Help please - several problems

[pammers1]

I purchased a Sony Laptop VGN-FZ38M 3 months ago and for the first few weeks it has worked fine but problems are creeping in which I don't seem to be able to solve. Any help would be much appreciated:

- The wireless connection will not stay on my network and I am disconnected as it tries to connect to other networks. I have to keep re-setting the connection back to my wireless network.
- I successfully managed to set up bluetooth printing but this has stopped working for no apparent reason and I haven't been able to get this facility back up and running.
- I have tried System Restore and for all restore points and I get the message that the system restore was unsuccessful. This facility has always been my lifesaver on my desktop which has never let me down.
- The battery seems rubbish, it hardly seems to have any life in it. Recently I was away for 1 month, when I returned I tried to turn on my laptop but the battery was as flat as a pancake. In contrast my office laptop was full of life.

I am no techno buff but have successfully over the years managed, with the help of manuals, to fix all my own problems on the desktop which is an HP but this laptop has finally defeated me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Blencogo]

Hi Pammers1 and wecome to Club Vaio.

Are you using Norton? If yes it could be blocking your System Restore. Give this a try: -

1. Start your Norton program.
2. Click Options.
3. If you see a menu, click Norton AntiVirus.
4. In the left pane, click Miscellaneous.
5. In the right pane, uncheck Turn protection on for my Symantec protect.
6. Click OK.
7. Run Windows System Restore again

If that doesn't work, try running System Restore in Safe Mode.

Hopefully you will be able to restore to a time before you had the last problem. If not then all I can suggest is that you reinstall the Bluetooth.

For the wireless problem you can look for an update to the wireless driver. It is also advisable to turn off the facility in your wireless adapter's properties to 'search for a stronger signal'. I'm sorry I'm on a XP Desktop at the moment, so I cant be more specific. I'll look later when I'm on a Vista laptop.

For the battery discharging when the Vaio is turned off, I have heard that killing the ISBMGR.EXE process in Task Manager before you shut down can help a lot!

[Blencogo]

OK I'm on a Vista Vaio now!!

Start Button -> Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Centre -> Manage Wireless Networks

Right-Click on your Network and choose Properties

On the Connection Tab, UNCHECK 'Connect to a more preferred network if available'

Make sure the other two boxes are checked.

[pammers1]

Very many thanks for the information. It looks clear, I will have a go and see what happens. I am on the verge of returning the laptop for a refund but I will try your suggestions first as I don't want to look stupid if it turns out to be me that's done something wrong.

Will let you know if I am successful

[pammers1]

Thanks muchly. Just trying to work out how to print off your instructions given that I am unable to print - I might be sometime working that one out 🙂 Seriously, support much appreciated and I will get on to it straight away.

[pammers1]

Hi
Sorry for the late reply but I have been very busy. Can I say how grateful I am for your informtion as all my problems seem to be resolved. Only an extremely battery life seems to be my problem but I will need to go back to Sony with that. Thanks again.