Sony Vaio CB Official Owners' Thread

I found it on another forum, but the links are from AMD

the direct links are:

Windows 7 - 32 Bits
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-5_mobility_vista_win7_32_dd_ccc.exe

Windows 7 - 32 Bits + OpenCL
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-5_mobility_vista_win7_32_dd_ccc_ocl.exe


Windows 7 - 64 Bits
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-5_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc.exe

Windows 7 - 64 Bits + OpenCL
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/11-5_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl.exe



PS: Switchable feature appears to be ok in CCC

Regards!!

 

doesn't seem like it has switchable graphic method ( juliet 1.0 )

i think it's confirmed that it was bios problem... now,how to make sony recognise the problem and fix this out

 

If you're not completely set on this model, I strongly recommend you choose something different. Sony's showing no traction on fixing the issues associated with this model's graphics, thus you may want to go with a different brand entirely (possibly HP).

 

I am not expert in computers, can someone explain for me the issue with graphics? how it can affect me?

I normally use the laptop for office work and watching vedios and not games, would this still be an issue for me? why would someone switch graphics?

I have old sony vaio and it it still ok and I would like to continue with them. I want 15inch screen and currently sony offer this in 2 series (E and C). C is newest so I thought to go for it. It is not my ideal laptop but this is ok.


thanks again.

 

^^
It won't affect you in any way. And even in photoshop the 6630M is used to an extent just not to its full potential.

 

Currently this graphics issue (lacking proper OpenGL support, among other things) affects many, many programs (and this isn't even a complete list): List of OpenGL programs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

While many of those list are games, the amount of nongaming programs this issue affects is staggering.

I'm aware that the person in question may not use the computer for anything that you believe may use OpenGL at the moment, but they did ask for a laptop that will be good for the next couple years. More and more programs are beginning to use OpenGL rendering, even ones that should have nothing to do with 3D graphics - and even more will in the next few years.

Thus, it's unconscionable to recommend this computer to anyone unless the current issues are resolved.

Best,
Cassy

 

I'd recommend against Sony entirely (HP/Toshiba seem much better by comparison), but I'm a bit biased at this point.

If you want to stick with Sony, stay away from anything with hybrid graphics. Lacking proper graphics capabilities may not sound important now, but depending on how certain formatting wars play out, you may be unable to properly watch a video on Netflix or Youtube because of it.

They currently offer C series laptops without AMD 6630M hybrid graphics setup. If you're intent on keeping with Sony, just go with that and you should be alright. But how they're currently handling this issue would make me wary of buying anything from them.

Best,
Cassy

 

You would recommend going with Intel's graphics (integrated I think) over the switchable AMD graphics?

Could you tell me how powerful the integrated graphics are? Or what they could/couldn't do that the switchable graphics card could?

Thank you.

 

Depends on what you're planning on using the computer for:

If it's using any graphics intensive program, choose a different model. Switchable graphics on the C series ideally would have been able to handle these fine, but it has issues as it stands now.

If it's just for browsing the internet and doing light office tasks, integrated will be fine (though I still urge you away from a Vaio at this point in time).

Best,
Cassy

 

ok..thank you all for the advice. I will wait a little bit more to see if sony will solve the graphics issue. Is it affecting adope illustrator? unfortuntately, in uk, they only have vaio c with AMD radeon (TM) HD 6630M

May you please give me your advice whether to choose 500GB serial ATA (7200rpm) or 640 GB serial ATA (5400rpm) ? both are at the same price and both should be more than enough for my files.

thanks in advance.

 

Go for the 7200 rpm drive. It will be faster.

 

seagate XT VS WD Black both 500GB which is better?

 

Seagate XT is faster, WD Black is more reliable

 

I am thinking getting a mac because the clean install prossess i read in many models here is just time consuming. But today i saw a hint and i d like the owners to tell me if its right. Until now i thought with the recovery media you could recover your pc to factory state including the crapware. Now i read that at least Sony, offers selective recovery of apps and drivers. So you can deselect the antivirus stuff etc, recover and then run vaio update to update drivers and apps?

 

Then it is WD black...

 

Certain functions of Adobe Illustrator may be affected. To be safe, I'd recommend against this model.

-Cassy

 

thank you very much for your answer.

I was checking the prices for vaio c in the last two weeks. Today, there is a drop in price! it feels like the vaio c series is getting old already! but I am still considering buying one. So I am really happy I did not rush with my order thanks for this thread!!

On a different side, I have old VGN-BX-196sp vaio and I need a battery for it. The sony center sell the battery very expensive ~£150. As I am planning to buy a new vaio, I want to buy a cheaper (but good) battery replacement. I checked the original battery and it isay 11.1 v/4000mAh. But most of batteries available are 11.1 v/4400mAh, can I still use this? does this difference in mAh affects the laptop?

Thanks.

 

Hi All,

How would I know if my CB's HDD is SATA 3.0 capable.?? What brand is the best replacement.??
I am currently using 320GB 5400rpm.

 

SSD drive would be the best choice

 

Hi All,

are there any new owners of this laptop that can share their thoughts (quality, performance...) please? also, old owners can you please update on the performance of the laptop? are there any more problems?

many thanks in advance.

 

I have the CA and i'm writing a review about it, with pics, how to change the HDD, how to change the RAM, how to change the Optical disc...i'll post later..

In general has a great performance and a great look

 

For me, everything is great (quality, performance, display, etc..) except the video graphics card issue on some applications like photoshop.

earlier today, i installed Angry Birds Rovio, guess what, i cant play it!
Error is: OpenGL2.0 renderer not supported. OpenGL1.4 renderer not supported. OpenGL1.3 renderer not supported. crap!

anyone can help???? thanks in advance.

 

Is there some issue with Vaio Updates . Whenever, i use it, i see some updates, but the updates never get completely downloaded .

I tried the other way too of downloading the updates from Sony's site, but, after installing a few of them, my track pad stopped working & i had to re install Windows .

Any suggestions, as how to update Vaio ?

 

Have you tried setting he interchangeable graphics mode to manual?

 

most of us don't have manual setting... we only have dynamic setting

 

Accel is correct. Most of us for whatever reason only have the CCC to change the graphics, which is hit or miss. Updating drivers, CCC's, etc, all give mixed results.

The VPCCB is a nice machine. The keyboard feels great and the backlight on it is excellent. The 1080P screen is very nice and the i5 Sandy Bridge processor runs very cool. The only problem with this laptop is that the switchable graphics work like crap. Therefore, because we all paid a premium price for this option, it's an overpriced laptop. You can get an i5 Sandy Bridge with a backlit keyboard and 1080P screen for $600-$750, while most of us paid $900-$1100 for this machine. I'm still pissed, but not to the point where I can be bothered to sell this thing and then go buy something cheaper.

 

Anybody ????

 

somehow the 290X in sony US has a new bios version... i think that sony already aware of this issue, but i don't know why Sony haven't made an announcement for it...

 

Yes there is a new BIOS update dated 1st July 2011 for the US CA/CB models. Can anyone here with the US model download this update and let us know if it fixes the graphics issue ?

 

i dont think it would resolves the issue...

this is the description said..

Code:

This utility updates the BIOS to version R1101V2 to reduce the fan noise after the computer resumes from Standby.

when did the 290X come out ? cos you see, the driver dated on june... that means...they already know the issue before then, and the hardware is the same..

 

^^
Yes but no harm in checking if it changes something related to the graphics issue. So US owners please download the BIOS update and post your findings here.

 

"This update is not intended for your computer model." I never actually checked if the 290s used a different motherboard or not...

Best,
Cassy

 

Thank you guys for your reply. I am hoping to hear from more people.

 

Anyone install Ubuntu 11.04 on the CB series? I've heard that there are problems with the Radeon Card.

Can anyone confirm?

Thanks!

 

Anyone on this? Also is the cover scratch resistant or like a macbook white?

 

I have a Nergear 614v11 router . When, i connect to it wirelessely, the connection is damn slow, but with a wire it is pretty fast .

I am looking for a solution for the last 10 hours & totally exhausted .

Guys, please help me, speed up my wireless connection .

 

Anybody ?????

Please help !!!!!!!!!!

I am desperate .

 

From what i can understand is tat the Drivers of the Atheros AR9285 Wireless Lan Driver need to be updated . Somehow, i cannot find the updated one's ( when i update them, it says that i have the latest one's ).

Please provide me a link to the latest rivers & let me how to put them in my system ?

 

For what it's worth, I installed it too, and it worked perfectly. Too bad I can't pass my saves from my Galaxy S. I just don't understand why you guys can't set the interchangeable graphics method to manual. Maybe it's the BIOS update, my computer came with the new BIOS already flashed.

 

good for you

too bad for me..

any help guys???

 

when did you buy the laptop?

 

It looks like -

- that i have asked a taboo question .

- i am the only one facing this problem .

- nobody has the time or the inclination to answer .

 

End of June. It arrived in the 1st week of July.

 

Hi everyone I'm new to the forums and have been trawling this thread for a while now as I'm thinking of buying a CB series vaio. I'm from the UK and currently the CTO model is the VPCCB2C5E.

I'm assuming valrond's lappy above is an european version. I've had a look on the sony support website for drivers and versions relating to the graphics problem.

For the US versions of the CB the graphics driver for the switchable graphics only goes up to 8.811.1.4000 whereas the European downloads for the latest driver is 8.811.1.5000 and was released in june.

Can someone from Europe or preferably the UK post up their thoughts and any test results regarding the switchable graphics in the CB.

Can someone from the US or elsewhere outside of the EU download this driver from the sony EU site and check if it solves their graphics issue, maybe cassey101 or SneezyLarry.

Thanks all.

 

Nothing's changed after installing this EU version, i still have issues,
i still cant play Angry Birds.. ( and street fighter 4 and my media player classic home cinema only works on power saving mode (
I AM STARTING TO HATE THIS LAPTOP

 

i've downloaded it but as i've already explain, that, this problem might be only occured for first batch of CA/CB, and already been fix in the second batch ( newer colors )... might be, as valrond who bought his, already has the interchangable graphic methods.

and this is not a software problem, this is a BIOS problem.

MPC - HC? how? i've run it in high performance all the time...

 

Hey valrond, which country did you buy your CB and what is the full model number?

Thanks for checking and sorry it hasn't worked out.

That seems like a logical explanation. Might be good if people posted their purchase location and full model numbers so that maybe we can try to investigate a bit further to see where and when sony have supplied CB's with flawed bios's leaving some people out in the cold.

 

as you asked, i have VPCCA16FG which i bought in indonesia,11 april 2011

for your information HP already released their bios update

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebo...to-ATI-Graphics-6770M-2GB/td-p/712311/page/31

 

Hey SneezyLarry, dont get bother!

First, Uninstall all catalyst drivers and original sony vaio drivers (video);
Use driver sweeper to efective clean;
Install the original shipped sony vaio drivers (video) to keep Switchable
Install CCC 11.2;
Finally, install the (for me the best) CCC 11.5 with openCL drivers; links available previously.

I followed these steps and ran the SSF4 arcade edition as you see on Youtube, with the Switchable choice "High Performance" or "Save Battery"

 

just to make sure, what type of sony do you have... the full version?

do you have the switchable graphic method?