Comments on: Sony Vaio PCG-U3 UMPC http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:15:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Soijai http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-47764 Soijai Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:01:16 +0000 #comment-47764 Apparently installing from CD is only possible with a firewire CD, not a USB one. I am not sure if that means only a specific Sony firewire drive will work. What I have done is install over the network, but this requires a server that can serve network boot images. I used Windows Server 2004 for this. There are probably some other options to enable a PXE boot scenario. Apparently installing from CD is only possible with a firewire CD, not a USB one. I am not sure if that means only a specific Sony firewire drive will work.

What I have done is install over the network, but this requires a server that can serve network boot images. I used Windows Server 2004 for this. There are probably some other options to enable a PXE boot scenario.

]]> By: rodel http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-46319 rodel Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:42:43 +0000 #comment-46319 hi! I have a sony pcg-u3 and the operating system (windows xp) happened to crash, whe I try to install it again it wont recognise amy external cd/dvd drive what should I do? pls help me on this.. hi! I have a sony pcg-u3 and the operating system (windows xp) happened to crash, whe I try to install it again it wont recognise amy external cd/dvd drive what should I do? pls help me on this..

]]> By: mwayi http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-41815 mwayi Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:38:07 +0000 #comment-41815 hie everyone i need help,have sony pcg u3 the system crashed,can't remember where i reft the recovery disks tried to load xp but it won't recognise extenal dvd rom what should i do please help am so desparate hie everyone i need help,have sony pcg u3 the system crashed,can’t remember where i reft the recovery disks tried to load xp but it won’t recognise extenal dvd rom what should i do please help am so desparate

]]> By: bryan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-35643 bryan Tue, 19 May 2009 03:02:40 +0000 #comment-35643 hi were can find or download the driver of my PCG-U1 notebook? because i lost it, that why my computer does not work properly, thanks hope u can help me tnx a lot hi
were can find or download the driver of my PCG-U1 notebook? because i lost it, that why my computer does not work properly, thanks hope u can help me tnx a lot

]]> By: John http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-31621 John Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:22:30 +0000 #comment-31621 Hi, Can anyone e-mail me the correct driver for the memory stick slot of this Sony PCG-U3 running Windows XP. Thanks a lot for ur great help. Hi, Can anyone e-mail me the correct driver for the memory stick slot of this Sony PCG-U3 running Windows XP. Thanks a lot for ur great help.

]]> By: DJACID http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-29855 DJACID Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:54:26 +0000 #comment-29855 i have been using the u1 for 3yrs at uni, only recently sold it as my parents gave me there u3, the only problem i have with the u3 is booting from a external drive, on the u1 you can boot from usb but the u3 gave me lots of problems when i installed vista basic editions, if anyone goes down the route of installing vista remeber hard drive will need to be upgraded unless like me i used nlite and stripped out all the useless drivers and programs i didnt need and then installed it, works a treat, speed wise probaly 10% slower then xp but programs open quicker... i have been using the u1 for 3yrs at uni,
only recently sold it as my parents gave me there u3,
the only problem i have with the u3 is booting from a external drive,
on the u1 you can boot from usb but the u3 gave me lots of problems when i installed vista basic editions,
if anyone goes down the route of installing vista remeber hard drive will need to be upgraded unless like me i used nlite and stripped out all the useless drivers and programs i didnt need and then installed it,
works a treat,
speed wise probaly 10% slower then xp but programs open quicker…

]]> By: Roger Whitmarsh http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-28699 Roger Whitmarsh Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:25:12 +0000 #comment-28699 OK, I found out how to upgrade the Memory Stick slot to accept MS Pro sticks, if anyone is interested. First you download this utility: ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/download/SP-005422-01/SOFMSC-00542201-UN.exe Then you put a stick in the slot (a non PRO stick), and run the program. The program formats the stick and puts the firmware upgrade onto the stick. You power down, power up and the firmware is automagically upgraded from the stick. OK, I found out how to upgrade the Memory Stick slot to accept MS Pro sticks, if anyone is interested. First you download this utility:
ftp://ftp.vaio.sony.co.jp/pub/vaio/download/SP-005422-01/SOFMSC-00542201-UN.exe
Then you put a stick in the slot (a non PRO stick), and run the program. The program formats the stick and puts the firmware upgrade onto the stick. You power down, power up and the firmware is automagically upgraded from the stick.

]]> By: Michael http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-28255 Michael Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:35:06 +0000 #comment-28255 Hello, May somebody is able to contact me recording drivers for english WinXP? I have all 4 recovery cd's but I do not know how to get to the drivers... little boring without the jog dial, screen-brighness-control,... Thanks, (-: Hello,

May somebody is able to contact me recording drivers for english WinXP?
I have all 4 recovery cd’s but I do not know how to get to the drivers…
little boring without the jog dial, screen-brighness-control,…

Thanks,

(-:

]]> By: Roman http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-27913 Roman Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:39:52 +0000 #comment-27913 HEllo, finally i got mine from Australia ;-) too, with 512MB ram, but only 20GB HDD, do you have some advices for me how to upgrade my hdd. Thanks in advance!! roman HEllo,
finally i got mine from Australia ;-) too, with 512MB ram, but only 20GB HDD, do you have some advices for me how to upgrade my hdd.
Thanks in advance!!
roman

]]> By: Roger Whitmarsh http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24821 Roger Whitmarsh Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:56:23 +0000 #comment-24821 <p>Hi All. I also have a U3 and love it, but it seems the memory stick port only works with an original plain old memory stick, not the later memory stick Pro or Duo. I wonder if there is a driver to update the port to take the Pro and/or Duo. Anyone know?</p> <p><em>[Edited at October 30, 2008 19:14:29 PM.]</em></p> Hi All. I also have a U3 and love it, but it seems the memory stick port only works with an original plain old memory stick, not the later memory stick Pro or Duo. I wonder if there is a driver to update the port to take the Pro and/or Duo. Anyone know?

[Edited at October 30, 2008 19:14:29 PM.]

]]> By: michelle http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24820 michelle Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:23:39 +0000 #comment-24820 <p>Hello, thank you for the great review. I'm thinking of purchasing U1 at Direct from Japan and I would like to know if your U3 is still working well without problems. Also, do you think it is safer to order from eBay store (rather than ordering from their direct store)? And how do I use internet wirelessly when using U1? Please let me know soon, thank you!</p> Hello, thank you for the great review. I’m thinking of purchasing U1 at Direct from Japan and I would like to know if your U3 is still working well without problems. Also, do you think it is safer to order from eBay store (rather than ordering from their direct store)? And how do I use internet wirelessly when using U1? Please let me know soon, thank you!

]]> By: sergio http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24819 sergio Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:55:06 +0000 #comment-24819 <p>Hi, this is actually not a comment, I need some help, I have a pcg-u3 and I need to replace the hard drive but I do not have a clue how to open the Laptop, so any help will be appreciated. Also, when I first bought, after a while I had to format the hard drive, and I lost that japanese thumb feature for writing in japanese, I have not found a way to recover that even with the recovery CDs. I'd appreciate very much your help, mostly in the replacing of the hard drive issue thanks</p> Hi, this is actually not a comment, I need some help, I have a pcg-u3 and I need to replace the hard drive but I do not have a clue how to open the Laptop, so any help will be appreciated.
Also, when I first bought, after a while I had to format the hard drive, and I lost that japanese thumb feature for writing in japanese, I have not found a way to recover that even with the recovery CDs.
I’d appreciate very much your help, mostly in the replacing of the hard drive issue
thanks

]]> By: Lee Marionneaux http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24818 Lee Marionneaux Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:01:11 +0000 #comment-24818 <p>Like this article, Ben. It's very informative. Do you (or anyone else) know where I can find a new keyboard/part for this Sony PCG U3? I also need a car adapter for this model. Thanks! :-)</p> Like this article, Ben. It’s very informative. Do you (or anyone else) know where I can find a new keyboard/part for this Sony PCG U3? I also need a car adapter for this model. Thanks! :-)

]]> By: paul http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24817 paul Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:23:54 +0000 #comment-24817 <p>Hi Ben, Very good on the Yahoo group. I'll go look for it. Your 'basic guide' sounds cool. That's a great idea. Paul</p> Hi Ben,
Very good on the Yahoo group. I’ll go look for it.
Your ‘basic guide’ sounds cool. That’s a great idea.
Paul

]]> By: BadBen http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24816 BadBen Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:47:15 +0000 #comment-24816 <p>I installed my ram upgrade yesterday, and so far I have seen some inprovement, in boot time for most of the software I use all the time. The unit does respond faster, but not lightning quick. I tryed Halo again and that was a waste of time. The processer just cant handle that load of graphics,even with the upgraded memory. I'm got some older games I'm going to try next, and see what happens. I'm writing a basic guide to the U1/U3 unit for us english speakers and hope to have it done soon. When you have time checkout my U3 yahoo group. Enjoy- Ben </p> I installed my ram upgrade yesterday, and so far I have seen some inprovement, in boot time for most of the software I use all the time. The unit does respond faster, but not lightning quick. I tryed Halo again and that was a waste of time. The processer just cant handle that load of graphics,even with the upgraded memory. I’m got some older games I’m going to try next, and see what happens.
I’m writing a basic guide to the U1/U3 unit for us english speakers and hope to have it done soon. When you have time checkout my U3 yahoo group.
Enjoy- Ben

]]> By: paul http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24815 paul Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:57:16 +0000 #comment-24815 <p>Hi Ben, My RAM chip came in today. A little disappointing. I really can't discern any differences. The system now recognizes 488 Megs of RAM. It's possible that a few things may open slightly faster. Possible, but not too discernible. My major speed issue is with some online poker playing software. Even my faster machines sometimes have a little issue with that though, so perhaps I'm just expecting too much. I use the machine mostly on-line, and I would say that pages open a little more slowly than I'm used to, but that's not too much compromise for a machine that's so cool. Very good on using your SD card. There's always a way. I've got the jog dial all configured now. That's a handy little thing. I've also been brushing up on my keyboard shortcuts. They're a little bit of a time saver. I never used to use them before. Let me know what you think when you add the RAM chip. I'm interested to see what you think. Paul</p> Hi Ben,
My RAM chip came in today. A little disappointing. I really can’t discern any differences. The system now recognizes 488 Megs of RAM. It’s possible that a few things may open slightly faster. Possible, but not too discernible. My major speed issue is with some online poker playing software. Even my faster machines sometimes have a little issue with that though, so perhaps I’m just expecting too much. I use the machine mostly on-line, and I would say that pages open a little more slowly than I’m used to, but that’s not too much compromise for a machine that’s so cool.
Very good on using your SD card. There’s always a way.
I’ve got the jog dial all configured now. That’s a handy little thing. I’ve also been brushing up on my keyboard shortcuts. They’re a little bit of a time saver. I never used to use them before.
Let me know what you think when you add the RAM chip.
I’m interested to see what you think.
Paul

]]> By: BadBen http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24814 BadBen Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:09:24 +0000 #comment-24814 <p>I'm waiting for my 256 upgrade as well. I have had any speed issues, except with games. I decided to forego the External drive for now and use a SD Memory card and adapter for loading programs. I'm using CDrom imaging software on my desktop, and then I just copy to the SD card and pop it into the PCMCIA slot and the u3 thinks I have a CD rom drive plugged in.It works great for Halo!! Enjoy- Ben W.</p> I’m waiting for my 256 upgrade as well. I have had any speed issues, except with games. I decided to forego the External drive for now and use a SD Memory card and adapter for loading programs. I’m using CDrom imaging software on my desktop, and then I just copy to the SD card and pop it into the PCMCIA slot and the u3 thinks I have a CD rom drive plugged in.It works great for Halo!!
Enjoy- Ben W.

]]> By: paul http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24813 paul Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:11:38 +0000 #comment-24813 <p>Hi Ben, Thank you for your reply. Yes, I'm figuring out the jog dial now. The fact that it 'pushes down' is the key. I could not figure that part out. This sure is a neat little machine. I like having the auxiliary CD drive and Floppy. I just enjoy cables and parts. I'm still getting used to the key-board. Some of the keys are mislabeled after the English conversion. My 256 Meg chip is on todays FED-EX truck. I'm anxious to get that in there. I hope it helps a little bit. Thanks again for getting back to me. Paul</p> Hi Ben,
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I’m figuring out the jog dial now. The fact that it ‘pushes down’ is the key. I could not figure that part out. This sure is a neat little machine.
I like having the auxiliary CD drive and Floppy. I just enjoy cables and parts. I’m still getting used to the key-board. Some of the keys are mislabeled after the English conversion.
My 256 Meg chip is on todays FED-EX truck. I’m anxious to get that in there. I hope it helps a little bit.
Thanks again for getting back to me.
Paul

]]> By: BadBen http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24812 BadBen Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:16:50 +0000 #comment-24812 <p>The jog Dial is a quick program launcher, and control all in one. You move the dial to get to the program/menu you want to access and then press down on the dial itself to select. The jog dial has menus and sub menus you can access by just pressing down on it and moving up and down. It takes a little practice, as you will find out. The button in japanese to the left is the sleep button. Enjoy-Ben W.</p> The jog Dial is a quick program launcher, and control all in one. You move the dial to get to the program/menu you want to access and then press down on the dial itself to select. The jog dial has menus and sub menus you can access by just pressing down on it and moving up and down. It takes a little practice, as you will find out. The button in japanese to the left is the sleep button.
Enjoy-Ben W.

]]> By: paul http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24811 paul Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:14:57 +0000 #comment-24811 <p>Hi Ben, I just received my U3 and haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces yet. One of these evenings. It sure seems like an amazing machine though. One thing I don't get though.....The 'Jog' dial. What is it showing me here. I see it rotates through some kind of menu. I don't know what that stuff means though. Do you activate a selection with the little button next to the dial? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. Thank you...Paul</p> Hi Ben,
I just received my U3 and haven’t had a chance to put it through it’s paces yet. One of these evenings. It sure seems like an amazing machine though.
One thing I don’t get though…..The ‘Jog’ dial. What is it showing me here. I see it rotates through some kind of menu. I don’t know what that stuff means though. Do you activate a selection with the little button next to the dial?
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. Thank you…Paul

]]> By: paul http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/01/30/sony_vaio_pcg_u3_umpc/comment-page-1/#comment-24810 paul Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:08:17 +0000 #comment-24810 <p>Hello, Very nice review. Excellent pictures too ! Thank you for taking the time to post it. I guess I'm a gadget freak also. Just got one of these units on flea bay (haven't received it yet). I'll come back with more when I get my hands on it. Paul</p> Hello,
Very nice review. Excellent pictures too !
Thank you for taking the time to post it.
I guess I’m a gadget freak also. Just got one of these units on flea bay (haven’t received it yet). I’ll come back with more when I get my hands on it.
Paul

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