Official Sony VAIO F Series i5/i7 owners thread *Part 3*

[DouglasK]

Thanks for the responses. I will probably stick with a HDD for the present but would still like to find the guide for replacing the HDD with an SSD - not using the optical drive, for when the SSD prices become more reasonable.
Thanks
Douglas

[shurmano]

"Your VAIO_notebook is Not Affected part of the series." - Well what else do you want to confirm that you don't need a BIOS update?

Start > search: System Information & check the BIOS details.

The update is R0280Y6, so if you have that or more recent, there is no point in trying to update & messing up your system.

I would believe eSupport.

Search this Thread with: Everest or go back 10 pages & read.

According to the everest program, the version of the bios is "DMI BIOS Version R0260Y6"

Should I upgrade?

[Joe Bleau]

According to the everest program, the version of the bios is "DMI BIOS Version R0260Y6"

Should I upgrade?

My F11_OEM BIOS was R0250Y6 & my Vaio_eSupport page said to upgrade to R0280Y6 which I did.

Now your Vaio_eSupport page says that your model does not need to be updated. Does R0280Y6 change anything, brings any benefit compared to your R0260Y6? I dunno.

You could write or phone VAIO_Support with your serial number if not listed to be on the safe side as you can't roll back once updated.

[Iznogoud]

So, does anyone make a VGA-> Svideo adaptor or an HDMI-> Svideo adaptor that would support the GT330m's analog output? Is there such a thing? Oh boy

Hi OoTLink!

Maybe Monoprice can help you...

Analog / Digital Format Converters

For only $138.72 each when QTY 50+ purchased - HDFURY2 - HDMI TO VGA/Component(RGB/Y,Pr,Pb) CONVERTER *BLUE EDITION* (STANDARD EDITION) | HDFury - HDMI(DVI) to RGB Converters

It is HDMI to RGB, but you don't want to convert HDMI to S-Video.


S-Video was used on old CRT TV 20", 27", 32", 36"

[Fishon]

Yes, System Restore is often the easiest way to fix things. Sometimes a simple Windows update, VAIO_update, software we install or tweak we do can mess up stuff.

What part of Vaio_Care was not working? What symptoms?

For a while Vaio One Click Care would work, but never detect any updates. Ignored it for a long time since I was in the habit of always updating software through manufacturers websites. Yesterday, Vaio Care would not work at all and message stated program not responding. Sony support guy in Costa Rica took control of my laptop, just went for a system restore, with no luck. He told me only a reformat would fix it. After getting off the phone with him I picked another restore date further back in time( after a Windows update). After my system restore, all is well and now the updates are detected too. I wonder why we and/or Sony cannot remove/install this program? Anyway, I have a happy conclusion.

[Jacol]

I wonder how much temperature drop we would gain if standard thermal paste was removed, and Collaboratory paste or pad would be applied or even Zalman STG.

[Fishon]

I read how Joe has memory usage under 1GB. I don't know how to get mine that low.

Here is mine. Granted, I never shut my computer down (well, perhaps once a week or after an update of some sort...but otherwise it is left on 24/7).



I am around 1.3GB at idle. There are times when I am over 7GB, but this is my normal range. I have a total of 5 startup items. Included in the 5 are Huey Pro (display calibration), Microsoft Security Essentials (internet security), Realtek audio driver, SmartWI helper and Bluetooth software. I could do without the bluetooth because I don't have bluetooth devices, but other than that, I have no idea what else I could do without.

Prefetch, Superfetch, disk indexing, paging file are all turned off, so those services are not running or using resources either.

I have plenty of RAM, so I am not worried about my usage, but I am totally perplexed on how to get usage any lower.

I'm at 1.140 at idle with 12 startups.

[Iceman1369]

Hello all. I've been reading this thread and the previous parts since April and have finally decided that I will soon be ording a custom F12. The 1 question that I have that I don't think has been posted anywhere (yes I used the search function) is what is the model/specs of the 256GB SSD that you can get from SonyStyleUSA? The CTO website just say's 256SSD and I was wondering what brand, SATA II or III etc.. before I decide if I will go with it or just get the cheapest HDD and upgrade myself. The $500 price seems average for a 256GB SSD right now, depending on the brand and specs. Thanks.

[CyberStorm]

Hello all. I've been reading this thread and the previous parts since April and have finally decided that I will soon be ording a custom F12. The 1 question that I have that I don't think has been posted anywhere (yes I used the search function) is what is the model/specs of the 256GB SSD that you can get from SonyStyleUSA? The CTO website just say's 256SSD and I was wondering what brand, SATA II or III etc.. before I decide if I will go with it or just get the cheapest HDD and upgrade myself. The $500 price seems average for a 256GB SSD right now, depending on the brand and specs. Thanks.

Someone might know, but something that isn't specifically stated by the manufacturer would be guess work. I wouldn't trust that the SSD that User X received with their laptop doesn't mean you'd get the same model. Until Sony states that they are tossing in a X25-m or Crucial (or similar) SSD. I wouldn't chance it. Too many uncertainties.

As I've mentioned before, if you really want an SSD, buy it elsewhere online. You WILL find it cheaper than $500.

[Willscary]

Hello all. I've been reading this thread and the previous parts since April and have finally decided that I will soon be ording a custom F12. The 1 question that I have that I don't think has been posted anywhere (yes I used the search function) is what is the model/specs of the 256GB SSD that you can get from SonyStyleUSA? The CTO website just say's 256SSD and I was wondering what brand, SATA II or III etc.. before I decide if I will go with it or just get the cheapest HDD and upgrade myself. The $500 price seems average for a 256GB SSD right now, depending on the brand and specs. Thanks.

If you read back a few months, I believe that Sony installs a Toshiba SSD. I Beleive that Toshiba SSDs are Micron based. They are not Indillinx or Sandforce based, and they are not the same controller used in the new Crucial 300 series either. They are SLIGHTLY slower in performance than my mainstream Indillinx SSD, but should be fine.

However, for about $550-600, you can purchase your own and install it, keeping the stock HDD as a portable data drive or backup drive.