Computers & Tablets

[alberttoth]

My viao laptop is troubling a lot.. Vaio update app indicates that there is a newer bios available i.e., R2085H4.  When i installed it gave an error message stating that "this update is not intended for use with your computer model".  Now which laptop should i buy in viao's replacement?

{Removed per Forum Guidelines}

[muj]

Please check all the posts, if your problem is one among them. Again to update bios change the contents of the file MODELTXT to list the model as 'VPCSC1AFM'.  For the problem with rebooting, I am also guessing the Intel AT software as culprit.  I have a ticket open with Intel about the rebooting problem and I am yet to here from them.

But anyway since my return period is up, I exchanged it for Samsung NP700Z5B-S01UB (with this I am not happy with mouse pad and sharp edges at corners).  if I get satisfactory reply from Intel  in a week, then I may buy back.

[muj]

I do not know whether you still have the system and whether you still have the rebooting problem.  I opened up a ticket with Intel saying that PCTD Theft defence is causing the system to reboot.  Because when I did not install it, my system was not rebooting.  But Intel replied me back that as per Sony, the 'PCTDServiceActivation' program published by 'OAK Tree' is causing the random reboot.  So uninstall this program and it will not effect PCTD functionality. 

I could not test it because I just returned the Sony and got Samsung NP700Z5B-S01ub ( but not satisfied).  I would like to  return this  get the Sony back if the problem is identified.  It is very difficult to find a equivalent system to VPCSC31FM.  

My request to all of you owning this system and have rebooting problem to uninstall 'PCTDServiceActivation' program and see if the problem resolves.Thanks.

[anealysr]

I have seen that if I delay most start up software all is fine. I guess I'll fight this until I got an answer.

[anealysr]

Well uninstalled 'PCTDServiceActivation' and I still get reboot from sleep the only thing I have found that works is let the hard drive load for a bit before logging on. Not sure why but will keep looking.

[anealysr]

Well stopped intel anti theft from starting and all seems good. It's been booting fine for over a week. I hate that the anti theft is the issue but I glad I am not crashing constantly.

[muj]

That's good to know. Well I will not be buying it back because I am past the exchange date and security is a concern without Intel anti theft and also Sony is not 100% compatible with Lojack.

[rainettu]

Well, I can add my two cents...

I have the same problem with my laptop coming out of sleep mode (restarts roughly 30-40% of the time).  Every once in a while I have trouble with a boot up from being shut down.

I also have experienced the bizarre screen issues.  It's like the screen goes randomly to full brightness which causes the screen to be nearly white washed.  I can usually knock this loose, but it's still annoying.

I haven't attempted anything to resolve the screen issue, but here's what I've attempted for the rebooting issue:

• Called Sony tech support...the guy fumbled around on my machine, but didn't do anything of note
• Saw these boards and uninstalled the Oak Tree anti-theft program
• Also saw on another board that the culprit could be Sony Messenger - that has also been uninstalled

When neither of those worked, I called Sony back hoping they recognized the issue and had a solution (this is about a month after the first call).  No dice. I was asked to reformat my machine.  Seeing that it didn't work for others, sounded like tech support by numbers, and seemed the wrong approach to return a PC back to factory settings when the problem seems to be based on factory settings, I refused.

They then wanted me to send it in.  This was a "no go" for me.  For one, I'm not going without a computer for 2 weeks while someone tries to fix it.  (Of course with this issue, support could act like the first tech support guy on the phone who thought he fixed it just b/c it came out of sleep successfully once.  I could see getting it back in 2 weeks with a note effectively saying "found nothing wrong - came out of sleep mode all three times we tested it".)

Bonus side note: we are inneligible for in-home support b/c this is technically a "custom" computer.  Yay!

They only ray of hope is that the tech support guy this time seemed genuinely interested in the fact that this was a major issue they were unaware of.  I told him many others had this problem and that it wouldn't be hard to find these complaints since they are on both Sony's message boards and Best Buy's boards.  He said he would forward the issue to the team that IDs new root problems.

Maybe I'm being naive or just hopeful, but if Sony's team recognizes this as a problem, then they'll be more agressive at developing a work around if not a full solution.

Until then...

- Guy Who Waited Too Long to Return His Laptop

[muj]

In my case, Un-installing Intel Anti Theft Defence software completely (and not just the one distributed by 'OAK..'.) solved the problem of rebooting. Somebody else also confirmed me this. I no longer own this unit. Do read all the posts and try again.

[anealysr]

Here it is just about 3 weeks and I still am running fine. In my book it was the anti-theft software. I guess I'll uninstall it finally. 

Shame we have to tell Sony Techsupport what is wrong.  Oh well I'm just glad that I am not rebooting now. I'll keep all updated if I find anything else. 

By the way does anyone use the Sony Crapware that comes on these machines?