Vaio FZ Owners Official Owners Thread

sorry mate, i misunderstood what you meant.

anyway,

win7-64-pro is installed. Everything's fine, the AV mode launcher and S button, just as coolguy's guide, aren't doing anything useful.

i let win7 updates most drivers except sony's. win7 updates found sfep for me, i've checked it's the same version in coolguy's guide.

for nvidia driver, i used 195.39 with a mod inf. no issues so far.

what i couldnt install were the image filter and capture program for the cam based on cool's guide. The driver's fine thou.

now i need to find a way to turn on vt for xp mode to work...

 

Hi guys,

new to this forum and read a lot, but i can't quite get everything, so I hope you can help.
My model is FZ29VN and i did a clean install on win7 professional 32bit.

1. Function keys of course How to get them work (and the keys on the silver part, for playing music and volume, S1....) ? I tried several solutions with originally installed utilities. What exactly should I do since i can't get it to work.

2. Wireless switch utility doesn't have a bluetooth option anymore. So the bluetooth light is always on and i can't seem to turn it off.

Thanks a lot if anyone can help!

 

bumping. Still cannot find solution for my problems. Any advice or at least link to the topic. I searched.

 

Here's a Vista (pretty much the same for Win 7) guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=145748&page=40
Look at Gary's signature too.

 

I just installed win 7 64 bit on my FZ 490E. even enabled VT. I need to know is there any way I can bring back the wireless switching utility?

 

hi guys,
i have vgn fz323, i have got a new hard disc installed in it, but because i live in india i've no support for this model available here. i've downloaded xp drivers from the web and get the system work.. Now i want to install windows 7, but i dont have vista drivers, and they aren't availble online also.... can somebody help???

 

check coolguy or Ibohn's thread. they have the basic drivers for win 7.

 

My guide has all the drivers and apps for 99% functionality with Windows 7 64-bit.

 

but my laptop model is FZ323 and this instalation guide refers to FZ190..... will it work on my fz 323 also????

 

Yes, the drivers will work for same hardware.

 

I've upgraded my FZ31Z to Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit on a new (faster) hard drive and everything works ok, even the bluetooth option in the wireless device switch utility. The Vaio is much more responsive and boots a lot faster (compared to a two year old Vista installation )

This is what I did:
1. install new harddrive
2. do full system recovery using recovery dvd's, disable Windows Update
3. remove all trials and software I don't use
4. use Vaio Update to install all Sony updates
5. install Vista SP1, no other Windows updates, leaving Windows Update disabled
6. start Windows 7 setup from within Vista
7. after installation, enable Windows update
8. install other software (like Office, Firefox, Photoshop, Premiere, etc.)

I've tried several times installing a clean copy of Windows 7, but did not manage to get everything working (especially the bluetooth option in the wireless device switch utility). Also, when installing Vista SP2 before installing Windows 7, Vaio Update did not work anymore in Windows 7.
Hopes this post helps others save some time trying out all the options

 

I am about to buy Win 7 64 and a new HDD for clean install. The HDD in my FZ is a Hitachi HTS722020K9SA00 200GB, Sata 1.5

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822145160

Are Sata 1.5 and Sata 3 compatible? I am pretty sure they are...

Thanks in advance

 

Just thougt i'd mention that my Vaio had that GPU-failure sort of issue a while back.
Frequent BSOD's plus random stripes/symbols on screen fit the failed gpu description spot on and after contacting Sony support my FZ21Z got shipped off to get a motherboard replacement free of charge. Took about two weeks and its now back in business

 

Hey guys ..

I hope you all are having a very nice new year

ummm .. I have this issue, I have a VAIO FZ-285U and windows 7 installed.

I've installed windows XP mode lately and when I start the program it says I have to enable the hardware assisted virtualization from the BIOS.

I have gone to the BIOS and didn't find anything about this thing. I searched the net and found a way but I'm not sure of it as it got somethings I don't really know how to deal with.

So as FZ owners there I'm sure there are people here that are more experienced in this than I am. so please is there any way to do it ???? :S

I'm really disparate to do this as I have to have it enabled.

Please advise and I will be more than thankful to you.

 

Souls Reaper,

See my signature line below for a link to a thread about enabling virtualization on several different VAIO models, including yours. The link takes you to a master list of models. The instructions to the process are in the very first message of that thread.

Gary

 

Hello Gary

I found the model "VGN-FZ280E" which is the closest one to my model.

does this work for my FZ-285U ?

Thanks in advance.

 

First, this is NOT the thread to be asking this question. All questions about the enabling VT belong in that thread.

Second, how could I possibly know it works for your model? I do not have access to all the various machines, I am merely providing a service here by maintaining a list of all the successful reports people have made in the other thread.

Third, as stated in the other thread the BIOS version is what is important. Many models share the same BIOS version number. If you can find one with the EXACT same BIOS version as yours you are underway.

Please don't reply here. If you have further questions please post them in the other thread. I (and others) can then help you there.

Gary

 

Hello there,

I am an owner of a vaio fz38m. And have recently come across a display from a fz21z. That display has the double lamp technology while mine only has a single lamp. And i wonder if anyone has tried to switch the display? Are there any risks?

I am thinking of cracking open my case and trying to plug in the other display..

 

Do you have any contact person at sony support?? I think i know a fz with the similar problem.

Kind Regards

 

@ Gary ..
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the miss placing of the post .. but chill out :|

 

Frankly, yes. If the power inverter for the single lamp display in your system can't handle the power reqs for the dual lamp display then, at best, you will have a nice, non-backlit display when it releases the magic blue smoke. At worst, you could burn up the power supply on the mainboard and have a nice paperweight. It could also go swimmingly well and you'd have a nice, beautiful display.

To be fair, I have never replaced the screen on any of my VAIOs so I am not speaking from personal experience. However I would be surprised if A) the power connection is the same (to prevent just this sort of thing) and B) the power inverter is extra beefy in the event that a higher powered display might someday be installed. Unlike desktops, laptops are highly engineered for space and power efficiency, as well as profit margins. Something like a display power supply will likely take no more space or power than absolutely necessary, maximizing the profit margins.

Nonetheless, if you are intensely curious / bored and don't mind damaging your laptop, possibly beyond repair, have at it. As a point of curiosity, I would be interested in the outcome.

--L.

 

Would be interesting indeed.. Since i have the inverter for the double lit screen it might be worth the investigation...

The models here in europe ending with m seem to have the 8400 gt and a single lit screen whilst the ones ending with z have the 8600 gs and the double lit screen..

 

Is it really that simple, as I cleaned mine a week a go, but the CPU wouldn't budge.

 

Wats up man...

Iv got a Fz31z for over a year now.. Its a great machine i love it dearly.. Iv reacently upgraded to Windows 7 32x.. Iv installed all drivers correctly i think as in no reported problems in device manager.. I have the 8600m gs card and got the drivers and modded ini from loptopvideotogo.. the only problem is my Fn or 'Function Keys' are not working and im unshure what kind of drivers i should look for..

Also i have a mata blu-multi uj220s burner that has stoped reading blank dvds.. it reads all orignal discs bit no recordable media.. I think it uses Verbatim but never memorex,sony etc... I reads all cd-r and iv never tried any blu ray.. I have tried to update the firmware but unsuccessfull.. thas has been a problem for a while now and the windows 7 upgrade didnt fix.. its oviously a hardware problem..

Any help would be great..

Thanks for ur help

 

You can try the methods HERE, but it didn't work for me, apart from the mute key, but as I never really used them, haven't found it an issue.

"Windows key" + "x" is enough.

 

Hello,

I also have a FZ31Z and I updated Vista Home Premium to Win 7 Ultimate 32bit.

All things of interest for me seem to be ok except that I cannot BURN a DVD anymore. I've tried a lot of versions of Nero 9 (including the latest) and also InCD but with no effect. The unit is Mat.shi.ta UJ-220S which is able to write CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays. Also tried 3 different brands of DVDs.

So, Spungy fz31z, have you managed to write a DVD?

Anyone?

Any help would be highly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

Not really, just a phonecall to sony support referring to the extended warranty for my model. Actually tried to contact support thru email but all i got was auto-reply stating they'd get back to me in 48 hrs - after 5 days still nothing so i called them up.

 

Guys, I have a VAIO FZ18M and I just recently got it back from sony repair ( which was very reliable btw )
but ever since I put windows 7 on it, every now and then the programs freeze for a bit and suddenly they come back. Ive been trying to figure out where the problem comes from, but no luck so far. If Im watching videos it really bugs me out, I happens randomly and suddenly the video will stop on WMP and then it will sorta try to fast foward to the moment where it should be
any suggestions?

 

Snag a copy of ProcessExplorer from SysInternals. It should help you see what is suddenly hogging the processor.

Gary

 

How do I use ProcessExplorer to do that?

 

Run the app, then click on the column labeled CPU. This will sort the list of processes by their CPU use. Keep it running so it is visible. Then when the system "hang" happens look and see if one process is hogging the CPU.

Gary

 

Hi,

Please tell me if you can burn a DVD in Windows 7 because I have problems and I dont't know wheather is a Win7, a driver or a hardware issue.

Thank you very much

 

Hi

I just took the jump to Win7 64 bit. Very satisfied with the new os, however there are a few things. Im running a fz38m and i have a few unsolved problems.

The blue ray player does not work, when starting windvd bd and starting the movie windows locks up and says it has changed themes to basic since a program has done something that was incompatible, and now when you try to press play, it just jumps to stop directly.

In the windows experience tab the processor and memory have jumped from 5.1 to 5.6. However both graphics scores have dropped from the mid 5:S (5.5) to 4.7??? I am thinking this has something to do with the driver`?

I cant find a unknown decvice in the device manager and cant enable the sfep.

All keys are working fine (brightness and mute) however i dont have any vaio power plans and cant get the battery care function to work.

I wonder what performance boost i have gained from 64 bit. Originaly i was gonna go for and upgrade, but i had Vista home premium, and had the 32bit proffessional win7 dvd so that failed, such a shame since i had done a complete clean install and everything worked!

Kind Regards

David

 

davida.88, you can refer my 64-bit Windows 7 clean install guide.

 

I've got a FZ31Z with Windows 7 32 bit and I just burnt a DVD from a .iso image with no problems using the Windows 7 tools.
When installing Windows 7 I've restored the Vaio to a clean Windows Vista and upgraded that installation to Windows 7.

 

I found updating the firmware (1.4), seemed to do the trick for me, along with PowerDVD 9.[/QUOTE]

 

My battery is toast. I primarily run with external power and apparently this significantly reduces battery life. My question is: has anyone used the aftermarket 5400mah batteries that require a software load with Windows 7? Any issues?

 

I have the same question I toasted my battery too and I plan to get a new one but in evry site there is a warning saying THIS BATTERY IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 7!!!

 

hello guys .. i have this simple question ..

I have windows 7 installed for a while and I'm having so much good time using it, but i have this problem, my battery is charged to the max and I'm using it and all the sudden the laptop goes off like it a power cut off, and when I plug the laptop and see the battery status it's like 83% charged. :s

I don't know if it's a windows compatibility problem or just a battery problem.

Please advise ..

P.S. on windows vista never had this issue, although the battery doesn't hold the charge for long time.

 

I have FZ-260E, and I installed Windows 7 32-bit Professional on it. The only thing that deosn't work is the Function key. In particular, I cannot adjust the brightness. Everything else seems to work okay.

Does anyone know how to get the Fn keys to work?

 

There is another thread here with the specific info you need. Use the search option to find it.

Gary

 

Hi,

does anyone know where I can find a windows 7 webcam driver for my FZ11s? I searched on the internet, I search through this thread, but nothing helps. I already have installed the two drivers of sony.nl but they are for vista.

Please help me

 

Vista drivers should work just fine under Win7. The problem is the INSTALLER doesn't. So get a copy of the "universal extractor" and extract the driver and then install them manually. There are descriptions of that process elsewhere, most notably in "coolguy" Rajesh's thread on a Win7 64bit clean install on and FZ190.

Gary

 

what do you mean with universal extractor? I cant find the thread that you said.

 

Look at my signature.

 

hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade the hard drive in my FZ160. Currently have a 200gb sluggish 4200rpm and am looking to put in a 500gb 7200rpm unit. Question I have for you is will an increased height drive (such as this one ) fit into the chassis? I've searched on this forum as well as google but haven't found the answer after numerous search terms. I have found a supplier who can do the drive for nearly half the price, so it makes sense to get it instead of the alternative I will buy instead: this.

Also looking to upgrade from 2gb to 4gb, although haven't found the best modules Vs. price yet (?)...and install Win7Pro 64bit on the new drive. Should improve performance considerably as it's painfully slow at the moment with 2 years of usage and no proper clean-up!

Thanks!

 

RE: Drive thickness. There is very little room for any increase in the drive thickness in an FZ chassis. This has been discussed quite a bit in early FZ threads. Use the search feature here on NBR or use google and restrict the results to only ones from NBR.

Gary

 

Hi all am new here and i got a problem, am using VGN-FZ25M + win Vista home premium, and all of a sudden one of my usb ports stopped reading anything, yet i can see it got power, looked everywhere and could not get any help.

So any Help?


Thanks All

 

Sound like it may simply have died. I take it all the other various ports are working?

 

Ya, all the other ports are ok, but to add more information i did tried to add a usb mouse and it shows unknown device n u can still see the power on the device i thought it could be software conflict, some suggested i reinstall win. But am not so sure i also did all updates to the usb ports and didn’t help.

Thanks