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!!!

[Thalamus.]

Hi kwerkmode,

welcome to Club VAIO..

Originally the replacement fans in the early days failed again after a period of time but as far as I am aware the fan repairs from late August/September 09 have been successful..

The best option to arrange a repair is to contact Vaio support by phone, you can find the contact numbers, to find contact details for Sony Vaio support..

Open Vaio support, either by clicking Support at the top of this page or use the following link:Vaio support

Under Log-in option 2: Select your VAIO model, next to Select Model Category - Select your model from the drop down list, in your case VGN CS.

Then next to Select Model - select CS11S/P (or one of your other models)

Then click Log-In

Once logged select Get In Touch

[kwerkmode]

Hi Thalamus

Many thanks for your quick reply to my post. The funny thing, is that the cs21s/r is probably the most quiet of the four that I have. I will contact SONY first thing on Monday and see what happens from there. Just out of interest can you let me know what model you have and if you have had the fan replaced?
Its a real pity as the models are really nice with the different colours but the fan problem is a real iritation on some of them.
I have looked at previous posts on this thread and noticed that someone has mentioned that they have used a device to keep their laptop cool therefore minimising the need for the fan to come on every couple of minutes. Any idea what this is?

many thanks
kwerkmode

[msuesli]

Here's my 5 cents: bought a CS11S/W in Jan 2009, soon afterwards disturbing fan noises, sent it in for a fan replacement in Aug.2009, they promised that the new fan would be installed - (GD2 Cooling Assy-Ext (ASV/FOX) - worked fine until now in May 2010, horribly grinding noises, almost unbearable, will take it to the service point again, let's see. So it lasted for about 9 months with a cooling pad underneath.
Marianne (Switzerland)

[BrianVAIO]

Disconcerting news from msuesli. I hope that the GD2 Cooling Assy-Ext (ASV/FOX) replacement fan isn't what's fitted as standard in the CW2 I now own. I have taken a bit of a leap of faith, on the grounds that two other Sony laptops owned by a family member and an acquaintance have been fairly reliable (both Vista ones), even though they may not use their machines as much as I do. I'm hoping Sony has learned from the mistake that was the CS series. Windows 7 is nice, too. (I tried out the release candidate on my desktop PC last year and found it a great relief to have a simple OS that did things right, after my experiences with Vista on the CS11.)

I'm liking the CW2 so far, but have not migrated to it fully, preferring to keep photo software, photos, e-mails, etc., on my XP desktop PC. It's a PC I put together and incrementally upgraded myself and one that I should be able to repair fairly easily should anything go wrong.

[Thalamus.]

Disconcerting news from msuesli. 

Yes indeed BrianVAIO..

Marianne please keep us updated..

[msuesli]

Dear Thalamus and other victims:
I have phoned Sony Germany (the ones responsible for Switzerland) and asked as to how affairs would be continued: he said that after the 3rd fan replacement (and subsequent failure, i.e. noise again) I could get money back, but only the so-called current market value. He also said that they would install a new fan model, but when I went to the service point this morning, they confirmed that the fan replaced in Aug.09 HAD BEEN the new model, in other words, I might just get the same type (GD2 Cooling Assy-Ext (ASV/FOX))once more...I'll keep you posted as to the replacement fan, I fear it's going to work all right for a time and then fail again. Let me add that we've had many Vaios without any issues, fan or otherwise.
Marianne (Switzerland)

[msuesli]

Here's my latest update as to the fan replacement: got my CS11S back today with another replacement fan: Spare code: A1766583A, Type: GD2Z Cooling Assy-Ext (ASV/FOX); judging from the spare code and type (and acc.to the repair people) this seems to be yet another fan (former space code: A156341OB, Type: GD2 Cooling-Ayys-Ext (ASV/FOX) installed in Aug.09). Let's see how long it lasts...
Marianne (Switzerland)

[chquinn32]

Hi everyone,

as you can see this is my first post, in the last couple of weeks my laptop was magically rebooting for an unknown (at the time) reason, then I noticed that the fan wasn't working at least all the time. On tuesday however it stopped completely and so far has not wanted to come back to life.

At first I thought it was a software problem, but after googling and reading this thread it's obviously an issue with the hardware, while reading through the thread, I'm not sure that the fan was ever making any noises that some others have mentioned, but it did spin up and down quite frequently, which to be honest wasn't much of a concern at the time give that I don't often use the laptop without some noise happning so tha lack of quietness wasn't too much of an issue, and therefore I'm not quite sure if the fan was exhibiting the same noises as everyone here was describing.

Today I decided to contact Sony to have the laptop checked and my first obsticle was finding out that in vaio-link's opinion my laptop has exceeded it's warrenty period this came as a large surprise to me knowing that I've had the laptop for only 10 months, unfortuantely it seems there is absolutely no way to contact any real person through vaio-link as the latop serial number is required.
I'm a little annoyed that firstly the laptop somehow has been registered as out of warrenty and given that there has been an extended warrenty period annoucement it should be well within that time frame.
I contacted a Sony Center in the UK and they told me that there is only the single telephone number to be able to contact sony on which of course tells me that my laptop is outside the warrenty period, and it could be that the company I purchased the laptop from may have registered the laptop at some past date which is why the system thinks the warrenty period has passed. I was advised to contact the seller and which I have done and they sounded as bemused as I was when I told them that vaio-link had stated the laptop has exceeded wrrenty. They are going to look into this problem apparently and contact me to see what's happening.

So I contacted the esupport chat, and an operator named John said that he would arrange to have the machine collected and repaired, and that tomorrow Fri 14-5-10 the courier will contact me further. He also said that sony were aware of a problem with the laptops and that is why they would be replacing the fan unit.

I'm rather annoyed by the fact that the laptop after only 10 months of light usage has failed components, also the inability to contact any 'real' people about this matter, given that they have posted a product warrenty extention due to the fans.

I shall post back when I have further details.

[Thalamus.]

Here's my latest update as to the fan replacement: got my CS11S back today with another replacement fan: Spare code: A1766583A, Type: GD2Z Cooling Assy-Ext (ASV/FOX); judging from the spare code and type (and acc.to the repair people) this seems to be yet another fan (former space code: A156341OB, Type: GD2 Cooling-Ayys-Ext (ASV/FOX) installed in Aug.09). Let's see how long it lasts...
Marianne (Switzerland)

Hi Marianne,

I've checked with Sony support and I have reliably been informed that your vaio has been repaired with the latest fan so, like others on here, hopefully your CS will fan problem free from now on..

[coral_pink]

Dear thalamus,
Is there a way for me to know which model of fan do I have on my CS? after 3 repairs it still works well but i'm always afraid it might broken again...