Just bought the Sony VAIO TZ90!!

It was pretty easy for me, but YMMV. If you're not comfortable with taking out a lot of screws and dealing with small components you may not want to try it.

 

I have bought a TZ90 via Price Japan, still waiting.

Does warranty is cancelled when you replace the hard drive ? Can I remove the hidden partition ?

What about heat, noise and batterylife with a 7200 RPM HDD ?

 

yes your warranty is canceled if you replace the hard drive. Of course if something does go wrong with your laptop, you can always put the original drive back in and then send it in for repairs.

 

On the topic of warranty, if for some reason my TZ90 needed fixing but I had already installed English Vista, is there any way that I could get it back to its original japanese installation so that the warranty was still valid?? Maybe when the computer arrives I could make an image of the hard drive (i.e. using Acronis® True Image 10)...would this allow me to revert to the original vista setup??

 

The warranty is still valid if u install english vista.

Its just that they won't be able to fix any software issue you might encounter.

 

its easy to restore to original japanese, when your tz is off, turn on and then keep tapping f10 and it will load recovery partition and take u through recovery wizrd to retunr tz to japanese

 

Ah right I didnt realise that, I could have sworn that I had read in this thread that your warranty is void if english vista was installed?!

Is there any way to make a copy of the recovery partition onto a CD/DVD and then put it back on if necessary. This would allow me to free up the extra space whilst still retaining the ability to revert back to the original japanese install.

 

I just noticed that on USA Sony web site. It shows the battery life of TZ is 4.0-7.5 hours. It's different from HK or Japan web site which is claiming 11 hours.

 

Obviously sony doesn't have different batteries for the different regions so its just the USA arm is being more realistic with regards to battery life.

 

Are they reffering to the same battery? There are three TZ batteries.

 

are you talking about the VOS (Vaio Overseas Support)? I'm kinda confused as to what that is...Does it mean that you can get support by Vaio in the US if you ordered it from Japan?

 

For one year, yes. For the remaining two years you will have to ship it back to Japan.

 

Hi

Has anybody used Sonys external firewire dvd drive - Is it bulky? I am getting the 32gb / 160gb combo

 

I don't think I've ever heard anyone mention it, so either the non-DVD drive folks went cheap or this drive is sooo good we don't have to talk about it.

 

Picture of it here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noodle/847372082/

 

Hi all, ive been following the TZ for quite some time now and am looking to purchase one for myself.

However in my country, Singapore, I have no option of a 32gB SSD + 160gB 5400rpm harddisk. I can only get the 32gB SSD alone. So i am wondering if i can install an additional hdd on my own? Will it be a 2.5" notebook hdd? Will the connectors be there for me to install it on my own?

 

No you cannot because the model you are looking at uses a DVD drive in the 2.5" compartment instead of the 160 GB 5400rpm hdd version from Japan.

 

Thanks for the pic rahulnirmal!

It looks quite small, so I'm happy - will probably get it

Though I recently heard that it needs its needs external power, which kinda sucks

 

I just received my TZ from conics.net with the combination SSD + DVD. Its written that I only have 10.3 GB left of 23 GB total. Have Sony pre-installed some programmes or is it only the OS taking up all that space?

 

There is a hidden partition of the Japanese Vista on the drive as well. Burn yourself a copy of it and then delete it.

 

There was no hidden partition on mine from Conics. Run disck cleanup (or better yet download CCleaner and run that) to erase all teh temp files associated with installation, turn off Autorecover and delete all except the last memory point and delete any of the sony program files you don't want to install, which Conics leaves in a separate foler.

Then see how much you have left.

 

In checking my power management settings I noticed that under Processor Power Management the minimum processor state is 5% and the maximum is 50%. How do these settings effect the operation of the computer? Do you have any suggestions for other settings that might work better?

Thanks,

Eddie G.

 

Sorry for this question but how can I burn a copy of it ? Is there a sony software ?

I never do it before...

 

Thanks avalpert! Now is better...the folder that you speak is named more apps no? Where are all the Sony programs...once you installed what you want you can delete this folder no?
For the TPM how you enter the BIOS manually?

Wow how pretty is the TZ

 

I would also like to know how to make a copy of the hidden recovery partition. I don't have an external burner but I do have a 20GB iPod, so maybe I could copy it to that?

 

Exetlaios - I believe one was named more apps and their may ahve been a second. Once you install the ones you want you can delete all those files (you may want to backup the ones ou installed on a cd if you need to reinstall later).

I don't remember how I entered the BIOS but I think it was F10 when booting.

 

This laptop rocks! I just used my fingerprint to log in here, take the picture with my phone and transfer it via bluetooth, and upload it on here



awesome!

 

I'm glad that you've sorted out your issues. Enjoy!

 

I currently have the following programs installed on my W3J:



Just wondering if the TZ would be able to handle all that programs without any delay/lag/problems?

I will also be doing some web browsing, so viewing flash animations, some java applications, and some programming.

I also plan on connecting the TZ to my Dell 2407 LCD when im not on the road, would this work?

 

I second that question. Can someone please inform about how to make a backup of the recovery partition? I assume there is Sony software available but it will probably be in Japanese as I ordered it from Japan. So if someone could be so kind and put up some screenshots it would really be appreciated.

 

Do you know if this will fit in the TZ?

http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=25

 

To my knowledge, all Vaio laptops have a Kensington slot. Can anyone else confirm this, or clear the air?

 

Anyone know if XP can be installed on TZ and is it possible to get all drivers working? I was totally floored with Vista when I accidentally somehow deleted the Recycle Bin icon on someone's machine. LOL - Unbelievable...

 

Take a look here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=143899

Quicklink to the drivers for Windows XP: ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/PUB/OS/XPDOWNGRADE/TZ1/

 

Do I have to pay any import duties or fees of any sort for US import of vaio TZ90? Just curious...

 

Hi

I have a little problem with my vaio tz90 (160go hdd) from pricejapan. Processos is alwais 100%. I have tried speedfan, notebook hardware control, rmckock ... nothing.

I have a french vista, is it the problem ?

I have tried to change setting (full power, max battery life, normal, vaio optimised) nothing

My temps are 62C from CPU and 40C from hdd. Is it ok ?

 

I think Sony USA used a Kensington lock for the TZ on their "product unveiling" at Rockefeller Plaza's:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/17/hands-on-with-sonys-vaio-tz-superultraportable-notebook/

(4th picture in the gallery)

 

From this picture of engadget I assume that the Kensington lock goes at the USB port? Or at least it covers them

 

Do you mean CPU usage is always at 100% or CPU clock is always at 1200 MHz (even if CPU usage is 0%)?

Intel specifies the maximum temperature of the Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor U7600 with 100°C:

http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLA2U#

Toshiba specifies the maximum temperature of the 2,5" 160GB HDD (MK1637GSX) with 55°C (while operating):

http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Pa.../MK1637GSXProductPage/MK1637GSXSpecifications


So both values are at least not critical but I can't say if they are "usual".

 

CPU clock is always at 1200 MHz (even if CPU usage is 5-6%)

Thanks for the links about intel temperature. One month ago, I had an Asus U1F and temperatures were 50°C (coreduo 1Ghz) and 40°C(hdd 420trs/min).

 

You obviously have an issue with your machine. I would look in the task manager to see what process is causing your CPU to run at max. You may have a bad software install or driver causing issues. Best case you can remove or repair the offending app. Worst case you get to reinstall Vista.

 

Are you sure you didn't change Vista to run in high performance mode, rather than whatever they're calling battery savings mode these days?

 

I just got my TZ90, and Im liking it so far. Im kinda confused what the purpose of the "Security Platform" is. I had to initilize it to get the fingerprint reader to stop showing errors on every start up but I dont plan to use any of the backup, etc features that it offers. Is there any reason to have it running?

 

Hey guys, I got my TZ90 from priceJapan and installed all the drivers. The ONE thing that I can't get to work though is the brightness Fn keys. Everything else works fine, (Volume, etc.) Can anyone help me??

 

I'm pretty sure someone else earlier in this thread had that problem, but for the life of me I can't find the post. This is a really, really long thread, I can't believe I read it all yesterday.

 

I ordered the sony vaio tz without the finger print reader for me I have no use (at least one less driver to worry about =)

 

Can someone with the TZ90 in champagne gold colour do me a favour and take some pictures of their computer and PM them to me.

 

rustynator, after 3 weeks, I will post them here.

 

Thanks zerodays. In the mean time, if someone with a gold TZ90 at hand could take some pics I would be most grateful

 

Hi Everyone,

First of all thanks to everyone in this amazing thread for helping me in my decision to purchase a tz11. I absolutely love it, but I have one question: I've tried to connect it to a few networks, and I only get a 100mb connection speed. As far as I can see, it's not a gigagit adapter, despite what the driver says...
Has anyone tested a tz with a gigabit network (and got gigabit speed?)?
Many thanks!