Vaio FZ Owners Official Owners Thread

Hi

I am using FZ11S from almost 2 years. I really love my notebook.Its fairly solid notebook.

Due to nature of my job and rough use, I have got lot of scraches on my LCD's plastic.So I want to change LCD plastic. Is there any place I can buy a LCD Plastic in really cheap.

Secondly I have installed Vista 64 Bit because I use some softwares which are only available for 64bit OS. I want to upgrade RAM from 2GB to 4GB but I am confused which RAM module is compatible with this model. Currently I am using 667Mhz 2x1GB Ram Module. Is higher speed Memories are compatible? I really want to upgrade to 4GB. I found kingston 2x2GB 667HzDim modules in really fair price. But my concern is compatibility and supprt for 4GB RAM.

Is there someone using 4GB RAM in same model so give me someadvice on it.


Regards,
Ali

 

I am not on the FZ190 at the moment, so I can't check. But I believe those are the drivers I still have on it. Come to think of it I believe Windows Update offered a "newer" driver at some point and I installed that. If you will give me a link back to the thread where the 167.43 drivers were mentioned by me, I'll dig around and ket you know WHAT I actually have at the moment.

Gary

 

Hi Gary, another question.
Just finished chatting with Sony Tech support. I wanted to install Ultimate 64 on this vng-fz485u/b. He said that is no-can-do.
I am going to return it, unless it can be done.
Thanks

 

If you have a legit copy with serial then I don't see what it wont install.

 

mydave,

It CAN be done, but the issue is rounding up all the drivers and utilities. But first I must ask, WHY do you want to install 64 bit Vista? Is there a real, compelling reason? If there is, then proceed, post haste, to one of the several threads here about installing 64bit Vista on a Vaio.

I have not done it myself, but know from following along that it can be done. You might have to give up the function key controls for brightness, screen switching, and your volume buttons. But even that has been resolved for some models, just not sure about the FZ's. Again, look around in other threads here for help.

But if you don't have a REAL need for 64 bit, why bother trying to push that rope up a hill?

Gary

 

Back at the FZ190. Yes I do have 7.15.11.6743 acording to device manager.

Gary

 

Gary, I am using the 167.60 (7.15.11.6760) driver from Sony FTP. Everytime I resume from hibernation, the brightness buttons won't work (move one bar with no change) and the brightness control is lost from the windows mobility center. I had this issue with the nvidia 179.48 driver (hacked inf to include Sony hardware ID) also.

Can you check whether your driver 167.43 has those issues after resuming from hibernation?
Thanks

 

Oh, I can answer that right now. I use hibernate all the time and have no such issue.

Gary

 

Thanks for the information about the drivers. I installed the 167.43 sony version, if anything unusual occurs I will post here.

coolguy, I used for the past year the official drivers from sony that were released in 2007 and had sometimes this problem with the brightness but it happens randomly. And since I never put my notebook into hibernation this problem may have other triggers besides it.

stranger_xr, about the correct ram memory you should search for the kingston website and look for the specific product for you model. Don't buy any generic ram memory for notebooks because It will not work correctly, you will eventually run into a blue screen of death.

 

Not necessarily. When you buy Kinston for example, you are paying a premium to cover all of their advertising and marketing costs.

There are only a handful of companies making the chips that these brand name companies put on their sticks. If you have a good supplier of "no name" sticks you can save on the cost. I have a local supplier who stands behind what he sells and get "no name" sticks for way less than brand name. But, if your only choice is on-line or catalog sales then, yes go with the brand name stuff. Even buying brand name, we aren't talking about a major expense.

Gary

 

Are using the laptopvideo2go driver?

The brightness issue seems to occur randomly after resuming from hibernation in my FZ too.

 

ScuderiaConchiglia
You are probably right for most notebooks, but for vaio you have to use a specific kind of stick. I know kingston have it. I tried to use a generic notebook memory and another that was produced by kingston, but neither were designed for vaios... I had to return then eventually because of the blue screens.
Then I sent an e-mail to kingston asking which memory should I use and they told me that only the M6464F50, M12864F50, M25664F50 modules are compatible with my sony (fz260e).

 

Sorry for the double post.

coolguy, this is the 64-bit version of the drivers we are using: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=16277

You have to download and execute it, then you have to go to the folder that was created and extract the archive named "another infs" (or something like that) and finally click on setup and it should install without other problems.

But today I got the brightness bug once with those drivers as well, after rebooting the system.

 

I can't say for sure WHERE I got that version from. Is there any way to identify the laptopvideo2go versions from others?

Gary

 

No, you don't. Those part numbers are not specific to a VAIO. There is no such thing as memory "designed for vaios". The part numbers you gave are generic Kinston memory modules, the M12864F50 for example is listed as a "1GB DDR2-667 SODIMM". Nothing special about that. In fact that item cross references to a bunch of systems, some not even Vaios. M12864F50 cross reference

Gary

 

The driver 167.43 was officially released through Windows Update and then pulled back. So if you had downloaded the unmodded driver from LV2GO, you can't tell the origin of the driver.
If you had downloaded a modded inf from LV2GO, you can find the origin in the inf file.
Since the brightness issue occurs randomly, I am continuing with 167.60 driver.

 

Has anyone figured out or had problems with somehow brushing the touch pad just right making you go "back" in web browser.

I cant make it do this on purpose but i do it all the time on accident. Makes it hard when doing things that are impossible to pull back up.

O, this is on a FZ470

 

Right click the touchpad icon in taskbar > mouse properties, and then uncheck "use web assistant" in the "Function" tab > Appy/ OK.

 

It's a "feature" built-in to the driver for the touchpad. There is a vertical scroll region to the far right of the pad. A horizontal one at the bottom of the pad. If you brush the top edge of the pad from the center to the left, that is the "go back a page" function in IE. If you brush from the center to the right, it is the "go forward a page" function.

As coolguy pointed out you can turn these features on or off.

Gary

 

So what .inf file am I looking for?

There are hundreds in my Windows\inf folder.

Gary

 

The inf will be in the driver package you downloaded. Usually the sony inf is nvsz or nv_sz. The LV2GO modded inf is what you replace the original inf with.
But 167.43 driver is an official 8400M GT driver released by Nvidia.

The inf could also be located in C:/Windows/System32/DriverStore/FileRepository/"starting with nv_.inf"

 

thanks you guys,


Victor

 

I don't see any signs of it being modded in either location. I believe I did get this driver via windows update. I had originally tried the LV2go one at one time but rolled it back to a stock version. I am pretty sure this one is direct from Windows Update.

One note, while I don't have any issues with the onscreen brightness control, I do notice I do NOT have a brightness control in Mobility Center. Next time I reboot, I'll check to see if it is there.

Gary

 

It will appear after a reboot. The display brightness control in mobility center disappears randomly after hibernation/ sleep.

 

Thanks Gary. One last thing does FZ11S supports 4GB RAM or not . Or is there anyone out there who used or tried 4GB RAM in FZ11s.

I am so confused. Sony says fz11s dont support more than 2GB ram. But frankly speaking I dont trust their official statememts because these are sometimes more or less marketing strategy. PLease someone tell me if they used/tried 4GB RAM in FZ11S. I want to upgrade memory despratly and dont want to waste mre money on new laptop just because of memory limitation.

 

The hardware does, Vista 32 bit does NOT, it has a limit of aprox 3 gb. To get access to ALL of the 4gb, you would need Vista 64 bit. There are several threads discussing this in detail elsewhere in this forum.

Gary

 

Thanks for quick reply Gary. Indeed I am using Vista 64Bit. But my concern is support of 4GB Ram on my mother board. I talked to sony people and they said FZ11s only support upto 2GB RAM. But I need to know that is there anyone who used or atleast tried 4 GB RAM on FZ11S.

 

Well I think its time for me to upgrade my HD. Im running the original 200gb 5400 hd and I was wanting something that will speed this thing up. I have a FZ 180E/B with 4gb 667 ram and a 9300 cpu. I thought it would be faster than it is but its not really that impressive at all. Any recomendations?

 

At the time the FZ11 series was released Sony incorrectly said they can only support 2GB RAM. That disagrees with the specs on intels website (of this chipset) which says 4GB RAM is supported.

 

You will notice slight difference with 7200 ( as long as it is not over 80%) almost full will be slower then half empty 5400 , and even worse battery life which by FZ is really bad by default. I replaced the original 200G with 500G 5400 (Samsung) that time there were no 500G 7200 yet.
how is your 9300 doing as compared to original CPU, performance and temp wise. I bought FZ only because it is last notebook with S video out (which I need for my VJ work) once the warranty is gone wont mind upgrading CPU.
How expensive was the upgrade?

 

Why would the percentage of empty space affect the speed in any way? It most certainly won't affect read time on a defragged drive. And I don't see how it could affect write time either. Can you shed some light on this?

To the OP, remember RPM does not translate directly to speed improvements. In fact, RPM is NOT the number you should concern yourself with at all. The two numbers that offer you ACTUAL insight are the transfer rate (how fast can the drive read x number of bytes) and the latency (how fast can the drive move the heads from place to place).

Forget RPM, it is a marketing red herring. There are demonstrated cases of 7200 RPM drives giving slower throughput than 5400 RPM ones. These cases are NOT the norms, mind you. But they are a reality. A reality that forces you to look beyond the RPM to transfer rate and latency to access performance.

Now having said that, given two drives of the same size and configuration, the 7200 one will out pace a 5400 one. (Unless the 7200 had some really AWFUL latency times, which is highly unlikely.) But if you look carefully, you just might find that a cheaper 5400 higher density drive just might outperform a more expensive lower density 7200 one.


Gary

 

I did bit of reading 2 ago, various tests, reports etc. It is rather known the thingy with full vs. half empty slower drive. Once I read about, did my own tests ,gave it a try and never gone back to 7200. Naturally for higher resolution audio, HD video, 3D etc (I do music and video production for living) have to use even 10 000 ext drives .

 

Can you point me to some links? I am still a bit skeptical as to how having 20% available can affect the speed in any way. I am CERTAIN it is not going to affect the read speed of a defragged drive. I want to understand this "rather known thingy" you refer too. I've been heavily involved with microcomputers daily since 1976 and this is the first time I have ever heard this.

Gary

 

Sorry, cant help more, it was 2 years ago, so I don't remember/have the links, I found those through Google," HD test" and similar.Those results didn't surprise me much since it is rather logical and obvious and confirmed in everyday use and frankly for me that is all that counts, if something really works I use it and forget about it.

 

Sorry, I fail to see how it is "logical" or "obvious" that still having 20% of the drive free would cause the access to slow down. If the drive is properly defragmented, I assure it will NOT slow down reading from the drive. And until you get VERY low on space, it will not affect writing to the drive either.
Can you explain how it is "logical"? What is happening that would cause access to be slower?

Gary

 

In our line we defrag after every session, means not less then once a day so that is not really relevant. Anyway I suggest you search for those answers on www, remember there were several test, reports about that subject or just ignore it, why bother. I am just pragmatic user, neither specialist neither geek so cant provide you with answer that would be truly competent. Sorry, anything related to audio, video would be my pleasure to help, but regarding computers I just know what have to know to do my work,dont even want to know more.

 

Sorry about this. Just a quick question.

Trying to do two things:
1. Downgrade to Xp on a FZ21e from vista.
2. Trying to remove the bloatware from said laptop.

Does it matter what order i do these things in, and will the thread to downgrade the standard FZ Vaio work for my laptop?

Thanks

 

Step #1 wipes out the existing C: drive and EVERYTHING on it so Step #2 is un-needed.

Can't say for sure about the process working on YOUR specific model. You should ask that in the thread where you found the instructions.

Gary

 

honestly its kinda hard to really tell the performance increase since I havent really done anything cpu intense yet. The temp has dropped considerably, but that could have been from the artic silver I applied or the cleaning of my fan. Before it would get so hot it was noticibaly louder and hotter. Now its quite and always cool-semi warm when running. I bought a used one off ebay for $200 and its not an ES. Not only did my windows sub score increase from a 4.9 to a 5.4 my ram also increased from 4.8 to 5.1. All im running is 4 gb kinston 667. My lowest score is my HD at a 4.8. I think that is what is holding my laptop down but Im no expert.

 

Thanks.interesting indeed. could be that 9300 is more efficient regarding temp but also you took better care applying the artic silver then underpaid Asian worker who assembled FZ originally.

 

lol true, I applied it to everything not just the cpu. The GPU and the BIOS chip it think, it was something that a heat tube ran to so I figured go for it, the cooler the better. Im still on the look out for a HD. Ive been comparing specs more than anything not just the RPM

 

If you have money buy the largest hard drive possible. Bigger hard drives (even with lower RPM's) are faster than a similar smaller sized drive.

Found this in JK defrag tips here http://www.kessels.com/Jkdefrag/

 

Hy guys, i am starting to think if i should install XP instead of Vista in my fz21e, i know everything works but the graphic drivers. Since the backlight regulation is very important to me, is there a solution for this problem?

Best Regards

 

Think it well over. I did experiment with XP when I bought FZ, it take some effort to find right info but I managed to get everything working including brightness control which seems to be the most difficult for many.
however realised then how good Vista is and how outdated XP is. Finally I never used the XP partition, Vista works better for me.
One exception is audio, Vista really sucks for audio - 20 to 30 TIMES !!! higher DPC then XP, I made it work for me but have another XP for performances,stage where I need 100% reliable system. Still I use the Vista FZ in studio and have no issues
So unless you audio professional , stay with Vista.

 

Well, i guess not, just my vaio overheats toomuch and i think, in this way, it will break someday soon.... Well, at least i have to say that it already felt on the floor and nothing happened.

I don't use linux cause of the same brightness problem, but i think the guys from nvclock managed to find out the keys to change the backlight with nvidia cards >8000 thank god.

Next time, hope long, i will buy a dell, the new ones are very robust laptops, just the way i like it.

 

What makes you think that XP will generate LESS heat? What ARE your temps with Vista(CPU and GPU)?

Gary

 

I've been trying to recover certain applications from my recovery discs and although I have successfully managed to reinstall e.g. Photoshop Elements from the Application Recovery Disc using the kcap extractor, it appears that Roxio Easy Media Creator is not present in that particular disc. Does anyone know where (in which image file of which recovery disc) the installer for Roxio is?

I realize it's possible to recover applications by either restoring the computer to its factory default configuration (not an option) or by using the Vaio Recovery Tool which I no longer have because I have performed a clean installation of Vista Ultimate.

 

^You should be able to copy the "Vaio recovery launcher" to your hard drive when you insert the DVD. I have roxio media creator in the recovery DVD.

 

Can anyone help me with this prob please? ^^

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=362427

 

Thanks for the reply coolguy. I have an FZ11S and the equivalent of the "Vaio recovery launcher" is, in my case, the "Vaio Recovery Utility" the installer of which is present in one of my recovery DVDs.

The only reason I haven't tried to install it is because Sony support told me this application requires the hidden recovery partition to work which I no longer have (in fact, I don't even have the original HDD). Did you manage to install the recovery utility despite not having the recovery partition?