Sony Vaio S13P: Questions after two months of usage

Hi there!

I'm owning the S13P (Windows 7 model) now for around two months. In the daily use under Windows 8 some questions arised. Maybe someone here is able to answer them:

1. After installing Windows 8 and various drivers from the Sony homepage there is still one unidentified device in the device manager:

Device USB\VID_0000&PID_0002\6&38b1edab&0&4 was configured.

Driver Name: null
Class GUID: {00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000}
Driver Date:
Driver Version:
Driver Provider:
Driver Section:
Driver Rank: 0x0
Matching Device ID:
Outranked Drivers:
Device Updated: false

Does anybody has an idea which driver might be missing?

2. I'm using the notebok as a desktop replacement system. To be able to unplug the notebook very quick I'm using an USB hub which is connected to one of the not powered USB ports. Everytime i switch
the machine into the hibernation mode all USB devices including an illuminated mouse pad remains powered. Any idea how to disable the power completely without shutting the machine down?

3. Is it possible to turn the fan of the notebook completly off? Even when I'm only browsing through the web in stamina mode (with priority silent mode) the fan is still audible, although my temperatures aren't very high (Core i7: 52°, HD Graphics 4000: 55°, GeforceGT 640M LE 43° (Shouldn't the temperature be lower when the chip is disabled in 2d mode?). I already tried to use SpeedFan, but it seems like the fan is currently not recognized by the tool.

4. Does it make sense to repaste the CPU and GPU with artic silver 5 to reduce the heat?

5. Is it somehow possible to undervolt the Core i7 or the GeforeceGT to reduce the heat?

6. Currently the notebook is connected to an external 24 inch screen using a HDMI cable. In the future I'm planing to switch to a 27 or 30 inch screen which has a higher resolution than the maximum of HDMI (1920x1200). Usually such screens are connected via an dual DVI port, which is missing at the sony notebook. Is it somehow possible to connect such a screen to the notebook? Mayby there is a USB3 -> dual DVI adapter?

I would be glad if somebody answers my questions ...

Have a nice day!

Markus

 

1. Wireless state device driver most likely. Saw some mention of this on other Sony threads. Try this link.

2. Afaik, this may be disabled in BIOS on some machines, otherwise go into power options, select Advanced, and under the USB Header check the USB Selective Suspend option. I think disabling that disabled the power feed during sleep/hibernation.

3. Can't help you with this unfortunately

4. Definitely, although you should consider the slightly more efficient and more viscuous Prolimatech PK-1 on bare dies.

5. The CPU is impossible without delving into things like pin mods, and the GPU doesn't appear to be undervoltable. Still, both components are running pretty cold anyway... Repasting will probably be useful in holding the fan noise down.

6. Not USB 3 to DVI, sine that has a max resolution around 2100x1100, but you can use a USB 3 to DisplayPort adapter (if you don't already have displayport).

Hope it helps a little.

 

2. I am running a similar setup, but mine is actually a powered usb 3.0 x3 2.0 x4 port. Same thing, but it stops whenever I switch off power. I would follow Sangemaru on this one.

3. Might be solved by going into energy settings and limiting the CPU. For example, when disconnected I set mine to a maximum processor state of 60%. Fast enough for browsing and keeps the laptop completely silent. Just make sure you pick the right profile (energy-saving / balanced / Performance) and experiment a bit.
You can leave it to howling typhoons under performance, but even here I would suggest limiting the CPU to 99%. The reason why is because the Turbo-mode of the processor sometimes kicks... only to turn off moments later, leaving you with sometimes choppy performance in gaming.

4. I toyed with the idea, but I cannot risk disabling my laptop. According to people who did it, the difference is minimal (1-2C)

 

I have a E series laptop and the fan is loud also. Seems like this is the way it is with Sony laptops. The fan spins constantly and too fast. The temperatures are always below 40°C, so no need to turn that fast. You should sent an email to Sony support (I did), if a lot af people mention this, maybe they will listen and try to fix this.

 

This is very good idea. I'll do it right away and hope many others will do it as well.

(temp ~ 40 and fan is spinning. My acer/toshiba/asus they all stop the fan if temp. is under 50 = total silence)

 

Thanks for your answers

1. Installing the Sony Wireless State device driver didn't solve the problem. Any other ideas which device may be missing?

2. When the USB selective option is disabled the USB ports aren't powered any longer, when the notebook is in hibernation mode. Wonderful

3. Setting the maximum processor state to 60% didn't really make my notebook more quiet. How did you achieve temperatures around 40°? My notebook is currently placed on the (disabled) notebook stand Zalman ZM-NC 1000. When browsing my temperatures are at something around 55°. On which underground is your notebook standing? I'm planing to replace my stand with the Sony docking station. Is somebody already using the station?

4. For 1 or 2 degrees it doesn't make sense to disassembly the whole notebook. Thanks for this information.

6. Unfortunately the S13 doesn't have a display port connector neither. I'm planing to buy n Dell UltraSharp U2713HM and to connect it via such an adapte with the notebook. I hope that it will work even when I play movies or games.

According to the noise of the fan I will write Sony a mail as well. Maybe they release a new bios with "smarter" fan settings. Otherwise we probably have to wait until there is a modded bios available.

Best regards,

Markus

 

1. Is your SD card reader working? I had a similar issue and needed to install the Ricoh SD card reader driver from Sony. After that, Windows update got me a better driver, and now all is well. Be aware that I have a much older/different model.

2. Thanks for the feedback. Good to know.

6. Have you tried HDMI and 'custom resolution'? Search this forum for threads about higher resolutions - people have been using high-res monitors attached to VAIOs. I haven't paid much attention because the highest res monitor I have is 1080p. People like ComputerCowboy should know more about it.