topic Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update? in PCs & Accessories

Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update?

midc — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:51:41 GMT

Any change Sony is going to release a bios update for the VGN-A397XP which will enable HyperMemory on the ATI X600 so it can use 256MB? I ask this question because they did release a bios-update and a new X600 Graphics Controller Driver for the VGN-A600/690 US models which are (almost....) the same.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNA600&UpdateType=Updates

ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X600 Graphics Controller Driver Update
This utility updates the ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X600 Graphics Controller Driver to version 6.14.10.6525 and enables ATI® HyperMemory™ support.

BIOS Update Utility : This utility updates the BIOS to version R0080F2 and enables ATI® HyperMemory™ support.
This BIOS update is being provided by Sony as an optional download for the VGN-A600, VGN-A600B, VGN-A600P, and VGN-A690 computers. While these computers are within original specifications, the application of this BIOS update, in conjunction with video update ATDVID-A0817108-US.EXE, will allow for an additional 128MB of dynamically shared RAM to be allocated for Video Graphics usage resulting in a maximum of 256MB available for video graphics.

Or am I just wrong and is the X600 another model which will not support HyperMemory....

Re: Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update?

kee-lo_ — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 14:09:04 GMT

This is something you'd need to bring up with VAIO Link

Re: Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update?

William — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:00:58 GMT

Well, I am not going to suggest it :smileygrin:

BUT I had to use a USA Bios on my GRX to remedy memory speed problems.

Just how close are the specs to the USA model - Are they the same?

The update I used didn't bat an eyelid when I applied it to an EU model - BUT the choice is yours and yours alone.

You may have a long wait, the US seems a lot more dynamic than the EU equivelant regarding Bios updates.

BUT in true Sony tradition I had to buy a SONY USB drive to apply it

Re: Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update?

midc — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 10:06:00 GMT

I have tried it but it didnt work, there's a model check when you try to install it (it fool-proof as it should be!). Don't get me wrong, even if it would let me update i wouldn't do it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it

I know Sony is slow with major updates, i will just have to wait to see what happens.

Re: Vaio A397XP Hypermemory Bios & Driver Update?

William — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:21:39 GMT

I have tried it but it didnt work, there's a model check when you try to install it (it fool-proof as it should be!). Don't get me wrong, even if it would let me update i wouldn't do it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it
 

I know Sony is slow with major updates, i will just have to wait to see what happens.

You jogged my memory then :smileygrin: You are right about the model check.

The way round it then was to create an EU bios update floppy disk and then replace the ROM files on it with the USA ones.

Scary stuff and best left alone.