Vaio Update Not Working

[mike9586]

I have a Sony VGN-FZ11S laptop which I bought last August. Vaio Update has always worked fine however, the screen backlight sometimes refused to work and I sent it back to Sony for repair. It has returned today with a list of repairs including the Main Board being replaced.

As I'd recovered the computer before sending it to Sony, I started to get things back to normal on it, getting everything updated. Windows Vista updated fine and I then went to the Vaio Update and it just keeps coming up with this message: "Your model information could not be found on the server. Please try again later. (MessageID=0008)"

I looked on the Vaio website and saw there was an update to Vaio Update so I downloaded and installed that but it didn't make any difference. I then recovered my computer again but it still keeps coming up with the same message. I've restarted my computer and even my router but nothing seems to make it work.

It's the same laptop I had before, just a new main board and screen hinge. What could be wrong?

[Thalamus.]

Hi

there is an update that should resolve the "Your model information could not be found on the server. Please try again later. (MessageID=0008)", use the following link to download the update: VAIO Update 3.1.02.03190

Sony state...

You only need to install this update if VAIO Update gives the following error message:
"Your model information could not be found on the server".

This update solves VAIO Update connection issues with VAIO Update server.

How do I perform this update?
1. Exit all running programs.
2. Download this update and save it to your hard drive.
3. When the download is completed, locate the downloaded file in the location you specified.
4. Double-click EP0000148661.exe to run it.
5. Wait while the wizard updates your software.
6. When the installation is complete, restart the VAIO.

[mike9586]

Thanks for your reply but as I stated in my original post, I've installed that update already and it is still coming up with the error.

[Thalamus.]

Hi Izak,

when you first started your vaio were there multiple languages available.?

If so try this...

Goto Start, then click Control Panel.

In Control Panel click Clock, Language, and Region, then Regional and language Options..

In Regional and language Options select the Administrative tab and click Change System locale..

Click Ok on the User Account control window..

Select the original operating system language, try English USA, then click Ok and Close..

Restart your computer.

If the error message continues then I suggest you contact Sony Vaio support again, you can do this either by phone or via e-Support, use the following link to find the contact details: Sony Vaio Support

[mike9586]

Thanks for your reply.

My laptop has always been set to English (UK) even when Vaio Update was working before I sent the laptop for repair. I've tried selecting English (US) using the method you said but it didn't resolve it. I then decided, as the laptop repair centre is in Belgium, to try French (Belgium) but that didn't work either.

I'll try it again tomorrow just in case there are server problems if not, then I'll e-mail Sony and ask advice.

PS, don't know if the VU.ini file in the Vaio Update folder means anything but it contains the following:

[Setting]
InfoFileURLBase=http://info.vupdate2.com/EU/VU3/

[Option]
UseModelCode=1
UseSystemDefaultUILanguage=1

Could there be anything wrong in this file?

[Thalamus.]

[Setting]
InfoFileURLBase=http://info.vupdate2.com/EU/VU3/

[Option]
UseModelCode=1
UseSystemDefaultUILanguage=1

Could there be anything wrong in this file?

That's identical to the my VU.ini..

I'll have a think but in the meantime see what Sony Vaio-link has to offer.. :smileythinking:

[Thalamus.]

Hi Izak,

hopefully someone from Sony should be in contact soon..

Please check your registration contact details are correct (click here )..

[mike9586]

Thanks for all your replies.

A guy from Sony phoned me and asked me to check the computer serial number on the BIOS. Strangely it has an underscore separating the two sets of numbers. He then looked into the problem and has phoned again this morning to say the underscore in the serial number should be a dash and this is why I'm experiencing problems with Vaio Update. Unfortunately the only way they can resolve this issue is to collect my laptop and take it for repair again. So they are collecting it tomorrow. Luckily I hadn't put anything on the system so I have nothing extra to backup.

I've also queried two other issues I've noticed with the laptop:

Scratches/scuffs on the lid - these weren't there when I sent it for repair but were on return so hopefully they might be able to fix these.

Hard Drive Clicking - every so often the hard drive makes a clicking sound, it comes and goes but when it does occur the clicking usually carries on for quite some time. So hopefully this will be looked at too.

[Thalamus.]

Thanks for all your replies.

You're welcome, please could you let me know that everything is ok once your vaio has been returned..

[mike9586]

please could you let me know that everything is ok once your vaio has been returned.. 

Will do.

The guy at Sony said he'd put it on a priority case so hopefully it won't be too long.