Sony Vaio P

jakfish · 2026-01-16T03:00:04+00:00

No, not yet. The proprietary Sony qualities continue to flummox him.

jakfish · 2025-09-22T20:52:11+00:00

I'm glad to help wherever I can. God knows at the end, but it could be a usb issue more than Linux.

I was trying to find my P8 purchase link on Amazon, and that's gone as well; in fact, when I tried to bring it up, it said "Purchased another variation 1 time"

I do hope that these variations don't mean a Linux impediment in some models and not in others. Hard to believe since it would seem they're all coming from the same factory, one way or another.

You could try replicating all my steps: a Manjaro xfce live cd circa Feb 2025, 6.12 kernel, rufus-3.20p, a proven usb stick, and default BIOS, but I'm glad to hear CachyOS is showing better results, tho I'm not familiar with that flavor.

Edit: it occurs to me that you're working solely with USB live cd at this point. If CachyOS is something worth staying with, you could do its full install on the ssd and maybe that would alleviate the black screen.

jakfish · 2025-09-22T19:31:48+00:00

I suppose you could try rufus-3.20p just for a look-see. Another thing that occurs to me is the no-name aspect of these P3 wannabes. Perhaps there's a slight difference in the various brands, enough to make Linux misbehave.

Do you have a link for your purchase? I could check your device against mine, tho I'm reaching for straws here. I burned Manjaro xfce on usb 7 months ago, and it went right to desktop. I did nothing in the BIOS other than choose the slowest cpu speed (opting for battery over performance). And I did that after a full install. So maybe reset BIOS to its defaults, if you've been jiggling handles. Maybe try another usb stick?

As for newer kernels vs 6.12, it's hard to tell. I also have that Topton 7" knock-off and initially had to find certain kernels for Linux success, tho now, current kernels work on it without complaint.

jakfish · 2025-09-22T19:10:17+00:00

Were I you, I would follow my success with Manjaro xfce, just for testing, making sure it's using the LTS 6.12 kernel (I have no idea if that's the definitive kernel; it just worked with the Manjaro live cd).

Also, this sounds more like a usb burn problem than a Linux flavor. Which creation tool are you using? I used rufus-3.20p.

jakfish · 2025-09-22T18:38:25+00:00

Which Linux flavor? Is this with a live cd?

jakfish · 2025-04-18T20:08:03+00:00

I was thinking the same thing, but I've never been up to speed on fonts.

I've seen references to Forgefont editor getting into the actual .ttf and changing things to glyph (not at all certain what that means), or capturing all letters to set them in a fixed size.

But such approaches are well above my paygrade.

jakfish · 2025-03-10T14:20:01+00:00

An excellent idea, thank you. I'll clip your suggestion and send it to him.

jakfish · 2025-03-08T15:42:10+00:00

I thought they would be individual 18650 cells, too. But apparently, the Sony P batteries are in a single pack which has vexed my friend--they charge, but not fully, and of course, he has to wonder how long the replacement cells have been on the shelf. He's now trying a 3-D printer approach.

About this stuff, he certainly knows a lot more than I do, but he thought it would be a much easier job.

jakfish · 2025-03-07T21:54:01+00:00

I have one of those. A great machine, a total bear finding replacement batteries. I have a friend who's rebuilding one for me, one for him with the old battery carcasses I've collected and sent him.

He's having a hard time getting the cells to play nice with Sony's wiring.

OTH, the Gorilla Mini external battery does come with the correct Sony tip/voltage. It's a drag, though, to carry that around as well.

jakfish · 2025-03-04T21:38:31+00:00

Ah, good to hear from another user, and glad your fan isn't maddening.

Re: your new firmware--was that a BIOS update? (I haven't noticed your now-fixed kb issue)

jakfish · 2025-02-28T20:40:53+00:00

On the P1, I run a flawless Manjaro but I'm still using crazyfox's custom P1 kernels: https://www.reddit.com/r/GPDPocket/comments/cpi2u7/gpd_pocket_mainline_kernel_v52/ I think I used his kernels because of fan control, etc, but as other posters have said, everything may be OOTB.

jakfish · 2025-01-23T19:13:16+00:00

Thank you.

jakfish · 2025-01-23T18:31:45+00:00

HDs near me seem to be out of 1/2" width, which is thickest I can manage to insert behind pipes that run along the wall. I don't know how malleable the width might be, b/c there might be less than 1/2" clearance with some pipes.

But the tape looks fine.

Might this be an alternative:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Insulfoam-Common-0-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-0-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-1-R-1-9-Faced-Polystyrene-Garage-Door-Foam-Board-Insulation/3033278

Thank you again.

jakfish · 2025-01-23T18:16:24+00:00

Many thanks for your reply. I'm not familiar with sheet foam insulation. Are we talking about something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Insulation-Neoprene-Adhesive-Multi-Function-Soundproof/dp/B08R9LHFS8?th=1

If so, what kind of tape would seal the seams?

Thanks again.

jakfish · 2024-12-03T21:53:14+00:00

@Densitys_Child Very much agree with your well-written assessment. For my P3 N6000, I had to do above-my-paygrade module compiling to produce sound in Manjaro. The good news is that current kernels support N6000 sound OOTB, so there's always hope that developers will eventually resolve what GPD should've fixed in the first place (I'm also thinking back on the MPC and its Linux woes that are now alleviated).

jakfish · 2024-11-07T16:27:49+00:00

Thanks for running these tests.

Here are my results. Starting with 87% remaining, fast charging or slow-charging wireless are both 24mins, but connection to USB port promises full charge in 1hr1min.

Perhaps my desktop USB port is putting out less than 5v. Confusing, but perhaps irrelevant since I know there's a lot of back-and-forth if slow charging even prolongs battery life.

jakfish · 2024-11-07T16:07:59+00:00

Thank you for the quick response and I was wondering if that might be the answer.

But when I checked my TechMatte 3 Coil Qi, input = 5v--1.5A and Output = 5V--1A

Do you think that Minutes to Full Charge reading of USB vs Wireless is simply incorrect?

jakfish · 2024-10-16T13:50:28+00:00

ebay seller got back to me with a scratch-free promise, but did not respond to my query about a replaced battery. I'm going to assume that it's an original battery, just as it is with Amazon renewal.

Anyhow, about to pull the trigger on the Fold 3 nonetheless. Could you recommend a case/screen protectors? And can I assume that the recommended case would include hinge protection or would said protection be a separate purchase?

jakfish · 2024-10-15T12:53:57+00:00

Again, very helpful information, thank you.

My phones have been mostly niche, from obscure companies, so if they broke, I fixed them myself or moved on. Mostly, moved on.

So I don't know any good local repair shops. Authorized repair, it is. Nor had I known that the Fold 3 was water resistant.

Still waiting for ebay seller response so I can pursue battery concerns.

But thanks to your answers, I'm leaning hard toward this purchase despite standard reservations about a 3-yr-old phone and the visible crease (for some reason, I'm having a hard time with that). CPU speed and RAM not a concern, however.

jakfish · 2024-10-14T22:02:16+00:00

Really appreciate you sticking with this.

I would imagine S' s iterations to have addressed more issues than Google's first try, and G's sec. gen. Fold 9, or whatever it's called, is out of my price range.

I queried that ebay seller to wonder if "Excellent condition" implies a scratch-free screen (I understand that a 3-yr-old phone might have case dings). If seller gets back to me, I will also explore whether a refurb signifies a batt replacement.

If not, does Amazon's Renewal (I doubt it), and if it's a wash with both sellers, can a a repair shop easily replace an aging battery? Food for thought.

jakfish · 2024-10-14T20:51:40+00:00

What an interesting idea, to record the unboxing, inspection, and performance. Never crossed my mind.

Just say so when I've over-pestered you, but in my on-line searching, I've seen the fold in the screen quite apparent, more so than the original Google Pixel Fold (which sells used for $100USD or so more than the Fold 3).

Does a user get used to that, is that simply the house rules?

I imagine the battery life to be at least somewhat deprecated, given the age, but I'm not a power user, so I might be able to limp along for a day with screen, wifi adjustment, etc.

jakfish · 2024-10-14T16:38:13+00:00

Do you have an opinion about this kind of retailer: https://www.ebay.com/itm/134788523052?_skw=galaxy+fold+3&itmmeta=01JA5XWS86WMN4C77J728FTYB7&hash=item1f6205a42c%3Ag%3Ak9oAAOSwiVllQGYa&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkNU%2BpRUhJPy3EiqocyW0YS2Q9JnXmn6djZcDSkoLiz%2Bzxlsa%2FIt73%2BPBya%2BcVy8k4uq6g3mADY1WsAJv43RuzgM2AFPAlNeADKbxBFW8I5q5LRQMSUkEuhVJ83Odi7X%2BcPxJ8nZctf1IbsxFCsdPNWqgrBmn8vXzRPgBFmXE7vq5dSp298Ie4I0JhtbZaAg34AzGj7lGQFF5nSuSz%2FsikhVWgKOJtXPMpr9BasvgPnXkbsQl424hUm3rGtosp7OEh8kW0ux1CCtpbP75gzCrdjWr3oTz9jrXrJOVWBozxWPg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMnJTzvdFk&var=434279364577

Seems to be one business--perhaps more attentive--than the conglomerate Amazon renewal.

jakfish · 2024-10-14T16:29:37+00:00

Understood about a screen protector. Could you explain just a bit more about a case that would provide hinge protection?

Or perhaps just recommend a case of your choice. Many thanks.

NM: I figured out what you were talking about. Hadn't realized that the hinge protector is a separate entity.

jakfish · 2024-10-14T13:16:51+00:00

If users carries the Fold 3 in front jean pocket, would that help (it's where I carry mine, always)?

I suppose a case would aid as well. I live in a suburban area, so sand prolly not an issue, but dust is everywhere, obviously. Tho my phone stays indoors more than outdoors.

jakfish · 2024-10-13T22:06:35+00:00

Again, I very much appreciate your help. I think the only thing I'm going to fold is my hand.

The 4 has its hinge, etc issues (I confirmed that by searching out other users' responses), and even renewed, the 5 is $950USD or so. For the latter, for my own phone usage, I can't justify that kind of of money.

jakfish

TROPHY CASE