topic Re: A197vp Crashing on games in PCs & Accessories

A197vp Crashing on games

for_sean — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 13:24:01 GMT

hi.

just got my new laptop, im very impressed apart from one small problem. when playing some of my games, (quake3, need for speed underground etc) The screen hangs then the computer locks up. has anyone else had this problem and found a way to resolve it.

thanks.

Seán

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:28:10 GMT

Could be overheating.
Is the machine hot?
Have you changed graphics drivers?

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Woody27 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:17:00 GMT

Sean,

It's not overheating on the A series, it's the crap graphic drivers that Sony supplies!

You will find this happening on many games!

Try the Omega Drivers (www.omegadrivers.net), I have found that they work very well on my VGN-A115Z. :smileygrin:

But use them AT YOUR OWN RISK, they are not offcially supported. Also DO NOT use the overclocking facility, it will damage your graphics chip!

Using the Omega drivers I can get c. 40-50 f.p.s. from DOOM3!
:smileygrin:

Hope this helps!

CW

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:45:46 GMT

Ah I see, it's about time Sony updated those damn drivers

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Frankeng — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 20:37:37 GMT

i have absolutely the same problem with my A197XP. and i also guess that it is because of the damn driver. i would be very glad if anybody could describe how to use and install the omega drivers correctly. caus i tried and failed once. thanks!

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Woody27 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:13:30 GMT

Keep going back thorugh the posts!

I wrote an article about precisly this a few weeks ago!

I will try and find the link! :smileygrin:

CW

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

BurastA — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:52:12 GMT

damn drivers!! does not any sony techs see all these complaints. sell the notebook and do not care. anyway who asks if there are driver updates when purchasing a computer...

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

TygerTyger — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:44:51 GMT

damn drivers!! does not any sony techs see all these complaints. sell the notebook and do not care. anyway who asks if there are driver updates when purchasing a computer...

Couldn't have put it better myself. It all just comes as a rather nasty surprise afterwards.

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:04:54 GMT

Yeah I'm so glad I didn't get the A series in the end like I was planning back in May, seems to me they have faulty DVDs, bad graphic drivers and lack of support.

You'd expect better for £1500+

Shame

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Woody27 — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:39:58 GMT

Yeah I'm so glad I didn't get the A series in the end like I was planning back in May, seems to me they have faulty DVDs, bad graphic drivers and lack of support.:smileyshame_on_you:

Yeah,

But, the graphics driver problem can be overcome!

and I hope the DVD problem is not too common, not had any problems on my 115Z.... ...yet!

Incidently, the A series has just won the What Laptop award for desktop replacement performance models! So they can't be that bad, especially when compared with the competition!

Now, the K series really do seem to have problems!

Finally, support is a problem for all VAIO users!

CW

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Dziga — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:00:52 GMT

Sony updated their 9700 drivers and the A-series BIOS last month. They're both right there on Vaio-update. Since I installed them I've not had a single crash in Q3 or Doom 3.

"faulty DVDs" - naturally you only hear about the faulty drives, not the 95% that are fine.

"bad graphic drivers" - see above, the drivers are fine. Most people prefer moaning to looking for the update or using omega.

"and lack of support" - this is common to every Sony product as you well know so why be so misleading?

The A-series is one of Sony's better value laptops at circa £1400, largely due to the screen.

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:03:58 GMT

You're probably right, I think the RA104 is Sony's best VAIO, buit thats me :smileygrin:

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

jammold — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:30:17 GMT

For me the best VAIO is the K115B as its all I have used properly... The K series I'm using had an issue with the Optical Drive and DVD's and CD audio disks - but Sony sorted it out via support (firmware/BIOS update) - it was either the dreaded updates or send it in and that was not an option...

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Dziga — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:39:58 GMT

we all have our own favourite Vaio I'm sure. I just meant that the A series is quite good value. I'm not sure about the K series - the quality doesn't seem there.

As for the RA104.. wow

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:59:01 GMT

I liked the C series, GRX and RA series. I also liked the RS

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

jammold — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 19:02:32 GMT

Sadly the RA series is well and truely out of my price range - 3 years wait ought to do it. The K-Series are great systems and mine is no trouble whatsoever. The A series seem highly acclaimed too.

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

kee-lo_ — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 20:03:23 GMT

One day James....

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Woody27 — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 08:38:47 GMT

I really like the thin models (X505 etc), but they are under powered if your only computer!

Design wise I always liked the GRZ-GRT models and the new RA desk top is sweet!

I really like my A series but the design does take some getting used too.... ....looks like its been left near a radiator for too long and the sides have slightly melted! :smileygrin:

CW

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

for_sean — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 11:11:44 GMT

hi thanks for your help, i have downloaded and installed the latest 9700 graphics driver from the vaio update site. so far fingers crossed i havent had a crash on the games

Re: A197vp Crashing on games

Dziga — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 04:10:54 GMT

glad to hear it sean, happy fragging