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    New BIOS for VAIO Z

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by fredguy, Sep 29, 2008.

  1. fredguy

    fredguy Notebook Consultant

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    http://vcl.vaio.sony.co.jp/download/EP0000163850.html

    I already update my VGN-Z17GN.
    BIOS version: R2140M3
    EC version: K1240M3

    I am not Japanese so I rely on web translation about the problem it fix.

    1. DVD-R DL So there are times when it cannot start from the recovery disk which was drawn up
    2. After pulling out Express Card, without putting Express Card, entering dormant state, it returns, when there are times when it does not start.
    3. The hard disk password of setting end (the user password) with there are times when it becomes not be able to start.
    4. 「Edit Boot Option」 When the touch pad is operated in the picture, key-in becomes impossible.
     
    fredguy, Sep 29, 2008
    #1
  2. whtwht

    whtwht Notebook Enthusiast

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    will that improve anything? like speed or wht? sry, i dunno much about computer
     
    whtwht, Sep 29, 2008
    #2
  3. fredguy

    fredguy Notebook Consultant

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    Just fix some bugs, I don't feel any speed improvement.
     
    fredguy, Sep 29, 2008
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  4. falang

    falang Notebook Consultant

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    thanks fredguy, this is really important
     
    falang, Oct 1, 2008
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  5. Yeeze

    Yeeze Notebook Consultant

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    So your BIOS is in Japanese now?
    Is the upgrade available in English too?
     
    Yeeze, Oct 1, 2008
    #5
  6. s0rce

    s0rce Notebook Enthusiast

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    any chance someone could link the specific file for us English speaking folks?
     
    s0rce, Oct 1, 2008
    #6
  7. sonata

    sonata Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi

    do you have any info about the fan?
    any change would be great
     
    sonata, Oct 3, 2008
    #7
  8. Arseni

    Arseni Notebook Geek

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    Does it fix battery issu? Lol. Maybe they fixed but did not mentioned in the relese notes... I'm dreaming.

    Also - that looks to be Japanese BIOS. I suppose I should wait for european update...
     
    Arseni, Oct 3, 2008
    #8
  9. fredguy

    fredguy Notebook Consultant

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    I think the battery issu? is not fixed. I lost 7% fo one night.
    Before I update the BIOS, the Z can't reboot after I use Acronics to backup my HD image then I have to press the power button a few seconds to shut it down. Now It can reboot normally. I got some benefit using new BIOS.
     
    fredguy, Oct 3, 2008
    #9
  10. Arseni

    Arseni Notebook Geek

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    Just updated the bios. It dfinetely changed something with the battery. I think - i have issue similar to this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=286281
    (charged all night and have only 90% in th morning)

    My battery care is disabled. I think I should re-calibrate the battery. Any ideas? Is that suggestion is good? (To discharge the laptop until it dies being in bios utility)
     
    Arseni, Oct 4, 2008
    #10
  11. Arseni

    Arseni Notebook Geek

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    Still trying to resolve battery issue, but found one more advantage of the new bios:
    On ,y machine it takes significantly shorter than before t go from button press to OS boot start. At least a few seconds shorter :)
     
    Arseni, Oct 4, 2008
    #11
  12. plazmic

    plazmic Notebook Consultant

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    This update improves my Z540's post time considerably. It previously took about 6-7 seconds for the VAIO logo to show up on screen and then the normal bootup from that point, but after updating (the actual flashing utility is in English btw) it posts almost immediately on turning on (1-2 second delay).
     
    plazmic, Oct 4, 2008
    #12
  13. tripmaster

    tripmaster Notebook Enthusiast

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    This BIOS works with Z590, I guess? How did you read the Japanese page? Run it through a translation?

    Anyone have ETA on English BIOS?
     
    tripmaster, Oct 7, 2008
    #13
  14. gr00vy0ne

    gr00vy0ne Notebook Consultant

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    I tried it on my Z590 and it worked. Like many others, the boot up time is noticeably faster.

    You literally see the VAIO logo about 1 second after you press power which is really nice. I dare say it shaves nearly 10 seconds off my previous overall boot time.

    And although I can't confirm it now...I swear it returns from hibernation a little faster too.

    Other than that, it seems to work great and I haven't had any adverse effects.
     
    gr00vy0ne, Oct 7, 2008
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  15. Takashi

    Takashi Notebook Consultant

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    is there an english download yet?
     
    Takashi, Oct 7, 2008
    #15
  16. Vaio TZ

    Vaio TZ Notebook Guru

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    As been stated at least twice already . The bios upgrade application is in english .

    Look at the screenshot . See where i circled the download ? Thats the file you want . I have upgraded my US version Z520N without issue .

    Im also seeing a decrease in post time .
     
    Vaio TZ, Oct 7, 2008
    #16
  17. whtwht

    whtwht Notebook Enthusiast

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    so there still hv not english version yet~ i meant in english website. i cant understand japanese.
     
    whtwht, Oct 7, 2008
    #17
  18. raczkri

    raczkri Notebook Enthusiast

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    Try this link then..
     
    raczkri, Oct 7, 2008
    #18
  19. whtwht

    whtwht Notebook Enthusiast

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    wow, thats cool, thx raczkri
     
    whtwht, Oct 7, 2008
    #19
  20. StrongerThanAll

    StrongerThanAll Notebook Deity

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    yes, hibernation is a lot faster now from what ive noticed
     
    StrongerThanAll, Oct 7, 2008
    #20
  21. whtwht

    whtwht Notebook Enthusiast

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    yea, it really get faster. cooooooooool, great appreciate everyone
     
    whtwht, Oct 8, 2008
    #21
  22. Algobardo

    Algobardo Newbie

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    Do you know if does it work with Z11 models?
    What is the difference between Z11 and Z90 models?
     
    Algobardo, Oct 8, 2008
    #22
  23. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    I've successfully installed it on my Z11VN/B.

    I've not heard of Z90 - maybe you meant the Z590 available in the US region?

    I believe the difference in model names is just across territories... Sony (like many other companies) chooses to name identical or similar products differently around the world so that it helps to disguise differences in pricing and specs etc.
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 8, 2008
    #23
  24. exetlaios

    exetlaios Notebook Evangelist

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    Are you happy with the Z11VN? I am debating between this and the Z11WN. Did you change the hd?
     
    exetlaios, Oct 8, 2008
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  25. Algobardo

    Algobardo Newbie

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    perfect, thank you!
    can anyone figure why we have to go and search it on a japanese page instead of our support page?

    i mean maybe there are updates that we don't even know just because they publish them only in japanese....
    which could ever be the cost of writing an Universal support page in english for us.
     
    Algobardo, Oct 8, 2008
    #25
  26. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    I'm extremely happy with my Z11VN, yes. For the first couple of weeks I had a grin like this every time I used it, in fact -> :D

    To be honest, it's more-than quick enough for my needs and the WN probably would have been adequate, but I don't upgrade often so I like to splurge on the top model and then wait another 4-5 years if I can. :eek:

    Also, I do quite a bit of DVD authoring/ripping and my photography involves sifting through hundreds of RAW and TIFF files... so the 320GB HDD comes in useful there. (I told myself I could deal with a smaller, faster SSD, but it would at least require me to be much more organised!)

    I've found the WWAN feature very useful so that would rule out the MN version for me.

    Anyway, to answer your specfic question I haven't upgraded the HDD, no. I probably won't venture inside my Z until my extended warranty period is up in 2011. I'm hoping that by then there will be cheaper SLC SSD drives available in decent capacities... :rolleyes:
    I don't think I'd want to get a 7200k HDD because of the hit on battery life, although subjectively it seems like the HDD is the bottle neck in my Z. I like the theory behind SSDs: faster, more reliable, lighter, arguably less power consumption and cooler running all seem like very positive attributes. It's just that the prices are prohibitive at the moment (and I don't want to risk my warranty messing around in there myself).
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 8, 2008
    #26
  27. exetlaios

    exetlaios Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks, InfyMcGirk

    You solved all my doubts.. :) I think I will go also for the VN, also because the difference in the price is not so much. I also believe that the 2.4 ghZ is going to be fast enough for my needs, but I was kinda of worried for the 250 GB 5400 rpm that users complained to be slow. From where did you purchase the extended warranty?
     
    exetlaios, Oct 8, 2008
    #27
  28. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    Sony had an offer on to encourage early orders in the UK: if you registered your new UK model Z within 30 days of purchase and before 30 September, you got an extra two years warranty for free (on top of the usual 1 year). I don't know if there are similar offers around now but it's worth asking what they'll give you if you ring up their sales people. ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 8, 2008
    #28
  29. Takashi

    Takashi Notebook Consultant

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    by the way, just installed the new BIOS, and startup appeared to be quicker... will report back once i've logged more time on the new stuff.
     
    Takashi, Oct 8, 2008
    #29
  30. tripmaster

    tripmaster Notebook Enthusiast

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    worked great on z590.
     
    tripmaster, Oct 10, 2008
    #30
  31. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    By the way, Seagate 320GB 7200.3 uses less power than Toshiba 320GB/5400rpm.
    http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/.../compare,684.html?prod[2039]=on&prod[1872]=on

    So battery life will be better with 7200.3. since the 7200.3 will also finish tasks faster, the benefit will be even bigger.

    I understand you don't want to open up yor Z just yet. I'm not too keen on it either.
     
    Phil, Oct 12, 2008
    #31
  32. D1330HI

    D1330HI Notebook Geek

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    I just did this bios upgrade. Z590 everything seems to work fine with 8 secs off the older bios in booting.
     
    D1330HI, Oct 12, 2008
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  33. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    That's very interesting. I'll bear that in mind...

    but:
    Yup, I'm too chicken to mess with my Z just yet. Maybe SSDs in good capacities will be affordable by the time I pluck up the courage? ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 12, 2008
    #33
  34. -Tj-

    -Tj- Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the notice on the BIOS update. I haven't noticed the speed everyone's talking about, but then again I never benchmarked my start up times lol. :)
     
    -Tj-, Oct 13, 2008
    #34
  35. Michael Cuthbert

    Michael Cuthbert Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does anyone know if it's possible to downgrade the BIOS to the earlier one? I'm getting lots of "Windows has recovered from an unexpected shutdown" errors and not getting out of hibernation properly now. I don't know if it's bios related, but worth a check. (Is there a separate thread for those problems? I've looked but didn't find it.)
     
    Michael Cuthbert, Oct 19, 2008
    #35
  36. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

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    This BIOS worked on my VGN-Z591U/B
     
    ZoinksS2k, Oct 19, 2008
    #36
  37. six

    six Notebook Consultant

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    six, Oct 19, 2008
    #37
  38. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    There haven't been any other reports of problems (and I certainly haven't had any) with the new BIOS, so I would look first towards a software issue. ;)
    Thanks. :)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 20, 2008
    #38
  39. Babydarklord

    Babydarklord Notebook Evangelist

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    Thx for the BIOS update. Michael Cuthbert How about try reinstalling the Os and start from there. just a suggestion.
     
    Babydarklord, Oct 20, 2008
    #39
  40. Vaio TZ

    Vaio TZ Notebook Guru

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    Im getting the same errors now too. When booting i see the windows has recovered from a hardware failure error . Happened at least 3 times since the BIOS upgrade , never had this issue before .
     
    Vaio TZ, Oct 20, 2008
    #40
  41. elinks

    elinks Newbie

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    I update successful on my z520N :) much faster boot up
     
    elinks, Oct 20, 2008
    #41
  42. D1330HI

    D1330HI Notebook Geek

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    I am using the upgraded Bios with 64bit Vista and Sprint Smartfi. Definitely boots faster - by 7-8 secs.
     
    D1330HI, Oct 20, 2008
    #42
  43. phoebusvh

    phoebusvh Notebook Consultant

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    uhm, just got my laptop from P1 and I think they updated BIOS for me already. Tried but error said BIOS already up to date.
     
    phoebusvh, Oct 20, 2008
    #43
  44. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    Don't P1 import from Japan? As the new bios was posted on the Japanese support site, it would make sense for recent Japanese machines to be delivered with the new bios from the factory.
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 20, 2008
    #44
  45. Dave_C

    Dave_C Newbie

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    My Z590CE (CTO through Sony Style Canada, shipped Sept. 24) also arrived with the updated (M3) bios.
     
    Dave_C, Oct 20, 2008
    #45
  46. -Tj-

    -Tj- Notebook Consultant

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    Huh... maybe it's a good thing I checked back here since I've noticed it doesn't come out of hibernation/sleep either, and I've had a lot more frequent crashing, many requiring hard reboots. And since there wasn't really anything wrong with it before, I'm suspecting the new BIOS. o_o
     
    -Tj-, Oct 20, 2008
    #46
  47. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    I don't have any problem coming out of hibernation/sleep with XP. Maybe it's a combination of new BIOS and Vista which is the culprit?
     
    InfyMcGirk, Oct 21, 2008
    #47
  48. -Tj-

    -Tj- Notebook Consultant

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    It's very possible. It wasn't crashing and stuff before the BIOS update. I can't find any lid open actions under the Power Options settings... is there somewhere else that might have lid open settings? Maybe that was changed somehow and I just didn't realize it.
     
    -Tj-, Oct 22, 2008
    #48
  49. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Yes try, Control panel > Power options > Advanced.
     
    Phil, Oct 22, 2008
    #49
  50. FinnN

    FinnN Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I've been using the new BIOS for a while now under Vista and no problems here...
     
    FinnN, Oct 22, 2008
    #50
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