Just bought the Sony VAIO TZ90!!

Thanks, that would be nice of you!
This would actually be the first time I do anything on my laptop myself, I think it's high time I learned to handle it on my own. I will have someone supervising me though, I don't want to mess it up.
I don't use optical drive so much, and with a big TV in the house... well, 11" just doesn't do it. (on the plane you're half-dead anyway )

 

It uses DDR2 533 memory (nothing new uses 400 anymore). Most memory vendors have model numbers listed with the memory that works for each model, but since the TZ is new, you can use the TX models to double-check and be sure.

 

Hey Uber do you have all the XP English drives for the laptop? I need to run XP for some software that I have so just wondering. If you do I can give you an ftp to dump them on and we can share them with the community.

 

http://www.sonystyle.com.hk/ss/product/vaio/vgn_tz18gn_x_e.jsp

This is the TZ90 version for Hong Kong. It is in every way same as TZ90 except it has window vista english version.

 

Yeah, I tried that, but just wanted to make sure it's the same memory..
Those drivers you have are for Vista or XP? I don't think I want to install Vista yet!

 

Today my TZ90 arrived from PriceJapan. What a neat machine (2GB, 32GB SSD, 160GB HDD). I had hoped that I could maybe change the language on the Japanese software, but this is really difficult since you cannot read any menus! So eventually I decided to reinstall with an English Vista Business. Since Windows will not allow you to do an upgrade on the Japanese software, this is a clean install, so you lose all the drivers. I was able to get most of the stuff running though, except for the camera and the function buttons. In a few weeks I hope the drivers will be up on the Sony site, but in the meantime maybe a good soul can help me??

 

I would love to help, but I think I could get into trouble. Sorry!

 

Hmmm, Dynamism told me that XP can be done...

 

Oh, I didn't say "it can't be done." Dynamism still doesn't have it though, so my guess is, it's not easy!

 

It shouldn't be that hard. The hardware that they are running on is not anything new or special. I have been doing some poaking around, and without my TZ I can't be certain all the drivers listed here will work. Whoever wants to give them a try let me know how you did. From what I have found the hardware/chipset is almost identical to the UX-180P so some of the drivers/software you can download form sony's support page on that item. Here is my list :

Finger Printer reader
touchchip fingerprint coprossor
http://www.opendrivers.com/downloadopendrivers.php?href=41998

Felica port
Japan Only

Sony CXD9192
Unknown
Sony Camera VGP-VCC7
Unknown

Intel 945gm
- Graphics - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!
- Chipset - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!
- Storage - http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!

Flash Card
From Sony VGN-UX180P

Realtek HD Audio
From Sony VGN-UX180P

intel wireless 3945ABG
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/fil...XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!

marvell yukon 88e8055 - Network
http://www.marvell.com/drivers/driverDisplay.do?dId=103&pId=3

alps pointing device for vaio
http://www.opendrivers.com/downloadopendrivers.php?href=42017

hdaudio softv92 modem
http://notebook.free-driver-downloa...92-Modem-Driver-7.34.0.0-Windows-2000-XP.html


I am missing the camera drivers, it seems like Sony has opt'd for a new camera instead of the one used on the ux. As I don't really care for the camera it is not an issue for me, but I will keep on digging.

 

Can you tell me whats included in the box from pricejapan? I'm waiting for mine which should be here in a couple of days.

also, since it will be in japanese os, I will do a fresh install. have you tried using the drivers from the TX? thats what I plan to do, but if you try first, you can let me know if you have any issues.

 

I spoke to customer service in japan and they said they will void the warranty if you have an english OS installed in your TZ.

 

Planning to buy Sony Vaio TZ and this forum has helped me so much. thanks everyone.

I'm planning to buy the Japanese version of the Sony TZ and want to install an English OS. Can you explain to me step by step on how to proceed with a clean installation of English OS. partitioning the hard drive? can i install the fresh OS first and then download the drivers from sony website and install it?

I think I can provide you guys with the drivers and softwares from Sony Japan website. I'm going to ask my wife to help us out.

thanks in advance.

 

Hmm... I just realised that on the Sony Style Japan site to build the TZ, there is an option saying bluetooth headset.

I assume this option means the optional Sony Ericsson Bt headset am i right? and the Bluetooth is already built in isn't it, i don't need to tick something else right?

 

From what I have seen, this is just a regular SE BT headset for your cellphone that you can buy from anywhere.

 

That's an easy one: There's nothing in the box... except the computer of course and some small manuals in Japanese. There are no recovery disks. The people from pricejapan are not talkative, but they are efficient. Just when I wanted to inquire when they would send the Vaio (ca. 12 days, I think), it was on my doorstep.

First I tried to do an upgrade on the Japanese Vista, but you cannot upgrade a version in a different language, so you have to do a clean install. Then I installed the various drivers from the US site as found on this forum, and with the exception of a few rough edges which I am working at, it goes like a charm.

 

Yeah, its pretty sparse. just the laptop, ac plug and battery!
which color did you get?

They are fast though, they shipped it Fri and it was on my door step monday morning.

 

Carbon Black!

 

I bought the medium size battery and the nice suede envelope case from a Japanese on ebay, who specializes in selling accessories at reasonable prices. The battery is not much bigger in bulk and lasts quite a bit longer, but you can really feel the weight increase.

 

I got the premium carbon color with medium battery. you're right, almost no bulk but adds twice as much battery time. coming from a thinkpad t60p, this thing weighs less than half and I can pick it up with 2 fingers!

 

I can't decide from the two colours. Premium fibre or the classisìc black. How is the black? Do you think it is scratch resistent?

 

I think the best value is the model that has just the 2.5 160G 5400rpm hdd and no SSD or dvd.

I'm hoping they will offer this configuration when the TZ is announced in the US. While having a built-in DVD is nice, its just as easy to rip a DVD to the hd and watch it that way. And since its 5400 rpm, its nice and fast. I really hated the 4200 rpm HDD on my sony T.

Even though the 32gb SSD is nice and speedy, its just too expensive and storage size is just too small, especially when running vista.

 

An external HD(tiny and with160GB) should solve the problem of the space. SSD+DVD is the best for me. An optical drive is important, how you will install various programms?

 

Check this out...

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=usb+dvd+slim&category0=

 

"how you will install various programms?"...

USB, external HDD, network.

 

Okay, all of you who changed to english vista, which drivers did you use?

 

Awesome sharing of information here, so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in as well if it's a help for anyone. I live in Taiwan and ordered my TZ90 from a company here that deals directly with an agent in Japan for Sony. I ordered the top of the line Core 2 Duo processor (7600) and bumped the memory to 2G. However, I kept the original 160 GB HDD without adding a DVD. Here's why. I have a friend who is a top level manager for the technical department of Microsoft. I spoke with him before I ordered the computer. He highly recommended not buying a machine with a HDD that spins below 5400rpm, as it will affect the speed and responsiveness of Vista. On the built to order configurations of the TZ90 which include a 1.8" HDD, they are all 4200rpm. I think bmnotpls made the point above about being glad to be rid of a machine with a 4200rpm HDD. Also, if you check out the Dynamism.com pricing page, you will notice that the only configuration lighter than the 160 GB HDD with no DVD is the 32 GB SSD version, with DVD. This could be an option too, although my Microsoft buddy said considering price and all, he'd go with a 160 GB HDD and no DVD. As someone else linked to here, for 30 bucks you can pick up an external DVD for loading stuff into the computer, and don't bother taking it with you. You can also make disk images of movies and play them right off the HDD. When I get the machine (hopefully next week), I will let everyone know how things went with drivers and what not. Since this is a brick and mortar company I am ordering from, they will handle the install of English Vista (purchased and supplied by me) and I would expect they will load the drivers for me (these guys all speak Japanese as well as Chinese), so it may be smoother than having gone the all mail-order route.

 

I'm planning on ordering the tz90 from pricejapan as I want the 160hd option, which evidently won't be offered anywhere outside of japan. My concern is the japanese warranty. Somebody mentioned that if u install english vista, the japanese warranty is void. Is it possible to make recovery disks for the japanese OS, before installing an english version of vista?

Also, does one need to buy a FULL VERSION of the english vista or can an UPGRADE version work?

thanks

 

I believe you need a full version.
See below below about Warranty in Japan,
http://vcl.vaio.sony.co.jp/english/index.html

 

Also, seems like pricejapan updated their warranty information for the tz90. Its specifically says the warranty is for 3 years.

http://pricejapan.com/front/e_good_info.php?code=347&category=6

 

Ok looks like hw issues are still supported even if u install the english version. thats good.

 

I think they're making a big mistake.
VOS warranty can be purchased within 90 days from the day ordered at sonystyle jp.

Edit : Never mind.

 

What mistake are you talking about?

 

Just ordered mine from pricejapan.

1.2 ghz
2 gb
160 hdd
802.11n
standard battery
black
no fingerprint reader
no dvd
no sdd
english keyboard

 

How much did that cost in total?

 

Just a bit under $2100 including shipping.

I would have waited for the US version to come out, but judging from the US user manual it doesn't look like they will be offering the 160 5400rpm hdd option and I really wanted that.

 

From what I'm hearing, It's best to get 32GB SSD and the 160GB HD?

 

congratulations, I'm sure you'll love it. I didn't realize there was an option to not install the fingerprint reader. One thing about their web site is that its not too customizable. you'd have to email in to make your requests for add-ons or offs.

 

And I recived mine today. We are different persons though. Mine is with the largest battery, 32gb SSD and DVD drive. Very nice indeed.

 

Outrigger,
pricejapan uses DHL overnight?
They said my vaio will be shipped on Friday, so I'm wondering if it comes in this week.

 

I thought you only got the 160GB Hard Drive option.

 

Like I said we are different persons. I'm the one with 32gb SSD, I will use this account from now on.

Anyways, which driver should I get for fingerprint sensor?

 

ASH148,

I guess if you don't mind spending another $700 to have the 32GB SSD it can't hurt, although because SSDs are so new to notebook computers that there doesn't really seem to be any benchmarks out there yet (correct me if I'm wrong) about how much more performance and speed you would get by having your OS on the SSD and your data on the HDD. I would assume the answer is some, but the question is will you get enough additional performance to justify $700? I've been told Vista should work quite respectably on a 5400 rpm HDD. Also, the SSDs are less prone to failures, but actually, reinstalling the OS is easy - your data on the HDD is what you are actually more concerned about, and that would still be liable to failure, so the additional reliability isn't that big a plus. I think SDD's for notebooks will take off when the 64 GB ones are down in the $300 dollar range, which could be as soon as next year. That would probably be large enough to not need an additional HDD. So for me, overall, I just decided to save the $700. But again, if cash is not an issue, it adds virtually nothing in weight.

 

Hmm, can anyone show me where to get intel High Definition Audio drivers. I'm finding only realtek one's, are they the same?

 

pricejapan can deliver via DHL overnight. Mine was shipped last Fri and I received it Monday morning. you might get it sooner, but it depends on where you're located.

 

Unforunately, 64GB will not go down that much in price next year. Generally it will take about a year for current 32GB versions to drop in half which will be around $300 range next year. Hopefully if we're lucky enough, the 64GB version will cost what the 32GB version costs today. But it all depends on demand and how many manufacture jump on the SSD wagon.

 

hey! which company did you buy your TZ through? thanks..

 

Okay, I still got few yellow ones in my device manager, help would be appreciated.

Base System device - Location: PCI bus 9, device 4, function 4
Base System device - PCI bus 9, device 4, function 3
UGX - The webcam, it's model nr. is VGP-VCC7
Unknown device - Port_#0003.Hub_#0006 - Felicia port, maybe?

 

I only have one quetion mark left in device manager and I'm assuming its the Felica which is of no use to me.

I have installed all the drivers and everything just works, including web cam, TPM, and fingerprint scanner. Just follow my thread on installing vista drivers and you should be all set.

 

thanks for the tip and suggestion.