Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 (VPCZ1) Official Owners Thread Part 2

right. since the screen is built by toshiba, i looked at the display options for toshiba laptops and couldn't find any option for 1080p. so it looks like only sony offers a 13" 1080p display for now.

thanks for the quick replies!

 

I cannot connect or acess my W995 with Z through bluetooth. So, when I go to device management, it seems that it need to update. So, i update but it could not find any suit software to install. I think it need a Sony's software but I couldn't find it. How to solved this?

 

If you did not have done a clean install go to Browse my computer for driver and browse to C:\Windows\Drivers\EXE\Bluetooth Driver
or run setup in that folder

 

The Z's recovery media DVDs (which I burned once I booted up my new Z): would they restore it to exactly the "default state" with all the software installed, e.g. Adobe photoshop stuff?

 

yes, but you have to back up all your work and filrs that you installed after the first use of your vaio z or they will be lost

 

From what I understand, no, it will not restore the Adobe suite. someone "in the know" feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

You need the Broadcom Bluetooth driver, like the one over here: Sony eSupport - VPCZ12GGX - Software Updates & Drivers

 

Yes the Recovery DVD will restore the adobe suite given by Sony (for free preinstalled). I have done some experiences lately with clean install (worked well but seen no improvement in loading speed 19 sec verses 25 sec) I used the recovery DvD I made to recover all original setting and worked very good. The recovery DvD installed Adobe suite, Office 2010 trial, Northon trial, Vaio gate and all other stuff coming with the vaio z when first started it.

 

You might need to run the Microsoft Mobile Device driver update. I couldn't tether my iphone 4...After a bit of research, I found out that I needed to run that update. Just google it and you'll find a link...

 

has anyone used the Vaio Update Utility? i've been trying to check for updates eversince i bought my Z11 and still shows new update.. i'm sure there should be a single driver update released many months ago..

thanks!

 

With my old Z11 I used it and got 1 updates it was a 13Mo file I think and happened only once. I don’t even remember what was it !!!

 

guys i need help!! my Z11 crashed today and i cannot locate my recovery discs.. when is was still accessible, i tried to recover using the "recovery" option in the Vaio Care > REcovery & Restore however, for some unknown reason, it just won't work. my laptop will just restart and go back to windows 7.

i tried to recover using XP install disc that came with my laptop and to my stupidity, it erased the windows 7 recovery partition.

i guess the only opition is to fresh install everything but i don't have a win7 pro installer whch i thnk should be original right? is there a way i can get a copy of the recovery discs? my Z11 is an asian model VPC-Z117GG

please help me.. thanks!

 

You can try calling sony and asking them for a copy (last i heard they were $30) if not, find someone with a win 7 pro disk and then install the drivers individually, but in this order:

I'm not sure where you can find the Win 7 online, but yeah, it would work the same, just put in the key you have on the bottom of your laptop when prompted.

edit:

you should install the graphics drivers for the VPCZ13 (on the US sonystyle, look up model VPCZ11390X) and if you start having wireless problems, use new drivers from intel (my VPCZ11 hasn't had any wireless problems so i havent updated the drivers yet, as an inspiring engineer, my mantra is "If it ain't broke, don't mess with it" )

 

hi Achu! thanks for the reply.. do you have the link for these drivers?

thanks!

 

Sony Vaio Z1390x drivers:
Sony eSupport - VPCZ1390X - Software Updates & Drivers

Intel Wireless Drivers:
Wireless Networking — Drivers and software

 

Can you use these?

 

If what he says is right and you can get a Win 7 ISO image from it, then yes. As for legality, it's perfectly legal since you've already bought the license to use the software, no matter how you procure it...

if you follow a link in Velocity2.0's(sry i spelled his name wrong) sig it takes you to: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...links-ultimate-professional-and-home-premium/ where there seems to be a link to a Win 7 professional ISO image.

 

michibahn, have you tried starting your laptop with the ASSIST button? ISTR that this takes you straight to the restore utility - no windows intervention. Give it a try before doing a fresh install.

 

he mentions that he:

tried to recover using XP install disc that came with my laptop and to my stupidity, it erased the windows 7 recovery partition.

so that wouldn't work, unless he was mistaken, in which case, try it anyways

 

Jumping right in here. new to this forum. Just bought a clearance
VPCZ1190X CTO from sonystyle.com for $2589.95 By buying this older model have I shot myself in the foot in some way? The Nvidia card seems to not have changed, the RAM appears identical and the I7 processor seems slightly slower than the best that can be gotten with the VPCZ1390X model. For about the same price as a current model with I5 processor, 256gb SSD and 4gb RAM I seem to have gotten an older model with an I7 processor, 512gb SSD, 8gb RAM and a larger battery. DId I do alright or have I missed something critical? BTW, screen rez is 1600x900 on the clearance model.

Here are the specs:

Product: 9719112/BSTOCK
Display: C50876001
Color: Silver
Wireless Wide Area Network: Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Built-In
Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-620M processor (2.66GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.33GHz
Memory: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066
Hard Drive: 512GB (256GBx2) Solid State Drive with RAID 0 Technology
Optical Disc Drive: CD/DVD Burner
Battery: Large Capacity Battery
Channel: C50876059
Warranty: C50876063
Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit
Software Optimization: Fresh Start
Software: No additional Office Software
Software2: C50876091
Photo Software: No additional Photo Editing Software
Video Software: No additional Video Editing Software
AntiVirus Software: No additional AntiVirus Software
Base Unit: C50876423
Battery Color: C50876491
Limited Warranty Term: 90 Day Limited Warranty
Per Unit Price: $2,589.95
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $2,589.95
Description: VPCZ1190X CTO Customized Notebook
Ship Method: Express
Estimated Ship Date: 11/08/2010
Extended Service Plan: 1 Year Express Ship Service Plan
Price: $69.99

 

hi odyss... achu is correct everything is already gone.. i did a fresh install and followed achu's sequence of driver installation.. the only problem is i cannot find the turbo boost driver under the Sony Vaio Z1390x drivers? i found 1 in the Z112GX drivers list.. i successfully installed it but i don't know if it really took effect.. i don't see any indications in the "system properties" the my cpu has "turbo boost technology" upto 3.33Ghz

i just don't know if it really shows before i mess my laptop.. is it?

the "assist" button in now not doing anything at all when pressed i guess this will be gone forever until i get a original recovery discs and install from there right?

thanks for all your help...

 

here try this handy little Gadget from Intel Processors — Intel® Turbo Boost Technology Monitor after you install, go to your desktop and if it isnt there, right click > gadgets and click on it. It should show your overclock. And the Assist button should still work as long as you installed Vaio Care from the list of applications that Sony has... Try running Vaio Update if you can and you should get it running.

 

Nope, you surely did not shoot yourself in the foot, the only REAL difference between the VPCZ11 and VPCZ13 is that the VPCZ13 has more configuration options mainly the processor and the choice of a 1080p screen. Your configuration doesnt have the 1080p screen because the VPCZ11 CTO's didnt come with them. But the 1600x900 screen is still just as good, and a little easier on the eyes (and less problems with dead pixels on this forum at least). Also the VPCZ13 has a TPM module which is needed if you want to use BitLocker with Windows Ultimate, there are alternatives, but using a USB key or using TrueCrypt is a hassle for some people (not to mention that the performance takes a hit using TrueCrypt)

In any case, i wish that configuration was around for that price when i CTO'ed my Z...

 

hi achu.. i've installed the turbo boost gadget.. it only show 2.67Ghz.. does yours shown the tubo boost feature when you go to your system properties (right-click Computer>properties)?

my "assist" button is now working after installing vaio care.. thanks a lot for your help..

 

You're welcome. I attached an image below, is that what you mean?

Are you on stamina mode? Power saver? What about your thermal control settings? Try some CPU intensive program and see if it the gadget goes up. Oh! i think you might be misinterpreting it... if you see a bar there... that means the processor is overclocking.

Here's a neat trick, go to your power plans and click advanced options, then under maximum processor use, take it down to 99, for both... then you'll see that your processor never turboboosts because it only turboboosts when used at 100% (see image 2) If you want to save battery, try that.

 

hi achu, yes that's what i meant on the computer>properties info.. so we have the same yes i see a blank bar on the gadget.. i'll try running some cpu intensive program to check..

on the "assist" button, though it is working now, i don't see an option for me to create recovery discs.. i would guess it is because the recovery partition is gone and this is a new clean install.. right? please see the attachment below..

thanks again for all your help..

[/URL] Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]

 

Can anyone make some sense to what happened to my Ram? Has the GPU eat it? 2 GB free only! I am pretty sure there is still 4 in my computer as I haven't removed anything.

 

I had that before. IIRC the hardware reserved area shouldn't be so high, it was either consumed by external devices, or some VM. Try removing any devices, reboot, and see if it goes down.

 

I will be receiving my z12 tomorrow. What is the very first thing to do? Can I assume it comes with the latest drivers? If not, does sony have the most updated ones or do I have to go to different sites to download them?

 

How do I go about stopping that horrible beep when I change the volume and screen brightness?

 

If it's a VPCZ12, no it doesnt have the latest drivers for Wireless or Video or even Intel RST(Rapid Storage Technology). So, go to intel's site and download the latest wireless drivers and RST drivers, then go to Sony Support USA and go to the VPCZ1390X page and download the newest Video drivers. If they dont work (for some reason it doesnt work for me) go to this post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/518843-beta-graphics-drivers-vpc-z.html#post6713671

and then follow Nautis's Here ya go... link to download that version (they're the same)

Also, go into the Vaio Control Center and turn off Autobrightness (so that you can manually control the brightness). Download either the lastest Synaptic drivers from Synaptics for 2 finger scroll or use this freeware: two-finger-scroll - Project Hosting on Google Code

Both seem to function well as many of with Z's use one of the two.

Uhh...
- Create recovery disks by pushing the Assist button to open Vaio Care.
- Turn off periodic Windows Defragment of the Hard Drive (bad for a SSD)
- And uninstall some Sony bloatware...

That's as much as i can remember for now...

IIRC, there was a mp3 that had to be renamed... i forgot where it was though...

edit:

Found it! Okay, go to Windows Explorer > Windows (C > Program Files (x86) > Sony > VAIO Event Service then look for the only WAV file in there. I renamed my to ping... so i'm not sure what it's called. And that should fix it. (Figured it be in that folder since Vaio Event Service makes the Fn+F# keys and the assist/Vaio keys work)

 

rename pi.wav in \program files (x86)\sony\vaio event service

 

hi I downloaded the latest synaptics driver it seems to be the 14.0.3. the driver installed with my Vaio z1390s is the 14.0.16.0. when i try to install the driver from Synaptics windows says new driver is installed !!! is it the scrybe software that we have to install or there is a newer Synaptics driver that I did not found ?

 

1. How can I find periodic Windows Defragment of the Hard Drive? And what do you mean by 'bad for SSD'?

2. What is Sony bloatware? List?

 

Yesterday I installed a second harddrive using Newmodeus' caddy, and I used the WD Scorpio Blue 500GB (5400 RPM). I even went the extra mile and uninstalled the DVD drive before replacing it.

Overall I'm quite happy with the process, except that once in a few minutes I hear an audible <CLICK> from the harddrive. A coworker suggested that the drive may not get enough power or there is a power plan that powers it down every once in a while to conserve power.

I doubt that the drive doesn't get enough power because it happens even when the computer is connected to the outlet, which leaves only the power plan. I tried looking for anything in the power plan that might cause this, but I cannot seem to find anything. I still see the DVD Drive white icon next to the clock, which leads me to believe that the laptop might still treat the harddrive as a DVD drive.

Do any of you have experience with that issue and know what to do about it? Perhaps it has something to do with the Vaio control center power options? Any tips will be most helpful, thanks.

 

There was a thread on that but I'm not sure the problem was resolved:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/529851-vaio-z-hdd-power-management.html

 

Hi amirfox, have you tried switching your power settings to a full power plan? If you are using the balanced setting then this will turn off the DVD interface after a while to conserve power. Since your hdd is using the DVD drive power, then it will automatically shut down after a while, as well. So, check if that helps.

 

Thank you very much Yes, it's the VPCZ1290. Can't believe Sony doesn't have all the latest drivers for such an expensive laptop.

 

VPCZ112GX/S is this self upgradeable?
like SSD? and etc?

 

Yes, and no.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/477806-sony-vpc-z11-frequently-asked-questions.html

See question 8. The RAM is easily accessible via the bottom the laptop, but that's about it for easily upgradeable parts. The CPU is sodered on... so no, the GPU is not. Adding a WWAN card requires a daughterboard. Adding a TPM chip is theoretically possible, but no one has tried to see if any problems with recognizing/using it. Uhh... Replacing the DVD drive with a HDD/SSD takes a bit of work too.

 

Just ordered my z13 CTO - i7, 256GB HD, 1080, 8g RAM, Win7 Pro, fresh start

Pretty excited, this is my first Sony ever, and I'm glad it's going to be a Z

I ordered last week, but it still says 'processing' on the Sony website - do you guys know how long till they ship usually?

Also would be really helpful if you guys could tell me what are some preliminary things I should do to optimize my first experience? do i have to install any outdated drivers or anything? greatly appreciated

 

I like. Looks to me like you put together the perfect combination there: i7, 256GB, 1080, 8GB, Win7 Pro, Fresh start

 

Thanks, i'm really excited

 

Thanks for the replies, odysseas and TofuTurkey

After researching this a bit further, I narrowed it down to aggressive head parking timers. I haven't tested it yet, but according to one of the people who did, this tool can stop the timers and prevent the head parking from occuring and preventing the annoying clicks:
WD Support > Downloads > SATA & SAS > WD RE2-GP

There are also instructions here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/452867-hp-dm3-overclocking-modding-undervolting-2.html
Although the files suggested there are a bit outdated.

So if anyone else will encounter this issue, it might be a good idea to point them that way.

 

Mine took almost 2 weeks. It finally arrived 1 day earlier than the estimate that they provided when I made the purchase. I'd ordered a CTO 1390 that arrived a week ago.

Install Linux

Windows has "critical" software updates that it wants to apply out-of-the-box, but there don't seem to be any firmware/"Sony" updates out for the 1390 yet. That is, the "Vaio Care" software doesn't say there's anything to download, and Sony's support site (last I checked) for the 1390 only has the "default" drivers. But it's possible that if you go to Intel or Synaptics or other sources of the actual hardware, that they'll have newer drivers? idk.

If you care about your privacy, I recommend that you turn the Wireless switch *OFF* before you first boot the machine, and then delete all of the garbage that comes installed by default. Actually, I think the first thing you should do is burn the recovery disks, and if you have a spare harddrive, burn a Windows System Image. Then I'd do a clean install of Windows, if I were you. (Or Linux ) At the very least, remove all the programs (and change configs on others) so that your computer stops using your internet connection to "phone home" to these companies with usage statistics. Because that's just ****ing offensive, IMO.

Make sure you find the ways to *really* disable Startup Tasks and such so that you can turn off Adobe's "quick launch" crap: reader_sl.exe and such.

 

Does anyone else have a clicky noise when applying pressure on the right hand side of the palmrest...It's rather unnerving when typing.

 

Yes, it can be quite annoying lol.

 

same i ordered the Z1390 CTO and took 12 days arraved on time

For Synaptics i found out that the last driver is the one given buy Sony and the Synaptics website has the older driver. it seems that the multitoch driver is a third party one not a real synaptics

that's exactly what i have done and installed a clean Windows 7 Ultimate (N) it is very very fast

 

Well according to my estimated ship time at time of order, i should get it this friday (hooray), but still says processing on their site.

I like to play some old games from time to time, i was under the impression linux can't support games.
Hopefully I won't have to uninstall too many programs since I chose the fresh start. I probably will have to tweak the adobe settings, and maybe uninstall trial version of microsoft office, but when i talked to the sony tech support, they assured me there won't be any bloatware on it -- do you know any specific programs with the fresh start option I should be aware of? I also find these programs that 'phone home' to be extremely annoying

 

Actually i might be horribly wrong, but i dont think the fresh start Z's come with the Adobe bundle... someone care to correct me?

In any case, i think your Z should be bloatware free unless you dont want a Sony service (i uninstalled Vaio personlization manager and the Vaio Media Gallery myself), there's only a few select bloatware programs that are included on the non Fresh Start Z, but the it's been blown out of proportion because of the fact that it's a high-end model and usually high-end users HATE bloatware