Sony Vaio VGN AW11Z/B Compact Flash Card reader problems

[Mikerb1972]

I bought 2 of these laptops on 26th December 2009, one of them works perfectly, and the other one the Compact Flash Card Reader doesn't work, I've been back to the retailer, whom no longer stock the laptop and so have washed there hands of it. I've sent it back to Sony to have it repaired and upon receiving it back found that they had not fixed the problem, and also that the laptop had been damaged in transit, only a minor mark, but a mark non the less. I've been passed from pillar to post with Sony, and the retailer, has anyone else had problems with there card readers, or does anyone know anyone at Sony who might actually know or be able to solve the problem for me once and for all?

[Blencogo]

Hi Mikerb1972 and welcome.

Do the SD or MemoryStick slots work?

Have you reinstalled the drivers? I see there are four - I presume the CF slot is run by the JMicron expresscard driver.

Does the CF slot appear under Disc Drives in Device Manager and is it installed correctly?

Does it appear in 'Computer'?

I know we would expect Sony to check all these if the Vaio has been back for repair but no hard in you checking them again.

If you can report back before I try to escalate your case to Sony on your behalf.

[Mikerb1972]

Thanx for your message Blencogo

Yes the SD card reader works, not tried the memory stick slot. I have followed everything that SOny said I should do, that included uninstalling the drivers and re-installing them.
The CF slot does appear in Computer, but when you insert a card into it, it doesn't recognise it, now I know the card is ok, as it works in every other card reader and in an identical laptop purchased at the same time.

[Mikerb1972]

Well my laptop has been returned to Sony repair center again, and I'm still awaiting it's return, they said they could find nothing wrong with it, so I'll try again once it's back.

It's the bin for it, if it doesn't work this time, and I'll never buy another Sony

[Mikerb1972]

Well just an ongoing update, Sony repair center rang me yesterday, to say they can't find anything wrong with the card reader, when I asked if they had physically put a flash card into the drive, the answer I got was no, as they didn't have one to check the drive with, but from all their tests they deem the reader to be working. ?????????? I seriously wonder why I even bothered to send the laptop back, if they can't even do a simple physical check. It would be nice for Sony and the repair center to actually know what they are doing, instead of passing the buck. I will never buy another Sony product, as the service from them has been poor to say the least

[no.other]

Have you checked if any USB devices are working?
Have you try to make a simple hardware reset?(to take the battery out, disconnect everything from ur laptop, then press the on/off for a minute)

[Mikerb1972]

Well received my laptop back, and guess what the repair center found nothing wrong, but have tried yet more compact flash cards in it and it still won't read them, Sony aren't interested, they have said send it back again, but whats the point??????

All I can recommend to any one is NEVER buy Sony, as the product quality is poor to say the least, customer services are useless, and the repair center have no clue what so ever as to what they are doing.

The laptop is going in the bin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!