Hardware Analysis Community Forums http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/ 2010-03-13T17:37:36-05:00 http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/ /images/halogo.gif text/html 2010-03-11T23:51:17-05:00 Abuzer ozer http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#577193 Hello, I have recently purchased a Sony Vaio VCPF1190X. It's been only 4 weeks. Yesterday after leaving my laptop at sleep mode for couple hours, when I tried to boot it all I got was blank LCD and noise coming from the fan with the green power led. I called the esupport line and they asked me to go through the process indicated in their website but the result was another disappointment. Now they want me to ship my laptop to them. After making a little research on internet, I found out that it is a really common problem for Vaio's. I was wondering what could be the main cause of this problem. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks. text/html 2010-02-24T20:15:00-05:00 Joe K http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#576134 Hello everyone, <br /> <br /> Yes, the Vaio GRX classaction lawsuit has been settled. Please see: <br /> <br /> <a class="ext" href="/action/r/http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?news_id=355&amp;template_id=1" target="_blank">http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/news-item.pl?news_id=355&amp;template_id=1</a> text/html 2010-02-23T13:35:05-05:00 Lalit Kumar http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#576040 Gui Guilo said: <div class="quote">Hello,<br /> <br /> I'm just here to tell you my story, it could help others. <br /> <br /> Although this topic has been started in 2003, it seems that Sony still have problems with their memory slots. I've got a VGN-FZ38M and have spilled water on it. And it didn't work anymore. OK, it's my fault. So I sent it back to Sony who repaired it for 530€. They have replaced 16 pieces (RAM and motherboard have been changed).<br /> <br /> Now, my computer randomly freezes or refuses to boot (black screen). The only solution is to open the memory cover and remove then replace the memory. Doing some tests I have identified that it is a slot problem and not a ram problem.<br /> <br /> On a nearly new computer(in fact, only HDD and screen are unchanged) and after paying 530€ it's a shame it can't work correctly<br /> <br /> Has Sony ever communicated about this problem ?</div><br /> <br /> Similar story here. <b>Sony Service centre are thieves</b>. <br /> <br /> I sent my FZ11S because my screen went blank. Few days later they emailed me saying that the Hard Disk and the Screen inverter has failed and it will cost £540+ to repair the laptop. Despite numerous emails about what test they have done I was told that they have tried with new Inverter and HDD and it works. Without these it does not work. <br /> <br /> I wrote to the Managing Director of Sony Uk explaing that the laptop was just outside warranty period and their product should not fail so quickly. 4/5 weeks later I got phone call from sony that they will give me 25% discount on the repair bill.<br /> <br /> I refused to get it repaied from sony and got the laptop back from sony and took it to the local repair shop. For £25 they tested the HDD and the inverter and found them both working fine. They said that it was the screen which was probably gone. I bought a used Lcd Screen from <a href="/action/r/http://www.ebay.com/">eBay</a> for £40 and replaced it. The laptop is working fine NO problems at all. When I took the old screen outI found that the wires fro the Inverter to the Screen Lamps were burnt. That was the only thing wrong with the Laptop.<br /> <br /> I have emailed sony many time to get the repair/testing log from them but they would not reveal it. Another thing I have noticed with sony repairs is that they like to talk to you on the phone but would not confirm anything by email. <br /> <br /> So beware of what Sony repairs say. Sony should be ashamed of their Service. I would never buy Sony again and would not recommend any one esle to buy Sony. So far I have pesuaded 3 of my friends not to buy sony. <br /> <br /> Do a google search for Compaints about Sony repairs and see how many dissatisfied Sony laptop owners are there who feel cheated by sony repairs. <br /> <br /> text/html 2010-02-23T11:50:22-05:00 philtec http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#576031 sony was sued in a class action lawsuit and LOST text/html 2010-02-23T11:27:53-05:00 Gui Guilo http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#576030 Hello,<br /> <br /> I'm just here to tell you my story, it could help others. <br /> <br /> Although this topic has been started in 2003, it seems that Sony still have problems with their memory slots. I've got a VGN-FZ38M and have spilled water on it. And it didn't work anymore. OK, it's my fault. So I sent it back to Sony who repaired it for 530€. They have replaced 16 pieces (RAM and motherboard have been changed).<br /> <br /> Now, my computer randomly freezes or refuses to boot (black screen). The only solution is to open the memory cover and remove then replace the memory. Doing some tests I have identified that it is a slot problem and not a ram problem.<br /> <br /> On a nearly new computer(in fact, only HDD and screen are unchanged) and after paying 530€ it's a shame it can't work correctly<br /> <br /> Has Sony ever communicated about this problem ? text/html 2010-02-20T19:10:01-05:00 john albrich http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575851 M Riad said: <div class="quote">Raymond,<br /> You may need to update the Bios....</div><br /> <br /> <b>ANY attempt to update the BIOS is likely to void/screw the warranty, esp this early in the life of a &quot;new&quot; laptop...even more so than re-seating memory card(s)</b> Some manufacturers are more understanding than others. I wouldn't bet the farm on Sony being one of them.<br /> <br /> Note: if there is no tamper-seal over the memory card cover, it is likely that re-seating the memory cards will not void the warranty, as uplifting memory capacity is <b>generally</b> considered a valid user procedure. However, it depends on how much risk you're willing to assume, as tamper indicators could be hidden under the cover, on the threads of any cover-retention screw(s), etc. <i>Especially if your user manual <b>explicitly provides a procedure</b> for the user to replace/uplift the memory cards, then re-seating the memory cards is likely not a warranty-killing procedure.</i><br /> <br /> If you do that, be <b>sure</b> to follow proper ESD protocols when handling an open laptop and laptop components such as memory cards.<br /> <br /> <br /> edit to add:<br /> However, given the problem you've described I tend to believe the problem is not memory related at this time. Plus, you can also test your system and memory using a program like memtest on a self-booting media. Check out freeware UBCD. Contains system and memory diagnostic programs. If it passes memtest then memory seating is not an issue, and running the memory tests will not void your warranty.<br /> <i><a class="ext" href="/action/r/http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/</a></i><br /> <br /> edit:<br /> post moved so email &quot;reply alert&quot; goes to Raymond if he had that enabled. text/html 2010-02-20T19:00:47-05:00 john albrich http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575849 Shawn white said: <div class="quote">Can I save any of my data using this process?<br /> </div><br /> <br /> Shawn, we need more info. (at least, I didn't see any other recent post from you that provides more info)<br /> <br /> To what &quot;process&quot; do you refer? <br /> <br /> EXACTLY What data are you trying to save and to where are you trying to save it?<br /> (e.g. want to backup specific files or folders, the entire system disk, etc, and want to backup to another disk drive, another partition, DVDs, etc)<br /> <br /> What Operating System is involved?<br /> <br /> What is your problem? (if any)<br /> <br /> What are the problem symptoms? (if any)<br /> <br /> What have you tried so far? (if anything) text/html 2010-02-20T18:34:36-05:00 john albrich http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575847 <br /> edit:<br /> post re-entered below so that email &quot;reply alert&quot; goes to Raymond if he had that enabled. text/html 2010-02-20T14:33:27-05:00 M Riad http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575845 Raymond,<br /> You may need to update the Bios. Some of these new laptops came out with defective Bios. Check the website for bios update.<br /> Just a thought!<br /> Mike text/html 2010-02-20T04:03:05-05:00 Shawn white http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575843 Can I save any of my data using this process?<br /> text/html 2010-02-13T22:22:29-05:00 Raymond M http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#575500 Saturday night is screwed by a laptop <img src="/images/smilies/smile17.gif" width="14" height="14" border="0" alt=">:o" title=">:o"><br /> <br /> VPCF11Z1E i7 with 8Gb.<br /> <br /> I was copying a fiel of my external USB drive. Unfortunately I forgot to put it on power, so I guess it went into hibernate. now I am not able to boot it again. Tried all the tricks from remove the battery and push the power button for 20seconds etc. Al suggestion I could find. I will not remove the memory as suggested in other site because it's still under warranty since it is only 3 weeks old.<br /> <br /> I am pretty sick of it because it was not a cheap one and I need it for my own business.......<br /> <br /> So will return it to the shop on Monday........<br /> <br /> HELPPPPPP......<br /> <br /> text/html 2009-12-19T23:18:29-05:00 philtec http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2020#571539 Go check at this web site: <a class="ext" href="/action/r/http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/index.pl" target="_blank">http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/index.pl</a> text/html 2009-12-19T21:46:37-05:00 Bart Putnam http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2000#571534 I have Sony Vaio PCG-GRZ630. Does anyone know if there is a new BIOS for this machine. I'd like to flash the BIOS to see if I could put more memory in. Currently limited to 1GB.<br /> <br /> Thanks,<br /> <br /> Bart Putnam text/html 2009-12-05T20:04:59-05:00 Adam Bielecki http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2000#570590 I got Sony Vaio VGN-FE41M with Motherboard MBX-149 and Nvidia Geforce 7400.<br /> The problem is when I am switching on the laptop it gives me 3 beeps(2 shorts after 1 long) the screen is blank and nothing happening. I did some research and most people think its video card. However few days ago I dissemble Vaio and i placed some thermal paste on chips, it was working for few days but now I got the same problem and thermal paste solution not work anymore. Can anyone tell me what might be the cause and solution for this problem? I think I will have to get new motherboard from China, but hopefully its not the last resort. text/html 2009-11-15T19:30:25-05:00 Blake Bockhold http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=2000#569394 I hate to sound like a broken record but again, I no longer have any of the CD's associated with my laptop...VAIO, XP or otherwise. I moved a few times during my time at University, and I'm afraid I was careless and misplaced most of the things that came with the computer when I bought it.<br /> <br /> Is my computer a lost cause, or can I get a new copy of XP and repair or re-install the software per your advice? Again, thank you so much for your help.