Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

I would have sworn my in use led used to be green, now though it's always orange. I thought about the battery care management causing it, but it's orange during boot strap so I don't think so. In addition I cycled over a few days 100%, 50% and 80% battery management settings allowing proper time to reach those charge levels, and the In Use LED always stayed Orange.

I spent over a hour with "Sony Tech support" because it was a nagging question while it's all under warranty. Sony is CLUELESS, they couldn't tell me what orange or green meant. I even asked well what color is it suppose to be, they wasn't sure.

They wanted to roll back to different restore points, reset my BIOS, etc, etc. It even got escalated up to another tier and yet that person couldn't truthfully answer, just kept saying try this, & this. I then asked that person can you tell me what orange = ? green = ? I was put on hold for 15 mins and he finally came back and said sorry I've exhausted all resources. Does Sony make Sony

 

The article in my local newspaper said that W7 will be released Oct. 22nd. Wouldn't that be around the time the Z's (and all other pc's) will have them equipped.

Also, as for bordeaux red being a limited edition color. Not that I don't believe it, but I was at the SonyStore last weekend and they had no placards advertising that color as "600 only being made".

 

It's on there signature collection website. Other models have even fewer special editions...

Also: Whats the benefit in waiting for the W7 equipped z's? i want to have the laptop before i go to school on august 23rd, but that means getting vista and using sony's upgrade program.

 

Here the same, i posted few weeks ago the same error related to nvidia diver, the nvd....dll didn t responded and system have to restart this driver.
It is strange since i am using stamina mode. Occurs only on stamina and battery mode. If you google it you ll find massive post with the same problem, most of them solved the issue with hardware repair or exchange...
I didn t use my z for long time so i didn t remember exactly the moment of this error.


About BIOS unlock for VT enabled, someone tried to change energy or power setting like wake up lan to see in the battery drain is reduced?
Didn t use my z the last 4 days and battery drained to 33% (from 100% when powered off...)

 

I don't want to do an upgrade to windows 7 - I want my z7 shipped direct from sony with Window 7 - just want to avoid headaches that always come with upgrades- there might also be new deals?

 

I don't think so. I use Win7 x86, maybe there is an issue with Win7 x64 and Optio driver. What driver do you use atm?

 

The European Z comes with the Qualcomm GOBI chipset. And apparently there is a problem with the service initializing the WWAN chip and uploading the proper frimware (to ensure provider/service compatibility).
I use the default sony driver. Unfortunately even when achieving porper initialization via this workaround: http://blogs.6bit.com/josh/2009/05/qualcomm-gobi-wwan-card-on-windows-7/
Win 7 still cannot install all drivers since they are not suitable for this platform (tranlated - what ever this means).
At that point, I can at least start the 3G connection manager. But it does not find a network/service. At least the sim card appears to be recognized...

I spent the whole evening trying to make this work... I am quite frustrated. And I wonder when we will see proper drivers from sony...
Lenovo has an own OS Beta section with Windows 7 beta drivers for their chipset...

 

Sorry, my bad. I was meaning Gobi not Optio. Well, I'm using W7 x86 and I made a upgrade from Vista. I've never had that issue.

 

How can work the mobile internet of a us model on europe?

 

I also upgraded from Vista. Apparently, this is an issue ver much related to the 64-bit version of the OS. I hope Sony or Qualcomm will release drivers earlier than when the Win7 upgrade arrives...

 

I seems that there are Qualcomm Gobi beta drivers working in Win7 64b in the Lenovo forum here http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=WIN7-BETA#undp

or you may try that http://blogs.6bit.com/josh/2009/05/qualcomm-gobi-wwan-card-on-windows-7/

 

The lenovo drivers do not work - you still need to use the difxapi.dll that comes with Win7 RC to make the driver package to install. Then, the lenovo drivers do not come with the correct driver for the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader. The Lenovo is 9201 and the Sony one is 9221.
The QDLloader service is not able to upload the firmware when switching on WWAN.
With the gobiloader (blog) I can actually upload a frimware. Unfortunately I do not know the right profile for my provider... and I am not sure if the packages have the right ones...

Update:
Using the gobiloader and the sony drivers, I can actually start running the GOBI chip unter win 7 64-bit. Unfortunately, the gobiloader only works with cdma-"packages" (firmware containing folders basically telling the chip "what it is"). Since I am on a GMS network supporting a sim card, I need the chip to run in this mode. The gobiloader refuses to upload any firmware to the gobi ship, that is not cdma.
So right now, I wonder if the packages for gms are not working or not working with my hardware... On the German vaio support site, looking for the VGN-z4, I only get the Globetrotter drivers and a vodafone connection manager... none of this works on my vaio-z since it is apparently for a different chipset.
Is there any german Z user still on Vista 64 bit using WWAN, who can send me a copy of his c:\qualcomm folder?

Thanks in advance!

 

So the Bordeaux Red is part of Sony's Signature Collection , then why is the Premium Carbon a part of the Signature Collection as well? Why is the premium carbon offered as a CTO option on the Z6 and Z7, but yet is "limited" under the Signature Collection on that site? I believe the specs is what makes it limited and not the color, because the premium carbon is offered at a maximum production of 120.

How ironic, you can also customize the limited editions.

 

IMHO, this is just a "marketing trick" to make people who want the "limited edition" lids to quickly jump in on the sale. I mean you really think that there is a limited number of them for sale? I mean at 120 max. units for the premium carbon, wouldn't it have already sold out by now, no?

 

I notice the selection on the Z is very limited now.

Now all of them comes in 1600x1200 resolution? Geeezee .. on a 13.1" screen?

I am selling my Z540 soon. I am going SR* instead. I wonder if the extra 1 lb will make a difference.

 

October, when it launches.

 

IMO, it depends on different people whether the 1 lb difference will matter. Anyway, I'm sure you'll get used to it even if it the weight difference does matter to you. Good luck.

 

1600x900

I wouldn't have it any other way, although I would love an even higher res.

 

To be honest, with some text sizes it already gives me a hard time... reading it from a standard distance (working distance)... I like it the way it is

 

That resolution on that small screen will not be for the young at hearts for sure.

You say go even higher?

Amazing.

The other thing is that I make a recover CD but I could not install from it at all with a new hard drive I put in. You know what I did wrong?

Can I call Sony to get my original OS on the CD?

 

To be honest I absolutely LOVE high res displays, especially on laptops because it just keeps people from reading whats on your screen. I chose the carbon fiber.

 

I agree. Something does not make sense about these limited-edition Signature Collection Z's. As SpeedJJ mentioned, more than 120 Z owners would be owners of that premium carbon lid by now. I don't think these colors are limited to just 120 individuals. There's something else that's making them limited, and the only thing I can think of are the specs. that are being offered under the signature collection that may not be offered under the CTO & Precofig. branding. So my hunch is the Bordeaux Red will be here to stay as a stadard color for the Z7's. And just to add, the Bordeaux Red is also offered as a preconfig. model at SonyStyles site, the one for $1849.99. And there's no mention of that one-specific model being limited in production. Enough said.....lol.

 

October is retail for general public. August is for OEMs (that includes Sony).

 

Do you know when specifically in AUG.?

 

I believe somewhere in the 2nd week of august or so.

 

I have a free Windows 7 upgrade ordered from Acer and this is what the email confirmation says:

So what you are saying is that computers preloaded with 7 will be available in August? Because:

Link

 

Interesting. I wonder which one of you is correct....

 

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windows7/archive/2009/07/21/when-will-you-get-windows-7-rtm.aspx

"OEMs will receive Windows 7 RTM software images beginning approximately 2 days after we officially RTM, as a little time is required to release and distribute these images. This will allow them to begin preparing images for new PCs to ship with Windows 7 on them. We know our OEMs are excited for Windows 7 and we can’t wait to hand them the final RTM bits!"

 

Sorry about my stupidity. Is the Windows 7 RTM the official final version of Windows 7?

By the way, in the above link, it says the following too:

 

RTM = Released to Manufacturing

Yes, it is the final version.
And I would not expect anything before October 22nd. If we are lucky, drivers will be available a week or two earlier...

And I am waiting eagerly for a working GOBI WWAN driver (especially a working QDloader-service) for Win7 64-bit..

 

I have a Z610Y/B and wanted to connect it to an external monitor via HDMI. I'm looking into the 23.6" Samsung 2494HS but then it's said that this monitor's hdmi jack only supports inputs from DVD players or gaming machines, but not computer graphic cards. Would you recommend some other nice monitors for consideration, preferably 22"-24"? Thanks.

 

Hey all,

I know there's a dedicated thread for this, but since I have a couple of issues, I thought I'd present them all at once here.

Battery drain on my new Z47..
With the notebook 100% charged, AC plugged in whilst the machine is shutting down, and the battery left in the machine overnight, my battery sits on 90% the next day when it it powered on (again, powered on with AC connected). Didn't use my Z for 2 days and found it had dropped from 100% to 80% in that time.. So in essence, I'm losing 10% a night with the machine fully powered off. Anyone else experiencing something similar? This is ludicrous!

Next up, screen bleed. How much bleed is acceptable? I really was expecting more evenness than I'm seeing. There's a lot more bleed present than I was anticipating..

Also, when I first powered on the machine I noticed a small dark triangular patch in the top left hand corner of my screen..
Pics:




What do you think of this? Is this a defect, or normal? None of the other corners are exhibiting this 'quirk'.. Is it likely to get worse over time? Advice appreciated.

Finally, performance.
For a machine with a P9700 cpu and 6GB DDR3 ram, you really wouldn't know it. Most programs take A SOLID 10-15 seconds to open (ie, iTunes 64bit takes 13 seconds to appear after I've clicked the icon on my desktop).
I've culled many running processes (I had about 105 when I first powered on the machine, now I'm down to 86). What else can I do to boost performance?? This is driving me insane!

I don't know whether I should be sending it in for repair (which I feel reluctant to do) or whether I should just put up with the first three issues and move on. Any help/advice regarding the above would be sincerely appreciated.

 

Does anyone remember the discussion we had about Vista font scaling with the 1600*900 screen?

I used to believe it was perfect but some people told me it's not. I think there were some screen shots posted as well. Or maybe we had a separate thread? If anyone remembers where to find it someone would like to know.

 

The battery problem is not normal for the Vaio Z battery, any notebook battery or any battery.

The bleeding and the black triangle, no normal, my Vaio Z look amazing, no black areas, borders 100% visible,

SEND YOUR VAIO Z TO SONY WARRANTY SERVICE, Vaio Z is an amazing notebook wich I highly reccomend you to give it another chance

The performance---> press windows+R, then type msconfig, then go to the startup tab, try to identify your antivirus and very very very indispensable aplications to run on your OS startup, keep no more than 8 (or try just keeping the antivirus for the first test), restart, and check once again your performance.

And for the final

Keep in touch mate

 

Take a look at this
http://benq.com/products/LCD/?product=1489&page=specifications

Fancy, cheap, FullhD, 24", HDMI for use with pc or notebook, VGA, DVI, headphone jack, etc.

I own it and it's great for movies and surfing

and gaming, because it's 2ms

 

It's not processor that is slow, it's disk. I noticed on all my laptops that when Firefox is starting and accesses disk everything else is ground to a halt. Strange that I don't have such big slowdown when I compress/decompress large archives. Most slowdown is during large programs startup. Perhaps that is an OS feature.

 

Launching programs has very little to do with your CPU and everything to do with your hard drive.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/storage/intel-x25-m.aspx?page=6

Upgrade to SSD (if you haven't already done so).

PS. I would not worry about those corners and battery drain is normal afaik. Take out the battery.

 

Still waiting for those to be really affordable since I do not want to get anything less than 256GB... still waiting...

 

If you're using a 5400rpm drive upgrade to 7200rpm... if thats still too slow for you get an ssd.

 

The prob with 7200rpm hdd is that they are significantly noisier than 5400rpms... so actually, I would recommend SSD if you can afford it now...

 

I certainly don't see the dark corner on my Z. I would recommend you to take it back for a fix or an exchange.
As for the speed, I have a P9600 with 4 GB ram and a 7,200 rpm 320GB Hitachi HDD, itunes opened in 3 seconds. Have you tried to do a clean install of your OS? I'm using Windows 7 RC on my Z right now.

I really don't think my 7200 rpm HDD is any nosier than my old 5400 rpm harddrives. I certainly don't hear it unless I lean really close to the palmrest. Any extra noise would be drown out by the fan anyway IMHO.

 

Yeap!....this is the error message i get when in STAMINA MODE.."DISPLAY DRIVER (NVLDDMKM) HAS STOPPED RESPONDING AND HAS RECOVERED.

Has anybody experienced this and come up with a way to fix it?

 

Seconded. I don't mind my 7200 rpm at all.

 

I had this on a different computer some time ago. It appeared to be old version of nvlddmkm.sys stuck in the system after I updated to newer driver. Uninstalling the driver and cleaning all the traces (using Driver Cleaner) and then reinstalling solved the problem. Check the version of currently installed nvlddmkm.sys on your system first.

But it could as well be an issue with Nvidia card or with main RAM. So, check all your bases.

 

Thanks Zug!..Is driver cleaner a freeware?....and how do you check for Nvidia card and Main Ram errors?...Sorry a NOoob here but learning as i go.

 

This is absolutely not true. The noise emitted from most current 7200 rpm drives is indistinguishable from the 5400rpm ones.

 

No, I can usually hear the difference between 5400rpm and 7200rpm. I could hear it in a 13" alu Macbook, 12" HP 2530p and Samsung NC10 with WD and Fujitsu drives.

Also, 7200rpm drives tend to cause more vibration.

However, some 5400rpm drives are not very quiet and cause vibration too. But in general 7200rpm drives cause more noise and vibration.

 

I have a VGP-AC19V26 AC Adapter for my Vaio Z. This adapter has the three pronged plug. This is a US model. The plug has a little label taped to it that says 7A 125V. The adapter works fine, but I discovered that I could not plug it into the power plug available on an airplane. The airplane did provide three prongs, but the plug didn't fit in. I was pretty surprised, and this made it impossible to use the notebook on the long flight. I assume the issue is that not all three pronged plugs are alike, and that there must be some small physical differences to the plug that depend on the amps. I would assume that the airplane cannot provide 7 amps of power to a seat, which is why the plug doesn't fit in. Looking at the power brick, I see that it requires only 1.5 amps of power, which seems pretty normal, and which I would imagine an airline seat could provide. Why did Sony ship the brick with this higher amperage power cord? Has anyone else had this problem - or did I end up with an oddball cord?

On a related note, I'd much rather have a two pronged plug. Is there some other Sony Vaio adapter that is compatible with the Z series that is two pronged? There must be, as other countries - like Japan, do not routinely use three prongs.

Thanks!

 

Can someone please help me?

When I first got my Z, I make a backup of it. I got it on two DVD.

The first CD is called : RECOVERYDISC1

I put in a new virgin HD and it will not install at all.

Anyone know what is happening?

 

Wow, thanks for all the replies everyone!

My Z has the 7200rpm drive. Generally, the system seems like a speedy one. But there are some tasks that it's struggling with (such as opening iTunes, Firefox, msn, Photoshop, etc). Startup and shutdown times have also significantly slipped.

I didn't do a clean install when I purchased the system, because I was under the impression that if I did this, I'd lose the Photoshop and Premier Elements software that came preinstalled. I will obviously be upgrading to W7 when it is released and I can get my copy from Sony "at a special price".
Should I do a semi-clean install before the upgrade, or will upgrading to W7 from my current setup be okay also? I'd like to avoid setting up my Z from scratch 10 times... It took me a couple of weeks to get it setup the way I wanted it (minus the laggy performance, of course).

Thanks again for all the help thus far.