Let me briefly take you through these problems, so you can get a sense of how things developed. Subsequently, I will let you know how Sony responded along the way.

1. Problem #1. Initially, on Day 1, I couldn’t register my PC online (as recommended by Sony). Every time I tried to submit my details online, the application process shut-down. Hence, I ended-up having to phone the 3-year next-day onsite support number (a service for which I had already paid extra), in order to register my PC.
2. Problem #2. Then I couldn’t upgrade the Windows and Sony software properly by following the onscreen prompts (again as recommended by Sony). Essentially, what happened was that the Sony Club Vaio application wouldn’t work properly, and, as a result, two of the three Vaio-related desktop icons became corrupted during the update process. Again I had to call the 3-year, next-day onsite support number, only to be told that Sony were already aware of this problem. I was directed to install a patch from the Vaio website. This patch not only corrected this specificproblem but also enabled the Sony software to be updated via the Sony Club Vaio website. Incidentally, there was no mention of this problem in the documentation accompanying my PC
3. Problem #3. Then I couldn’t burn the recommended recovery discs. Again I had to phone the 3-year, next-day onsite support number to resolve this problem. Ultimately, this problem was solved by completely recovering my Windows and Sony software applications from the PC’s hard disc (by pressing F10 on start-up).
4. Problem #4. Then I discovered that I couldn’t play DVDs in both Windows Media Player and WinDVD on this PC. Eventually – having deleted and re-installed the original and updated versions of the nVidia driver, and having switched repeatedly between Speed and Stamina mode on this PC (a hugely time-consuming process) – it became clear that Sony believe it is “normal” for this PC to play DVDs either through Windows Media Player or WinDVD (whichever is used first) but not both. This problem is not made clear in any of Sony’s promotional material or technical specifications. Indeed, all my other PCs offer this functionality. Indeed, I have since purchased a new Toshiba PC that happily plays DVDs in both Windows Media Player and WinDVD with Windows Vista Business Edition installed, so this is clearly not an unreasonable requirement. Also, Windows Media Player automatically comes up first in the list of applications when inserting a new DVD, so it is highly likely that this option is going to be selected first – thus negating any benefits of having WinDVD pre-installed on this PC. Again, there is no explanation about this problem in the documentation accompanying this Sony Vaio PC.
5. Problem #5. To resolve the problem of not being able to play DVDs in both Windows Media Player and WinDVD (which I see as an essential requirement), I was advised to upgrade from Windows Vista Business Edition to Windows Vista Ultimate. This I did, as instructed. The end-result was that I couldn’t even play CDs, let alone DVDs, because my Sony Vaio SZ5 told  me there was “no sound card installed”. Clearly there really was a sound card installed, which was working properly earlier. Obviously, the upgrade from Windows Vista Business Edition to Ultimate failed catastophically (although I have no idea why). At this point, I gave-up and re-packed my Sony Vaio SZ5, in its original packaging, ready for return to my supplier, Port-P . . . at which point wmy real problems started.

More news in due course.

Alan