Official VAIO Z Core 2 Duo Series Owners Thread

If its the VGNZ55V051R.CEK in Bordeaux Red for £839.54 with 2 year warranty and free delivery, then yes. I ordered it over the phone 5 mins after posting the question as I have had 2 previous orders cancelled online as sonystyle clearance section doesn't update live stock. So mine is ordered and payment made. The guy on the phone was really good, and allocated one to me while on the phone.

# Processor: Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology with Intel® Core™ 2 Duo 3.06 GHz T9900 Processor
# Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64bit)
# Keyboard: UK QWERTY keyboard
# Hard drive: 256GB MLC SSD Flash Drive
# Memory: 4 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
# Display: 13.1'' WXGA++ (1600x900) LED
# Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300M GS 256MB + Int
# Optical Drive: Blu-ray Writer / DVD RW DL
# Security features: No Fingerprint or TPM
# Wireless WAN: No Wireless WWAN
# Wireless LAN: Wireless LAN + Bluetooth®
# Ports: 2 USB 2.0 + 1 HDMI™ output
# Memory cards reader: SD and MS card slot
# Finishes: Bordeaux
# Battery: Battery life up to 6.5 hours
# AC Adapter: AC Adapter

Hope you got one too

 

Huh! Good luck then... I got the impression there was only one as these tend to be "customised" ordered that are not then wanted. Hmm. I'll give 'em a quick call back now I think...

 

Yeah give em a bell, really helpful. Let us know how you get on, fingers crossed.

 

Just called them back. They have many - they started with 27 this morning and have sold 7 - two for us! - down to 20 in stock now. I guess it's not a customised one then

Phew.

 

Brilliant news mate.

It is a Customised model though, as Z55 is customized Z51 I think. Maybe it was a large order that cancelled, or maybe they made up a run of them to sell in sony stores. Who knows, quite looking forward to delivery next week sometime.

 

Race you...

 

Congrats on your purchases, guys. That is a very good price for the VAIO Z55 notebooks with blu-ray drives. How I wish Sony have got those old models for clearance here in the US at those kind of prices because I would have gotten an extra one for "backup" purposes.

 

Thanks, I can't wait. You don't know the part number for the Sony leather sleeve do you? Struggling finding it amongst all the chinese copies.

 

My order is now marked as dispatched... apparently they had a 4-day order system blackout for new products to be added and stuff, so there were no online updates Friday or Monday.

Back to an on-topic question - once I am happy that the laptop works I want to try to fit a 3G card. I see one particular UK based ebay seller with lots of different cards all around £35 plus abother £18 for a "wrap around" SIM slot holder. What are people experiences with the different cards (in the UK/EU) ? One concern is fitting an antenna kit. I don't want to open the screen bezel really, so a compact one in the main case would be nice, but not sure on performance...

(Many listed here: eBay My World - justopeshop)

 

Is the following the one you're looking for?

VGP-CKZ2

Or is it the following?

VGP-CKZ1

 

Well, the clearance Vaio arrived and I am just creating restore disks, windows update and typing this. Came with a fat battery too... might have to go find a thin one for occassional travel about town usage.

Feels great and the keyboard is better than I remember from trying it shops a while back.

 

am planning to purchase a 2nd-hand VGN-Z520n for roughly...$689. are there any iknown ssues with this model?

 

That's an AMAZING deal. Well done. I think a 1920 resolution is too much at this screen size anyway.

S

 

I just got a VGNZ55V051R.CEK with a 256gb ssd (2x128gb raid)

How fast should this be running under win 7 ? i was expecting a lot more than 150mb/s on hdtune ?

 

Ok forget that, running at 290/300 now

 

Hi Everybody!

Does z11 support x64?

Can I replace hdd with 500GB 7200rpm?

Thanks!

 

???

Hi Everybody!

Does z11 support x64?

Can I replace hdd with 500GB 7200rpm?

Thanks!

 

I think so, don't see any problems.

 

Yes you can...just did both of those today !

 

You did replace hdd with 500 gb and os x64. Right?

How is x64 performance?

Thanks!

 

So my Z, which I bought in August 2008, has started acting up. It will not turn on 9 out of ten times I press the power button, and when it does turn on, it sometimes turns itself off before its done booting. On other occasions, with the battery taken out,it has booted and I have been able to use for hours on end. I am at a loss as to what to do: the computer is out of warranty, and whatever the problem, Sony Service is going to charge me at least 280 to fix the computer, on the other hand, a repair center in the neighborhood will charge less, but I am not sure if I can trust them with my Z. What do you guys suggest I do?

 

So you only experience problem when you have the battery in? Are you still using the original battery?

 

I am still using the original battery. I experience the problem with/without the battery in its bay.

 

Assuming you have done some diagnosis yourself and ruled out possible failure with OS and/or harddrive (you know, like system recovery and stuff), this sounds like problem with the main board, although it could be limited to just the power supply area.

In this case, you definitely want to find someone that is familiar with Sony Z and service center is your best bet, unfortunately.

 

Has anyone actually managed to change their thermal interface on a Z Series yet? My Z21 is now two years old and shuts down regularly because of overheating. I've cleaned out the fan, so dust isn't a problem and I'm now considering the longevity of the Sony Thermal sheets. Some of them can't be replaced by thermal paste, but it looks like I can replace the CPU and GPU thermal pads with paste.

Q1. Has anyone used paste on their CPU & GPU and with what results?

Q2. Does anyone know where I can order replacement thermal pads with the names: VRAM-B, VRAM, Power & GPU-KBD?

Thanks

 

I came across this post in a Taiwanese forum, so someone did do it and had some good experience on what you can use and where. Might want to ping the author an email if you need clarification. However, I am not sure how to get these parts in US (or wherever you are). Good luck.

VGN-Z CPU & GPU Thermal Interface & fan clean-up from Mobile 01

 

Hi I'm new here and am in the process of purchasing a Sony Vaio VPC-Z1290X from my friend's sister who works for Sony. Not sure how much discount she'll get (hopefully 30-50%!). Both the silver and the black look stunning but I am leaning towards the black. I want to ask if I should get the Premium Carbon version.

Is the $50 premium worth it? Is it more durable? I asked a rep on live chat and she said that the carbon fiber version is more durable (which I disagree unless she's talking about carbon steel) and that the Premium Carbon version has carbon fiber chassis all around. The regular black is made of magnesium alloy while the keyboard panel is aluminum. Is this correct? She said that both weighs the same. She also said that both are smooth finish but I looked at the SonyStyle store and the premium carbon seems to have a brushed metal finish which I like as you can see from the link below.

http://www.notebookreview.com/assets/11425.jpg

FYI, the rep also went on to say that carbon fiber is still metal which I thought was a bunch of crap. I like the feel of metal which feels expensive especially if it has a brushed look, however the regular black version is smooth while the premium carbon seems to have this brushed texture...probably so it will not feel like matte plastic.

 

Can anyone please tell or send me the picture in which the sound card is located. mine has ceased to work and i cant get it to work so i am trying to replace it.

 

can anyone tell me where the sound card is located i have a vgn-z590, but i am unsure which version it is. i am pretty sure most of them are built the same. my sound has ceased to start working and i would like to know where it is located, and where to get a new one. Please!!!!!
And Thank you

 

Hi, I own VGN-Z880G.

CPU P8700 2.53
Bios version R5030M3
North bridge Intel GM45 / GM47 revision 07
Memory 2 * HMT125S6BFR8C-G7 DDR3 1066

Is this model with current firmware eligible for 2 * 4 GB upgrade?
I choosing between Patriot PSD38G1066SK Patriot Signature DDR3 8GB 2 x 4GB PC3-8500 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory Unbuffered Non-ECC-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com and Geil Newegg.ca - GeIL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Laptop Memory Model GS38GB1066C7DC

Tips? Recommendations?
Could i look also for some DDR3 1333 modules or just 1033 are supported?

 

In a bit of a quandary: fork out $450 to repair two year old vaio Z, or buy a new computer (albeit a cheaper one, like the vaio y) for slightly more?

 

Mildly related, anyone have a busted or screwed Z series and would be willing to sell me a cable connector for the keyboard/touchpad?

I had to open my notebook up and apparently if you unbend the cable the copper breaks so I'm screwed. It's just a cheap connector but is ridiculously expensive on ebay, complete bull.

 

hi anyone experiencing 87% only in battery charging? mine can only reach that point and stops charging..

checked the battery charge capacity in the vaio control center and it says Good..

any ideas? thanks!

 

try AIDA64 and check your battery level degradation...
Also, did you mess around with Battery care options (80% charge, 50%, custom)?

Just different pattern, though it does look "premium" comparing to "just" black carbon.

Cheers,
Miki

 

hi i installed aida64 but i can't find the battery degradation option. also, my battery care function is disabled.

 

Computer/Power Management/Battery Properties page...I'm assuming he's referring to Wear Level.

 

that's correct - "wear level"

As for disabled (greyed out) if that's the case, there is thread on this issue:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/547701-vaio-battery-care-problem.html

Cheers,
Miki

 

ok.. my wear level is 0%

also, my battery care is not greyed out. what i meant was it is not enabled "not ticked"

 

Can anyone help me with my dvd/cd drive? I upgraded to Windows 7 Pro last year and rarely use the drive but when I have it has been fine for reading things, but I went to burn a cd on it a few days ago and the drive wont write anything saying the cds are the wrong media, etc. I am pretty sure the driver is incorrect from when I upgraded the machine to Windows 7.


it is a Vaio VGN-Z620D bought in Canada and under device manager I have
MATA DVD_RAM UJ862AS with a really old driver date of 21.06.2006 only under CD/DVD drives.

 

I have a new full on keyboard/palmrest assembly...
(I had bought it to replace my wearing palmrest and keyboard, but never really got to use it, as I got a VPC-Z around the same time.)

I'm unsure if you are looking for the keyboad w/embedded connector that plugs into the mouse, or the connector that plugs the mouse and keyboard into the computer. edit: ITS BEEN SOLD

 

hi all Z lovers/owners,

I am about to buy the new VGN-Z2 laptop, Core 2 Duo P8600 / 2.4 GHz, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM - 800 MHz, 320 GB - Serial ATA - 5400 rpm, 256 MB GDDR3 SDRAM NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS.. Is there any feature or performance being lost when using XP? Thanks!

 

So the people who handle out-of-warranty repairs at sony want $1200 to fix my computer. Would be quite imprudent to pay that much to repair a computer bought for $1800 two years ago, even though I love so many things about it (the keyboard, particularly). I am now wondering how I can the most out of what is now a "non-working" vaio vgn-Z: Sell it intact as it is, or sell it piecemeal? How much am I likely to get for it in each case?

 

Unfortunately, the sad thing is that either way you choose, you'll be looking at losing quite a lot of money. That is probably the way it is with selling used PC notebooks nowadays.... they just don't hold their resale value well, even if it is in perfect working condition.

 

Just picked up a second hand VGN-Z670N. I have thus installed a Momentus XT, 8GB ram, and Windows 7 (64 bit), undervolted.

Just for others reference Crucial 1333 (PC3-10600) 8gb kit works in this model with the latest bios. However, it underclocks it to 533.... with 7 timings. So no difference than if moving down to lower speed.

 

That depends on how you're planning on installing XP. If you use the bundled XP downgrade disc (included with all NEW VGN-Z), everything will work BUT on-the-fly graphics changes. Which means, if you change the GPU switch you need to restart the OS to see the changes. The downgrade disc installs all the required drivers MINUS any software (no bloat whatsoever), and even replaces the Vista recovery partition with a XP variant. So make sure you create recovery discs from the preinstalled Vista OS before opting for XP. I can't emphasise that enough.

Performance-wise. Well... It's replacing Vista; what else can you expect?

Curious, where are you buying a NEW VGN-Z? These are superseded models and would be rather difficult to find new...

 

I've just had the mainboard replaced on my VGN-Z36GD (under extended warranty) and now VAIO Restore and VAIO Update won't work. It says that the model is incorrect.

I've read that I need to update the DMI information because the model number in VAIO Control Center > System Information no longer says VGN-Z36GD or similar.

Has anyone else had this problem? Also, if someone else has this same machine would you please take a look at your system information and tell me whether it is supposed to be VGN-Z36GD? I think it could also possibly be VGN-Z36GD/B so I'm not 100% sure. I just want to know for sure before I attempt to update the DMI information.

Thanks in advance.

Kham

 

Owner of a VGN-Z since last year. About 4 months ago I saw a white vertical line appear approximatively in the middle of the screen. See picture below. It disappeared 1 day later, came back the next week. It was like this for 2 months.

By the time it was a permanent problem, warranty had expired by a few days.

Anyone else have this? I have seen one other post with a similar problem. I suspect bad display, which is unfortunately not cheap, yet cheaper than a new VAIO.

 

If warranty is out by only a few days I suggest still contacting them about it. Sometimes they will still accept the warranty claim if only a short time has passed.

 

Thanks. I did that. The guy told me I was out of luck. Funny how they see luck isn't? Essentially, warranty starts when the laptop ships, not when it arrives. So I was out by 2 weeks and something.

So I am looking at replacement parts and manual now. As much as I can tell this is a problem with the LCD screen. It doesn't occur on my other external LCD monitor and HDMI TV.

I may be lucky and it may be bad connections, but I was already out of luck once with warranty.

I will let you know if I manage to fix it.

 

Disregard this post.