Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

Samsung, so no TRIM for now

 

Damn. Okay, so best to go with a real drive then. I do not really want a drive that is going to slowly degrade over time.

 

from my knowledge, Win7 will support the TRIM command on any SSD drive that is used. Its built into the operating system, and does not rely on the firmware on the SSD drive to do the "garbage collection".

 

Have been running RC on home PC, Older OSny FZ laptop as well as Z790 for a few months now, nary a problem!!! Perhaps a driver issue that should be corrected as soon as the drivers are out, but mine showed the memory stick both for the SD and MMC. It is Windows 7 RC 64-bit.

 

Hello Everyone,

I just spotted a Z890 customization page in the infamous sandbox of sonystyle.ca, take a look and form your own opinion:

SonyStyle Canada Z890 Customization Development Page?!

I hope the Graphic Card changes!!!

The same graphic cards as the current SR **seem** to be available for the SR-590 in the same catalog, but I hope this is not an indication of the lack of change on the Z890.

 

Where did you see the part with the video card information? Seems to be gone.

 

Check this out:



Well, there's ATI upgrade in SR, but none in Z. Don't think sony will intall anything faster then present.

 

Incorrect. The TRIM is a three-part operation, and has to be supported by all of the OS, the file system and the drive. In order to pass ATA compliance, the drive must accept the instruction, but that doesn't mean being able to do anything about it.

What happens when TRIM is enabled the OS and the file system supports it is that the OS sends the drive TRIM instructions, which tells the drive which blocks the OS considers deleted. If the drive has TRIM support, it then copies a larger "sector" (for lack of a better word) containing the blocks to a designated temporary storage area, then erases the original sector, and copies the used blocks (only) back. The freed up blocks are then ready for writing. The reason it's done that way is that SSD erase operations can only work on larger blocks of memory -- you can write 4 kB blocks, but only erase 512 kB blocks.
This copy/erase/copy operation is expensive (time consuming), and the OS thus sends the TRIM commands only when nothing is using the drives.

If the drive doesn't have TRIM support, it ignores the message from the OS, and won't free up space until it runs out of unused blocks, which will be when the drive is in full use. So you get "hiccups" as the drive gets older and more frequently has to shuffle data to free up writeable space.

So no, Windows 7 having TRIM support (and Linux having had it since last year) won't do you any good unless you get a drive that supports it. It will actually cause a tiny slowdown, as the OS needs to cache information about what blocks it considers free, and what hasn't been TRIMmed yet. Memory that could be better spent for disk caching.

 

WOW, thanks, I was reading the SSD thread awhile back, and I thought I read that only the OS needed to support it.

Hmm...I wonder if this drive does support TRIM then...

I noticed under the Intel Matrix Storage console that it's listed as a Generation 2 for current Serial ATA Transfer Mode whereas the DVD-RAM drive is listed as Generation 1.

Also, the firmware is listed as VBM18S1Q....and a quick google for Samsung VBM18S1Q shows this site:

http://translate.google.com/transla...refox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Sum

It has some stats on how its faster then the 1st generation SSDs that were used in the Z.

Hopefully since both

Native Command Queuing Support: & Hard drive data cache

are both supported on the drive, TRIM is active.

 

Just joined the ranks of Z owners. Bought the 47G/D in Hong Kong, and it came with the Blu-Ray drive, Vista Business 64-Bit, 6GB RAM, and 320 GB HDD. I'm loving it...and since this is the first Vista machine I own I don't see what the problem is. At any rate, I should be getting the Windows 7 upgrade when the time comes.

 

TheTraveler, congrats on your purchase.

I'm sure potential Vaio Z buyers will also love to read your thoughts/review on your new notebook.

 

According to Intel Matrix Storage Manager, these are the details for the Raid 0 Samsung SSD

Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: Samsung MMCRE28GFMXP-MVB
Firmware: VBM18S1Q
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes

Here's an article from Anandtech

http://www.anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631&p=19

As of right now, I believe a Z7xx series have Firmware: VBM 18S1Q AnandTech suggests

"Version 1801Q doesn’t support BGC. Version 18C1Q (or later) does."

so hopefully 18S1Q is newer then 18C1Q/1801Q and does support BGC (background garbage collection) and/or TRIM support

 

Thanks SpeedwithJJ! Can't post anything objective right now since I'm still in the honeymoon stage with the new laptop. Going on a trip shortly and that's when I'll be putting it to the test.

One thing I can say is that this laptop is so much lighter than my Asus W3J+...a huge plus for taking it on the road.

 

Isn't your CPU a P9700?

 

I have a stupid problem. My wlan disconnects on me randomly, but i can get it to quickly disconnect as well if i just suddenly pick up the laptop and move it. It will then be unable to find any wifi signals until i reboot it. It's driving me crazy. I already ruled out it being a driver issue or an OS issue since it's done it on 3 different versions of windows. If i use a USB wifi dongle, it works perfectly. Anyone have any similar problems?

 

I notice your sig says your Z has some slight upgrades, which leads me to believe that whoever did your upgrade be it yourself or some other person...

You did not re-connect the Intel card back into the motherboard either correctly, or missed a connection in regards to the antennas back to the card.

It is obviously a hardware problem, and if you open it back up and find that everything is not only connected correctly but securely, then the only reason would be that your intel card is faulty and must be sent in for warranty repair.

Either way, its a hardware problem, I hope its just a connection issue inside your laptop, that way you can just fix it yourself.

 

@Qwaarjet

Just so you know, I have the same problem. But I personally think it is a driver issue. It happens when I am on a rather congested wifi network (think university), but never at home (secured and private wifi). The smart network app says that wifi is on and everything, but windows won't detect any network, and the light at the front of the Z is off (assuming only wifi is on in the smart network app - if I turn on bluetooth, the light lights up no problems).
And yes, I can only fix this problem by rebooting. And no, I have not done any upgrades to my Z.

Some other bugs I am experiencing (not often, but still very annoying).
- Settings in VAIO CONTROL CENTRE, like battery care, resetting by themselves to factory default, at random. Can't purposely reproduce the bug, just happens - annoying when I leave my lappie to charge (with batt.care on), to come back and see that it is charged to 100%, hard drive protection on default, notify when shortcuts pressed etc etc... I have to set them back to my preferences again...
Anyone else have this issue?

I will be installing the latest version of every sony app I can find (control centre, smart network app) when doing a clean install of 7 Pro RTM soon. Just waiting for the official hardware drivers, and MS Security Essentials to come out of beta now... Hopefully with the new installation, the bugs will be kept at a minimum...

 

Yup...thanks for the info. Correction made.

 

it's very annoying that my $2k laptop can't hold a wifi connection while $400 POS laptops at work are bullet proof despite being treated like garbage!

 

I just received my new SOny VGN-Z790DJB with 2.8 GHz 128 SSD, Vista Bus 64, 4 gb ram, etc... Love it and for ROUND 2300 IT WAS A GREAT DEAL IN MY OPINION.
So far it is seemless, but

I am a novice user and was wondering how to partition the hard drive. I am unable to shrink the C: as it is not accepting the size etc.. in the disk management Vista tool. Wondering how to set up the unused space? in order to map a drive Z: I ultimately want to install XP, but currently have the Vista Business 64 installed preloaded. Have viewed several sites that show the disk management function I was trying to do, but it will not accept any values.

I know I am clueless, but hoping I can do it myself. Of course I have the downgrade XP disks. Do I need to create recovery DVDs first also?

Any help is greatly appreciated and sorry if this is a simple question.

The Sony Z is great so far, love the extreme portability and overall feel of the laptop. The screen is great and love the way it translates to my 26" T260 Samsung LCD monitor. It looks killer.

So far only one nit pick item, which is that I am forced to connect at work via a network cable. The input jack for the network cable is covered with a movable piece of plastic, which is good fro aesthetics, but it is actually impossible for me to remove without a paperclip. Can't get my fingernail into the slot and it seems to be the only way to open it. Also, since I am using it everyday I worry that it will break off eventually, as it is held on by a tab of plastic. Seems silly to need a paperclip to connect to that input, I dont think anyone's fingernail could fit as is.

Thank you in advance for anyone willing to provide any info on
1) making this partition of the 128 SSD
2) installing XP for dual boot with Vista 64 already installed.

Other questions:

1)What program are you guys using to burn DVDs?
2) How about recording music from a firepod unit, is there Sony software installed that can acquire and edit music instrument files like Cubase does?
3) Does anyone with this particular model Z790DJB have any recommendation for which software to remove that came from SONY.

 

@Qwaarjet.
Yeah, well, we only have the option of waiting for an update. I am thinking of installing the SmartNetwork app from the 4th gen Z when I clean install with 7 RTM (just waiting for the VT bios update and MS Security essentials...).

@SmokeyTone
What is the max you can shrink on the C: drive? I haven't tried partitioning a SSD myself, so quite curious. I thought that since it is flash based storage, you can shrink all free space, but that doesn't seem to be the case...
I have the hitachi 7k2 320GB HDD and managed to get 143GB on C and 143GB on D with the factory installed windows...

You MUST create the recovery discs for Vista (using Vaio recovery centre) - if you dont and need to reinstall, the discs from sony will set you back about US$30. Just create two pairs incase one fails craps up.

Dual booting with Vista and XP (with vista installed first) is a wee bit complex - the bootloader will need to be modded otherwise only XP will start up with no choice of OS before boot. This site will help with step by step tutorial. Personally, I would just hang tight for 7 and windows xp compatibility support, along with the VT Bios update (from what I have read, it seems that sony will release the bios update for 2nd gen Z and upwards when 7 comes out - can anyone confirm?)

http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_vista_and_xp_with_vista_installed_first__the_stepbystep_guide.htm

For which software to remove. First rule of thumb - get rid of anything that contains the word 'trial' - all they will do is bug you to spend money on them. If you can afford to get a MLK for Office Pro, then I would suggest you do. Uninstalling never gets rid some of Office's components, and they sometimes will bother you (at least, for me that is). But then, if you are doing a clean windows install, DON'T GET THE MLK.

Any other software; depends on your preferences. In my case, my Z came with Photoshop and Premiere which costs US$250 for both here in NZ - so got quite a deal.
That, plus the fact that I bought my Z 9 months ago for US$1700 (and it came with a 4GB video NC walkman)....

@the Z community
Has anyone tried UPGRADING their factory Vista installations with Windows 7 (either RC or RTM)? Same old driver problems, and all sony apps working? (specifically wondering if sonicstage audio filter works on 7; would like an installer for it so I can install on clean installed 7, but can't find it...)

 

Hey guys!, i need a little help. I got a VGN-690 cto, running Vista business 32 bit, P9600 with 4gb ram and 7200rpm drive. Well yesterday i was encoding a video and running IE8 and when i went to open the dvd drive bay, the computer just shut off all by itself. I re-started and it was all good. I did not think i overtasked the processor, but i dont know. The air coming from the vent it's nice and warm, so i dont know if it shut off because of heat.

Today i started up the Z and went to open up IE8 and it was kinda glitchy. When i went to close it, a crap load of IE8 windows started to open up all by themselves, !....is it a virus or what?....Please help me out. I'm running AVG free edition and Adware, but i dont know....let me know if you can help.

 

Well, i have figured out that, that particular customizble google website was the culprit, and deleted it. No more ie8 windows poping up all by them selves anymore. However, i would like to figure out why my Z shut off all by itself yesterday. Uhmmm!...could it be a heat issue?? i have about 90 processes running but i dont know wich to stop etc....i would appreciate your input guys Thaks!

 

Thank you, I am actually unable to have a value for the size, as when i type in any amount of space it still does not give me the option to click OK. It is a 128 GB and wanted to just take 8-10 GB for the XP install I have seen sme instructions regarding the issues when rebooting after the XP install, but cant really even get started by making the partition.

I need to use some XP based prgorams for work. hence the interest in the Vista/XP dual boot. I could wait for the WIndows 7 I guess. But it will make this Z less useful to me in the immediate sense and I love using it.

Thanky ou so much for the friendly helpful response.

 

Does anyone have a clue when itel will make their SSD postville 320GB available? I am longing to exchange my HDD with that one...

BTW: Still wondering if anyone has a US STEAM account here and might send me a gift game (ow two ) if I send the money via paypal.

 

Just picked up my Z yesterday and have two questions about it:

1. is there a good guide on how to install an HD in the thing?
2. what is the current best recommended 128GB SSD out there that supports TRIM and is reasonably zippy?

 

Does anyone know where can I get his wallpaper?


Cheers,
Miki

 

That wallpaper - it is missing the States...... Not that I care too much since I live in the lower Pacific.

Umm, on another matter;
I am now going to be installing 7 (RTM, not the RC and the fiasco it brought along with it) via CLEAN INSTALL (since from what I hear, MS Security Essentials is coming out of the beta phase to a final release software on Tuesday, which is what I have been waiting for)
Obviously, I'm doing a clean install to maximise performance of the Z.

However, since Windows usually doesn't come with DVD burning software, I was wondering if people here know where in the recovery discs (created using the VAIO RECOVERY CENTRE) I could find the installation for ROXIO DVD BURNER? That is the only software that I will need with 7 (maybe others if I can find and identify them); the software app installation file names are all coded with Es and some random numbers, and I really don't want to install something unnecessary; just asking someone who may have the experience getting the installers off the recovery discs

Cheers in advance

 

Do you just need a CD/DVD/Image-burning Software? Just give "CD Burner XP" a try - it is free.

 

Is it worth going for the SSD upgrade option? It is obviously a lot simpler and keeps the warranty intact vs trying to install one post-purchase but is the 256GB SSD a bad drive (e.g. lack of TRIM)? Thanks very much

 

1. there is a service manual posted in this thread sumwhere far back i cant remember where.. basically thers a bunch of small phillips head screws on the bottom of the laptop..most are showing. except for the one behind the ram cover.. after all the screws are out use a plastic pry tool around all the edges of the aluminum panel surrounds the keyboard which will release the clips... than the whole keyboard assembly pops open.. and u unplug one ribbon cable from the motherboard.. you can than easily see the hdd..

2. I just ordered a 128 gb super talent.. from newegg which had great reviews.. and is supposed to have the same controller as samsung.. which isnt the fastest but is supposed to have reasonably good speed.. but more importantly. has been reported as very RELIABLE.. which i personally take reliability over perfomance.. I havent put the ssd in my vaio yet but willl report back when i do.. good luck!

 

Nice wallpaper, I would like to have it also

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272690&page=90

 

I would too. In fact, it started me on the search whereby I found the following: http://premiumagazine.com/2009/08/17/17-wonderful-world-map-wallpaper/. I especially like the glowing blue world map (near the bottom). It's in 16:10 aspect, so you'll need to crop it to keep the proportionality correct on the 16:9 Z display. It looks very fine on the Z, IMHO.

 

FrinkTL, thanks for the wallpapers. I certainly appreciate the link. I agree with you on your recommended wallpaper. That world map wallpaper is just fabulous. Thanks again.

 

Thanks! I've chosen the same

 

The search continues (without success), but here's another world map: http://www.cool-wallpaper.us/World_map-2232.html. It's not as cool as the first one, but worthy of mentioning, I think.

 

Quick question guys. Where can I find the Nvidia video driver that will install on Windows 7 on for a Z590? I have tried all the Vista drivers found on Sony's site but they won't install.

I just did a fresh install of Windows 7 and I am struggling to clear up all the drivers in Device Manager.....

 

The best Win7 drivers I found (32bits only) are Nautis' V190.38, posted page 56 I think of this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=342947. The only downside is you can't use the brightness buttons in speed mode (fine in stamina). These are hybrid drivers, so they install both the Intel and Nvidia drivers, and allow to switch between the two on the fly.

 

Hi all,
It is when I am on battery power sometimes the windows flicker (and are a bit slow) when they are maximized or minimized. If I am in the Stamina mode everything is great. I updated to the latest 9300 driver from Sony site, yet nothing was solved. The moment I plug the power when I am in Speed mode, everything get back to normal.. Any similar encounters. is there any setting I should change?? help will be greatly appreciated.

Also I wanted to ask if anyone notices a creaking from the palm rest. Is that solvable?? It is as if it cheaply fitted in place..not firm with no movement..!!
my best regards

 

Hi all,

sorry for reposting

It is when I am on battery power sometimes the windows flicker (and are a bit slow) when they are maximized or minimized. If I am in the Stamina mode everything is great. I updated to the latest 9300 driver from Sony site, yet nothing was solved. The moment I plug the power when I am in Speed mode, everything get back to normal.. Any similar encounters. is there any setting I should change?? help will be greatly appreciated.

Also I wanted to ask if anyone notices a creaking from the palm rest. Is that solvable?? It is as if it cheaply fitted in place..not firm with no movement..!!
my best regards

 

Which latest driver do you use?

 

Did you try to change your power options when on battery? It sounds like you are getting some effects on battery that are not applied when on power.

Try to disable Aero and see if it makes a difference.

 

the sony techs who repair vaio are seriously retards

even with a supervisor inspecting the repair, + a manager reassurance, they still did not fix the aluminium keyboard properly

summary:
1. sent it for regular maintenance to clear excessive dust from interior due to frequent heating up
2. they sent back with a loose aluminium keyboard (around S2 button .. you can like use a finger nail and prise a gap upward)
3. sent for repair again
4. they sent it back with the loose aluminium keyboard (this time its around the SD card / wireless switch button area.. the loose area makes loud CLUCK sound when you press the aluminum)
5. sent it for repair again
6. this time they sent it back with yet the same problem (this time its at the harddisk indicator light area)

WORSE!!! On top of that, they scratched my laptop SCREEN!!! which i always took pain to take care of properly!!!!

even the counter service agent was stunned beyond words...

And this is at the Official Sony Service Centre (Singapore)


No point getting an extended 2 years warranty... you are better off selling the set away, and getting a new MADE in Japan set.

Leaving your set for maintenance at the hands of those bozo is just asking for a world of pain

 

oh man, that would be sucks.. whats the cause of the prob till you sent the machine back? just wanna know what possible prob Z would have. try claim for screen replacement? scratching the beauty screeny is so unforgiven and a no-no .-.;

so far using VAIO, i never have to send the machine to service. they are all great. im not sure if the service centre in Malaysia do roughly from the story you told, but their customer support (telephone) pretty much good here.

Z is kinda fragile machine. any unproper tweaking/screwing would leave the loose and creak sounds for sure; especially area where the alu and carbon fibre meet and the hinge too. hold itself can feel the fragility, tho its usually at the plastic area. the carbon fibre areas are sturdy.

 

my area is under construction for the past 1 - 2 years. so its dusty. i've sent it in for repair for regular maintenance since i find the system hotter compared to before.

after maintenance, the temperature went down about 5 - 8 degree. but my nightmare started

if you ask me what the main issues with getting a vaio, i would say its those bozo, that we call as repair technician, or engineer, depending on what you wanna call them -_-

honestly, is it too much to ask for a decent repair?

 

.pfff finally the happy owner of a vaio Z45X !
what a wunderfull machine in real life! I'm ready for win 7..I applied for the win7 upgrade program, and hopefully a new bios for the VT soon!!
I had a good deal at Sony Style NL..if only they delivered me the EU power adapter and not the UK one..but I can live with that

 

I've mentioned this on other threads, and Sony Svc. Ctr. just does not care. I've sent a laptop, camera, dvd-recorder and all came back with more imperfections than I expected. I kew it would be returned with scratches - it was almost expected from them. I just didn't realize how much scratches they'd put on it. I don't think the surface tables they used to fix laptops on are lines with cloth to prevent scratches.

 

Wow...and...uh...WOW. That makes me glad I opted to pay extra for a 3 year, on site extended warranty service plan. At least then I get to supervise whomever arrives to effect a repair (and stop them before they do something stupid).

 

I've been lucky with Sony repairs, but then again, I've had Japanese ones that get sent back to Japan. They have yet to send me back something in worse condition or not fixed. It always comes back the same or better.