If it wasn't for the fact it's my only laptop powerful enough

Dear Sony; you #%@%$#&%#$ Suck, did you know that?

Yeah, yeah, I know you closed up your computer division a few years ago, but you did it on the sly, AFTER flooding the market with reasonably priced Sony Vaio laptops.  You did this knowing you were closing up the computer division. Too bad that warning didn't come with the purchase, right?

Moving on; this is the same laptop that had the disastrous Windows 10 upgrade attempt.  After a few months, and several hours online with Microsoft Assure remote help, I got the Windows 8.1 on it running correctly again. (deep sigh) 

Moving on again;  The preinstalled Sony software stopped working right. So, even though they no longer supported the Vaio, I emailed them anyway.  Suggested I uninstall it, and reinstall it.  Problem: this laptop came with Win 7 preinstalled, but Windows 8 ready.  Good thing it was Win 8 ready, as it running Win 7 would cause hardware incompatibility BSODs.   Tracking down the right Sony Vaio Care, and Sony Control Center was NOT easy.   Too many versions, updates to version, backward compatible version, and naming the %#$$@$# files with nothing but numbers?  Really? (downloaded and saved them with descriptive names).

FINALLY, for now, Sony Vaio, with Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit, and Sony utilities function as they should.