FS550 Latch Clip Broke - help

I got my FS550 at Future Shop a few days ago, and one of the two plastic latch clips on top of the screen broke off by itself. Is this considered a defect? Can I get it exchanged for a new one? Or is the S360 better since it uses a latchess system? Thank you.

 

I have heard other people mention this problem, and got worried that my laptop latch will eventually break too. The plastic hooks seem to be entirely seperate pieces from the main plastic frame that surrounds the screen. That seems like a good thing, and may mean that Sony actually planned for the eventual wearing out and replacement of these parts. It may actually be a fairly simple procedure. Anyone know?

-Jim

 

No idea, mine broke today too. I'm going to call them tomorrow.

 

futureshop is good with exchanges just take it back
if u have to fib a bit , tell them its overheating as well lol
and then ur gauranteed a new one



hey u paid for it why not!

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm glad I am not the only one with the problem. Weird though how cheap the latch is. I saw some use a metal hook (A series and Compaq notebooks). It seems much less likely to break off. I still wonder how it broke because I believe it was fine when I first got it. Maybe it was due to carrying it around once or twice or slamming the screen down too deep?

Also I found it difficult to open the FS550. The switch is on the bottom and not on the screen itself so I had to use two hands to open it. I consider that poor design on Sony's part.

Anyways, I did get a refund on the laptop. I actually didn't tell them and they didn't notice. I ended up with a S360. I really like the latchless system. I noticed other series uses this closure system, but the FS series seemed to have went backwards in time.

I noticed the S series are made in Japan while the FS series are made in China. I don't think there are any differences in terms of quality though.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by mmmagination

Also I found it difficult to open the FS550. The switch is on the bottom and not on the screen itself so I had to use two hands to open it. I consider that poor design on Sony's part.

<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Actually, even if the switch is on top, you still won't be able to open the screen with one hand, because you need the other hand to hold the base down.

 

my latch clip also broke, and it happened to another guy on notebookforums.com. Sony is now telling me that it will take 10 days to fix! ... so i decided to order a toshiba M45-351 for $1330 on ebay. hopefully that will prove to be more reliable than the sony.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by mmmagination

 

A technician from sony's repair depot in san diego called me today regarding my FS550. he mentioned that he had seen lots of FS series with broken latches, but he said that engineers had still not come up with a fix, so he just replaced the latch on my unit.

he also said that he replaced the motherboard and LCD on my FS550 due to the screen flickering and making a buzzing sound when the brightness was set to less than max. From what I've read on other forums, lots of FS series seem to have LCD issues, so I am certainly not alone. I should add that Sony received my unit on Tuesday, March 29th, but didn't phone me until friday, April 1st, and it looks like I won't receive the unit until Monday, Apirl 4th, which is longer than what I experienced with IBM, HP, or Toshiba.

 

LCD and mobo, that's very bad. Is there any official statement from Sony raguarding this?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by murphyja

 

Seems like an easy fix for Sony. Just put in a metal latch

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by murphyja
(...)

he also said that he replaced the motherboard and LCD on my FS550 due to the screen flickering and making a buzzing sound when the brightness was set to less than max. From what I've read on other forums, lots of FS series seem to have LCD issues, so I am certainly not alone.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Hi - Could you give us an update about the buzzing noise when you get the laptop back please - i'm still struggling to get Sony to admit the buzzing problem is real - my FS has been sitting in its box for 4 weeks because it's so annoying!
Cheers


G

 

Gish - My FS550 arrived today and the problem is fixed!! no more buzzing! I even put my ear right up to the LCD in a quiet room and heard nothing. I think the technician I spoke with said it was an bad inverter? in any event, everyone I've spoken with at Sony has been aware of this problem so it's odd they're giving you the runaround.

in addition to replacing the mobo and LCD, they also replaced both of the lcd latch clips. my experience with Sony support was actually very good, though the keyboard on this thing still bothers me - just a personal preference.

also, in case anyone is interested I'm planning to sell my FS550 - it has less than five hours of use and doesn't buzz! original box, manuals, and restore CD's included.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by murphyja

 

Hi All,
After the problems with the letches etc. do you still recommend to buy SONY FS 550. I almost bought it an hour ago but when I saw how the screen is connected to the main body I drew back. I have two toddlers around... I wonder whether you have heard any complains about this. So far I have found but few reviews on Sony FS 550 on this site. I actually want to buy a notebook with almost the same features except for the screen (along with the whole notebook it`s size could be smaller I do not care) and price. I do not wanna watch movies or play games at all. I would use it for research purposes (writing and organising data). Any recommendations? Thanks in advance, Robert

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by R_Peter

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by R_Peter

 

I would recommend it for what you say you're going to use it for. I love the keyboard, and I don't have any flexing in the palm rests, in fact they feel very good to me. Much more comfortable than my dell.

The battery life DOES get better with use as someone else mentioned. I am up to about 2.5 hours now. It's strange, I have no idea why its getting better.

 

I would recommend it, too, but I would try it first at a local Best Buy, Circuit City, or CompUSA. sony fixed the buzzing screen on my FS550 and replaced the latch, but I think the latch could break again. I personally don't like the keyboard, but the screen is amazing, the build quality is far superior the the toshiba m45 (a comparable widescreen), and sony's support has been very good.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ironxcross

 

Thanks for your replies. Still some questions on what you have written. How long did it take for Sony to fix the lanch? How long do you think it will take them to fix these general errors? The problem is that I am returning to Europe in 2 months time. THat is another reason why I have to buy a notebook this or the next week at the latest because of the rebates. I do not think that the price of FS 550 will go down next week, do you? Or are rebates posted to Europe, too? I called BestBuy but I could not speak to a real person just the automatic voice. If you could recommend me a notebook with similar qualities and reliability (!), I would be grateful. My preference are: mobile, 80 GB HD, DVD writer and a friendly keyboard. Thanks.R

 

My Laptops latch also broke some time back and i didnt knew when it happend. And sinnce the latch which broke use to take care of the stand by mode . I now need to do the standby stuff myself.

Is the replacement of the latch covered in the once yr warranty

Regs
VK

 

Yeah it's covered.

 

Hi all:
I live in Taiwan. I also bought a FS Type (called FS15TP in Taiwan). Its latch clip also broke yesterday. I don't know how this happened. Today, I went to the Sony service center. The staff said this is not included in warranty..... OK, pay some money is ok. But then he told me that fixing it will cost about 5000 NT$ !!!!!(about $160) because the metal lid must also be replaced!

I don't blieve what the staff said. Can anyone tell the process of fixing this part. if it can be fixed without replacement the cover, I will call sony to deal with the lier.