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!!!

[stpenna82]

I am from Italy and I have the same problem!!

I got my CS series 5 months ago... tomorrow calling telephone support....

Good Night!

[H.Debs]

Good day every one.
With regard to the noisy fan on VGN-CS11,
I would like to confirm that just after a month of use (from date of purchase),
the fan began to produce irritating, very frequent and heavy grinding noises.

Using Skype or any other internet phoning, the noises are quite annoying to the receiver at the other end of the line.

I would like to know if Sony has done anything to rectify this problem.

Thank you.

H.Debs

[Vamp1387]

Hi all,

Sorry I've been away for a while, it's just that Sony contacted me after the second failed attempt at fixing my vaio and talked me into sending it once again, according to them, the last time I would need to send it, since they would fix it.

I sent it again and really had no hopes anymore. However, I figured that if I just sat out and waited for someone else to have it fixed, I'd be like I'd been since last December when all this started for me. Therefore, I figured, I had nothing else to do and, after all, after the 3rd time if they don't fix it, you're entitled to getting your laptop replaced with an equivalent or superior model, or so I've heard (but haven't really looked into, so don't take my word for it).

Therefore, I sent it out again and, a few days ago, I got it back...

and IT IS FIXED!!!! :smileygrin: :smileygrin:

I've been with this issue for a long time and have become quite an expert at determining if the fan is the same model, makes the same noise, etc., so believe me when I say this. This fan is totally different, it has a different operation noise, especially when it spins down, it does it very gradually and smoothly, without any horrid grrr noise like before and like the one we've all been experiencing. It is a completely different model.

I am very happy with this, since it is a new model fan that will hopefully not have the same problem. I've been using the vaio for the whole past week, listening for even the slightest hint of any sort of noise, and there hasn't been any. None at all.

I hope that this is good news, I would recommend all of you to contact Sony and do what you can. I would also like to add that this last time, my case was handled by a very polite and helpful gentleman that personally took care of everything and this time, it wasn't sent to Germany to the repair centre, but to Belgium, to the Sony Europe HQ... I don't know if this had something to do with the solution, perhaps it did as the new fans are probably not available at the repair centre yet, reason for which all this has been happening.

However, don't take my word, as I don't know if they've sent these new fans to the Germany repair centre or not, all I'm pointing out is what happened in my case, which had a happy ending. Please don't start blaming me if someone sends it to the Germany repair centre and gets it back like before as, like I've said, I have no idea how Sony is handling this issue. My intention here is to share my experience so that hopefully, you all might have the same luck as I did and finally find the permanent solution to this problem. I had no say nor got any prior info as how Sony is handling this, or why it was sent to Belgium instead of Germany, I only found this out from the labelling on the package, and got no info regarding this change of conduct. Therefore, I insist, please don't hold me responsible if yours isn't sent to the Sony HQ or whatever, as I had no say or choice in the matter.

Sorry for the long post, but I really hope that this will help you finally solve this issue. At least have comfort in the fact that, at least in my case, it has been fixed, so there is no reason why it can't be fixed for all of you too.

Best regards and best of luck!!

PS: I will be happy to answer any questions you might have if I've missed something or just want to ask me something else. Even though mine's been fixed, I'll stick around this post just to help out if I can and see how everything goes along. I'll also post back if anything happens to the new fan which, in my opinion, is highly unlikely.

[coral_pink]

hi vamp! are you serious? you cannot imagine how much I envy you!!! what do you think? if I send my CS again what's the probability of having it fixed like yours? this is a bad time for me to send my laptop since i need it to write my thesis but if you say that it might come back fixed ..i'm tempted.i know you decline every responsibility...i just want an advice thank you!

[Vamp1387]

Hi coral pink!

Well, yes, I am serious and I still haven't heard any sort of noise from the fan, so I think it's safe to say that it's permanently fixed.

Regarding my advice... firstly I'd contact Sony and insist and insist and ask and ask again to see what's really going on and why they haven't been fixing the fans, replacing them with others that have the same flaw. If the tech that you talk to doesn't have answers, ask to talk to someone in charge, and tell them what's going on. However, if they don't give you assurances, then I can't say what to do, but I will say that when this happened to me, I asked the gentleman that took care of this if he was aware that this was a widespread issue. He told me that there was some record of a lot of people having this problem and having posted on the net, but it wasn't what they'd call "overall" or "widespread", so if you're sitting around waiting for Sony to announce something like a recall for repairs or something, I think that that won't happen., because they say that this is not a widespread issue.

In other words, call, get this thing moving, bacuse if you sit around...

I really can't say a probability or anything... I really don't know if they will fix it. If you really need the computer now, wait and when you have some time that you don't need it as much, try it out. Remember, that if you send it 3 times and he problem persists, you can have your laptop replaced or exchanged... you should look into that too, so either way, even if they don't fix it, you can end up with another laptop.

I hope this helps... but, like I said, I really can't say if they're fixing them or not until someone else sends it and we start getting feedback.

[hugpache]

hey Vamp,

Glad you got your problem fixed. I'm tempted to contact Sony again and have my VAIO sent over, shame I really use it everyday. Maybe I'll do it once my Uni exams are over, which only happens in 2 months, as they haven't started yet.

By then more people should have posted their feedback anyway, I'll keep an eye in this thread

[BrianVAIO]

Well, now it's my turn. I've had the laptop a little over four months and it's going to be collected by a courier for return to Sony tomorrow.... Any bets as to whether or not I get first time resolution of this issue?

The excessive noise has been intrusive almost from new but is now often accompanied by a clattering or grinding sound, as though the fan blades were contacting something.

Wouldn't it be cheaper for Sony to fit a decent fan setup in the first place, rather than have to deal with all of these returns? Has anybody seen the reviews of the Sony CS laptops on Amazon.co.uk? We're not the only ones suffering with the noise issue.

[Thalamus.]

I had no say nor got any prior info as how Sony is handling this, or why it was sent to Belgium instead of Germany, I only found this out from the labelling on the package, and got no info regarding this change of conduct.

Hi Vamp1387,

sorry for the late reply, I'm glad to hear that your CS fan problem has finally been resolved..

The reason that your Vaio was sent directly to Sony Europe's HQ was possibly due to a someone working on your behalf in the background..

I would also like to point out that the Fan used in your VAIO was indeed a newer one than was used on previous repairs.

If anyone is still having problems with their CS fan please post again in this thread as I have been informed that Sony will contact anyone still having problems in due course to arrange collection and repair..

If however you're at all concerned then you can contact Sony support yourself using the following link: Contact Information

[Nyuszmorgo]

Hi everyone!

I have a CS11Z - it has the same anoying thing with the fan.... What shall we do????

[hugpache]

I had no say nor got any prior info as how Sony is handling this, or why it was sent to Belgium instead of Germany, I only found this out from the labelling on the package, and got no info regarding this change of conduct.


Hi Vamp1387,

sorry for the late reply, I'm glad to hear that your CS fan problem has finally been resolved..  

The reason that your Vaio was sent directly to Sony Europe's HQ was possibly due to a someone working on your behalf in the background..  

I would also like to point out that the Fan used in your VAIO was indeed a newer one than was used on previous repairs.

If anyone is still having problems with their CS fan please post again in this thread as I have been informed that Sony will contact anyone still having problems in due course to arrange collection and repair.. 

If however you're at all concerned then you can contact Sony support yourself using the following link: Contact Information

I still have that problem. Will they contact me?

Cheers,

hugo