Vaio Z Startup Screen Flickers and Graphics Card Failures

Hey guys, I have a very amateurish question.

See, when I turn on my Z, the screen glitches two or three times upon hitting the login screen. Does this happen for anyone else?

Sometimes, (it's happened once or twice) my graphics card even failed upon logging in and had to be reloaded, and even, on one occassion, completely shut down my computer (Straight to black, green light turned red) in the middle of casual browsing.

Are these causes for concern? Should I return my laptop?

I'd really appreciate any advice!

 

Considering the Z has two GPUs, and it uses the Intel one as default when not booted into an OS with the correct drivers, yes, the screen will flicker. This is despite you starting up on the Intel card; it still flickers since the OS is loading the required drivers (so that it can allow for hot-switching later on).

If you are talking about the older Z, then I can relate in regards to the crashing. My Z26 came with Vista Business x86, and the video drivers crashed on me randomly, once. It crashed on me two more times when I was doing graphics intensive stuff, which is more understandable.

In regards to the OS starting and something wrong with the video, I once had the graphics not work at all when the Z was at the log-on screen. I had to do a hard-off and rebooted the Z; all was fine.

I don't have these issues now since I'm running a clean installed W7 x64 with W7 drivers.

...Now... If you are talking about the new Z, then I can accept the flickering at startup, but NOT the random crashes like when you are casually browsing the net.

 

Yup, I'm talking about the new Z, unfortunately.

Thanks so much for that explanation. I think I understand now. The complete crash while casually browsing the net happened once, but for that to happen to a new computer I had spent so much money one was unthinkable. Not that I think I am invincible now, but, that was really shocking to see happen..

If it happens even once more, I will call Sony, because that is not right.

I'm also not running my own clean install. I am starting to think about that option though..

Thanks again for the help!

 

my z115 also has this 'problem', the screen flickers just before the windows 7 logon screen comes on.
so i guess this is normal then..due to the twin gpus.

 

Have the same problem too...

 

Screen flickering is normal due to Hybrid Graphics. 5ushiMonster explained it well above. Crashing is another issue.
Have you guys tried:
Official Windows 7 64bit [Nvidia: 188.80 | Intel: 2021]

 

It is not a regular issue where the screen just turns black for a few seconds. When the notebook switches from speed to stamina and back, at least my screens keeps flickering when you drag your mouse arrow over images, links and flash banners.

Sometimes it works flawlessy, but sometimes it just keeps flickering.

 

If you switch with an application open (IE is an example), flickering CAN occur. Not always, but sometimes. If the flickering occurs, closing all IE windows and reopening it resolves it.

Applications are hardware dependent (duh), and they usually, when open, create a log somewhere that lists out the hardware that is in use while opening that application. Now, if you were to switch graphics when this application is OPEN, then you can understand the dilemma the application will go through.
I haven't concluded this, but I think that if you switch graphics with an app open, instead of going over to the stated graphics card (Intel or nVidia), it will load the Windows stock (the default) VGA driver for that application only, until you restart that application again. This sometimes happens more times than others, which I've yet to find out.

@Nads
The more expensive the toy, more we children expect out of it... Everything has its flaws. But if it crashes on you numerous times (ie, 2 times or more on the same day randomly), then you know you have a problem.
But yeah, if you feel you need to return it, try a clean installed OS with Nautis's drivers. Well, try them first and if they don't work, clean install W7 again and try Sony's latest stock drivers.
And calling (and emailing Sony) doesn't get you anywhere unless you FIRMLY tell them you wish to return it. They just say install the latest official drivers. One fellow actually told me to go install from nVidia's site (= losing hybrid capabilities).