20 Most Recent Sony VAIO VGN-FS640W Notebook Questions & Answers

make sure its the latest avi player, or why dont u chek out the windows media player, or vlc player, or cyberlink power dvd, or windows media centre, there are loads of softwares u can use to play your dvds

Okay, I know this is an old question but when i searched for the same problem recently, it was the nearest I could find. So in case others are having the same problem:

The Vaio you have is a Canadian model, which has alternate keyboard drivers for English and French. The alt car key only works with the French keyboard (durr). To switch, press the LEFT control key and RIGHT shift key at the same time, then release. Now if you use the alt car key like the shift key, i.e. hold it down then press another key, you should be able to access the pink characters. To return to English keyboard, press left-ctrl and right-shift together again.

hth!

On laptops, it is common for crumbs and dust/debris to get under the keys on the keyboard. Try giving the keyboard a clean with a vacuum cleaner. If this doesn't work, you will most probably need to replace the keyboard, it isn't difficult or expensive.

Try cleaning the fan, vents and heatsink for starters. Has it been overheating? There are a few things you can check, Take a look at this video to help troubleshoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yi6GNFcP3w ALSO this: http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=VGNFS640_W AND: http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&docType=kc&externalId=C270032

For more information about the Sony laptop keyboard: http://www.2deals.net/Keyboard/Sony.html

Most laptops do not have a BIOS button to reset the BIOS settings.To reset the BIOS just remove the BIOS battery and wait for approx.20 mins for the battery charge to discharge then replace the battery.ORAfter removing the BIOS battery just short out the battery terminals on the motherboard with a paper clip, the replace the BIOS battery and go into the BIOS setting to change the Date and Time etc.There isnt a fuse for the LCD screen.If your laptop appears to boot up and the hard disk LEDflashes, then the problem is probably a back light fault. This can be a faultyinverter or a faulty CCFL lamp. Please click on this link and follow myinstructions to identify the fault and possible fix :- http://www.fixya.com/support/r3598095-faulty_laptop_lcd_screen

The main battery needs to be replaced, or the charging ciruit on the motherboard is not working, remove main battery get a stiff toothbrush and clean terminals in the laptop incuding the battery, if no change! check the device manager to see if battery is present, if no! reset bios to factory default.

Sony Vaio PCG and some Vaio VGN Series use the last 7 digits of the laptop serial number to calculate the bios master password. The serial number for a Sony Vaio is often located on the bottom of the laptop on a white sticker. The serial number may also be found by removing the battery and checking in the battery compartment. The link to unlockbiosrecovery.com below works on the following models:
PCG-C, PCG-F, PCG-GR, PCG-GRS, PCG-GRT, PCG-GRV, PCG-GRX, PCG-GRZ, PCG-N, PCG-NV205, PCG-QR, PCG-R, PCG-SR, PCG-SRX, PCG-TR, PCG-V, PCG-VX, PCG-X, PCG-Z, VGN-B, VGN-FS, VGN-S, VGN-T, VGN-TX1, VGN-X
I use http://www.unlockbiosrecovery.com/Unlock_Sony_Bios.php
For $20 they use the last 7 digits of the laptop serial number to calculate the bios master password and then email it to you in an hour. They guarantee it to work and you can call them if you have a question.

1. Go to Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options.
2. Click on "Change plan settings" for your laptop's selected power plan (either Balanced or Power saver).
3. Now edit your plan settings by moving the sliders next to "Adjust plan brightness" at the bottom. You'll be able to change the brightness for when your laptop is On battery power, or when it's Plugged in.
4. Once you've adjusting the brightness settings to your liking, then click on the 'Save changes' button.

To output video from your laptop you will need to use VGA out.

What you want to buy is a VGA to S-Video adapter, making sure that both the VGA and S-Video have male connectors.

This solution will not output audio.

go here

http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/index.aspx?l=en_GB

and put in you seriel number to get the manual

I am guessing the Vaio you have is a Canadian model, which has alternate keyboard drivers for English and French. On these models, it seems the alt car key only works with the French keyboard (durr). To switch, press the LEFT control key and RIGHT shift key at the same time, then release. Now if you use the alt car key like the shift key, i.e. hold it down then press another key, you should be able to access the pink characters. To return to English keyboard, press left-ctrl and right-shift together again.

hth!

If what you had explain here is true the hard drive is toast. A replacement is needed.

Try upgrading the BIOS firmware. that should correct the issue.

contact [email protected] for options. Reliable service and reasonable prices. Saved me 200 on a toshiba MB