Official VAIO FW Series Owners Thread

[JimGoose]

Dumb question but is using the recovery discs the same thing as formatting the hard drive?

Not a dumb question.

Recovery discs will return your machine to the state it was in when you first booted it right out of the box.

Formatting the hard drive simply wipes off all data on the drive and prepares a blank slate for you to install a new OS.

A lot of people like to format and install the OS separate from the recover discs because often recovery discs also install a bunch of programs that you might find unnecessary, like trial software, bloatware, etc...

p.s. anyone know if the 4650HD shipped with the FW4555 is DDR2 or DDR3? O_O THX

[tc47]

I seem to be experiencing a very strange issue here. When I'm downloading something (anything) I see it going at top speed and everything is fine. During the whole day and even night if I'm up using my laptop. (VGN-FW41M). But when I close the lid overnight (or anytime during the day) and then open the lid hours later or whenever, the download on any program (uTorrent, HTTP downloads, anything) the download basically has not continued since closing the lid. This problem occured in Vista, and initially did NOT occur once I upgraded to Windows 7 so I was content. However, it has started happening everyday since about Friday or so, and it's extremely annoying as it's a become a big habit to leave downloads on and close the lid overnight and during the day and so on.

Could this be an issue with some setting/software and so on or is this a hardware problem? It doesn't make sense if it's a hardware problem though, as it works completely fine all day long with the lid open with standard use.

Would love if this was an easy issue to resolve; there has to be something since it actually worked fine the first week or so with Windows 7 (and if I recall correctly it worked fine with Vista the first few days/weeks as well). I really hope it's some setting or something, appreciate any help whatsover! It's a very frustrating issue

Note: It's nothing to do with power options, since I have chosen "Do nothing" when closing the lid both on battery and on power. And never on screen off, dim display or sleep at any time both on battery and on power. Also, the laptop is wired of course when these issues occur so has nothing to do with power shortage.

Another note is that as SOON as I open the lid and see that no real progress has been made with the download(s), the download speed increases STRAIGHT away and continues to be normal with the lid open.

Thanks for any help!

[Speeedy6]

Issue Update:

So the tech guy came and went. He replaced disc drive and the issues it not as noticeable now although I still notice it a bit. And so, with this in mind, I will be returning it and getting another. Now I just wish the refresh would hurry up!!

My only question is how long do I have to return it once I start the return process?

I have to start the process today or tomorrow otherwise it will be too late.

[damianoshehu55]

Hi guys,

Anyone experiencing a crackling sound (like when u open old doors) when opening or closing the laptop? Mine comes from the power button hinge. It is really irritating me every time i adjust my screen i hear this annoying sound

Thanks guys for your input.

[droso89]

Hey Guys!

Im needing help!.. my sony fw 250 J/H titanium Grey has a scratch on the outside (magnesium case) , does anybody know how to cover it or disappear it?


Also would like to know if you have experienced any problem with the port where you plug in the battery charger, cause it seems like its broken. Hanging, not fully attached like the other side (where the power button is located).

Thanks a lot in advance!.

[Derrida]

My only question is how long do I have to return it once I start the return process?

I have to start the process today or tomorrow otherwise it will be too late.

This is what appeared on my account page when I returned a computer to SonyStyle:
"Please note any advisories, and remember that your Return Order Number (RMA) expires 30 days after issuance. Please ensure we receive your return order by the indicated expiration date.

"Be sure to consult 'Return Information' in Customer Care / FAQs for complete details of Sony’s return policy, for any qualifications which may apply to your return order."

So, I guess you should mosey around the SonyStyle site to read those Customer Care / FAQs. And note that Sony wants to _receive_ the computer back before the end of the RMA period. Count on ten days to two weeks for transcontinental shipping, unfortunately.

Good luck!

[Speeedy6]

This is what appeared on my account page when I returned a computer to SonyStyle:
"Please note any advisories, and remember that your Return Order Number (RMA) expires 30 days after issuance. Please ensure we receive your return order by the indicated expiration date.

"Be sure to consult 'Return Information' in Customer Care / FAQs for complete details of Sony’s return policy, for any qualifications which may apply to your return order."

So, I guess you should mosey around the SonyStyle site to read those Customer Care / FAQs. And note that Sony wants to _receive_ the computer back before the end of the RMA period. Count on ten days to two weeks for transcontinental shipping, unfortunately.

Good luck!

Thanks for that but I already started the process and it only gave me 14 days after the issuance of the RMA. This might be because I waited nearly till the end of the 30 days to return it... Next week it will be in the mail.
Now for that refresh...

[phyx182]

does hd4650 in vaio fw450j uses ddr3 graphics? and is it a big difference between 512ddr3 and 1gb ddr3 hd4650?

[Sony___Rules___!]

Has anybody has issues with the brightness control (Fn+F5/F6) not working properly? When I do a fresh start-up the brightness controls work just fine, but when I bring it back from hibernation they no longer work. Or also when I am on A/C power and then unplug the charger and move to battery power, the brightness controls no longer work. When I hit either Fn+F5 or Fn+F6 I get the brightness OSD bar, but it only shows 1 bar and I can't adjust it up or down.

I tried doing a search in this thread, but I wasn't able to find anyone else with this problem, so I'm hoping somebody can help me out. Is there a specific driver for the brightness controls that I can delete and reinstall? Or does anyone have any idea what else might be causing this problem?

I realize it's been over 10 months, but I was wondering if you found a resolution to your problem. I got a FW-490 and I have the SAME exact problem.

Intel P8700 2.53 GHz|16.4" 1920x1080 XBrite-FullHD|Vista Home Premium 64-bit|4GB DDR2-800|320GB 7200rpm HDD|1024MB ATI HD 4650

[Paulo-VAIO]

I think when you are using battery some options, like brightness get disabled. I remember read somewhere here how to change that option trough Vaio Control Center, but I don't remember where exactly :S

Now a question, does anyone else having troubles with Memory Stick problem?? If I put my 4Gb M2 with an adapter to the port it recognize nothing! I'm thinking maybe I have a defectuous card reader ...