Sony Vaio CA Official Owners' Thread

Spread it people! I know there's hundreds of people with the lagging issue:

http://developer.amd.com/Downloads/110619a-121104E.zip

 

Can someone please comment on this Vaio CA in terms of hardware, display, performance, weight, battery life, well pretty much everything.

https://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/st...198552921644770004&LBomId=8198552921666304161

 

Hello, can anyone give any feedback on Sleeplessoul's solution? I am pretty eager to order my machine, but must be sure this graphics card issue is no longer an issue! I will be using Photoshop extensively.

Also, does anyone have any comments on the screen in comparison to the SB/SA?

Thanks.

 

I already own sony vaio ca for about three weeks and finally I finished small review/preview. Maybe somebody will find important info who still deciding which model to pick:

Video and full review in video info tab:
‪Sony Vaio Ca Preview (not official) Intel® i7-2620M 2.70GHz, AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6630M 1GB‬‏ - YouTube

 

Thanks for the video.

 

Just registered to reply here, hope this helps:

Most problems seem to have been solved with the switchable graphics, as far as I can determine. You can change whether the whole system is running on the AMD or Intel GPU, I haven't had any issues with programs not seeing my video card. I haven't tried profiling so that certain applications run with a set GPU, it's easier to just leave the Radeon graphics on, unless heat/power are an issue. The catalyst control center can be used to set which GPU is being used, as well as right-clicking on the desktop and saying "configure switchable graphics"

I hope this helps...!

 

Thanks! Now I just need to pick my hard drive...

 

Imaging a drive is fairly simple right? I plan on getting the cheapest option now (320GB 5400rpm), then getting a solid state replacement in a year or so when prices come down. I'm not sure if + £60 now for the 500GB 7200rpm is worth it.

 

How?

Thanks!

Alex

 

Did anyone else superglue their wireless button to the "ON" position like me? Got tired of accidentally turning it off and there is no way to disable it...

 

are you sure? how? as far as i concerned, there's no way to use intel / amd gpu in the whole system, we need to configure it

 

Here's a couple screenshots, I'm guessing you guys aren't seeing what I'm seeing maybe?

I can see which GPU is active using hwmonitor (cpuz works but doesn't give any other helpful info, dxdiag works too). note that for hwmonitor (or anything else) to give you a correct reading, you have to close and reopen it (it shows whichever GPU was active when it was opened).

http://i56.tinypic.com/1zvd5hw.png

Right clicking on the desktop using the radeon GPU gives me either the "Graphics Properties" or "Configure Switchable Graphics" options, while using the Intel GPU only gives me the "Configure Switchable Graphics".

Clicking "Graphics Properties" gives me catalyst control center, which lets me get to switchable graphics properties by clicking "switchable graphics". The other context menu option from the desktop brings you to the switchable graphics screen as well. This has worked for me no problem!

http://i52.tinypic.com/nh144o.png

I used both Vaio Update and Windows Update when I got the machine, but haven't changed anything myself or used 3rd party drivers, so nothing crazy.

 

i see, you have switchable graphic methods... which i dont have... wierd... do you have switchable graphic methods when you got the laptop? or it's due to the updates?

 

I don't recall having that when I got the laptop, but the first thing I did when I got it was update windows all the way, then use Vaio update (this was July 6'ish), I've had these settings since then for sure.

 

right, i'll try to update everything first..

no changes after update... don't know what's wrong

 

What model of VAIO do you have? VPCCA190?

What version video driver is installed? Could you make some screen shorts?

It looks like you have 2 monitors so maybe one is external? Can you confirm that?

Thanks!

Alex

 

i dont have that switchable graphic method thingy in my CCC, where can we get that???

 

@napoleon_jo: sir, what version of Catalyst are you using? i dont have that Switchable graphics Method :cry:

 

yeah same here... maybe most of us...

 

not fair! we should have that too

@napoleon_jo, why do u have Display 1 and Display 2 tabs on your DirectX Diagnostic Tool????

i also run that CPU-Z thingy but the AMD is not what the laptop sees

 

Hey, I'll try to get everything:

I have 2 monitors, when the second isn't connected I don't have display 2 on dxdiag.

Catalyst driver version appears to be:

Catalyst Control Center Version 2011.0204.1429.25921

Driver Packaging Version 8.811.1.5-110204a-115635C-Sony

My Vaio model is VPCCA290X (290, not 190)

My only suggestion is this: make absolutely sure that you use VAIO update to update your Vaio software: The custom Sony GPU drivers mean that Windows update probably won't catch a new Catalyst/driver version.
I used the VAIO update icon in the icon bar by the clock to update my laptop. Have you guys all done this, as well as Windows update?

Edit: When I set my laptop to the Radeon GPU, cpuz sees both the Intel and AMD GPU's (in a drop-down menu I can select either). When I set it to the Intel GPU, cpuz doesn't see the AMD one. HWmonitor only sees a GPU when the Radeon is active. Starting HWmonitor when the Radeon is active means that no matter which GPU I switch to after, it monitors the Radeon. Starting it with the Intel GPU means that no matter which I switch to, it will never report a GPU temp (The Intel GPU is the same as the core temp).


Complete CCC info panel copy-pastes: (The system shares RAM with the GPU even though the GPU has dedicated memory, resulting in an odd amount of RAM being read back)

Software:

Driver Packaging Version 8.811.1.5-110204a-115635C-Sony
Provider ATI Technologies Inc.
2D Driver Version 8.01.01.1114
2D Driver File Path /REGISTRY/MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet001/Control/CLASS/{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}/0001
Direct3D Version 7.14.10.0806
OpenGL Version 6.14.10.10428
Catalyst Control Center Version 2011.0204.1429.25921


Hardware:

Primary Adapter
Graphics Card Manufacturer Powered by AMD
Graphics Chipset AMD Radeon HD 6630M
Device ID 6741
Vendor 1002

Subsystem ID 9080
Subsystem Vendor ID 104D

Graphics Bus Capability PCI Express 2.0
Maximum Bus Setting PCI Express 2.0 x16

BIOS Version 013.009.000.008
BIOS Part Number BR40123.001
BIOS Date 2011/03/01

Memory Size 4819 MB
Memory Type HyperMemory

Core Clock in MHz 485 MHz
Memory Clock in MHz 800 MHz

 

i guess you got newer driver...

Code:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VPCCA290X&upd_id=6734&os_id=45

320.45 MB while most of us, only got about 240 MB... i'll try download yours, let's see what it would do on my VPCCA16FG

 

This won't help. The bios version in 190x and 290x is different and this is weird comparing with other series of Vaio. Just bad luck...

Alex

 

Catalyst Control Centre no longer works for me, i right click and i can see it in the menu but clicking it does nothing. I've googled and seen others with the same problem but no fix that's working for me.

That said, Photoshop is recognising the card *shrug*

 

and that being said... even HP already taking action... but there's no info on Sony...

Code:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-pavilion-notebooks/590646-faq-if-you-thinking-have-ordered-your-dv6-7-61xx-read-here-answers-switchable-graphics.html

 

Hi Everyone!

I went from an Asus F8-Sn (a1) but upgraded the CPU on it to T9300 a few years back and the disk drive to a vertex 2 120GB, to a Dell XPS15 (L501X) but I hateddd the dell!!! It was SOOOOOOOOO big and clunky.

My requirements for the laptop was something 14", bluray and "better than 1366x768" so I ended up with the VPCCA190S, and I love it! Although I had a problem when I was using a different hard drive the system would just cack out sometimes when being moved. I have a couple of observations / questions. I bought a 14" Bolt Black, 900p, i5-2540, amd 6630, 8gb memory machine.

1) What does it mean when the battery flashes red? My battery is in excellent condition but sometimes when I move it, I notice the battery flashing
2) What's up with this Video Switching Stuff? I did download the latest link that someone mentioned from that developer stuff, but I don't know if I'm having the problems, although I would like to increase my Windows score (it's at 5.7 now, lowest being the graphics for aero subsystem)
3) I just threw in an M4 256GB, did the firmware upgrade to 0002 and now this thing is the sh*t!
4) Has anybody taken apart their VPCCA190X to upgrade their wireless yet? I'm planning on doing it soon, was just wondering how much effort was involved, or if there are any instructions online, It's always nice if you have something to look at.

I just finished upgrading my Asus UL20FT-A1 with an intel 6230 card, that works sweet (dual band plus bluetooth), but was a major job, took about 2 hours.

Thanks!

 

Weird, mine is at 4.7 - same system as yours!?

 

Well, I also did a fresh install of the Windows 7 on an SSD... The 5400rpm drives are way too slow for my liking.

 

OK. First off, I realized I have a VPCCA190S, not VPCCA190X. I got a little impatient and took apart my system, and it was really easy! Just removed the battery, Hard drive, optical drive and memory (I don't even think you really need to remove the RAM) and the whole back cover comes off. The wireless is sitting in a very convenient location for replacement. All in all, took me about 15 minutes to figure out how to disassemble the thing, get the wireless card in and put it all back together. Now I have an Intel 6200AGN installed in this laptop (the 6205 I bought was missing a wireless antenna.... so strange!)

I took a photo for everyone, and someone in this thread was asking if the CPU is soldered on, and I'm pretty sure it isn't, take a look at the pic of the internals! The pic was taken after I did the upgrade of the wireless card, since my laptop shipped with Wireless-N 1000 (Model: 112BNHMW)

 

Hi, I hope this is the right place to put these questions but I couldnt see anywhere that looked more appropriate.

I was wondering if I could just ask a few questions about the Sony Vaio CA series laptops, specifically the VPCCA2C5EX model

1) what is the screen like? its the 1600X900 version, is this nice to use? because I have read alot of complaints about the lower resolution screen.

2) Whats the keyboard like to use? would it be nice for a student expecting to spend way too much time writing essays?

3) whats the build quality like? does it feel tough and durable? do you think that if I was careful it could last me more then 2 years?

4) I have read some complaints about heat issues and noise on some other vaio models, are these present in this model? does the laptop get very hot and very noisy? does it get like this even if only browsing the internet and typing in world?

5)realistically what is everyone get out of their battery when only watching a film or typing in word?

6) slightly random but what is the manufacturer of the 500gig 5200rpm and the 500gig 7200rpm HDDs?

Sorry, I know this is a lot of questions - thank you for any help with any of them

Thanks!

 

The 1600x900 is nice, but it's not as good as a 1080p screen. The coloring is better than your standard crappy 1366x768 screen, though. And the higher resolution is nice.

The keyboard is fine. It has a little bit of flex, at least more than my Toshiba, but it's hardly a problem.

It feels pretty tough to me.

It does not get very hot, but the fan has a tendency to fluctuate speed a lot as all Sonys do. When it gets to certain speeds, it becomes louder, but I don't consider it to be that annoying and it's not that loud.

On a darker note, I've only had my Vaio CA for a couple weeks and it's already crashed 3 times due to graphics issues. I'm considering returning it. I'm not sure if I just got a lemon or if this is something that happens.

I can't really answer the other questions you posted, but I hope I helped a little bit.

 

Thanks for the help, the laptop spec looks almost perfect for me but I read so many complaints about quality and heat/fan issues.

 

I've had no problems with heat or crashing. I have it on for hours at a time and i mostly use it for work (websites/photoshop/spreadsheets) - sneaking in the odd hour on WoW and browsing. I believe the power mode will affect the fan? Mine isn't on that often and i never hear it when browsing or using word/excel.

I don't have the switchable graphics option in my menu when i right click on the desktop, however everything i'm running is recognising the graphic card - including photoshop (though it is CS4 not CS5).

I love the keyboard, the backlight is essential for me and it feels quite firm.

The build quality is great, it feels very solid.

I'm very pleased with the screen. It's quite vibrant. The only time i notice an issue with viewing angles is if i'm looking at a very dark image with subtle contrasts, then i find myself tilting the screen a bit.

 

waaww..
my CA doesn't like that,,

 

they have newer bios, and we have messed up bios by sony

 

so, there is nothing we can do ?

 

nothing... i just email the reps, and she said there's no update on the bios, even though HP has solved this issue.. they already update their bios in DV 6 / 7.. and it works like charm now

 

buset dah, nyang boneng gan

maybe it's not a major problem for me if i'm not a user of google sketchup, 3dsmax,
well,looks like I will empower my PC back

*still can't believe that sony doing an evil act

 

It seems the Graphics issue has been solved by Sony in the latest batch. Anyone considering buying this laptop can go ahead without worrying of any graphics issue. Just make sure you get one made in July or later.

 

I think I am going to buy one of these but is there anything I should know before I take the jump? any major problems or flaws?

Also does anyone know the battery life when the laptop is only being used on web (i.e. on that mode after web has been pressed)?

 

the battery lasts 4:45 hours in Balanced Mode and normal use...
I wrote a review in case you want to read: Sony Vaio CA: First impressions | Tech|Inferno the review include How to change the HDD,Put a SSD,change the RAM and the optical drive
You can read in spanish too
I did some tests and I'm putting the results here

cheers!

Nando

 

I'm looking to buy a CA, if I'm not planning on gaming is the integrated video fine for HD videos and all that?

 

try this
go to vaio control center>network connections>vaio smart network>advanced

It can be accessed from taskbar too..

 

Hi everyone, thanks for all the information you've given on this machine which helped me make my choice. I now have a nice new CA and it seems I am lucky enough to have control of switchable graphics. HOWEVER, I am unlucky enough to have this unexpected feature: HDMI = BSoD.

I am a Retoucher and it is essential for me to have use of my external monitor, especially as we all know this model's weakest point in reviews is its screen. Has anyone else had trouble? I came across one other on the official Sony forums. I wanted to try older Intel HD Graphics drivers or new beta ones, but I can't as this is a Sony. Can I get hold of older Sony version drivers?

Similar problem I7-2600K Intel HD Graphics (igdkmd64)...: Intel Communities

A.

 

could you try this driver?

 

if you're watching HD video, then it';s fine, the AMD is not functional only in OpenGL... has confirmed it myself, most of video player use directx to render though such as MPC-HC / mplayer2

 

My 3D MARK 11 score 3dmark.com/3dm11/1624669 . Please post yours if you have tested it.

 

Which driver?

Sony wrote back quickly enough which is good, but their initial suggestion of doing a full system restore has not solved the problem.

A.

 

Hi guys!

Can someone give me an advice on which SSD to buy? I chose the slowest, 5400rpm drive, with an intention to upgrade it to an SSD. However, having spent enough on the laptop itself already I don't want to spend a fortune on the SSD anymore.

Therefore, I'm interested in drives around £150. I guess that instantly puts me in the 120GB ballpark, however a bigger one would be nice. Don't limit yourself to 150 quid. I'd happily buy 300GB for 160 quid

So, my question is, which drives should I look at - SATA 2 or 3? I see that the drive inside is SATA 2. Does that mean that the laptop won't support SATA 3 (or to be precise won't be able to use it to full potential) or is it just because the drive itself is cr*p?

If that matters then I chose the i7 CPU.

P.S.
I know that there's an SSD thread but I though I'd ask someone who actually owns the same laptop as me. Oh, and please TRIM only SSD's

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I'd also appreciate if you could suggest me some good 2x4GB RAM kit with good latency. I've looked at this Crucial memory kit but I have no idea how good Crucial is. The deal seems to be good at £45. Or maybe you think the 4GB module that came with my laptop is good enough and I should just add 4GB more? This is what I've got installed.

 

I went with the slowest HDD route as well. I ended up purchasing the Kingston SSDNow V+100 96GB for $100 shipped. Wasn't the fastest SSD out there, but for the price, hands down faster than the 5400 and 7200 I tested. Boot times and app launches are what you would expect them to be, quick!

I followed the instructions earlier in this thread with pulling the DVD drive and adding a caddy, which is currently housing a 500GB Scorpio. Laptop feels a bit lighter and steadier. Put the DVD drive in a slim housing. Credit goes to the guy posting the links from Amazon, everything works great and was inexpensive.

Next upgrade is RAM. Out on the interwebs, their is a video on YouTube of someone upgrading the RAM to the Kingston HyperX 8GB DDR3 1866Mhz. The price has dropped to $139 on Newegg. I was going to settle with the 1600Mhz CAS9, as it was much cheaper, but the gap has closed. Not sure if its worth the difference. CAS 9 vs CAS 11. These are also plug and play and will be detected right out of the box.

Thoughts on the laptop:
-Love the screen res (16x9), colors are fairly accurate, it can get pretty bright, but the contrast and black levels aren't that great. I have also gotten used to seeing the pixel grid on recent laptops. They need to tighten the pitch again, but many LCDs have this trend.
-Sturdy in most places but you can see the cheap plastic they used on the length of the laptop up front, and a small strip the length of the laptop under the LCD.
-Cooling is very good, and access to the insides are a breeze as the whole bottom panel comes off.
-Speakers are horrendous. You must turn on the Dolby settings in order to make them reasonable even in quite environments. Unfortunately, I have yet to find the installation files that would allow me to see the Dolby tab under speaker properties due to a fresh install. If anyone knows where to find'em, I would be much appreciative.
-Keyboard flexes a smidgen, but the chiclet style keys and back light more than make up for it.
-Its a little bit heavy for my tastes. I'll be going to a slimmer 14 or 13.3 for the next round.
-Charging times take longer than I'd presume while the laptop is in use, but a full charge lasts as expected.

Does anyone know if SATA3 ports are used on the CA?