Sony Vaio... need help

[Kuro Matsuri]

I just recently bough a Japanese Sony Vaio TR5B... What am I going to need to use it in the US? I hate to post this thread, because I've seen several similar threads about power adapters and stuff, but I really need to know this. Thanks in advance for any help I can get.

 

[jeisan]

not much i believe, as Japanese and US outlets are the same and the voltages are similar enough. you may come into some conflicts with software or hardware because of the japanese OS. though this is just a theory from me as i havent actualy tried to do it. but look on the power adapter for the vaio as long as it says something between 110v~120v you should be cool.

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

Thanks. The laptop hasn't come in yet, but when it does I will check. If I have any problems I will most likely ask about it here...

Also, the OS has been changed to the English version of Windows XP, but it also comes with the Japanese Windows XP on a CD. As soon as I learn enough Japanese, I might switch. (But that would mean that I would have to get Japanese versions of all my software as well... Still, it should come in handy when I go to Japan in a few years as an exchange student)

 

[jeisan]

youre welcome.
also you could always parition your harddrive, and have both operating systems on there. then you can swtich freely between them.

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

I was thinking about that as well, but the hard drive is 40 GB. Is that big enough to efficiently run two operating systems?

 

[jeisan]

windows xp pro is near 2 gigs so youd basicly have two 20 gig computers in one, or how ever you want to split them up. besides they dont run at the same time, you pick which to run when the computer starts up.

 

[DoctorP]

According to Sony, this model comes with a 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz adapter. Basically you could travel the world and never worry about voltage requirements, you would only need an adapter plug for the country you visit...luckily you will not need this for the US. Sounds like a pretty good system! I may have to check into one of those!

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

Yay! \(^.^)/ If the Vaio does come with the previously mentioned adapter, that would be great. I'll let ya'll know what happens when it comes in.

As for the partition, I heard someone say that if both of the operating systems are Windows XP then it won't work... Is that true?

 

[sky888]

I dont think you will have any problem. I have brought my sony vaio to both Japan and US .. didn't have anyproblem with the power supply etc at all...

 

[mr.sumo.snr]

I wouldn't bother with a Japanese XP installation. If your 'desperate' to operate Windoze Xp in Japanese just install the Japanese Multi-User Interface.

Two requirements - the Jpn MUI software itself - NOT available for purchase OR for download from Microsoft. It can be had from guys you might meet in a pub - or perhaps the sort of websites at which they hang out.

The other requirement is Eng XP PRO - it won't function on the Home edition.

This is NOT the same is the Japanese language IME. This software changes the entire OS to Japanese - plus all the default-installed software, including help files.

It won't change English programs such as Photoshop to Japanese. nor will it change Office 2003 - you need a seperate MUI to do that...man in the pub time again...

BTW has the Sony been factory-installed with the English OS?

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Wow...

Classy avatar Mr.Sumo !!

Frank

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

Mr.Sumo , no. It was factory installed with the Japanese OS. However, the person I am buying it from installed the English OS, drivers, etc.

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

The Sony Vaio I ordered has come in. I have no problems with the power supply. I have not tried the partition for the Japanese and English Windows XP side-by-side installation. I am still insure if that will work since they are both Windows XP. At any rate, everything went well! :win:

 

[mr.sumo.snr]

Do all the bells and whistles work? All the little shortcut buttons and default-installed Sony software - in English?

I will tell you 100% for certain, a separate installation of Windoze XP will happily co-exist with an original installation. Hell, you can install XP in a sub-directory if you want. What probably won't work is performing that installation with the Sony-shipped system recovery cds that came with you new machine. I doubt the cds will want to do anything except a factory-default installation, which involves wiping the entire hard disk and starting from scratch. And since the guy who sold you the device has placed a Ghost image of the English installation somewhere on you hard disk you won't want to be messing around with anything that could delete current partitions.

Yahoo me if you want to know how to change everything into Japanese - without re-installing XP.

 

[Kuro Matsuri]

Almost everything works in English. There was a slight problem with the camera, but the seller is sending me a fix for it. As for the changing everything to Japanese, is there a way to do that where I can easily switch back and forth between English and Japanese?

 

[gablala]

T5B Recovery

Hi!

Need help, my TR5B crashed 3 months ago... and still unable to fix it. I never had the chance to create the recovery disk. Would you know where I can purchase the recovery, or would you know a site where it can be downloaded?