I am a frequent traveller who needs a reliable and ultra-portable notebook. I have owned a Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37 for almost 18 months. While I like it very much, it is very slow to boot up (XP). For that reason, I decided to replace the notorious in-built HDD with a SDD.
I have succeeded in replacing the original one with a Photofast G-Monster 1.8” ZIF SSD V 4 and am very happy with the result. The following is my experience.
When I decided to change to SSD, I did a lot of internet search and finally took 3 key decisions:
(1)Which SDD? – After a lot of search, I settled for G-Monster 1.8” ZIF SSD V 4. It is not the least expensive, but I am happy with the results.
(2)DIY? – A few repair shops could provide the service but they could not assure compatibility or system installation.
I decided to do it myself which is a good decision because I had to re-open the case 3 times.
(3)Secret of opening the case – There are a few weblinks offer pictures and tips on the internet. They are essential for non-technical people like me .....
where I can find a service manual or instructions on how to get inside a VAIO TZ37? I'm looking for options to replace the 120GB HDD with a 128GB (or bigger) SSD. I understand the 120GB HDD is PATA but not sure how many pins the connector has.
I know I can just unscrew the bottom and have a look but I prefer to find out a bit more before attempting that. My past experience in trying to get inside a Z505R was very frustrating as the screws were hidden under a few snapped in clips, they were very difficult to get off without breaking them (without the proper knowledge or tools).
Also while I am asking questions, here are couple more ...
1. Is it absolutely not possible to go beyond the 2GB memory limit? 2. Are there Windows 7 drivers available for TZ37? 3. If so, is it worthwhile upgrading from Vista Biz to Windows 7 on the TZ37?
I have been thinking about the X series but with its Atom CPU and lack of DVD/RW, it's kinda like a very very expensive netbook. So I think it would be better investment to beef up my TZ37 with a SSD. I have been very happy with it once it's booted up and ready, it's just that Vista takes years to boot time the 4200rpm HDD. My work around has been putting it to sleep 95% of time and only power off/on when I absolutely have to or when it has crashed big time. The wake up from sleep is very quick, so that's the saving grace of its slow HDD.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a FW, but it has a 320GB 4200rpm. HD.
I've planned on buying a WD Scorpio Black later and the replacing it.
How complicated would that be? What I mean is, that I can do the hardware replacing and all that, but is it enough that I would do a recovery disc with the original HD inside and then replace the HD's and then just boot from the disc. Or do I need to fiddle around with the SATA drivers,
I'm currently thinking of buying a Sony SR series laptop, but unfortunately here in Sweden we only get two configurations: Vaio SR49 - P8800, Radeon 3470 256MB Vaio SR41 - T6400, Radeon 4750 512MB
Since I would like P8800+Radeon 4750, the only possible way seems to get a SR41 and upgrade the cpu. Has anyone here got any experience on upgrading a laptop CPU? More specifically, upgrading from a T-series to a P-series.
I guess they use the same motherboards, so I can't imagine it would be incompatible, but I'm wondering whether it requires any BIOS changes which would be hard to do in a laptop bios.
I have a Vaio VGN-SZ61WN and I would live to get the HDD replaced with the one I've just bought. Thing is, it doesn't look too straight forward to me. The HDD is situated on the bottom left of the notebook when looking at the keyboard. There isn't a way in from the back. Just thought I'd ask before I destroy my notebook
I have the new Z model VPCZ117GG..and unfortunately for my region it didn't come with a Bluray drive and I had no choice of customization as well..
My version is the one with the Full HD screen,256GB SSD and 8GB Ram.
I'm wondering if it's possible to replace the DVD drive with a bluray drive. I know this will void warranty, but i'll be doing it after my warranty expire
I have ruined the C key. Can anyone tell me if I can just replace the one key OR must I replace the WHOLE keyboard and if so, what sort of cost might I be looking at?
I have just disasembled and cleaned, (to the best of my abilty), my SONY SZ2XP comp using compressed gas. Hopefully,
it will yield some results getting rid of all the dust, although i did feel like i could have done better if i managed to disassemble it further to reach all affected areas.
I'll continue to my question though, I unscrewed the heatsink and noticed that the thermal paste on the cpu looked really misapplied.
It has some big lumps of paste and seems very unevenly applied. I have owned this computer for about 2 years or so, and i have never disassembled it until now
My power plug on my laptop finally gave out. I cant find any articles on taking a VGN-AW series laptop apart. This is my second AW series which is a VGN-AW120J. I know theirs 2 different plugs for them. The on I have doesn't have a enclosure inside the plug and has 2 prongs that touch the pin in the power adapter.
Does anyone know how to apply thermal paste to the Sony TZ series? I've opened it up and not really sure where the CPU/heatsink is. Looks complicated to further disassemble the thing
I think I need to replace my 4965AGN on my SZ71WN/C as my laptop will loose connectivity with my router for no reason. I get the dreaded unidentified error and the only way to resolve the issue is to reboot my laptop. This was happening even before I upgraded to Win7. Even on a vanialla Win7 install, with no antivirus, it happens. You could ask if it's my router (Netgear DG834GT), but another Vaio SZ that I have works fine....
So has anyone changed their WIFI module and if so, should I upgrade to one which is WIN7 compatiable out of the box?
Trying to get rid of these questionably useful programs -- but I don't see entries for them in add/remove programs in the control panel (or for any of the other useless VAIO software packages that come on OEM machines sans "fresh start")
I have just been given a VAIO PCG8A2M (GRX316MP) , i was told "it's broken but if you can fix it yo can have it" so having a quick look at it there's no sign of life on the display but the lights come on and i can here the HDD heads moving about.
Looking a little more i found that all the ram is missing , so now im not sure if its worth buying some ram to see if it works or not ? The lack of ram would prob explain the lack of display but i wonder if i should be getting POST beeps at least, which im not.
So my question is if a VAIO had no ram should (if all else was working) it be getting POST beeps ?
Just performed a successful XP downgrade on my Vaio Z520, but have noticed that on this copy of the Vaio Silver Desktop Theme/Appearance doesn't exist.
I had it on my SZ and loved it over the XP Blue. Is there a way to get it back? I still have the restore discs from the SZ.
I don't know whats the diference (besides the price), between VAIO TZ295N & VAIO TZ395N. Specs in all the websites I've checked say they have exactly the same components: Intel coreduo 1.33Ghz 2GB RAM DVD-RW and 64GB SSD Hardrive. I was wonder if the diference might be in the hard drive interface, with the TZ295N being PATA and TZ395N being SATA.
I'm wondering if the Blu-ray optical drive (Panasonic UJ-232A) of the (old) VAIO Z series will be able to fit into the (new) VAIO Z series? I would really appreciate it if anyone is able to answer my question.
The reason I'm asking is because I'm seriously thinking of selling my VAIO Z690 & just buying the base Sony VAIO Z (VPCZ112GX/S). I may just be able to afford that base model & the icing on the cake will definitely be the UJ-232A drive being able to fit into the (new) VAIO Z series & work.
Am planning to get a sony laptop for me. The design simply rocks I am getting mixed reviews about cw and E series. But i made up my mind to get one.
My budget is aroung 40000rupees. Thats around 800$. So suggest me a better one between these two for occasional moderate and less(mosltly) demanding games. I dont care whether its 14 or 15 inch.
Am looking at lower end versions of both the models.
Only difference is CW uses Nvidia Geforce 310 and the E series uses some Radeon 5000 series one. CW has 14 inch screen whereas E series has a 15.5 inch screen. In the models which i am looking at both have matte finish and both has WXGA:1366 x 768 VAIO Display.
which one should i go for. whether the screen quality will be on par to Inspiron one atleast? ( I dont need HD).
im planning on using the laptop for videos, photoshop and a bit of gaming, maybe even a bit more gaming :-)
The Vaio F Series only has 330M Nvidia Graphics Card with i7QM and up to 8GB of Ram and up to 256GB SSD.
The E Series has ATI 5650 (a less powerful version, reduced clock speed) combined with a i5 520M with up to 6Gb of Ram and up to 500GB of HDD ? Why can i not choose SSD ?
if I can use the AC Adapter of a Vaio TT on the Vaio Z. The standard AC Adapter that comes with the Vaio Z is of 19.5V and the one for the Vaio TT is of 16V, which I don't know if it's enough for the Vaio Z to function properly or if there could be any problem or damage. Both machines have batteries of 10,8V.
I have an undervolted Vaio Z by the way (last multiplier at 0.9875) so I don't know if this could help in any way for my Z to work ok with the TT AC Adapter.
I have this "problem" since I got my Z. When I start vaio update 3 utility I get this error "messageID=0008" there are no updates for your model bla bla...
However when I go to vaio support page, there are some new updates for my Z590N model (new Bios, USB patch...)
I have downloaded new version of Viao Update utility 3.2.something but I had to uninstall my current version (3.1.something), which I did. However when I started this new setup message poped up "there is no previous version installed" - abort.
I have checked esupport page where is said if you have problems with Vaio Update 3, to download Sony Shared Library which suppose to contain vaio update utility), I run installation but it doesn't install Vaio Update 3
Now, I can live with this esupport page regular visit updates,
Whats the major difference between 16.4" VAIO Display (1600x900) and 16.4" VAIO extra-wide HD display (1920x1080). Upto what angle I could see my display in VAIO Display (1600x900)? Can I watch HD movies perfectly in VAIO Display (1600x900) ?
