notebook for cash, can I still get the bundle for free?

This has to happen fast, guys. Any help is appreciated.

 

@hedehode - not too sure if Sony Style USA does trade-ins - do they in the US...?

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I used 3x normal single layer DVDs when making the recovery media. The option at the start says I need 2x if I am gonna use dual layers DVDs. I guess the newer Z have more software or something. My hidden partition uses about 10GB, and considering each DVD holds about 4.7GB (and dual layers 8.5GB approx), that should be about right.

Also, kinda sucks on my end that I have to install Photoshop when the newer ones come already installed... But then, some may think that is good since they have the option of not installing it should they choose. I have to get rid of the installer and its short-cut once installed; it becomes an eye-sore.

I was wondering if anyone has tried Sony USA's application remover? How does it perform (that is, does it remove everything, or is it simply another form of Windows Uninstaller)? Quite keen on using it, but wish to make sure...
Link is
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNZ750DB&upd_id=3342&os_id=35
The one provided made me search for it...

 

For the trade in program, see: http://sony.tradeups.com/Default.aspx

I don't see the FS115M listed, so you may have to contact Sony (or read the fine print) to see if you qualify... But since it seems like you can trade in any brand, you should be able to get something for your laptop.

I've posed the question (to a Sony Authorized Dealer online) of whether you can do both the trade in program and the bundle, and apparently you can (again, something you may want to confirm with Sony).

 

I'm very sure you can do both the trade in program and the bundle. I remember reading about someone doing that in this forum. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark those posts (I recall that there are more than 1 post on that). It is gonna be a heck of a hassle to dig those posts up, that's for sure.

 

Thank you

 

Hmm my 7 year old Inspiron 5150 gets me the $300 discount... question is do I keep it and give it to my father to use/run as my own server or get $300 off.... eh, i'll keep it... Saddened my Eee pc isn't on there. Heck Sony doesnt even accept Asus as a laptop manufacturer otherwise i would've loved to trade that in.

Anyone here interested in a perfect condition Eee 701?

 

Regarding the fingerprint reader software:

Does anyone know if PS QL 2009 works with the VAIO Z (I guess so). If so, is it available from Sony? If not, is there a legal way to get it?

 

Yes, no and Buy it
Edit: you can try it here: http://www.upek.com/support/downloads/windows7/learnmorew7.asp

 

Thank you! Just got the latest version

 

Bad idea.. I just tried it.. except that I didn't know it's a trail version... So I couldn't open my achieved files... Uninstalled it and installed the older version. Now I'm left with 2 fingerprint logins on the Windows welcome screen ...

Anyone knows how can I remove one of the fingerprint login icons? It's really annoying to have 3 login icons at startup. I like to keep things clean and simple.
Thank you.

 

I unistalled the previous version first and then installed the latest. So I have not had any issues. In windows 7 you can alos register a fingerprint login through the system settings without a special software (at least it seems like this to me).

What would happen if you unistall both and afterwards install the latest version?

Yeah, it is not free. I simply paid the 15$

 

Hi everybody. I have a Z35X (similar to US model Z690) with Vista 64bit and 4GB of RAM. It seems that the machine does not support more than 4GB of RAM: did anybody tried to put more than 4gig on?
Thanks!

 

In Hong Kong they are selling the Z46GD/B with 6GB DDR3.

 

And here in Germany they are selling the Z45 with up to 8GB

 

Which version did you have?
When I try to buy the PS QL, it show the version will be 5.8.2 build 4489

 

SONY USA also 6 & 8:

 

The newest PS QL Version ist 5.8.2.4640.

 

I know there is the version 5.8.2.4640 but I don't think it's the lastest version. In this link:
http://www.upek.com/support/customersupport/techsupport/Topic.asp?ID_Topic=70
we have at least versions 5.8.2.5686 or PS QL 2009 (5.9) build 5668 which are newer

 

The 5.8.2.5686 is the 5.8.2.4640+Firefox extension. PS QL 2009 is a new product for W7.

 

Z5xx and 6xx supports any brands of rams for a 4 +2 GB setup, and only Micron rams for 2x4GB setup.

 

Hope the following thread answers your question:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=384968

Good luck.