topic Re: Vaio Care problem in PCs & Accessories

Vaio Care problem

CycleRepublic — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:42:22 GMT

While working on my Vaio laptoip, every once in a while, Vaio Care pops up saying that there's an important message in the Message Center. When I go there, all I see is spam from WildTangent.

The message reads:

Important Information

8/9/2012 Get WildTangent Games App +20 WildCoins

and it appears in 'Message Center' in VAIOCare.

If I click on it I'm brought to an external website selling online games.

This is quite obviously not an 'Important Message' and should not be displayed in VAIOCare.

Is there a way of blocking these messages or has Vaio Care been hacked to show these inappropriate messages?

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 08:55:59 GMT

Hi VaioRepuplic,

I don’t think that Vaio Care has been hacked, more a collaboration between Vaio and WildTangent. Have a look at the following link:

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/wildtangent-games-launches-on-vaio-in-europe-1634188.htm

I’m uncertain of how to stop this from running but have found the following link that may help but have a feeling that it applies if you have installed the software yourself. Otherwise make your displeasure known to Vaio Support and ask for instructions on how to remove this from your computer – I certainly would!

http://www.ehow.com/how_6888427_do-remove-wildtangent-dll_.html

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

CycleRepublic — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 18:02:45 GMT

No, I have not installed WildTangent.

Vaio used be a classy brand, it's a bit underhand sneaking tacky advertisements into system support software.

Times seem to have changed since my XG18 and Z1.

Who's best to complain to?

Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:54:23 GMT

Hi VaioRepublic,

This has been raised with one of our contacts within the Sony organisation as this collaboration with WildTangent, or more to the point the fact that messages are actuated from Vaio Care, is something new and in my opinion unwelcome.

Please bear with us for a few days while we try to get more information...

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:05:52 GMT

A response has been received and hopefully we will have more information soon on this problem. I will keep you informed as and when more detail is available...

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:24:33 GMT

Hi VaioRepublic,

Your complaint was passed to the CSE team who have taken on board your complaint. There is no way for you to stop these messages individually but they will be taking this message offline from the VAIO Update server shortly in agreement with VMOE-Marketing team.

I'm not sure on timescale but let us know if they haven't stopped after a week.

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

Hotlips922 — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 23:52:48 GMT

Thank god for that, It's really been doing my head in you have no idea. Thanks for that rich912.

Re: Vaio Care problem

CycleRepublic — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:39:09 GMT

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is very inappropriate behaviour by Sony.

I'm still getting messages from Wild Tangent. I got another one today dated 8/30/2012 even though I configured VAIO Care Settings to 'Notify Only Critical Information'.

There's no way these messages are important or critical. This really shakes my confidence in Vaio Care.

Surely this breaches the Data Protection Act and should be allowed happen?

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:34:08 GMT

We have asked for an approx. timescale on this being taken off the Vaio Update server - will update this thread when further information is available.

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:37:34 GMT

We have been informed that the message about WildTangent will disappear from VAIO Care message centre by tomorrow.

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

don_her — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:13:30 GMT

It's the 5th of september now. Still have this message in VaioCare. In my opinion, the VaioCare program has not been developed well/far enough. Even after creating backups through windows, norton and the vaiocare program, after maken a recovery system both on bluray's and on USB sticks, still the warnings stay...

Re: Vaio Care problem

biddleje — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:05:51 GMT

Its now the 13th September and, despite a load of software updates over the last few days, the WildTangent spam email still pops up as an "Urgent Vaio Care Message"

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 08:28:45 GMT

Thank you for that information biddleje.

This is extremely embarrassing as assurances were given that this would be actioned some two weeks ago. I have passed this on and will post again when a response is received.

Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:35:35 GMT

Can those still receiving these unwanted messages via Vaio Care please let us have your model number and product code?

This on more recent models will be the two model numbers on the underside of the notebook – one embossed and one on a sticker. Some notebooks have a chassis model reference on the underside and a product model reference on the screen surround.

Thanks,
Rich

Vaio Care problem

Hotlips922 — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:55:57 GMT

My Vaio software is up to date and the message is still there, my model number is VPCF23N1E.

What do you mean by product code though? I have an S/N number * 27548419 500**** * and Service Tag C609****.

Message was edited by: rich912

Edited to obscure serial number and Service Tag.

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:17:18 GMT

Thank you Hotlips922 and don_her.

This information has been passed on.

Rich

Vaio Care problem

don_her — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:18:24 GMT

I have the VPCF23Z1E with service tag C609****. Is this what you meant? Also it says Model PCG-81313M.

Message was edited by: rich912

To obscure service tag

Re: Vaio Care problem

MissDisgruntled — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:18:28 GMT

I also have this unwanted advert. My Product is VPCSB3T9E, model no: PCG-4121FM

Re: Vaio Care problem

rich912 — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 06:25:55 GMT

Thank you MissDisgruntled.
This information has been passed on.
Rich

Re: Vaio Care problem

CycleRepublic — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:03:20 GMT

It's now September 17 and guess what?

I've got an 'important' message as follows:

Message Center

Important Information

9/17/2012 Get WildTangent Games App + 20 WildCoins.