Hi all!

I got my TR2a from CompUSA after they pricematched Best Buy’s $2199 - $200 Mail in Rebate. CompUSA also gave me an additional $100 Gift Card, so the notebook cost me about $1900.

I paid for the 2 Year extended plan through CompUSA which includes a $150 Battery Certificate…I can buy a battery and they reimburse me $150.

About the same time I bought the notebook Kingston.com had a huge sale. I got another 512MB of ram for $95 shipped! I didn’t even open the box yet for the notebook and my Ram came 2 days later.

When I finally got around to opening the box I was disapointed to find out the Notebook came with no manual or DVD/CDs. I installed the ram right away and booted the notebook. The memory was working right away, no issues! Great!

I used the recovery maker to make 2 sets of CDs (one to carry and one for the safe). I could not get through the 9 discs without a failure. I thouhgt it was because I used cheap media, so I went out and got Sony High Speed CD-Rs. Again, it failed.

I called Sony, they said they sometimes have issues with the Recovery program and they will send me 2 copies of the DVD Recovery CD for free! Cool. It came the next day via overnight shipping!

It’s been about a month and I still haven’t really used the notebook, i’ve been busy. I didn’t like the cases sony makes (in the US or Japan) so I found someone on Ebay who makes custom Leather Cases…I should have it by Late January.

I recently purchased a finger print PCMCIA card that will allow me to lock the notebook with the only way to get in is my thumbprint. When this arrives (it’s on its way) I need to remove the partioned drive and delete the software I don’t need.

I also picked up a MP3 remote on Ebay…I am not sure if it works with the TR, but I am going to try.

I have a few questions:

1. Has anyone in the US used the TV thing that sony makes for the TR? I heard its only available in Japan and it’s like $350 USD…I want it, but I want to make sure it works first.

2. For those outside the US that have the TV thing…do you like it?

I found this site to be so informative, I am so glad I found it!

Thanks,
Erik

After reading your post it reminds me of how unfair pricing is around the world. A new tr2 for $1900! with the Pound dollar exchange at the moment that comes in at less than £1100. In the UK the tr1 still costs £1600. Also 512mb of ram shipped to you for $95, that was a good deal. When was Kingston’s sale, and can you let me know if they have another one?

Mrs Gadget

I was very tempted to buy a TR1MP and intended to get an extra 512MB Kingston RAM from smcdirect.com. Thought £115 delivered wasn’t too bad.

We’ll never see the US prices here. Manufacturers know we are prepared to pay over the odds. :x

Kingstons sale was right before Christmas. It was a Code E-mail to some customers. It was valid for 512-1GB of ram only. It took it down to $92 and I had a free shipping code plus I used a link that took off another few %. Had I known about the site, I would have posted it.

Erik

The TV tuner works but the software is all Japanese.  Unless you can get the latest GigaPocket from Sony Desktop (I believe RZ and W series), you have to deal with the Japanese software.

One of the disadvantage of using the Japanese software is, they are preset the channel lineup to Tokyo TV channels.  However, it allows you to scan for all available channels.  I did that and found most of my cable channels if not all.  The quality is really good.

By the way, we have in stock in LA if you ever want to buy one.

“I called Sony, they said they sometimes have issues with the Recovery program and they will send me 2 copies of the DVD Recovery CD for free! Cool. It came the next day via overnight shipping! ” says tifosiv122.

which number did u call??????  i go my tr around one week already. i tried to call they said it’s not free??? could u tell me the number?

[quote author=“jeo4long”]The TV tuner works but the software is all Japanese.  Unless you can get the latest GigaPocket from Sony Desktop (I believe RZ and W series), you have to deal with the Japanese software.

One of the disadvantage of using the Japanese software is, they are preset the channel lineup to Tokyo TV channels.  However, it allows you to scan for all available channels.  I did that and found most of my cable channels if not all.  The quality is really good.

By the way, we have in stock in LA if you ever want to buy one.

How much? Can you get the GigaPocket US Software?

Erik

It is $349. I’ll throw free shipping for you.  I have the version 4.5 Giga Pocket from the earlier RZ desktop, but I haven’t had the chance to play around with it.  I can provide you with that if you want to give it a try.

Let me search around for the software…I will let you know early next week…thank you for free shipping!

Erik

I called the Vaio support # I found on Sony’s site…I don’t have the exact # on me but its an automated thing that says what product are you calling for and directed me to a live person.

Well, at first he said it was $25 or something a disc…I said no way. I just got a $2,200 notebook and it won’t burn Sony CD-R that cost $2 per disc? I said you can blame the media or the drive, but both are yours. He had nothing to say, so he agreed to ship the Disc. I said I want 2 because I wanted a backup in case I lose the first one. He grunted but said alright.

I also threw into the mix how i’ve owned so many sony products…yada yada…I wasn’t lying about the recovery, I really couldn’t create the disc, so I had no problems arguing till I got the DVDs.

Erik

:cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:
I tried called them again.maybe because of my english, and i didnt agressive enough. still not getting the dvd they said i need to purchase.

ps. the thing is they also ask me about the detail on how i couldn’t get burning process working. so i say something like “computer shows me to restart the computer and try again.”. Sony rep ask me for more detail.
Is that what u guys say as a reason for getting free dvd shipped?

I dont remember the exact message but it said something like:

There was an error writing to the disc. Please restart the computer and try again.

Erik

one more question. at which period did that message appeared?

Not sure what you mean.

I tried 3 times.

1st time died on disc 6 (So it worked for 8 and 7)
2nd time died on disc 3 (So it worked for 8,7,6,5,4)
Last time it died on disc 7 (It only worked for disc 8)

I assume Disc 9 is done after the original 8, but I have no idea because I never got that far.

Erik

Have you had a chance to try the software yet, I am ready to buy…

Erik

BOy..

you must b the luckiest man on earth !!

95 for 512, 1900 for the TR, free recovery disks what’s next?

Did you try playing LOTTO ?

Nice going.. i envy you a lot.

Please post agina when an offer from Kingston.com comes to your inbox.

Tnx