Vaio Z with Windows 7 Lock Up Power Problem

Going to see if anyone has a suggestion. I believe this is only when in "Stamina" mode but I need to test more to see if it's also in "Speed" mode. The problem I have is when I take the laptop off a power source and use it with the battery for a while. When I go to plug it back in to power it locks up completely. No Ctl-Alt-Del just totally frozen and have to power cycle.

Note that if I just unplug the power and plug it back in it doesn't seem to happen. It's when I have had it off for a while.

 

Still haven't figured this one out yet. Not sure if it's the chipset or what but it's verry annoying. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Do you have built in WWAN module?

 

Yes. I do. Sprint. I don't have it on when this happens if that matters at all.

 

I have built in SonyEricsson EDGE. When it's off (No LED light), system tray shows it still mounted and this is the problem! Windows 7 can not unmount it before the shut down process and hangs up!

 

I just received my new Vaio Z890 and it has the same problem (in both stamina and speed modes). Very, very frustrating! I had this exact same problem with my last laptop (an HP) and was one of the reasons I desperately wanted a new laptop. I can't believe this one has the same issue!

 

Since you just got your PC, I would call Sony (it is under warrenty). I am wondering if it is a bad power adapter that is causing the issue. This doesn't seem like an issue everyone is having, which tells me something is faulty on your PC.

 

mine has just started with the Windows 7 install. I never had the problem with Vista so I think it has to do with a driver that may need changed. I just don't know which one to start with.

 

I dont think Sony will update these WWAN drivers, because EDGE modem is an outdated technology....

 

I dont have any problem with mine Z591.Updated from Vista Ultimate 32 to windows 7 Ultimate 64.

 

I have the same issue with my Z690. It only happens 1 out of 10 times or so, but it's still frustrating. I upgraded to Windows 7 almost immediately after getting it, so I'm not sure if it's a driver issue or something else.

 

I have the same issue. It happened today when I have been troubleshooting something related to this.
The issue I have is that the computer will lock up after it has been in sleep mode, woken up, and then the power supply is connected. Today I had what the OP has written about but before I had a slightly different symptom.
It seems that if I was in sleep mode, then I woke the computer up, then connected the power supply, after a couple of minutes of use the following will happen: If I click on an application (in the quick launch bar or on the desktop), it starts to load but then never shows on the screen. If I click on another ap the same happens. I then get the spinning circle and nothing I will do will ever let me gain control. I have to power down. Even ctrl-alt-del doesn't work. This implies that the computer is stuck in a very low level application such as a driver.
This does not happen unless I use the sleep mode.
I have so far removed several sony utilities, the latest of which is the power management program. So far it has not happened.
IN all my years of using computers (many high end builds including water cooled systems) most issues I have had is with sleep modes.
So far my guess is that this is the issue.
I'm working on it.

 

This is not the first thread to appear on this issue if my memory serves me right. It would be helpful if those who experienced the problem stated

(1) their model,
(2) BIOS version AND:
(3) what AC adapter they use when the problem occurs (for example VAIO Z has two "official" adapters: standard and travel),
(4) is the adapter properly grounded, i.e. if your adapter has a three-prong plug, does the power outlet have a "ground" wire?

The reason I mention this is because the problem may be totally unrelated to a driver, or laptop. It may simply be an adapter or grounding issue.

 

I'm pretty sure that I have resolved this issue. I removed the sony software "powermanager" from the programs and features of Windows 7 64bit.
I don't really see ythe point of having the Sony version of this. All features seem to be part of the standard windows 7 functionality.
Anyhow, the computer no longer locks up after a fair bit of testing. And, the screen brightness now works as it is supposed to, which wasn't always the case!

 

Going to try that tomorrow. Yeah not sure what Vaio power management really adds to the mix besides being able to run off individual devices and such through power management. I never use it though.

 

Give it a shot. It's now three days without any issue whereas before I would have the problem whenever I went from standby and then plugged in the power.
I can now, put it in standby or hibernate with not issues, even trying many cvombinations of power cord in and out and at various stages of use.
Finally, my laptop is rock solid.

 

I've got both power adapters, and Z555DNB (pre-config model in Canada). Running a clean Win7 64-bit installation, however I have had this exact issue since the day I got my Z. For awhile, when I was running a clean Vista installation, it went away, but it has recently come back after the Win7 install.

My observation so far is that if I allow it to dim the screen into power saver mode, or if the hdd protection is activated prior to plugging AC power back in, then it locks up. However, if I keep the mouse moving when plugging in... it seems to be okay? Definitely a strange and irritating issue... but I've just sorta given up and learned to live with it >.<

 

Well, all my previous posts are useless. My lock ups continued, so I reinstalled a basic win7 from the recovery disks. I have had no random lockups, but today, I plugged the power in and the system locked hard.
I do not have a WWAN adapter. System was in speed mode.

Model vgn-z840D
WIN 7 PRO 64

 

I have had the same problem with two different Z880G's. My original purchase was on 12/8/2009. It kept Freezing with no apparent correlation with unplugging/ plugging in the power supply. Sony Style store replaced the unit on 1/8/2010.
Now (2/17/2010) I'm having the same issue with the new unit. This time it is highly correlated but not always with unplugging/ plugging in the power supply and is happening much more often.
It is NOT related to Start-up and Services programs as it still happened after disabling them.

1) Sony model: VGN-Z880G
2) BIOS version, date: INSYDE R5031M, 11/10/2009
3) Properly Grounded 19.5V~4.7A, 120V~1.5A AC Adapter has lots of numbers: NSW24063, N50, VGP-AC19V36, 090031-11, Under Bar code- 148734521 0011179, PA-1900-11SJ

 

I get it occaisionaly with my Z4. (Win7 64-bit ultimate)
Can you try pluging in the power adapter first and then connect it to the power source? Does it make a difference?

 

I get this symptom also when i am on battery and plug it back in.

I am not sure if it is driver related.
before the re-installation of windows 7, i had this symptom frequently happening. Since I reinstalled windows 7, I only installed several sony utilities + drivers on it and it hasn't been locked up yet from plugging back in.

In some sense, it might be some kind of built in protection activated when the power source changes that behaves abnormally.

Sometimes I hear really loud whining like electrostatic noise near where power plug goes in.

I bought sony because of known build quality and i am really worried whether it is going to explode from electric short.

 

Just the symptoms sound like a Speedstep issue IMO. So this only happens on the OEM Win7 image, and since reinstallation of Win7, you don't have this issue anymore?

 

The Sony technical support installed different power management program. I took it home and the problem repeated the first time I plugged it in.
I returned the unit for a full refund. Glad I kept an event log.
End of story for me.

 

I still have lockups/freeze, i tried to reinstall OS's windows 7, windows server 2008 R2.

without and with installing necessary drivers, I still get the freeze/ lockup.
b/c i thought driver conflicts were causing this problem, I tried to reinstall OS for more than enough (at least 20times, it's good to have intel 160 G2)

i figured out when it exactly happens. It only happens when it's on battery for over appx. 10~15 mins and connected to AC power.

I tried to solve this but apparently there is no solution.

I talked to 4 different customer service reps today in 2 hours and they kept asking for a proof of purchase although i bought it from sonystyle.com
WTHeck, they want me to fax a receipt... and i asked them if i just scan it and send it to them by email.... not a chance...-_-;;

anyway, I believe this will be the last time i will be using a vaio laptop.
I, at least, spent over 400hrs to resolve issues with this single vaio Z690.

I returned 4 Z690's and this is 5th one which came with a crack on the bottom and I mistakenly thought they were going to fix this for free since it was only several days from the purchase. I had to pay $160... and it came with scratches all over.. I had to send it again for replacing damaged part and it came with whining noise all of sudden. the whole process took me 45days.. to be able to get it back for use....

SONY VAIO = TOYOTA

 

I have a Z570N with Windows 7 installed, with the drivers from this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=427883

I do not have Vaio battery checker, or power management installed.

However, I was using my laptop without battery for >15 min, and then I closed my lid and computer went to sleep. I went ahead and plugged into AC power. When I opened my lid, the orange light went green, but the computer froze, with the screen still blank/black. Non-responsive to everything, so I had to hard reset it.

Luckily I had everything saved, so didn't lose anything. But I can just see this becoming a problem in the future.

-------------
Update 1: My bad guys. I don't even have to connect it to AC power. If I am on battery power, and I put my laptop to sleep after >15 min of use, it never sleeps. It freezes. Screen goes blank, but the light never turns to orange. Even worse than I thought. I am going to disable VAIO Smart Network. I will see if that helps. Will post any updates.
------------
Update 2: I can't seem to replicate the problem at the moment. grrr..

 

I have the same problem quite frequently...
Standby (when closing the lid) often does not work properly. The Z will just not go in standby-mode. I have not tired yet to remove any drivers or change a lot of settings.
However, I went to the habit to use the power button to go into hibernation before closing the lid. I have not tried yet to apply "hibernation" as a lid-action. In addtion, I only plug in the AC adapter when the computer is off or is hibernating or is starting up (until the Window logo turns on). So far, this "work-around" worked without problems.
Since I am waiting for a SSD to arrive to change the HDD in my Z, I did not bother too much and I was hoping, that the problem will be solved with a new setup of Win7. (With the SSD hibernation should almost be as quick as standby...)

I wonder if anyone with VISTA and previous drivers has this problem?

 

What version of Protection Suite are you all using? The fact that it happens when the system is going into sleep, or when waking from sleep, times when the protection is engaged/disengaged, it could be the software causing freezes.

I am using Protection Suite 2009 ver 5.9.2.5746.
I am using Vaio Smart Network 3.0.0.09080.

I am thinking its one of these two piece of software. I know my protection suite freezes time to time.

 

I am using PS 5.9.2.5846
and Smart Network 3.0.0.09080

This still would not explain the AC-plug-in-freeze however...

I will try uninstalling the PS and see what happens...

 

You do not have Vaio power management installed right?

 

Yes!

I have uninstalled PS. Since I only need it with to login, which apparently also works without it based on Win7's proprietary finger print recognition, I figured, that I do not really need it...
I will see if it makes a change.

 

Since yesterday after uninstalling PS I have no problems with my Z not to go into standby mode when closing the lid... I hope it stays like this

 

After two days, still no problem so far... It really might have been the PS or I assume its finger print recognition engine. I also did not have any power freezes when pluging in the ac adapter... still waiting for this to happen. Hope it does not

 

I have also uninstalled Protection Suite since we last spoke, and I haven't had any freezes either, even though I am trying my best to replicate the problem by setting up the proper, or should I say improper, environment when the freezing typically occurs. Best of luck to both of us.

 

sounds great
I also started trying hard to replicate but not luck so far
Does Win7 native finger print recognition work for you?

 

Yah, win7 biometric software seems to work fine. At the logon screen, its bit slower to show up (I only have the standard password login available for like few seconds before the fingerprint entry option shows up), but that's the only time I ever seem to use it.

I use Google Chrome, and even Protection Suite does not support that for website login. So other than windows login, my fingerprint reader is not used.

Are you having problems with the win7 biometric software? All my settings for PS was still valid for Win7, since I am using the UPEK fingerprint driver, so I didn't have to do anything to set that up myself. However, if its not setup properly, you can modify settings from Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Biometric Devices

 

Actually it is working fine. As far as I know, UPEK has two driver versions, one that supports the win7 native fingerprint and one that does not but offers more options within the PS software.
Since I only use it for logon, I am happy it works without PS. And since I hardly ever reboot my notebook but go into hibernation or standby, the fingerprint option for logon turns on quickly...

 

Short update after a week...
I had a freeze just one time. That is about 90% less than before. I only rebooted two or three times during the last week, only because I thought it might be a good idea now and then Any other time, I would either hibernate or go into standby... with or without ac power... only one freeze during this time.

So even I cannot say for sure that it was/is the PS software, uninstalling it apparently made a huge difference. No lock ups anymore, only one freeze after standby... (Which could have been something else).
Compared to the state before, where I got a freeze at least once or twice a day and a lock up probably every second day, it is a blessing...

 

I have the exact same computer spec as you, except for 320GB HDD instead of 400GB. Maybe you should try re-installing windows 7 again, and this time, don't install Protection Suite from the start.

Also, try to see if you have lockups when you're turned off wireless service (with that physical slider) before you go into hibernation/sleep.

I don't particularly like the Vaio Smart Network. It by default tries to assign DNS (a wrong one at that) to the network profiles. Took me a while to figure out what was going on. And its bit slow and buggy. Too bad they don't have anything else in 64-bit that can do the same thing.

 

I have to say that I am happy right now since I have not had any problems since PS is gone but one lock up after hibernation.
What about you?

I will install win7 from the scratch next week once I got my 256GB C300 SSD
How do you enter/register finger print data for login without PS/Install the proper driver without installing the software?

 

Install the fingerprint driver but don't install the PS software. The Biometric setting should appear automatically in the Control Panel.

I haven't had any freezes since I've uninstalled PS.

 

Thanks!

Will try