VAIO TZ Owner's Thread

HELP

I clean installed Vista Business 32 bit and have the following problems:

The function keys do not work
The instant on mode does not work
The fingerprint reader does not work

How do I solve this? I installed all the drivers off of Sony's site but this is still leaving me with problems. I searched this forum through google but came up fruitless. I've been working on this all day and tried to do it myself through past information but I can't find the answers, so I must beseech you. Please, anyone know what to do?

 

1. u need to install Sony settings DLLs, Sony Shared Library, Setting Utility Series and VAIO Evet Services. in that order preferably
2. i dont think you can get that working on a clean install?
3. You will need the fingerprint driver and Protector Suite QL. Driver http://www.upek.com/support/downloads/drivers/default.asp and PSQL ver5.8 http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=248123

 

That got the fingerprint reader working. Thanks.

I wonder why just installing it from the Sony site doesn't work.

As for the function keys, where do I find those files exactly? I'll give it another shot in the morning and post if I need further help. Thanks again

 

Alright, I figured out a way to extract the files from the Sony® Notebook Utilities on the Sony site. From that, I found the Setting Utility Series and VAIO Event Services. And the Shared Library is on the site, too.

But now I'm not sure where to find the DLLs.

edit: FYI, I just got the instant AV mode on to work! Here's the link: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/VISTAUPGRADE/APPLICATIONS/INSTANTMODE

edit2: Got the FN keys working! Everything is perfect now. Fully installed clean Vista on a TZ

 

Hello@all,
im expecting tomorrow the arrival of my new tz11

Any suggestions whether i should install vista or XP? especially in regard to batterie life? In case that i install Vista... does anybody uses readyboost and does the TZ performs better?

The next problem is.. that i need a bag or slipper for the TZ. It is difficult to find 11.1" bags. Wich one are u using?

greetz, FIL

 

VGPCP11 http://www.sony.com.au/vaio/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=22226

its the one i use to take my TZ to uni in my regular uni bag...

 

do y'all have the TPM enabled in the BIOS? what exactly does it do in its enabled state?

 

That's the security chip. If enabled, you can choose to have your fingerprint log-in data saved to it, a MUCH more secure method than saving to the HDD. However, this significantly slows the log-in process. (At least, it did when I tried it.)

Benjamin

 

I am having the same problem... where can you find the sony setting and the other programs. i can't find it on sony website...

edit: Do you guys know what the base system device is? i got a question mark on that device in device manager..

 

thats exactly why i was asking.. i may try it. thanks!!

 

i just sell my tz160.... but I just buy a TZ190 with a 32gb ssd flash drive

=D

 

so do we have a 1.8" zif ssd available to drop into the TZ now other than the sandisk or samsung? Or are we still stuck with slow xfer rates

 

I suggest you make the recover disk and wipe out the recovery partition! Good luck....

 

how do you wipe out the recovery partition? I just downgraded via the included xp dvd's...does this auto wipe the recov. partition as well?

 

No it doesn't, here's the link:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=128332

 

Can anyone help me understand the difference between the TZ 100, 200 and 300 series.

I was planning to pick a SZ as a replacement for my ageing XPS M1210 but one look at the TZ in a store and I am completely sold on it.

 

I am about to list my TZ190 on Ebay in favor of one of the newer models, if anyone wants to make an offer, only 6 months old.

 

What model are you thinking to purchase?

 

bumpity bump...

 

Z baby, Z... As per my other threads on here, I've been wishing for a TZ model with the power of a real graphic card and now they've answered my prayers. Given the price of SSD and Blu-Ray I'm probably just going to get the basic model though...

 

Sorry guys, this may have been answered elsewhere already, but waiting for my new TZ to get to me in the mail, and can't help but wondering the following: do the media control hardware buttons at the front of the TZ work in vista or xp to control software media players like iTunes or WMP? If listening to iTunes, can I play/stop or go back/forward using these buttons? Would be absolutely silly if they didn't work.... if they don't, anyone figure out a way of enabling them?

 

I was curious as well and just tried in Media Player Classic, a third-party app, and the stop, play/pause button works. I would assume they will work it just about all players.

FFWD and RWD do not.

 

Yes the media buttons work in iTunes and WMP. I just tested. I don't use them much because of where they are, I find I bump into them more than anything....

 

Hi all,

I just "downgraded" my TZ31VN from vista to XP (runs so much better!), but unfortunately my microphone isn't working and (perhaps related) the installation wizard runs at startup asking to install drivers for the "Modem device on High Definition Audio Bus" ...
I've downloaded and installed the official downgrade driver and utilities packs, and installed the hotfixes from the installation cd, and I've even run a copy of Driver Genius (which is actually pretty useless for the cost) - still no mike and still the installation request - so I've no clue what I can do from here.

Please help if you can!
Thanks

 

Try the thread dedicated to downgrading to XP on the TZ. You may find your answer there already.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=159585

 

Hi,

I have a new TZ160N/B (i live in Portugal) and i can't find a way to create the recovery disks.
I can enter on the recovery center module (F10) but i don't have the option to make the disks, just to use the windows recovery, analyze disk and to recovery the C drive to the factory default.
Can someone help me?

Thanks,
DeepImpact

*** I have found the utility under Vista Program Files ***

 

I am a new owner of Vaio TZ47CNB, which I think is a TZ 300 series. U7700 cpu, 2GB ram, 120GB HDD, Vista Business.

Read a lot of this long thread, but skip a lot in the middle. I'll go back and read them eventually.

Quick question first. This is my first time using Vista. Does Vista have any partition software, since my HDD is all in one partition, but I would like to isolate the system from the data?

TIA

 

Second question:
Which F key to click and when to click to get to BIOS. I clicked F2 but it only showed a limited version of the bios where I can put pass word on the computer, change the boot device, etc.. I want to look at the detailed BIOS where voltages, frequencies, etc. that I can experiment to overclock.

BTW, it is quite hot but is bearable on my lap. I put the box on my lap, and the tz on the box.

TIA

 

Hi Guys, Can I check if the DVD Rom on the TZ can be replaced by an additional battery. I have read in one review that the additional battery comes with an extra USB port once installed.

 

Hi guys, i just got a TZ27.
Can someone point me to a thread which teaches me how to install a clean version of Vista? for some reason, i can't load sp1 on the tz with its current installation

 

Hi a newbie here,

Just got a TZ38 from the IT department, the adverts on the front of the device says 48GB but when I go exploring and use properties on the C drive it says 35GB ?????? what the!!! And then the machine tells me I have 27GB installed and I can only add up to 18GB using the file sizes I'm perplexed.
So questions

1> where did the 13GB go from the SSD size?

2> where is the extra 9 GB of files I am supposed to have?

cheers
Bob

 

Hi Bob. The 48GB figure is slightly misleading, because it means 48,000,000,000 bytes. But because there are 1024kb in a meg etc, you'll actually get less storage than it says. Then there's the overhead for the filesystem too.

On top of all that, there is a portion of the disk reserved for system recovery, called the recovery partition. This is effectively invisible unless you look with the right tools, but it still occupies space.

To free up some more space, you could burn recovery discs (onto blank DVDRs) and repartition the disk to remove the recovery partition. This isn't for the feint hearted though and you should make sure you test the discs you burn to make sure they work properly before you delete the recovery partition.

Because of the marketing speak not quite reflecting the reality of disk storage, you'll never quite have 48GB space, but you should get close to that if you get rid of the recovery partition...

 

Thanks InfyMcGirk,

But 13G or even the 9G seems a bit over the top. The IT department did actually burn recovery discs for me. So I'll have a go at removing the recovery partition. Now I have to hunt around to find it!!

cheers and thanks for the quick reply
Bob

 

Glad to help. I believe you can remove the recovery partition during a restore operation (using the discs you've got), but I've never done it myself so can't tell you the exact steps involved. If you want to keep your data intact and grow your main partition, I'm pretty sure you'll have to use third party partitioning software - something like Partition Magic. I last used PM several years ago though, so I might have missed something better appearing on the market (or free!).

I agree 9-13GB is a big chunk out of 48GB total. If I was lucky enough to have an SSD with limited room, I'd be doing the same thing I'm sure.

I've pre-ordered a Z, but in the UK we don't get the option for SSD on that (yet) so I've opted for 320GB HDD, hopefully big enough to forget about the recovery partition, after burning the discs just in case it dies on me altogether.

Good luck!

 

Hey all!

My TZ180 bit the dust yesterday.

Something sizzled the cable between the LCD and the motherboard. It still works with an external monitor, but there is no LED backlight on the display anymore.

If anybody is looking for parts for their TZ, check my posting in buy/sell/trade and PM me.

I will be parting it out on ebay this week.

 

hi

i have a tz170 and want to install vaio media plus on my laptop .how can i find software and install ..

 

Sorry to hear of your loss, Scotty. That's really bad news.

 

i would like to know where to get the vaio media plus also it looks cool

 

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet..
but does anyone have any idea when the TZ will be updated?
or has the Z replaced the TZ series?

I'm still waiting for the new TZ lol...

 

Been talked about in many different threads. The ULV processors are going to be announced in Sept or so, so I'd look for fall releases for the new ultraportables. No one knows if they are just going to keep the same design or redesign the T series.

 

i doubt the would redesign it they just redesigned the Z SR a FW to look like the TZ so I doubt they would plus its only been a year since it came out. Just spec bumps to the the intel platform

 

Other notebooks utilizing the new SU9400 chips are starting to appear. For example, the ThinkPad x301 is supposed to be up for order on August 26th, the Dell Latitude E4200 says "coming soon", and the HP 2530p is "expected to be available by early September".

I hope this means the new chips will be available in *early* September so we can start obsessing about the TZ refresh shortly.

 

Sony has updated the T series nearly every 12 - 18 months (TR, T, TX, TZ) even if it's slight (I'd say T to TX was the least amount of change). So I would expect some differences. I'd be totally shocked if they made zero changes other than the guts.

Personally, I want a G refresh or replacement.

 

Hello
I have a question about the multimeda buttons on my TZ laptop. Is any chance to make these buttons work with iTunes when I'm in another application?
I mean that it's useless to control playback with buttons when I'm switched in iTunes. Those buttons would come in handy if I could use them to control playback beeing in another application.
I had ASUS z71v before, and there was some patch to make the multimedia buttons work with iTunes and it worked great.

So, could anyone help me please?
Thanks in advance
Best Regards
Milan

 

I tried to get a look at the T series today, but alas, they are still awaiting stock. I was thinking of getting one, but with the mods / custom install I have on my TZ, not too sure if its worth the hassle.

Custom P1 install and turn off all the vista graphics crap, upgrade to 2Gb and its now just as fast as the P1 XP build.

Job done!

 

hi everyone

a tz is a model i'm currently considering, and am currently slightly confused by the internal wwan card.
am i correct in assuming the australian versions have no such card and you still need a usb modem for mobile broadband, or is there some internal option that can be used?

also does anyone have any experience with dead pixel policy in australia? or some knowledge of how good/bad it may it be? finding very little info on this area.

thanks
(have read most of thread but don't recall either subject being covered for aus)

 

Oh no, maybe what happened to you is what is prompting the recall of the TZ laptops Sony just announced.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=295202

My model is affected as well, and I thought these were such high end quality machines!!!

 

Oh no, indeed. I sure hope Scott did not butcher his TZ already.

 

He actually did sell it for parts before this recall was announced and they may have fixed it for free. There was no way of knowing.

I hope my TZ will not share a similar fate. Now I am actually afraid of using it when I thought it was such a high-quality machine amongst other laptops I have seen and owned. At least they are fixing the machines for free but I still feel hesitant in getting it repaired on-site for some reason.

Will they still fix my TZ (for free) if I use it right now and it eventually fries like scottyinco's sadly did? The warranty has been extended for mine to January 2010, thats nice.

 

I think I read somewhere in the Sony site that you can continue to use, but you should check to make sure.

I cannot understand why TZ is so hot. Mine has U7700 chip which is supposed to be 10 watts ULV, and when I put it in power saver mode, it is still too hot (it is clocked down to 800Mhz from 1.3 GHz). I asked about the Z in another thread, and the new owner said it is cool and can sit on his lap with shorts, and the fan is not too loud. But I really like TZ for its size. I hope their new model will be cooler. In the meantime, I'll continue to read about the Z and see it when it is available in Canada.