GRX 500 series Motherboard Issues

am using a GRX580 and had the motherboard replaced when the laptop was under warranty and it has since broken again (will not boot if there is a memory chip in slot #2), but now is out of warranty. I have switched the memory chips around and it still will not boot, but when I leave slot 2 empty it will boot with either of the chips installed. I use a notebook fan/cooler religiously and take excellent care of my notebook.

I had to remove the second memory from my slot #2 and now it will boot up and work just fine, except it is SLOW due to loss of 256MB of auxiliary memory. I went the to following link and read about it in detail and found a shop that will solder the offending pin and return it to you for $150. I also read about a proposed class action lawsuit and a virtual petition to sign about making SONY aware of the problem.

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/

What can I do now??? I have researched the problem and have found it to be real and am upset that SONY hasn't recalled or fixed the problem. I queried the parts page on SONY and found that the motherboard to replace this one is not even carried and at another site it is $650.

WHAT DO I DO NOW??????????? WILL SONY STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND HELP ME????????????????

 

That thread seemed a little hard to believe on several different fronts. I don't think that Sony, in it's marketing position, would let a known defect go for so long without some sort of notification, even if they weren't going to fix the problem for free.

The second issue with that thread is that alot of people are complaining of the same problem, but no one is giving is giving any model numbers or specs. One person referenced a GRX550 and the other posts are "Yeah, I have a Sony too and it's doing the same thing." Sony what????

I'm certainly not trying to say a problem doesn't exist, but there has to be more documentation. The three Vaios I own (XG-500, NV190, v505BC) all max have memory with chips from different dealers: PNY, Viking, and someone else; I can't recall the third manufacturer. Regardless, I've never had a problem utilizing both memory slots in any of the machines, two of which are refurbished. I also own a Toshiba, ThinkPad, and an old Ascentia...so I'm not a die-hard Sony fan. Although, gotta love that 'Vaio Purple'.

 

I have a GRX580 th the same problem. It started out verly slowly: it would fail to boot about 1 out of 100 times, and I just thought I had hit the button too lightly or something. Unfortunately, it became much worse 3 weeks after warranty expired. It will now only boot if I apply pressure to the RAM chips while pressing the power button.

Sony support has been HORRIBLE. My solution has been to tell everyone I know to by from another manufacturer.

I was only able to climb three levels of supervisors on the phone. The final manager "Dave White" said that he had no knowledge whatsoever of any problem. I informed him that I thought he was being dishonest.

It is truly unfortunate as I used to really respect Sony and their products. When people ask me what the hell I'm doing (putting pressure on the RAM while turning the computer on) I tell them my story. As I am currently in graduate school, I tell this story at least 5 times a day. Although it doesn't even register to a multi-billion $ company, my fellow students have bought elsewhere... My next computer will not be a Sony.

 

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

 

I had the same problem in a GRX 550. First it did'nt boot. sony fixed in Warranty> i had to send it back becuase it only had halve of the memory 256 they fixed to. Now it has no warranty and it boots but if I tuoched a little bit hard it goes off. It will boot again and the same happens touching it in any place a bit hard it goes off. The board has some problem. Does some one has had the same problem I owe a f350 made in Japan and it never had a failure. it is the one I'm using in this momen.

 

Opie,
When did you get the systemboard replaced? Was it within 60-90days? Some manufacturers like Toshiba, will honour any repairs made to a system for 90 days or remaining warranty (whichever is longer). So, if the board was replaced within this period, Sony may still fix it even though your original system warranty is over. Check to see if Sony has this type of policy through a service center or through Sony directly.

Belderm,
This kinda sounds like you have a short on one of the circuit boards. I used to be a notebook tech and have seen issues like this, it probably just requires some ESD Mylar or ESD Mylar tape (non-conductive type) to stop the short either between 2 circuit boards or someother metallic contact. I'd recommed that you send it in for service, shouldn't cost too much for labor & maylar.

Onschedule,
Are you sure you have to push the ram chips? The reason I'm asking is because it sounds like a loose connection on the systemboard & when you push on the ram chip area, there's enough pressure to make full contact again for the system to turn on. If it is a loose connection, the only way to get it repaired is to send it in for service. You may want to goto an authorized service center and see if they can check it for you, if it doesn't require parts, it will only cost you labor charges.

Good Luck!

-Vb-

 

The warranty finished last year inj may and I got it fix a month before it finished so its not possible to still have warranty. A friend that knows about computers found were the failure was, but hasn't told me what happened. He had to slderin cold in the motherboard but now there's othr problem cause the computer gets a error message. When he tells me what's happening I'll posted here so you get to know what happened. Thanks to all the ones that answered to me.
My friend fix the problem it was in the plug in for external energy. Now the computer works but have a problem that when if I shut it up and try to put on right aways it doesn't work. If you wait a while it works. You let it working for hours with no problem but it happens that it won't work right away when you start it again. Can some one help me with this , is there other people with this problem, if they found a fix were.

 

I have a GRX560 Sony VAIO.. bought in July 2002.
Mother board replaced on May 20,2003(ramslot and bad video card).
Ramslot and harddrive failure (related):May 05,2004[no more warrantee].

I dont' know what to do. I bought a new 1.5Ghz Powerbook.

But damn i want my pc to mess around with and do gaming. A friend of mine said this problem is due to the "northbridge". He's a A+ certified technician. :T

Any suggestions? easy fixes? I'll need a new harddrive tho.

How much for repair at sony depot?

 

If it is the chipset causing the problem, there are no easy fixes. You'd have to get the systemboard replaced. But when you say ramslot & HDD failure, what do you mean exactly? Does a different memory module work in the system? Does a different HDD work in the system? If so, means the ram & HDD are bad and need to be replaced. If not, most likely the systemboard. If you were to send this in for repair, I'm pretty sure you'd be looking at approx $500+ for a new systemboard + labor.

-Vb-

 

My ramslots.. are weird.. i have 2x 256 ram chips.. both ram chips behave the same way in both slots.. altho one slot is better than the other .. with that one slot thats better... it will show sony logo...but some times not (thats when i know its bad). when the harddrive was still good, i noticed that it was always running at 256 instead of 512. and i also noticed that the speed of the processor fluxiates from 1.59ghz(its a 1.6ghz) to 1.19 ghz.. and then back.. when under heavy load.

Ok.. and about my harddrive.. on 2nd partition.. i noticed i lost one folder..it just became empty and not accessible and not deletable.. all data lost in that folder. then one nite.. i left my laptop on.. and the next morning.. all i saw was black screen and "Operating system not found." i knew the Harddrive was f**k.. sooo i connected to my tower..and grabbed all data from it..it found 15 bad sectors. then did a clean factory restore/format.. ran fine for 4 hours.. and then it locked up in windows.. after restart .. it said "system not found".. again.. and ever since i gave up.. i know the HDD is bad..

btw thanks Venombite for replying.. means alot.. and thanks for the price qoute.. definitely keep that in mind.

 

Just wanted to add my two cents on discussion. I am using laptops all the time and using them extensively (running an Internet based business with presentations to groups, programmers in different countries, etc.). Was using Tecra's for about 6 years prior to a fatal decision to switch to Sony (Grx-520). My warranty is out just recently and guess what - the computer started to shut down sporadiaclly. Typical chip overheating issue due to a bad design. Sent unit to Sony repairment station in San Diego. Got a message that they need to replace motherboard + wires (???)for a "modest fee" of $750.

Conclusion: as people told me before - stay away from Sony. If you have a problem with it - better prepare yourself to a complete loss. Can not afford to do more business with this company. All emphasis on "shine" not performance, forget about service and customer loyalty. Too bad.