VGN-FZ: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Vaio VGN-FZ 1.jpg|alt=A VGN-FZ with its original factory stickers|thumb|VGN-FZ with its original factory stickers]] | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
The Sony VAIO FZ Series is a range of high-end laptops released by Sony in 2007 and replaced in 2008. It replaced its predecessor, the [[VGN-FE|FE Series]]. The FZ was later replaced by the [[VGN-FW|FW Series]]. | |||
The Sony VAIO FZ Series is a range of high-end laptops released by Sony in 2007 and replaced in 2008. It replaced its predecessor, the | |||
They included features like a bigger 15.4“ screen, better dedicated GPUs and on higher-end models, Blu-Ray drives. Even though most models had a 1080p Full HD sticker, their displays only were 1280x800, and they were criticized for being too low resolution. To truly enjoy the FZs | They included features like a bigger 15.4“ screen, better dedicated GPUs and on higher-end models, Blu-Ray drives. Even though most models had a 1080p Full HD sticker, their displays only were 1280x800, and they were criticized for being too low resolution. To truly enjoy the FZs movie-playing capabilities, one was able to use the HDMI port to connect the device to an external monitor, for the ultimate Blu-Ray experience. [[File:Vaio VGN-FZ 2.jpg|alt=Another VGN-FZ|thumb|VGN-FZ]]The FZ Series also featured a wide range of ports, including three USB 2.0, FireWire, ExpressCard, Memory Stick and an SD Card slot. The FZs biggest drawbacks where it’s short battery life, lasting only 1 hour and 38 minutes while watching DVDs. The other big issue was the NVIDIA 8000 series video cards, which are 100% guaranteed to fail. | ||
Today you can easily find many FZs with broken 8400 or 8600 GPUs. Alternativly an iGPU model was offered, which used Intel's GMA X3100 iGPU. These models are rarer nowadays, but are way more reliable then NVIDIA laptops. | |||
==Specs== | ==Specs== | ||
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'''Weight:''' 2.6 to 2.8 kg | '''Weight:''' 2.6 to 2.8 kg | ||
== Problems == | ==Problems == | ||
The FZ series all have a very unfourtunate problem. Most models contain an NVIDIA 8 series GPU. The NVIDIA 8 series of GPUs are known for their 100% failure rate because of a manufacturing problem from NVIDIA, and the FZ is not an exception to that. All NVIDIA 8 series chips on every single FZs with dedicated GPUs are affected by this problem. You do not have a graphics switch on the FZ, so you always run on the dedicated GPU. | The FZ series all have a very unfourtunate problem. Most models contain an NVIDIA 8 series GPU. The NVIDIA 8 series of GPUs are known for their 100% failure rate because of a manufacturing problem from NVIDIA, and the FZ is not an exception to that. All NVIDIA 8 series chips on every single FZs with dedicated GPUs are affected by this problem. You do not have a graphics switch on the FZ, so you always run on the dedicated GPU. | ||
'''Symptoms of this problem are:''' | '''Symptoms of this problem are:''' | ||
* black screen when turning on the device (device is not booting up, it has not passed the power-on self-test) | *black screen when turning on the device (device is not booting up, it has not passed the power-on self-test) | ||
* artifacts on the display | * artifacts on the display | ||
* not being able to successfully install GPU drivers | *not being able to successfully install GPU drivers | ||
* unable to boot into Linux (distros with proper GPU drivers) | *unable to boot into Linux (distros with proper GPU drivers) | ||
There is no real permanent solution to this problem. One temporary solution would be a reflow (see our upcoming NVIDIA 8 series reflow guide), one more permanent but still temporary solution is a reball or chip replacement. However, all of these methods requires a precise hot air station, BGA No-Clean flux, and some experience (practicing on a junk board is a good start). | There is no real permanent solution to this problem. One temporary solution would be a reflow (see our upcoming NVIDIA 8 series reflow guide), one more permanent but still temporary solution is a reball or chip replacement. However, all of these methods requires a precise hot air station, BGA No-Clean flux, and some experience (practicing on a junk board is a good start). | ||
==Daily Usage Today== | ==Daily Usage Today == | ||
Thanks to its powerful hardware for the time, it is still pretty useful for current day usage. Web browsing and text editing is easily doable on these devices. Older games will also run fine on dedicated GPU models, though modern games will struggle or outright not work. iGPU models will struggle to run old games, but it's better to have a working laptop that is less powerful, than a broken device. | Thanks to its powerful hardware for the time, it is still pretty useful for current day usage. Web browsing and text editing is easily doable on these devices. Older games will also run fine on dedicated GPU models, though modern games will struggle or outright not work. iGPU models will struggle to run old games, but it's better to have a working laptop that is less powerful, than a broken device. | ||
== Resources == | ==Resources== | ||
[http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/FZ2/ Sony JP VAIO VGN-FZ Series Presentation Page] | [http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/FZ2/ Sony JP VAIO VGN-FZ Series Presentation Page] | ||
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[https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/vgn-fz/vgn-fz150e_specs.pdf Sony VAIO VGN-FZ150E Specifications Sheet] | [https://download.vaiolibrary.com/manuals/vgn-fz/vgn-fz150e_specs.pdf Sony VAIO VGN-FZ150E Specifications Sheet] | ||
== Downloads == | ==Downloads== | ||
[https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-system-recovery-dvd-vgn-fz-200-e-recoverydisc-1 Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Recovery Discs] | [https://archive.org/details/sony-vaio-system-recovery-dvd-vgn-fz-200-e-recoverydisc-1 Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Recovery Discs] | ||
Revision as of 20:16, 11 August 2022
Overview
The Sony VAIO FZ Series is a range of high-end laptops released by Sony in 2007 and replaced in 2008. It replaced its predecessor, the FE Series. The FZ was later replaced by the FW Series.
They included features like a bigger 15.4“ screen, better dedicated GPUs and on higher-end models, Blu-Ray drives. Even though most models had a 1080p Full HD sticker, their displays only were 1280x800, and they were criticized for being too low resolution. To truly enjoy the FZs movie-playing capabilities, one was able to use the HDMI port to connect the device to an external monitor, for the ultimate Blu-Ray experience.
The FZ Series also featured a wide range of ports, including three USB 2.0, FireWire, ExpressCard, Memory Stick and an SD Card slot. The FZs biggest drawbacks where it’s short battery life, lasting only 1 hour and 38 minutes while watching DVDs. The other big issue was the NVIDIA 8000 series video cards, which are 100% guaranteed to fail.
Today you can easily find many FZs with broken 8400 or 8600 GPUs. Alternativly an iGPU model was offered, which used Intel's GMA X3100 iGPU. These models are rarer nowadays, but are way more reliable then NVIDIA laptops.
Specs
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, T7250, T7500, T7700, T8100, T8300, T9300, T9500 (not soldered)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M or 8600M GS or GT, or Intel GMA X3100 (IGP is disabled on models with dedicated GPUs)
Display: 15,4“ 1280x800 CCFL
Memory: DDR2 (2 slots, not soldered)
Storage: 2.5" SATA
Weight: 2.6 to 2.8 kg
Problems
The FZ series all have a very unfourtunate problem. Most models contain an NVIDIA 8 series GPU. The NVIDIA 8 series of GPUs are known for their 100% failure rate because of a manufacturing problem from NVIDIA, and the FZ is not an exception to that. All NVIDIA 8 series chips on every single FZs with dedicated GPUs are affected by this problem. You do not have a graphics switch on the FZ, so you always run on the dedicated GPU.
Symptoms of this problem are:
- black screen when turning on the device (device is not booting up, it has not passed the power-on self-test)
- artifacts on the display
- not being able to successfully install GPU drivers
- unable to boot into Linux (distros with proper GPU drivers)
There is no real permanent solution to this problem. One temporary solution would be a reflow (see our upcoming NVIDIA 8 series reflow guide), one more permanent but still temporary solution is a reball or chip replacement. However, all of these methods requires a precise hot air station, BGA No-Clean flux, and some experience (practicing on a junk board is a good start).
Daily Usage Today
Thanks to its powerful hardware for the time, it is still pretty useful for current day usage. Web browsing and text editing is easily doable on these devices. Older games will also run fine on dedicated GPU models, though modern games will struggle or outright not work. iGPU models will struggle to run old games, but it's better to have a working laptop that is less powerful, than a broken device.
Resources
Sony JP VAIO VGN-FZ Series Presentation Page
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Startup Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series User Manual
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Operation Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Warranty Summary
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Accessories Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Safety Information
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series CPSC Tips on Notebook Computer Use
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Instant Mode Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series HDD Replacement Guide
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Series Schematics (MBX-165 Foxconn MS90 REV 1.0)
Downloads
Sony VAIO VGN-FZ Recovery Discs
It is highly likely that these discs are model locked. See Compatibility Problems section in the Recovery Discs page.
Follow our guides to download and install drivers.
Sources
NotebookCheck, Sony and Wikipedia