topic Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems in PCs & Accessories

Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:36:47 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm a new Sony laptop owner and I've just discovered this very informative forum so I thought I'd join in!

I bought a Sony Vaio SZ1XP last week and whilst I'm pleased with the build quality, the general performance seems to be a bit lacking when running demanding software, eg Cubase Sl, with performance not much better than my old 1.8 GHz desktop (with only 512 MB of memory!).

I downloaded and ran CPUZ, which reported that the RAM (1GB) is running at 266MHz, rather than the 533MHz it's supposed to be.

I wonder if anyone else has the same problem; I'd be grateful for any feedback.

All the best

warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

tonybeard — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:53:07 GMT

Welcome to the forum Warbles
Defragment over and over till the system defrags in 30 seconds using either the MS Defrag or Perfect Disk. Also use Tune Up Utilities 2006 from Tune Up trial and do all it reccommends especially the system advisor scan. This can determine if your memory is working properly or not but above all check for spyware using adaware or spybot.

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

jimhudson — Wed, 03 May 2006 20:32:46 GMT

I get exactley the same problem with the memory - I will be interested to hear what you discover about this

The FSB also reports as running at 167 Mhz with a bus speed of 667 - is everyone else getting thsi - maybe the software is at fault not the hardware, or my interpretation of the results.

The only other complaint I have is a minor degree of flex around the D key on the keyboard - anyone else getting this ?

Otherwise - fantastic product

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Sun, 07 May 2006 13:39:08 GMT

Thanks for the welcome, TonyBeard!

I've tried your helpful suggestions, but no real improvement. I should add that this is a very new machine, and it isn't connected to the net, so spyware is not an issue. I'm going to download (on another machine) the free trial version of the Tune Up program you mentioned, and I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks a lot for your help, it's much appreciated.

All the best

Warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

rraguram — Mon, 08 May 2006 15:07:51 GMT

I've recently bought the Sony VAIO SZ1XP laptop and so far it seems good for the bucks. But, recently after installing few apps, I'm seeing a slight performance delay with some cracking noise ... (which ususally happens with low memory).

BTW, I have installed Google System Monitor plugin and most of the time, it shows the memory is 50-70% full.

Anyone real performance measuring tool to capture the internal process and monitor the performace? Also let us know abt your system performance.

Cheers

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Wed, 10 May 2006 13:17:00 GMT

Hi all

haven't managed to solve the peformance issues at all, and there is another problem-the optical drive isn't working properly-CD write speed should be 24x, but it's only ~4x.

Anyone else had this problem? I'm going to return it to Sony Centre where I bought it and see what they say.

Cheers, Warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

tonybeard — Wed, 10 May 2006 13:28:25 GMT

the write speed is either 4x or 8x with some of the destops sporting 16x you have confused the read speed. If tune-up hasn't improved thing you have some serious problems . Try CHKDSK/F in the command prompt and restart. You defragmented yeah as that is the best way to get performance

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Sat, 13 May 2006 12:58:50 GMT

Hi Tonybeard, I haven't confused the write speed , the sony tech guys confirmed that the CD-R write speed IS 24X.

Perhaps I'm revealing my ignorance here, but what is this CHKDSK/F command and what does it do?

warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

kee-lo_ — Sat, 13 May 2006 13:59:39 GMT

CD-R writing speed of 24x is pretty acceptable, and is good for a portable drive.

CHKDSK /F checks the disk and fixes errors

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Fri, 19 May 2006 12:49:25 GMT

Actual writing speed is 16 x maximum, and according to Sony tech (who are absolutely useless and clueless, and took 5 days to check with the engineers in Belgium) this is within spec. It means that the copy process takes more than twice the time it takes using a desktop CD writer. Is it normal for a laptop CD writer to be this slow?

Is it related to the slower hard disc drive (5400) compared to Desktop (7200)?

As for general sluggishness of the machine, I seem to have improved this (at least for Cubase performance) by firstly uninstalling all the Norton software and the "Free Trial" software, and then serially defragmenting as suggested by TonyBeard.

Does anyone know of any benchmarking/testing software that can give me a quantitative assessment of the laptop performance?

warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

Thalamus. — Fri, 19 May 2006 13:01:29 GMT

Hi warble,

You can downloada free analyze and benchmark program fromhere

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

kee-lo_ — Fri, 19 May 2006 15:50:16 GMT

16x is about the highest for laptops at the moment, though I have seen some 24x around

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Mon, 22 May 2006 12:13:11 GMT

Hi Thalamus and Kee-lo, thanks for the replies, I'm looking at the Fresh Diagnose website right now-looks good. I was unaware that there is such a difference in speed between laptop and desktop Cd -writers, such is my ignorance! I'll just have to be more patient than usual when burning discs.

On the positive side, the onboard audio chip in this machine is excellent, and is giving great results with voice recognition software without the need to buy an additional soundcard.

Cheers

warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

Blencogo — Thu, 25 May 2006 23:35:48 GMT

I downloaded and ran CPUZ, which reported that the RAM (1GB) is running at 266MHz, rather than the 533MHz it's supposed to be

This is because you have DDR memory modules.

DDR = Double Data Rate. The true 'clock rate' is only 266MHz but by doubling this it has an 'effective clock rate' of 533MHz.

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

Thalamus. — Fri, 26 May 2006 10:46:15 GMT

Hi Warble,

Glad you liked the link...:smileyhappy:

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Fri, 26 May 2006 12:56:04 GMT

HI Blencogo

thanks for that, as you must have noticed I'm completely ignorant in this area! I was a little concerned that Sony had put the wrong type of memory into my machine, so you've put my mind at rest. I have a lot to learn about computers, even though I've been using them for a long time.

Cheers

Warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

Blencogo — Fri, 26 May 2006 19:19:25 GMT

Hi Warble,

It is confusing - have a read of THIS

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

warble — Sat, 27 May 2006 09:15:57 GMT

Hi Blencogo

that's a very illuminating Wikipedia entry-just what I needed, so thanks for that!

When it comes to upgarding the memory in Vaio's, Sony make a big deal about only using their own (ludicrously expensive) RAM. Is it possible to use any other (cheaper!) brand, eg Crucial Memory?

Cheers

Warble

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

zina — Sat, 27 May 2006 10:33:57 GMT

Actual writing speed is 16 x maximum, and according to Sony tech (who are absolutely useless and clueless, and took 5 days to check with  the engineers in Belgium) this is within spec. 
 warble

So sony emploeeing useless people goes on.....:smileyangry:

Re: Sony Vaio SZ1XP performance problems

Blencogo — Sat, 27 May 2006 16:20:18 GMT

Hi warble,

I use Crucial memory in both my Vaios. Works fine.

Can't recommend anyone to purchase the very expensive Sony modules.