Faulty hinges on vaio's?

This is a constant problem with Sony, their hinges wear out after one year, or the screens click when you open them. It is especially bad on the Z series. This has been covered up by Sony, but if you read enough posts. Well it is poor quality by Sony and has been a problem since the SZ series.


There are a lot of other better made computers at a lower price out there

 

I don't see any question here, nor a discussion start. I don't understand the interest of posting that (which , by the way, should not have been posted in the owner's lounge).

 

The right hinge tends to get lose where it attaches to the panel. Of course this would be covered under warranty but I just tightened the 2 screws last night and good as new.

 

My intention is not to bash Sony, but I was thinking of buying one, and have read numerous reports of bad hinges. I don't think these hinge problems are isolated cases. I mean some of these Sony Fan Boys get very touchy if you say something negative about their computers.

 

It's a loose hinge. It sucks. If it happens to you, you can fix it yourself or have someone come out and fix it under warranty. That doesn't make me a fanboy

 

What do you expect when you make a blanket statement that tries to imply that ALL Sony models have an issue? I've had three different models, and none of them have had any issues with hinges. Some models clearly have had issues.

Gary

 

Is this problem you guys mean? if so which screws do I have to fix?

 

Yes and if u tighten the two screws u see in the right there it'll tighten everything back up (remove kb first).

 

That post smells a lot like someone who used to open 3 threads a day about FW hinges.

 

It's just not the right. It's just worse on the right. My left is also loose but it's harder to get to because of the power jack.

 

I didn't have a problem tightening the left. Better screwdriver maybe?

 

Didn't you say you only had a problem with your right hinge?

Anyways, there's no way a screwdriver that's the right size for that screw will fit in that gap. Using a smaller screwdriver is just asking to strip the head.

 

My right hinge was the only one acting up but the left hinge took a couple turns as well.

 

i could recommend removing the whole lcd assembly and tighten the screws.

 

I agree. This is the only way to really "fix" it. That and the liberal use of Locktite.

 

I considered locktite (although you shouldn't use it liberally). I may do that yet.

 

I have the same problem with lose hinge on both sides of my Z, but I have no idea how to tighten them. I'm not sure what I should pull apart in order to get near those screws. Any ideas?

 

VPC-Z? You remove the keyboard/top plate and tight the 2 silver screws over top of each hinge (4 total) that go into the LCD panel.

 

I have some serious creaking issues with my right hinge. I am under warranty, so would SONY be able to personally come down and repair it?

 

I completely agree. Been quite active in this thread and honestly - apart from a few single cases - the Z seems to be the only model that constantly has a problem with the hinges. But saying that this is a problem of sony generally is too brave!

I ran away from hinges problems by buying Sony or so I hope! My last 3 notebooks suffered from broken/cracked plastics around the hinges!

.... Based on my experience I can only say - HA!

 

(to the OP)
Seriously?

After 5 Sony's, and working with tons of them and other notebooks, Sony hinges rank AT worst average.

I have a Dell that the hinges attached only to a small bit of plastic on the screen cover, which broke after only a year. An HP that the chassis mounts are the same as the Dell, while they didn't break, they came loose enough to almost fall out. A two year old Lenovo where the hinge physically broke. Another HP where the hinge BENT, another broke.

And yet, my 11 year old Sony, 7 year old Sony and 3 year old SZ, which spent 6 months as a demo model at Best Buy, still have perfect hinges. Yes, I had to tighten the older ones where they attach to the screen, but compared to the rest of the crap I have witnessed from other companies, I will GLADLY go tighten a mount once every 2-3 years.

 

I have similar experience!! I can hardly believe Lenovo can have a broken hinge - I certainly would like to see that, but besides the 3 laptops in my signatures that literally broke down in a few pieces in my hands, I have had a few Dells, Acers and Samsungs with hinge-problems, cracked plastics, etc!

 

Never had a hinge problem with either of my Zs...
I have had a loose hinge on my old Dell, but I just fixed that by tightening the screws. Unless the hinges are cracking I don't think this should be a determining factor in purchasing a computer.

 

Thanks! I was able to fix my Z as I had the exact same problem

 

How do you get a screw into such a tight area?

 

the keyboard has to come off

 

My SZ is over 2 years old and the hinges are fine...