Questions on FW Line

I am considering a VAIO FW series and would appreciate some help.

1. Does this series use BIOS or EFI?

2. Is the BIOS (EFI) locked down so that one must struggle to make adjustments, troubleshoot hardware etc?

3. If so, can it be unlocked?

4. Is it easy to upgrade the RAM, processor and hard drive?

Any other notes or thoughts of issues you have had are much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

One of the biggest complaints about the FW was the fact that the Intel hardware virtualization was disabled by default and no easy method to restore its functionality.

RAM & HD was very easy to upgrade.

I too would like to know if the CPU can be upgraded to mobile Quad core.

Cheers,


Cheers,

 

I am being told right now... no proc upgrade. Lunacy.

What do you mean by your statement above? Beyond me, sorry.

 

I tend to use my systems for work and play (tho my Sony was mostly play) and if you are using VMware to create a separate business environment (say to install XP under VMware so that the primary OS - Vista only had games) Sony laptops don't support turning on functionality built into the CPU by Intel.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=350209&highlight=Virtualization

Hopefully the FW-490 corrects this issue but I wouldn't count on it.

Cheers,

 

This sort of thing really annoys the hell out of me.

The rep told me, rudely, that I was buying a "store bought" computer, not one I made myself and so any manufacturer would lock things down to make sure it works.

Yeah, ok. I clicked the red X on him after that statement.

I have bought plenty of "store bought" computers that werent hobbled to protect the consumer from him or herself.

Sure... we are buying a ready to go system, not building our own... but the fact remains that WE ARE BUYING IT AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD NOT BE LOCKED DOWN TO US.

I LOVE the VAIO line. The features, look, pricing even. I want a 490 badly, but I refuse to buy a computer that is hobbled (BIOS and built in chip functionality and upgrade path for proc) because the assumption is that the consumer is a dangerous retard.

Well... walked in to that one...

 

yea the processor, so i am told, is soldered and cannot be replaced~

proprietary bs

 

is this for the fw 4 series? i though someone disassembled another fw and found the processor wasn't soldered in.

 

dont worry the proc is not soddered onto the mobo, its completely removeable. i applied as5 to mine. it just takes time to get all the way down to the motherboard.

 

So the million dollar question for VAIO would be:

HOW DOES ONE UNLOCK/UNHOBBLE THE BIOS?

(grumblegrumble its my damn computer I bought it grumblegrumble)

 

Yeah, but Sony could argue that it advertizes the sale as a package of a unit plus a warranty. In order for it to honor the warranty, it has to get some control over what is going on with the unit.

Now, if the number of persons who want to consider the purchase of a computer as the purchase of its hardware only, without warranty, grows exponentially, then I assume manufacturers would be more willing to offer a category of sales with different or no "warranties" and would then exercize less "control" over their hardware.

Can you honestly say that when you unlock the BIOS and start doing things like installing a more powerful CPU for which the electrical system of the computer has not been tested (switching from a P to a T processor, for example), and maybe over-clocking the GPU, etc. that, if your motherboard or fan blows, for example, you would NEVER dream of asking Sony to replace something under warranty?

It's an imperfect world we live in -- full of imperfect customers as well.

 

Well yes, I can honestly say that... but I am an adult and, uh, non-retarded. I do agree that the average consumer would likely destroy their machine and go crying to papa sony.

You have a point about warranty coverage.

My problem is that I would NEVER add anything to a notebook that was not shown as a CTO option at the time of purchase.

I just want to start cheap, but have the option to improve the unit in time with only parts that were obviously tested as they were offered with the original CTO.

If they hobble the BIOS... how can I do that?

If the hobble the BIOS... how can I service the machine AFTER THE WARRANTY IS DEAD?

That is the kicker. If they want to hobble the BIOS to protect their own ability to service, fine... but then they should time the hobble to unlock the minute the damn warranty is up... right?

(harumph)

 

Idea: Email [email protected] and ask them "How can I service or upgrade the machine after the warranty is dead?"

I seem to recall people posting that one can purchase a model-specific repair manual from Sony. If that is indeed true, then it would seem your BIOS questions would be answered....

Good luck!