Vaio SVT1313 (Intel i5, 2013 model)

Hardware fix

I got a second hand used old SONY PC with minor keyboard gliches.

It costed $100 as total after fixing its keyboard.

This is my hardware specific tips.

Pressing ASSIST button instead of POWER button starts PC with boot device and BIOS setting selection menu.

Why boot with MBR and not with UEFI

I got this machine as second hand. This PC came with a buggy UEFI which refuses to accommodate dual boot scenario with reasonable usability.

I ended up selecting “legacy” mode to use MBR in BIOS. No more secure boot.
I replaced the internal keyboard. (Missing key event problems on “e”, “u” and “Delete” are fixed via keyboard hardware replacement.)
The card side contacts of SO-DDR DRAM needed to be rubbed by eraser to get it work right.
Although I am now using this as single OS (Debian/Trixie 13) system, I am keeping this as Legacy MBR system.

Full disk install with default encrypted LVM setup

In order to setup simple robust system for me to take it out for my travel, I decided to select the full disk install with encrypted LVM while using d-i.

Basic CLI initial setting

Install:

sudo
- Execute adduser <username> sudo
aptitude
- Type-l and set ~ooptional!~M to set A on libraries auto-installed
systemd-cron (no more anacron)
mc
neovim
nano- (remove)
vim-tiny- (remove)

Touchpad of Sony VAIO

GNOME 48 (Trixie@2025) supports many touchpad style well.

Use GNOME “Setting” (Gear icon on the panel shown after clicking the right top corner) and select “Mouse and Touchpad” on left. Then select “Touchpad” tab on the top. Select corner push if you want to keep old way.

For Mac or some Sony Vaio with single tap pad button, this allows secondary click as expected.

Basic GUI initial setting

Install:

gnome-shell-extension-manager
gnome-shell-extension-caffeine
gnome-shell-extension-dashtodock
gnome-shell-extension-hideactivities
…

For more, see upcoming “Debian Workstation (Trixie) (v2025-8)”.

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