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

yes that is true

I was referring to the differences between the European and North American 256GB models. In short, the European 256GB models have physically 2x128GB drives, but 4x64GB logical drives. NA 256GB models have physically and logically 2x128GB drives.

Hmm... that's weird... have you experienced this bug:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/476311-new-z-serious-problem-additional-ssd-hdd.html

You do have a quad RAID0 + an extra drive...

 

No my CPU clock seems normal..I think that problem is only for those with 4 physical SSD's..although I did notice that my battery only lasts 3 hours but I think I had that problem even before I installed the caddy.

And I thought I had a dual RAID0? Crystaldisk reports about 550mb/s read and 450mb/s write, aren't those a little low for quad SSD? And is it possible to the Samsung 470 is RAID0 along with the Sony SSD's?

 

You technically have 4 SSD's... they're just like 2-in-1. But if you don't have the problem, then that's good . In any case, the Samsung 470 shouldn't be in RAID0, unless you added it yourself to the RAID array which means you must have reformatted the drive as you can't just add a drive to a RAID array any time you want. I'm also sure that the drives all have to be the same size.

 

Quick question: what's the average/typical battery life on Vaio Z12/Z13 with standard battery and Windows 7 with medium brightness, wifi on, doing light web surfing (no videos, no flash) and doc editing?

 

With those parameters I get up to 4 hours (never over 4 hours though). I leave my battery at 80% charge setting so with some maths I get up to 3 hours 12 minutes.

 

How is the Vaio Z for games like Just Cause 2 or STALKER: Call of Pripyat? I have the chance to buy one used off craigslist for $1385 (was gonna try and talk the guy down to $1000).

 

This happens to me and I think it's the video driver. If I switch it manually to either speed or stamina (but not auto), it stays on when I unplug, but when it is on auto, it will instantly shut down. So, I need to remember to manually switch it before unplugging. Like you, I either have to plug it back in or remove and re-insert the battery to get it to turn on again.

But...and it's a big but...this only happens with my CoolerMaster power adapter (95W slim adapter I bought for traveling) - I have no problems when using the OEM Sony adapter.

 

me: ~4.5 hours. People seem to get 4-5 hours, depends on your settings, etc.

Just Cause 2 i played for a *VERY* short while... i think i was getting like 30 fps (non overclocked) at like low settings (with a 30% OC imagine about 40 fps)

In any case I play Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and with that with a reasonable 15% overclock i get ~45 fps average on low settings. The 330m is not a very strong card, enough to get you through the day. I guess Sony figured if you're dropping this much cash on a lappy, you got a pretty pimped out desktop...

just wondering what are the specs of the one you're buying. The one i have is a 900p screen... but if it's a 1080p screen... then that's about 20% more pixels... lower fps (unless you just play your games at lower res, which i do on my full screen monitor with BFBC2)

 

Could anyone help to fix the problem - when I use WiFi just without Internet connection it happnes that there is no access to Internet through the integrated 3G modem (in fact it shows some sort of traffic but without visible connections), and when I switch off WiFi everything goes well with 3G traffic.

Tried to reinstall all the drivers, WiFi, modem and SmartNetwork. No effect.
Any clues how to fix the problem as I guess the local intranet with WiFi should work simultanously with WWAN on air?

 

Isn't that a good thing?

Why would you want to use 3G when WiFi is connected... You'd have no way to control your 3G data usage.

It likely has to do with WiFi connection having higher priority in the list of network connections, so it takes the precedence. Anyway, I really don't see why you would want to change this behaviour. If you want 3G, disable WiFi.

 

Which of the Vaio Care utilities is OK to run? I'm particularly concerned about incompatibility of certain utilities (e.g., Disk Defragmenter) with the solid-state drive. I've read elsewhere--here, I thought--that you shouldn't defrag a SSD, especially one in a RAID-0 array. As a result, I've never defragged my SSD. What about Disk Cleaner? Is it OK to run?

Thanks for any help.

 

Thanks, the matter is that WiFi is just local intranet whereas 3G is my internet. My Vaio P works fine through this scheme (both 3G and WiFi on board and on air, no trouble). Have anyone idea where to check this kind of precedence (if any, I doubt) in Windows?

 

Hi,

Does anyone know if it is easy to change the optical dvd-writer drive to a blu-ray drive on the Z series? also where can I buy this from? or do they have the part/model number for the compatible blu-ray internal drive?

thanks.
The laptop I own is an VPC Z11X9E/B

 

I say don't run anything in there. If you need to run something, use the free utility CCleaner. Use Vaio Care if you need to restore or recover to a recovery point or need to run some hardware tests.

Tons of threads about this on the Sony forum, just do a simple search:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/553977-z12-can-dvd-readily-replaced-blu-ray.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/518005-vaio-vpc-z128gg-blu-ray-drive-uj-242-result.html

 

I just swapped my 1600x900 screen to a 1080 screen and I love it. Even with the text size on 100% everything is perfectly legible for me. It's also true that this screen isn't as bright as the 900p but I think I can live with it. I took pictures of disassembly so if anyone is interested let me know and I'll post a guide.

 

Congratulations!
I am glad you succeeded.

 

thanks! The only hard part was trying to fit the hinge and bezel back together like you said..now I have that screen pinch problem that everyone is having with their Z's. I didn't have this before though. I tightened the screen as much as I could but the bottom bezel still pinches the screen every time I open the lid. I'm gonna open it up again in a few days to install a blu-ray, so I'll check it out then.

 

Just Bought the i7 (2.8)/4Go (who will be upgraded by myslef)/128 Go/Silver Vaio Z.

I'm pretty happy ! See you in Two Weeks !

 

Please post a thread with pictures on your swap!

 

Well, TNT picked up my Z on monday and delivered it today! Screen replaced, but incorrectly assembled, arrived broken... Another trip to Europe Support Center in France tomorrow...

 

It is just amusing, puzzling, & shocking to me how such a thing can happen & they just "heck care" & returned it to the customer.

 

any info on a clean install for the z13 i've searched everywhere and havent been able to find it ive tried once and i couldnt get the drivers for my brightness to work
I have a copy of windows 64 ultimate im trying to install

 

I just clean installed my Z13 the other day..all the drivers are available on Sony esupport, I just installed them all and everything works perfect. Only thing is that I can't seem to find that "share my connection" software anywhere on the site

 

I forget where, but there's a list of drivers you have to install in order... it's been posted in this forum a few times, but i can't remember where.

 

I believe it was this guide here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/467565-vaio-z-vpcz1-clean-install.html

but I'm not sure if the order is still necessary because I didn't install them in that order and I'm having no problems

 

I don't think they're necessary per se, but i think some of the Sony Utilities have to be installed in a certain order (perhaps only 1 or two programs have to be istalled before another). If it works, then you're fine

 

Hey there, I have a VPCZ1 and after searching and reading through many pages of this forum, I'm still left with a question regarding the cpu heatsink.

Having pulled the top of the notebook, it seems that the cpu heatsink is not that easy to get into, and I'm just wondering what the best way to clean out dust from the heatsink would be, without further disassembly of the rest of the guts.

My other notebook was quite easy to clean once you had the lid off, just unscrew the fan, and you have access to the inner of the heatsink and could pull out the blanket of dust.

Hopefully I'm just missing something simple and its an easy task.

 

Hey guys,

I have another question about the Vaio Z bezel pressing the screen. Recently, I noticed that when the laptop gets shaken, the bezel along the right side of the screen presses the LCD. It's annoying to me, especially when using the computer in a car, and I was wondering whether it's a problem that can be fixed. I think over the past few days, it has gotten worse somehow (more areas along the screen doing it).

Can this problem be fixed? If not, I may end up getting a different computer.

Thanks.

 

I don't think there's really a fix for it as the lid was designed to flex as opposed to snap, when pressure is applied, and since it's so thin it pinches the screen. You can try loosening the screws at the bottom of the screen (which will make the hinge loose... and VERY annoying, since the rest of us have to to in and tighten the screws). I don't think this laptop was built to be a road warrior unlike the thinkpads and business class laptops of other manufacturers or the indestructable toughbooks by panasonic.

 

Do you think that over time the screen will become permanently damaged?

 

The screen is very very very fragile from my experience. I had to get it replaced After just a couple of months (very carefully handling it) the screen developed quite a few white/brighter spots (not pixels).

You definitely cannot apply any pressure onto the lid.

 

Does anybody else have problems with the screen getting damaged over time? I'd like to know so I can decide if I want to sell it or not.

 

Well I don't think the bezel itself can cause any long-term problems. Whatever happened to heavenly_wild's LCD was probably another issue. If the bezel itself can cause damage to the LCD, we would have wayyy more people complaining about it.

 

Yeah, but it's not only when I open and close the lid that it does it. If the laptop gets shaken, then multiple spots along the right side of the screen gets pressed.

 

Most of us have that pinching problem so I guess it's "normal"? I don't have any long term effects and don't expect to. I think the problem that's being discussed is when an outside object actually hits the lid of the computer which bruises the LCD.

 

I didn't notice any pinching happening when my Z12 is shaken.

I've had it for over 6 months so far and it's still like new, no issues.

 

Me too, my unit is already 10 months old and still like new even if moved a lot sometimes roughly while the display is open and running...meaning that is durable and the carbon fiber is really supporting it well?

 

The lid of the VPC-Z is just plastic and if you ordered the "premium" carbon fiber, it's just carbon fiber dust sprinkled on the plastic lid. The only CF is the chassis (on the bottom of the laptop)

 

guys,have you ever tried to o/c the 330m? if there is a guide about this,pls send me link,or if you have the safe o/c numbers.

 

My friend has a Z12 with 1600x900 screen and he has no problems at all. This problem was kind of the last straw for me. Right now, my laptop is for sale, and I think I'm getting the new MBP or Thinkpad instead.

 

Colleagues,

How do you setting up 1920x1200 resolution on external monitor via HDMI? I have maximum resolution 1080p with NVidia and VAIO Control Center's. If I use analog one - I reach 1920 x 1200 on my Samsung 245t with strong dazzle.

 

Maybe there is a problem with your monitor? I use an external 1920x1200 without these problems. I normally use the vga, but I have tried it with the hdmi and it seemed to work without having to do anything special.

Also, I do notice that if I plug into the vga through a kvm switch, the video is not as clean due to grounding issues (a little more background noise) but still usable.

Are you plugging in directly for vga mode?

 

I doubt it's his monitor. Much more likely it's the software configuration (drivers, settings, etc.) at fault.

 

Z "sold out " online and at stores. New Z on the way?

Recommended purchase of a Z to a friend and she can't find one anywhere???

 

they were discontinued a few weeks ago, there's a whole thread regarding the upcoming Z in the first or second page

 

Hi,

I am a proud owner of a Sony Vaio VPCZ128GG/XQ laptop.

I remember seeing something on this (or another) forum about configuring the laptop to get max performance.
It was about changing some setting on the SSD (if I recall correctly, something to do with write cache)

Can anyone point me to that thread?

Also would be great to get some tips on configuring my laptop.

 

^no! ha ha but go to... Start button - Intel - Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Then click on Volume 0 (the big button on the right side). Then click on Advanced back on the left side. Then look for "Write-back cache: Enabled" (do not accidentally click on the Disable link ) Have fun with your new laptop!! Bye.

 

Here is an unofficial list I have put together over time (some more controversial than others):

Mods to brand new Vaio VPC-Z1:
1. Download and install latest Intel Rapid Storage (RST) drivers (ver 9.6 or higher).
2. Enable write-back cache (Speedup): Intel Rapid Storage: Manage | Advanced
3. Turn on VT (virtualization) in bios
5. Bloatware removal. Can use: Revo Uninstaller, PC Decrapifier, CCleaner, Window Washer, Autoruns.
6. Advanced Power Settings - Sleep - Allow Wake timers - Disabled
7. Eliminate the irritating beep (like when changing volume/brightness): Rename C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\VAIO Event Service\ping.wav
8. Disable indexing: In Windows Explorer (or My Computer): Right click on C: Drive -> Properties -> Uncheck "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed..."
9. Turn Off the Disk Defragmenter Schedule: Run Disk Defrag, turn off regular schedule
10. Disable Superfetch: in regedit: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters". Change EnableSuperFetch value from 3 to 0.
11. Disable Prefetch: in regedit: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters". Change EnablePrefetcher value from 3 to 0.
12. Firefox - Use memory cache instead of disk cache:
-about.config
-match on browser.cache
-set browser.cache.disk.enable to false
-set browser.cache.memory.enable to true
-create: browser.cache.memory.capacity
-Set to -1 to allow for dynamic sizing
(see: Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done)
13. Ram disk: Use Dataram because can be set to persistent and is free for <4GB: http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
14. Disable Hibernate: run cmd.exe as admin then: "powercfg -h off"
15. Turn off Pagefile:
-My Computer | Properties | Advanced System Settings | Performance | Advanced tab
-Select Virtual Memory "Change" button
-Unselect automatically manage pagefile size for all drives.
-Select no paging file (or reduce it in size) and apply.
16. Solution to issue in Windows where all of a sudden the screen will become washed out: Right click on desktop, go to graphics properties. click power tab choose battery from pull down menu and disable power conservation features. This disable intels auto contrast / brightness feature.

 

Yes, there is a background noise with direct plug.

This monitor with DVI-connection to desktop computer works fine at 1920 x 1200.

Could you advice me what to do? I have preinstalled OS and drivers. I even installed drivers for the monitor, but there is no changes.

You know, in technical specification there is 1920 x 1080 limit for HDMI-port.

 

Oscar2, could you explain?

Why don't windows tool?

Reason?

How to search without indexing?

You mean for temporary usage?

Don't problems occure with Photoshop and other applications?