VAIO FZ290 Processor speed different under Device Manager + Camera now working

Hi Folks,

I just got my fz290 (2.2ghz)yesterday. I was surprised to see processor speed listed as 1.8 ghz under Device Manager. Whereas if i look under properties in my computer it is showing proper value of 2.2 ghz. Im bit confused why Device manager is showing lesser processor speed. Does anybody else have the same problem? Can anyone please explain.

Also, my built in camera is not working, there is no imaging device showing under device manager. I tried reinstalling camera capture utility and also the driver from sony website. still not working.

When i start camera capture utility, i get a blue screen with NO INPUT mentioned. Please help.

Thanks in advance!

 

The speed issue has been discussed here numerous times. But it comes down to the fact that Sony uses a single image to load on several models in the FZ lineup. The one they use was built on a 1.8ghz machine so that's what shows in device manager. This is purely cosmetic. It does not affect performance in any way. There was reports of a possible "fix" if you really must have it display the proper speed. Search this forum using the search box at the TOP of each screen here for more details. (Do NOT use the search drop down boxes. They are just about useless.)

As to the camera issue you need to tell us the specifics of the error. Again there are a few threads about this issue as well that a search will uncover for you.

Gary

 

Wow, thanks, that was fast! Sorry for not doing the search before posting.

When i start the camera capture utility, the software opens up doesnt throw any error but instead of any image it just shows a blue screen with the text 'NO INPUT' on the top left corner. If i then go to settings-> Cam/Mic Selection tab, there is no camera listed in the drop down. And also if i go to device manager i cant find an entry for the camera.

I tried reinstalling camera capture utility, the driver and also the microsoft hotfix for camera not working is also already installed. Please help.

 

No problem about the search. I just wanted to be sure you realized that the search box at the top of each page does a great job. The drop down ones are JUNK. (They don't allow two character search arguments like FZ or XP. The one at the top of the page does.)

RE: the camera. The device manager is the telling tale here. Do you see an Imaging Devices section? Until it shows up there nothing else will see it. Since you got it yesterday did the camera EVER work? If so what has been installed, changed or uninstalled since then?

Gary

 

No, there is no entry for imaging devices in device manager. I searched the forum on this but most of them are having problem with initializing device etc but for me its not even recognized. Is there some service that needs to be started or something?

Well, since i got it yesterday, i have removed adobe, microsoft workbook and few other such software. The camera never worked. Today, i tried installing Sony® Shared Library and then Sony® Notebook Utilities and then Sony® Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC8 driver based on advice by sony support people over phone. but nothing seems to work. im not getting the camera under device manager and even if i give add hardware and do a manual add for section imaging devices, it just shows xerox workcentre pro scanner under available list. i dont know what the problem is. very frustrating it is.

 

You should restart your notebook after installing the sony camera driver. Well you can do a clean install of vista if you wish to. I will post the instructions if you want. You don't need a vista dvd for this.


Rajesh

 

Thanks Coolguy. I did restart the machine after installing the driver and several times after that too. Its not working.

I dont want to do a clean install as yet, the laptop is just 2 days old. Is there any other way please?

 

I think the fact that it has not EVER been functional is the telling tale. I honestly think you have a hardware issue.

Here is my suggestion, from the sounds of things you have only uninstalled a few things and not installed anything new yet. So, I would backup any documents you have created to a CD, and then restore the machine to its "out of the box" state. Then see if the camera works. If not, back to the store it goes.

You have already done the obvious things, by reinstalling the driver. (The application reinstall is superfluous as the camera isn't even showing up in device manager!)

The restore of the machine is very easy and won't take a lot of time. Just power off and back on, as soon as you see the power back on hit the F10 key. This will take you to a menu which will allow you to restore from the hidden partition.

Gary

 

Yes recovery to the factory stage will be the best option now.

 

Hi Gary and Coolguy,

I did a recovery to factory settings with the help of the sony support and it still did not work. The support guy has now given me the sony returns contact numbers. I will have to call them tomorrow.

Im not sure how long a replacement is going to take? do u guys have any idea. Is it a good idea to just return it and ask for a refund in hopes of the price dropping?

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

Are they willing to replace or send it for repair. If they say repair don't accept it. Just return it and get a refund. That's how I got into trouble, when I sent my previous notebook for repair, they returned it back with so many scratches.

 

I didnt talk to them yet, their work hours is 8am-9pm. I will be calling them up first thing in the morning. Like you said i will either ask for a refund or a replacement.

 

Since this model was just recently released and we are already in the holiday buying season, I doubt if there will be any price reductions soon. I don't have any experience on the timing of replacements. Others here have reported quick results.

Gary

 

Hi Gary,

Thanks for all the info you provided. It was really helpful. I have now got a RMA number and will be shipping the laptop back to sony tomorrow.

Im really disappointed though because i have to part with this really wonderful notebook.

 

Are you getting a replacement?

 

Nope, I asked them and they said they dont have a replacement option. They will credit my account and I will have to place a fresh order.

 

WHAT???? There is no way I would have taken that answer. You should have, come to think of it you still should, asked to speak to the supervisor and tell them you want a replacement sent. Tell them you are going to have to wait for the return to be posted to your credit card before you can purchase another unit. Don't take no for an answer. Keep asking, POLITELY but firmly to be escalated to the supervisor of any person who says no, until you get someone who says yes.

Have the RMA number in hand when you call back.

Gary

 

Hi Gary,

I called sony support back after reading your message. They just keep repeating that as per policy they dont have a so called exchange option, within 30 days i only have two options refund or repair. Since I didnt want the repair option, i had to choose the other. Apparently, i can get a replacement only after 30 days and if it is under warranty and if it is certified by their support people that it cannot be repaired.

In total i have spent close to 7 hours on call, spoken to about a dozen different people. Today morning i shipped the laptop back to them. Sony paid for the shipping.

But still Im at a loss, i bought the laptop online using discount coupon, i just paid 1300 inc of tax, for 2.2ghz, 2gb ram, 200gb hard disk, hicolor screen, extended battery. Same config now is costing me 200 bucks more.

Should i still be going ahead and buying the same model or is there any other brand which has a display as good as this one and with a similar price.

Thanks Gary and Coolguy for all your inputs.

 

The display is second to none. So stick with the FZ. I still think you have a case with the Sony folks that they should at least extend to you the $200 discount. When you talked to Sony, did you get this escalated to a supervisor? The first tier folks have very little latitude in what they can do, the second and third tier folks have much more.

Gary

 

Yeah, I spoke to the supervisor and we had a lengthy conversation. I told them that it was all their fault, they send a faulty product, i spend hours with their support people and now i have to send it back and buy again. She agreed, she apologized severa; times, but she said, as per policy they dont have any exchange.

I felt i was just wasting time talking to all those people, I didnt want to take it beyond that, so i left it at that.

 

I paid for the return shipping of my notebook. In this way you are lucky. Sony's return/replacement policy is so sick.

Talking to Sony's tech support is another waste of time, yes, really.

Still you can get a price match for your second notebook.

 

Not always. Yes the tier one "script readers" are pretty much useless if your problem falls outside of any of their scripts. But if you politely, but firmly, insist on escalation to tier two, those folks are actually not bad at all. And if they can't help you can actually get escalated to an engineer! I've dealt with tier two on three occasions and an engineer once. Those were really good experiences too.

The key with all of this was being nice, but at the same time making it clear to the tier one folks that I knew exactly what I was talking about in each situation. I didn't berate them or get angry, but made sure they knew that I was an IT professional of over 35 years and a developer well versed in software and hardware.


Gary