Sony Z screen get very dim for unknown reason

I do know what is going on with my Vaio Z540. It is 1 month old.

Within the first 1 or 2 min, the screen would just get very very dim. I could not get it back on even when I increase the brightness.

Sometime it would dim and sometime it is fine.

I am running the x64 Business Vista on it.

Do you know what is happening?

 

so far, my z540 screen looks good. I think probably the x64 utilities shave some bugs. you better ask the tech support of sony.

 

Yah, is this only happening to me?

But you know x64 is not supported for the Z.

 

yes, I just browse sony.com.
sony does not provide drivers and utlities of z540 for x64 vista.
what utilities did you install to make Fn key work?

 

You mean the F1 and F2? Just the normal Sony Control software. I follow the thread on install of x64 on the Z. I notice when I start install the video drivers, the screen would just get dim and no way to increase the brightness. Sometimes its OK and sometimes it is not. I have not been able to figure out the cause yet. But nobody else is having this problem but me?

 

perhaps others have not installed any 64bit OS's on their Zs.

Perhaps the auto brightness sensor is acting up? or you might be able to deactivate it? If the Z has one that is

 

Actually, I've had this happening when I was doing a clean 32bit install...
when I restart the computer, sometimes when it gets to the log in page the screen is very dim, like it is on the lowest brightness setting (if I remember correctly it might even be less bright than the lowest setting), and no matter how I set the brightness, the brightness does not change. However, upon logging in, once the desktop loads the brightness reverts to normal.

I don't know if my incident has any connection to yours.

 

Yes it get very dim now. I cant get the brightness up. I am going to clean out and start reinstall the x64 again.

I need to use the 64bit OS. I notice there is a pattern to installing it when in delicated video mode vs in integrated graphic mode.

 

Good luck with that, once either sony starts to officially support x64 for the z and gives the drivers on the website, or someone gets a stable working version of it with all functionality, I might jump on board.

Do you notice the massive speed increase?

btw, is the WD5000BEVT faster than the pre-installed HDD?

 

OK, I just format my HD and install 64bit fresh. Everything seems to be working great so far.

I notice my screen begins to fade out and have all this problem in post # 1after I install the Intel video drives and the Nvidia drivers the last time.

Everything is working great so far and no fade out yet. I have boot up and down many times.

We shall see.

I cant wait for Sony to support the Z with 64 bit.

I read from another thread do not get the 3 platter Samsung HD. WD Blue something is the best. I dont know what to compare it with. I took out my default HD after 5 days I got my Z so I never know much of the difference.

 

I believe I will get my WD5000BEVT tomorrow.
I will do some test to make a comprison between it and the pre-installed hdd.
then post the result let you know.

 

Thanks dawn.

Let us know. I didnt have time to play with the original Z when I got it.

 

sounds good,

i just rang the service reps at the sony service center down here in New Zealand, i asked them about the warranty and hard drive upgrades, and they said as long as the upgrade was done properly (i.e. the drive was installed and everything is in the right place), then no, upgrading the hard drive does not void the warranty.

So i guess, when these results of the WD5000BEVT come out, i will jump on the band wagon and upgrade i as well!

 

Hi chong67 and IEASTI,

I have used a WD5000BEVT 500GB to replace the pre-installed toshiba 120G 5400g on my z540, everything is good, speed, amazing quiet, no any noise, no click noise, the only noise I can hear is coming from the CPU fan. 

The temperature is lower than the preinstalled one about 1c. However there is a little vibration when it transfers files or installs some software. mayby I will reopen it, hopefully I can find some reason.

I did find some thread that said WD5000BEVT has noise, on the other hand some said it is quiet, like me. hah. for mine that is really quiet.

The vista experience score is risen from 5.3 to 5.8.

if have some free time, I will do some test, and post the pics to this sony fourm.

 

I just post here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=327468

 

I have solved my problem. Someone here helped me.

DO NOT install both the Intel video drivers and the Nvidia video drivers if you are installing it on the Z540 running on Vista x64 Business!

Only install the Nvidia drivers.

 

what problem? click noise?

 

No, my problem was on Post #1. It is fix now. Thanks!

Yah I still got that clicking noise on my HD. I have learn to live with it.