Notebook Experts Please!!!

[Pollux]

I recently bought a Sony Vaio notebook and i had a few quick questions regarding it. It is a PCG-F340.

1) the screen is not an active matrix... i can't remember what type it is, but i knew there was a difference. it's not bad but i want to make sure that this is how it's supposed to be. there is always a faintly discernable line across the middle of the screen whereupon the top half of the screen is a bit darker than the bottom half
-and-
when i bring up smaller windows, such as icq messages or instant messenger windows... vertical lines appear... also faintly. is this supposed to happen.

2) I leave it on a lot, but there isn't much cooling. is it better to leave the laptop on a lot or turn it off and on? I primarily use it for web-browsing and programming.

I welcome all hints, tips, and answers from both knowledgable computer and notebook users alike.
thanks
-pollux

[RobRich]

I'm not really a laptop expert, I mostly work with desktops and servers, but here ya go:

I usually recommend turning off a laptop since most have poor system cooling. If you running Win9x you might wish to try a software cooling program (such as rain) to suspend your cpu (thus cooling it) when its not processing anything. Their is no real imposed performance hit, plus it will really help with the heat problem. An aded benifit is also longer battery life due to less wattage requirements from the cpu.

A quick link to rain:
http://cpu.simplenet.com/rain10.zip

As for display type, sounds like you have dual scan color. It uses a passive display technique. The discoloration could be due to heat build up near the base of your unit (does it feel warm) chaning the physical properties of your display.

The vertical lines sound like a refresh timing problem, which can usually be resolved by adjusting the timing information found under the advanced tab of your display properties.

You might also wan to to check Sony's website to make sure you have the latest video drivers for your system.

[Pollux]

Thanks RobRich!
Okay... i found out that the display type is an XGA HPA. I know that this is different from an active matrix, but do the differences coincide with the observations i wrote about above? I'd really appreciate any feedback because the warantee for automatic exchanges is growing short and i'd like to get this taken care of. thanks.
-pollux

[RobRich]

Your problem sounds like a defect with the display itself. HPA is a common, well used display type, so I dont understand why your screen is devloping the light areas with the vertical lines. If the notebook is still under warantee, I think its time to give their tech support a call, you may need some physical repairs done to the unit.

Even being HPA, your diaply should look perfectly normal when observed directly. Your colors may looked "washed out" as compared to an active matrix display, but when viewed directly, you should have uniform contrast and color with your setup.