VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Odd issue with my SB, whenever i connect an external monitor via VGA i get these almost imperceptible but definitely there thin grey lines on the external screen (the laptop's display is unaffected.) I can minimize the issue by cranking up refresh rates over 80 on the external screen but i can't make the lines disappear completely. I've tested this on 3 different screens and its consistent. HDMI output seems fine. I've also tried going to the monitor's DVI inputs using an adapter (thinking it might just be a badly shielded VGA connection but that didn't work.) I'm considering returning the computer but i wanted to know if any other SB owners had this issue, in which case i'll return it and look for another machine altogether.

I've got the i7 with the 6630m.

 

Did this get sorted out????

I'm thinking of getting the SB and using it quite often with an external monitor. So this would def be a deal-breaker. Anyone else seen this issue?

This might be a long-shot.. but are the lines kind of vibrating... and do they only show up when the screen is displaying darker colors? That happened to me with a different laptop, and the reason turned out to be electronic interference due to a grounding issue. See if the lines go away when you unplug your laptop from the charger (or the charger from the wall socket).

 

I run an external monitor through VGA and have no problems like the TS. But I am not able to find out how to run my Samsung TFT on native, the Vaio doesn´t let me go over 1024x768. Still have to figure out.

 

Is this tft one that allows renaming of inputs? I've seen Samsung displays that would only work right with a PC input when you actually named the input "PC".

 

Thanks for the input vinneh.

No, it is a Samsung Syncmaster 940BF. Couldn´t find any drivers online unfortunately. But thing is, my Acer Timeline-X (2010) has no problems with it at all. Native resolution is working perfectly well with it.

I saw that Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel lets you set your own res. but gives a warning about stability issues and damage it can cause. Honestly then I prefer not to put a custom res. Need to check that out further, but couldn´t find any info on it yet. I am also bit surprised this is an Intel tool, though I am using the Radeon (Speed) at the moment.

 

Thanks for the suggestion (i'll look into it next time i'm near one of my external monitors.) I was wondering if it might be interference as well, though its the first time any of my laptops have had an issue like this. I've found that the lines go away if i up the contrast on the monitor by 2pts. Well "go away" is probably inaccurate, they're most likely still there and can almost be seen if i look for them hard enough but they've been contrasted out.

I'm in a position where i need the computer now and can live with it but i might end up sending it in for service a couple of months down the road.

 

It is a little odd to have the Intel panel come up even when you're on speed but if ATI hybrid graphics are anything like Nvidia, everything is actually run through the intel chip. Or rather it's the intel chip that's actually connecting to the VGA and HDMI outputs, which is why I believe we need hybrid graphic driver packages as opposed to just being able to install the intel driver while on "stamina," and the ATI driver while on "speed" seperately. Though i could be wrong.

 

I need to do a research on the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel. For now I wrote Sony, lets see what they say. Will keep you posted, maybe the things are somehow connected.

 

I'm not sure if this is the case, but maybe the VGA output on the SB only runs on the Intel integrated card? (Kinda like how if you want HDMI output on the Vaio Z you need to be on the Nvidia card). I dunno maybe try outputting on VGA in stamina mode? (or just get an HDMI cable...)

 

I would have used HDMI if the Monitor supported it The guess with the VGA might be right, but still it doesn´t give me higher resolution in stamina either. Just the custom resolution-settings, which I fear could break something.

 

I don't think it's like the Z, i can get output on both VGA and HDMI in both modes (granted i have an issue with the VGA but it happens in both "stamina" and "speed" modes.). With the Z you get that message that tells you that if you want HDMI out to switch it over to "speed" mode, no such message on the SB.

 

I also had some problem on VGA port. Image was not clear and on white background, it can see small line scan in horizontal

my laptop is i7 with AMD 6470.

Any solution?

 

Does it happen when your laptop is running on battery?

 

happen on both battery and plug

 

I experience the issue on both battery and when it's plugged in. I'm guessing you're thinking that bad grounding might be the culprit. I still wouldn't rule it out (even though it happens on both batt and plugged in), it could potentially be happening inside the chassis, either at the power plug, battery or near the VGA port.

 

Is your HDMI working correctly?

 

My HDMI work correctly. There is a problem only VGA port.

 

So I bought a hdmi to dvi cable. Now everything is flawless. Maybe it helps someone.

 

Good to hear, i'm waiting on one from monoprice.

 

Edit: so i got my cable (HDMI to DVI) from monoprice, only tried it on one screen, but it worked, no funny lines.

This isn't much of a solution; sure it works but my VGA is pretty much borked though it does work so i'm kind of conflicted. Won't return the machine though i'll send it in for repair at some point in the future.

 

Happy that works! Question is, if the vga is totally borked or just not working correctly with your monitor.

 

The VGA I tried on 4 different monitors (two 19" 1280x1024 dells, a samsung sync master 1900x1080, and another dell 1600x1080, my resolutions might be off, i'm typing this from memory) lines on all of them. For a while what i was doing was increasing the contrast (2-4pts) in the intel control panel but that was just masking the problem and making everything a little more contrast-y than it should be.

The HDMI-DVI cable, i've only tried on one monitor (one of the 19".) I'm going to try a few more monitors in the office before i call it a permanent option but it does seem to work. I also got a HDMI to mini-Displayport cable to try out (we have one of those 27" mac displays in the office.)

I'm still leaning towards the VGA lines being some sort of improper shielding or some sort of interference simply because the digital out seems to work fine. But who knows?

 

^Are you using different VGA cables with each monitor you tested or the same cable?

 

1 cable for the monitors at work (3 dells,) 1 cable for the monitor at home (samsung,) same issue.

Have been using an M11x at home as the control, and a vaio Z as the control at work. Same cables/monitors at both locations, both computers fail to produce the horizontal lines.


I should also mention that increasing the refresh rates for the monitors helped to minimize the lines.

Edit: Finally got a chance to try the samsung at home. It works fine with the HDMI-DVI cable, getting full 1900x1200 res w/o lines.

This particular monitor has an HDMI in as well. With all my other laptops plugging HDMI<-->HDMI seems to work fine. With this one for some reason when i go HDMI<-->HDMI it decides that the monitor is a TV and tries to apply interlaced resolutions and settings which just makes everything look F'ed up. I know there's someone in the owners thread who said he was having the grey lines as well as some weird things happening over HDMI, i'm wondering if its a similar problem.

 

I am having a similar problem on my SB that my usual Home page is blury when outputed through the VGA port from either Stamina or Speed mode when connected to my Samsung 2233GW monitor.

I notice my 3 year old Thinkpad X61 gives a crystal clear picture on the same Samsung monitor at

65.4kHz and 60Hz (monitor's information screen)

the SB when connnected to the same monitor shows

64.4kHz and 60Hz

tried an older Viewsonic LCD and my SB still output a blurry picture at slightly lower vertical/horizontal sync frequncy. Is there anyway to manually adjust the output frequency?

 

The only way to overcome this is to use the HDMI output to DVI input on external monitor.
This cable is not easy to find either.

I haven't found a fix to this issue to date!!!

Has anyone also experienced the very noisy fan and 'whining' sound when the processor is pushed. This often leads to the screen display showing an error and the relevant program closing!!!

 

Cable is easy to find.

VGA/DVI/HDMI Adapters

Video Cables - HDMI & DVI

 

Thanks for the links, should have stated I was actually referring to purchasing from a physical store in South Africa

 

Im just using the hdmi-dvi converter + hdmi cable. works perfectly . Lot of graphics card come with the converter.

 

Finally got rid of the Sony and replaced with the new Thinkpad X1 i7
And to be honest, have never looked back, it is superb and everything works as it should.
My Sony days (last 3 laptops were Sony) are over!