Attention VGN-CS11 users and SONY!! Problem with FAN!

[Vamp1387]

Hi everyone!

If you have recently bought a new VGN-CS11 series notebook, I'd ask that you take a moment to read this post.

Since I unboxed the new notebook, I have been experiencing strange noises from the fan unit evey time it operates. Before, it used to be simply that every time the fan stopped working, it made a soft "growl" noise (probably due to some internal vibration) for a mere second or two. Recently, however, it has also begun to make a strange, barely audible "clicking sound" as the fan starts up and operates, accompanied by the "growl" at the end, like before. At first, I was led to believe that it was just the normal operating noise that the fan made (although quite annoying!), but due to these recent developments, I am more and more convinced that this is some problem or malfunction that perhaps, will only get worse with time.

Other CS11 users have already posted in the thread "Problem with fan!!" that they also experience this problem, and, from what I've been able to gather, it does not seem like an isolated problem... but this is what we need to confirm.

That is the purpose of this thread.

I would like to ask and encourage all CS11 users to post in this thread if they also experience the same "problem" with the fan (abnormal noises that are clearly distinguishable from normal operation) or anything fan-related, especially if you have experienced them since you bought the notebook and haven't done anything that could "provoke" them (like dropping the notebook or hitting it in some way, blocking the ventilation vents, etc...). This is to have a general scope that this is not an isolated problem that is only happening to a few, and that way, perhaps Sony will take an interest and take the necessary measures to correct this problem if this, in fact, turns out to be a generalised problem.

I have already created a new case with e-Support regarding this issue. Note that these are brand new laptops that have been out on sale for barely a month, and now would be a good time to correct any problems that may arise. If this turns out to be a common problem for most CS11 users, then we should all contact Vaio-Link or e-Support and report the problem, so that Sony will take this problem into consideration if enough people have it.

Remember: the sooner, the better!

Also, perhaps it would also be of interest that those CS11 users that DON'T experience this problem also post in this thread, to see how many DO and how many DON'T... it may be interesting to also know.

Ok... without taking any more of your time, I leave this thread to fellow CS11 users and to anyone that might be able to lend a helping hand. Thanks!!!

[BlackyVaio]

Dear Thalamus and nineoutof10,

I sent my laptop to fix it and it came back in 3 days. I am very very satisfied of the quick response time and of their job. Thanks for encouraging me to sent it .

Sony didn't disappoint me.

[Thalamus.]

Dear Thalamus and nineoutof10,

I sent my laptop to fix it and it came back in 3 days. I am very very satisfied of the quick response time and of their job. Thanks for encouraging me to sent it  .

Sony didn't disappoint me.  

Excellent news..

[albert1974]

Hello!
I have a cs11s and the same annoying problem with the FAN.
It goes on and off every 5 seconds and it is so noisy that I cannot work.
I feel less alone reading this forum, but at the same time it is disturbing that so many have the same problem: it means that it will not have an easy solution.
I filled in the support request and I am waiting for an answer.
I will let you know.

albert

[albert1974]

Hello,
this is the email I got back from SONY.
It is interesting that they want me to "reduce performances" in order to "reduce noise".
Please enjoy:

Thank you for contacting us with regards to the noise emanating from your Vaio's fan.  
* Can you verify that you are using the VAIO on a hard, flat sur such as a table? (Usage on a soft or irregular sur such as a sofa or on a person's lap can block the ventilation ports, causing the fan to have to work harder and the VAIO to heat up)  Please try cleaning the ventilation ports on the computer using a can of compressed air, available from most reputable computer stores.  Alternatively, please do the following:  
* Please bear in mind that a fan is a mechanical device and that it is normal for it to make some noise. However, it is possible on certain VAIOs to reduce the noise. 
* Please note that reducing the noise will also decrease the performances of your VAIO.  

First try the following solution (which does not apply to every VAIO model):  Restart your VAIO. Press F2, when you see the Sony Logo. In the BIOS, select Power with the arrow keys. Select Thermal Control Strategy and press ENTER. Select Silence. Press F10 and then ENTER to save the changes and exit.  If the above option is not available in the BIOS, then please try the following:  Right-click the Powerpanel icon in the system tray. Click Edit/Create Profiles, then double-click Thermal Control Strategy-Performance. Change the settings to Quiet.  Should you have any further queries or questions, please feel free to respond to this e-mail.  Regards, Mark Anthony Sony Vaio Link Team

[coral_pink]

this is the common answer they give,but you have to insist and a sony guy will call you in order to ask more and then they'll tell you to send laptop for repair.

[Normkompatibel]

I bought a Vaio CS21S two months ago. The ventilation was noisy but not to the point where it's irritating. Until two days ago. Now it makes the same rrrr-sound everytime it turns on, which is about every 10 seconds.

I have tried suggestions I read in this huge thread but nothing worked. I'm trying with the support team now and will keep you updated.

[houhai]

My notebook is now making the same noisy again.
After few months after they repaired the same problem came back again....
Now i wait after august for send to repair again and this is the 2nd time in less than 1 year i had this notebook. (8 months)
Stefano

(lucky i bought a 4 year warranty from mediaworld :D)

[MetteHelene]

Hi everyone,

Just an update on my fan problems.
I have sent my Vaio in for repair three times and the fan still starts and stops comstantly and gets very loud. So I contacted the online store where I bought my Vaio so now they take over. They said that what Sony has put me through was totally unacceptable. So they contacted Sony who said that I couldn't get my money back in spite of several repairs. So now it is sent in for repair for the fourth time... I really didn't expect such a bad costumer service! Now I just hope that the online store where I bought my Vaio can get things fixed. And I'm glad that I don't have to deal with Sony myself anymore!!!

[klava1985]

What do they mean by the Powerpanel icon? I don't see it on my CS320J.

And that's ridiculous--don't use your laptop on anything but a level surface, don't use it on a lap? It is called a LAPtop. Hello...human factors engineering? Get a grip. Design a machine for the way people use it, don't expect people to use it for the way you design it.

Anyway, it's not just a matter of noise, but of frequency. I am just running Word and Excel, not doing anything major with either. I'm accessing the web, but I've got a 2 Duo processor and 4 RAM and this machine is not running hot in the least. So why is the fan coming on every 20 seconds for 10 seconds like a car with a screwed up idle setting?

[klava1985]

Also, has anyone tried installing this driver? http://www.vistax64.com/vista-hardware-devices/24887-sony-vaio-fan-control-driver.html