Bug#261251: [Crusoe CMS bug] Getting a CMS 4.5 for your laptop...
Hi all,
It's a long time that I have started hunting the bug of the Xserver on
my Vaio PCG-C1MZX and the final result is here:
http://www.cs.auc.dk/~fleury/bug_cms/
Is it satisfactory ???
I don't think so because the bug can appear in any other software and it
will start again. Moreover, I know that the CMS (Code Morphing Software)
4.4 and 4.5 are not buggy. So, having an update would solve the problem
at once (and get better performance for the machine).
But, now it is a matter to convince Sony that we really need this patch
(no need to contact Transmeta because they will just say that it's not
their business). So, I tried...
I went through http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/Support/ (For the Fujitsu
owner, you should find the equivalent with Google)
I selected "Japan" because my machine is a Japanese import and the
support is only in Japan.
And I sent this mail:
**********
Hi,
I own a Vaio PCG-C1MZX (japanese import) with a Transmeta Crusoe
processor. I discovered a bug in the firmware of the Transmeta processor
(see: http://www.cs.auc.dk/~fleury/bug_cms/index.html). Actually, a lot
of customers seems to have the exact same problem (I can produce a list
of the one I know and probably contact some others).
I also know that the versions 4.4.x and upper of the firmware are not
buggy.
So, I would like to know when an upgrade of the firmware will be
available.
My Serial Number is: 28379010-1100213
My UUID: fa9a2c80-bf92-11d3-826b-080046476aa3
**********
You can find your serial number in the BIOS (press <ESC> at boot time)
or written on the back of your laptop.
Then, I got this answer:
**********
We do not confirm any problems for the CPU on the original shipping
condition, Japanese OS. Thus, we are afraid we do no have an exact plan
for firmware update.
Below URL shows all update programs we are providing for your model.
(All programs are for original Japanese OS, and no verification for
other OS)
http://vcl.vaio.sony.co.jp/support/note/pcg-c1mzx.html#download
For your information, Please understand we can provide the support for
the PC only under the original condition (with Japanese OS). Note that
unique functions of VAIO such as bundled software, Hotkey, Jog Dial,
Memory stick, and so on may not work well on different OS. We are afraid
Changing the OS is 100% on your responsibility, and it would be
basically out of support except repair work service for hardware
problem.
**********
My first error was to claim that I had a problem with Linux and not with
Windows XP. So, I had to change a bit my formulation of the problem. I
admit that I made up a little story just to justify the update (I guess
Windows XP must have some problems also, I guess that if we compile the
Xserver for Windows Xp we will have some kind of problems as well).
**********
Dear Sony Vaio Tech support,
Thank you for the link of the firmware updates.
I solved several problems in my Windows XP with this.
I perfectly understand that you cannot support all the operating
systems. And I take the whole responsibility for the Linux part of my
Vaio.
Unfortunately, the bug of the CMS (which is OS independant and that I
experiment also under Windows XP from time to time) isn't solved from
these updates. My Windows XP is still randomly refusing to boot from
time to time and only a hard reboot can solve the problem (actually
applying service pack 2 made it worst).
Could you be kind enough to tell me where I can get an upgrade of the
Transmeta firmware for Windows XP for this bug ?
Note: The description of the problem is mainly formulated for Linux,
only because as I have access to the sources, it allows me to figure out
what was going wrong with the machine.
I would like to thank you in advance for your reply
**********
I love the trick about the "Service Pack 2". :)
Then I got this reply:
**********
Thank you for your kind understanding.
Unfortunately, we do not have any information of the plan to release
Transmeta firmware for XP.
We would like to help you, but we are afraid we have no information for
your question, [where I can get an upgrade of the Transmeta firmware for
Windows XP for this bug?]
We are deeply sorry, but please understand it.
**********
The FAQ is totally useless because it covers only computers which have
to be repaired... and in our case we need an update of the firmware.
So, I tried again:
**********
Dear Sony Vaio Tech-support,
Thanks for your reply.
On Tue, 2004-10-19 at 11:43, info-vaio@sony.co.jp wrote:
>
> Unfortunately, we do not have any information of the plan
> to release Transmeta firmware for XP.
>
> We would like to help you,
> but we are afraid we have no information for your question,
> [where I can get an upgrade of the Transmeta
> firmware for Windows XP for this bug?]
Could give me a way to contact somebody which can do something to fix
this annoying bug in XP ?
I am no Windows XP expert, but I can try to provide a full description
of the bug and maybe some logs if I can find where they are stored.
Thanks in advance for your kind reply.
**********
This time, I think they wanted to get rid of me:
**********
The support of your VAIO is VAIO Customer Link Japan.
We are sorry but there is no contact window for the support of your PC.
We really appreciate your kindness, but we are sorry we have no exact
plan for update firmware as explained on the previous mail.
We are afraid we have no further information on this matter.
**********
Ok, now I need your help (all of you that have been reading this mail
and which are owning one of these Vaio Crusoe PictureBook with a CMS
4.3.x).
What I would like you to do is the following:
1) Contact your Vaio Sony Support (see:
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/Support/)
2) Complain about a bug _in_Windows_XP_
3) Point out the fact that this is probably the bug described here:
http://www.cs.auc.dk/~fleury/bug_cms/
4) Don't forget to put the serial number of you machine.
5) Be polite and kind with these guys. ^_^
My hope is that if enough people are mentioning this bug, Sony will
decide to ask Transmeta to release an update. So, I really need all of
you to spend 30 minutes to do this with a possibility to have your Vaio
working finally fine (maybe even better than ever).
Of course, if you know other owners of this kind of laptops contact them
and spread the information as much as possible.
Thanks in advance.
PS: I've contacted also all the people owning a Fujitsu from the
P-serie. I think that the procedure should be about the same for them.
Regards
--
Emmanuel Fleury
Computer Science Department, | Office: B1-201
Aalborg University, | Phone: +45 96 35 72 23
Fredriks Bajersvej 7E, | Fax: +45 98 15 98 89
9220 Aalborg East, Denmark | Email: fleury@cs.aau.dk
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