My 1-day-old Sony Vaio CS laptop has this intermittent whirring noise from the fan when my laptop is on!

I just got this Sony Vaio VGNCS110DP (in Canada, but I see it's available on US BestBuy stores) and every so often when the laptop is on and I am doing non-intensive stuff like surfing the net with nothing else running in the background, the fan starts up and whirrs for 3 seconds, sometimes less, sometimes more, and always ends with a distinctive sound (ok- I've figured out what it sounds like-- a door creaking and somewhat like a click).

Is this to be expected from Sony Vaio laptops, or is my particular one defective? Again, I'm not doing anything power-intensive and it's giving me this intermittent fan whirring that I am sure will drive me nuts (already is!). Otherwise it's very quiet.

Maybe if I got rid of the "bloatware" that Sony Vaio's are infamous for, it would get rid of this annoying fan whirring sound? I have been reluctant to do anything drastic to this laptop since I may just return it if I can't find an easier solution.

Thanks so much!

 

If the noise is really that bad returning it is probably your best option. Although it's hard to judge by just reading your post.

Workarounds include:
- Undervolting your CPU (this can drop your CPU temp a lot.)
-a clean install (or deinstalling bloatware like you said.)

 

Yes, I can't really think of another way of describing the sound at the end of each whirr cept that it sounds like a plucking sound.

I'd just like to know if this interminittent fan whirring is typical of Sony Vaio's, because my laptop is literally fresh out of the box as I only bought it this morning.

 

Some fan noise is normal with most Vaios, the whirring you describe does not sound normal to me.

 

low end sony laptops do have build quality and other issues, i suggest you return your laptop or exchange it. i have a vaio c series laptop, and it interferers with my HDTV reception everytime i plug in the power, other laptops are fine in the same room. my laptop also has an annoying sound coming from left side of the laptop when the battery is in use. i found these issues too late, otherwise i would demand for refund straight away.

 

You say the laptop has an annoying sound coming from the left side "when the battery is in use" then surely that must mean whenever the laptop is on?! Or are you referring to the optional longer-lasting battery that I assume is available on the market?

And my whirring sound comes from the left side of my laptop as well.

I was not aware this $1000.00 laptop was LOW-END but lol that's all right. I will be bringing it in for an exchange, but SonyStyle had better not charge me for a restocking fee!

 

that's not what i mean at all. the sound only starts when i use battery only, once i plug in the power cord the annoying sound will disappear.

 

Ugh, I went back to the store and got an exchange for a brand new Vaio CS 110 laptop, but the fan STILL goes on and off intermittently ending with a sound resembling a door creaking or a motor whirring.

I am getting really fed up with this bothersome noise. The SonyStyle guys told me that this intermittent turning on of the fans is a feature found in all of the new Sony Vaio lines. I went to another store and got a whole other story... he says that I should not be hearing this intermittent on-off fan going off. And I had such hope that it would work out this time. I'm really very disappointed. If Sony really did purposely put this feature into their laptops, I do not know how they could've thought this would be acceptable. The creaking sound is very noticeable in a quiet room and even after 30 minutes of light usage with the fans going on and off, on and off, I am ready to go insane.

Where do I go to change the fan settings? I don't do anything graphics-intens ive like gaming, so would it really damage the laptop if I were to turn the fan off? Or perhaps try something like a fansilencer program? Will it be irreversible if I do install this program? The laptop is still within the 15 day exchange period so I don't want to damage the laptop and not be able to get a full refund back.

 

See if you can go into the Vaio's power settings and if there's a "silent" option available vs. the performance option?

 

Yes, I've selected "Silent mode" under thermal control in Power Management and it has absolutely no effect on the fans. The reviews on the US bestbuy site for this particular laptop don't mention any issue with the fans coming on and off intermittently... I wonder if it's just that way for Canadian versions of the VGN-CS110E, or I've just been very unlucky.

 

my god, just go get refund and buy the new macbook already, how the hell can you use something that is going to drive you nuts. VAIO CS is obviously a low end piece of junk that sony should never made. the problem probably exist on every CS model, of course bestbuy won't mention the issue on the review, because they sell them!

 

dear lord...

it's the harddrive turning off! not the fan:

Right click the battery icon, power options, click change plan settings of the plan you are using, click Advanced, under harddisk, put "NEVER" turn off.

Done.

I had the same "issue" on my SR (more of just an annoyance). The "fan" went on and off A LOT making a sudden "errrrr" noise when it turned off. Well...do what I mentioned up there and it should work

 

Yes, that's it, an "errr" sound like a motor winding down or a low groan. I've followed your instructions, but I'm given two choices under "Hard disk" it says:

Turn off hard disk after
On battery: 5 minutes
Plugged in: 20 minutes

Should I change both values to 0? Thanks!

Well I changed both values to 0 and it's still whirring away intermittently just as before. Should I restart the laptop or something?

 

You should set it to "Never" and see if that helps! And a restart probably isn't necessary, but couldn't hurt.

 

Hey guys
I am glad I'm not the only one who is struggling with this miserable fan problem. So disappointed.... I tried to change the harddrive option to "never turn off" but it'a still making errr sound every once in a while.
I am just going to return the laptop.

 

^^
Mova, did you buy your laptop in the states? I love this pink laptop of mine and I do hate to have to return it. I was hoping that this was a defect in the Canadian line of these laptops or something.

Anyway, I tried the "turn hardware off" and it didn't really fix the problem. For the first 10 minutes of use the laptop is silent except for a slight hum but then it starts again.

 

yah i bought it from bestbuy in the states. I also hate to return it but I can't really stand on the intermittent fan sound. The only reason I chose vaio was its quiteness, and I guess that assumption is not quite right.

 

Just go to the sony store pleasance and listen to the CS laptops there in store, and if you hear it there as well, then it's part of the normal operation of the laptop.

perhaps record the sound with a camera and upload it to youtube?

 

That's weird, CR doesn't have this problem, I wonder why CS have this problem. Anyway, fan turn on and off is a normal thing on all Vaio, but not the "err" sounds like you said..

 

Yes, well I brought it to the store to show the salespeople there but with all the store's background noise and music we weren't able to hear much. The salespeople also (rather condescendingly) said that all of the new Vaio laptops have this intermittent fan turning on and off feature. And unfortunately I don't have a mic or anything so I can't record it. Even if I was able to record it and host it on youtube, I can't post the link here since I'm still a newbie.

So onizuka, are you saying the CR doesn't have any intermittent fan noise whatsoever? I may consider the CR then.. but having owned the CS for almost a week now, I am afraid I've fallen in love with it and can't imagine replacing it with anything else! =(

But anyway, I'll probably return this laptop since I'm kind of strapped for cash at the moment and I guess I don't really *need* a laptop right now. I am planning to move to the UK in 3 months, so I hope the UK version of the CS will NOT have this annoying fan issue.

 

CR is my first VAIO laptop. I remember, when I first time using it I also wondering why the fan running on and off every few minutes even I just open web browser, right now I also listen my fan run on and off while I'm typing this. And I read somewhere it was normal in every VAIO, but there is no "err" sounds like you said. Or maybe can you describe more detail so I can help you?

 

I just bought the CS110 last week and I also have the fan sounds. Kind of like errr or a whirling sound. Either way, I also noticed it in the back left corner and thought "have I ever heard this sound before on another computer?" The answer is no. At least not nearly this often. I hear the fan every 20 seconds or so, even now when I am just on the internet and no other programs are open. I think it will become increasingly distracting and annoying. Another annoying feature... this light at the front bottom of the computer that lights up whenever its in sleep/hibernate mode. I am finding it distracting. When I put the computer into hibernate it should look off. I shouldn't get a reminder that its actually on every 10 seconds.

Also, anyone else have a keyboard issue in Canada? I am on a multilingual keyboard but I set it for English. It gives me a lot of French letters and symbols though. I've tried calling to fix the problem and the fix worked for about 10 minutes (no joke, I just got off the phone with them and already the keyboard is acting up again!!!). Any idea what's going on here?

Very annoyed. Need a computer though. I am thinking I'll return this one this week. Any reco's for other computers? Nervous about Macs due to compatibility issues when I switch and even more for when I decide to switch back one day...

 

It's exactly like a miniaturized motor running. The fan goes on and it ends with a sound much like a motor running. It always comes from the left side of the laptop as well.

I guess I am not the only one with fan issues. I returned the laptop today and got my money back. The salesguy had the gall to tell me that EVERY new laptop you'll find on shelves these days has this intermittent fan issue. I wouldn't hear any of it.

 

I'm not really sure if mine's the same issue. The fan does run very often (and quite audible) on my TZ. It does not go on and off though. But there is this sound which comes every now and then. I don't really know how to describe it, maybe something like the "errrrr" sound too? It comes from the left side of the laptop as well. But I can only hear it when I put my ear near it. My friend told me it's due to the hard disk writing data.

Well anyway glad that you managed to return the laptop. Must be a relief for you!

 

Ive got a CR...which basically is almost the same. I can say that my fan will burst on and off every now and then, but it sounds like a fan. What you're describing to me is either bad bearings in the fan or installation error, OR check ur hard drive settings (this is just kinda an idea...).
Some HD's make clicking or door creaking sounds when they spool up from idling down. See if you can can increase the time before your HD spins down.

Control panel > power options > edit plan settings > change advanced power settings > Hard Disk > Turn off disk after...

 

This talk of it might be a feature on all new Vaio lines has me worried as I'm going to buy an FW Series in the not too distant.

 

Like I said before, my CR fan also going on and off, but not that loud and it only happen when I turn on my CR or when I accessing my harddisk.

So, after returning your laptop, what you will do now? Get another CS?

 

I can't belive i'm reading this!! I also bought a VAIO CS190 5 days ago, and from the first day I noticed a strange noise coming from the fan located on the left side (next to de AC conector) it sounds like something hits the fan every time it starts or stops!! it is getting me insane also, this is my fourth VAIO and i never had any trouble before, this can't be normal, I even had the CR(very similar to the CS) an there was never a strange noise, this noise gets really anoying since you have to hear it every 30seconds or so when the fan constantly starts and stops working. I bought the computer and on the same day I came to spain so I can't go back to sonystyle for a refound or exchange (warranty is not international), though I have to accept it is nice to know someone else has the same problem and got a new one that does the same noise again, mayba chainging mine won't solve the isue.
I am seriosly thinking to open the laptop with my own screws and find out what is getting in the way of the fan, maybe it is a losen screw or something like that, maybe just tightening it up will fix the noise, I really don't know, maybe I will go to a SOny repair center even if they charge me so that they can open it and see what is the problem, please tell what you recomend or how did you fix the problem, are you thinking about opening yor laptop? or maybe go to a repair center and ask them to open it infront of you so you can see what it is that is causing the noise, please help and good luck with your laptop also

 

Im afraid this problem is international. My UK bought CS11S Pink laptop also has dodgy 'errrring' fans that come on every few seconds. I think they have used cheap bearings or mis volted it so it struggles to start and stop properly.

Ive raised an e-support ticket and am giving them to the weekend to respond or I'll be lambasting various review sites with a warning not to buy this laptop as its flawed.

And to think I bought this as a present for my wife, who will now be wishing I had bought her a macbook instead.

Am hoping Sony resolve this or it will have been the last Sony product I will have ever bought.

 

A bios update released 18th Dec 2008 seems to make the fan come on a bit less, but doesnt change the 'errrring' noise.

It seems to help though, even though the bios fix doesnt list anything to do with the fan.

Still a problem, but slightly less so.

 

I have recived help from sony support and they suggested me to use power management to reduce the fan speed, how do you do this? there is no fan speed selector in this version of VAIO power management, and where is the BIOS update you talk about? I just went to sony suuport and there is a BIOS update but it was released november 12th not december 18th and when I tried to install it, it told me it was the same version I have installed.

 

The power management settings in Windows control panel dont have fan control, but I think you can set different performance profile. Mine is Vaio optimised I think.

The link to the BIOS and other updates (UK website) is here (For Windows VISTA ) :

http://support.vaio.sony.co.uk/downloads/updates/updates.asp?site=voe_en_GB_cons&c=0&s=VGN-CS&m=4571

The 18th Dec Bios is called #BIOSR0270Q2

The previos BIOS, dated 21st Nov also wouldnt install on my machine as it said my machine was also upto date, but the 18th Dec BIOS did.

I also installed the latest Vaio control centre from the link above as well.

Note this is the UK website, so Im not sure these updates are for all machines in the world.

 

Same problem, right out of the box.

Tried all suggestions, including updating BIOS, adjusting Power Settings to a myriad of configurations - and NO improvement.

Reported to Sony Tech Support, by phone, they are not aware of any inherent problem. They suggested it is a hardware defect, and recommended that I return the laptop.

CLUBVAIO (Europe) users reporting the same problem -
http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/GB/en/forum/viewthread?thread=59310

I love the colour (PINK), and style. If they had another decent Pink model, it would definitely go back.

So, what to do? Return, or wait for a "fix"?



btw - I also have a 2008 Sony AR590 laptop - quiet as a churchmouse.


thinkpink :wub:

 

Owners of VAIO CS, had anyone noticed before that this notebook has a hidden touch sensor in the lid about 1 or 2 cm away from the sony logo between it and the big VAIO letters. It seems to activate the led lights and if you tap constantly it changes to all the colors. cool! If hte lid is closed buy it is plugeed in it also works. I don't know why is there a touch sensor there and why sony never said anything about it. What other function does this sensor have? or is it only for playing and showing off the the led lights?

 

I too have the same intermittent fan noise problem . i have called the sony support and they asked me to return the laptop. I think this problem is in all CS series

 

I just got my new Vaio CS two days ago and I'm SO disappointed! I feel like it takes a long time for it to start up and it's so noisy! I'm getting the intermittent whirring noise, along with the erring sound at the end. There's also a constant grinding noise from the right side of the laptop....is that the hard drive??
Everything seems to be working fine; all programs open quite fast, it's just the noise that's driving me crazy! I don't think I can return it as I chose to get an engraving and basically screwed myself over.

 

I have just uploaded the sound of the fan to youtube, you can find it as VAIO CS fan noise, do you all hear the same sound?? there doesn't seem to be any good answer from sony except to return the computer if you want to, but if you get another cs that has the same problem whats the point

 

That's not a touch sensor, it's the HDD protection sensor. You're basically jostling the HD enough to make it lock up to protect itself, and the system alerts you with the lights.
Don't do that.

 

Wow! I just bought a Sony Vaio VGN-CS110 in Canada and have the same problem. It is making the exact same noise as YouTube - VAIO CS fan noise.

I called 1-888-4SONYPC (Support) and they told me to send it in. I doubt they will be able to do much even if they are able to understand the defect... so I let the customer support representative make a report and give me a reference number.

The Sony support representative told me that he has never heard of this problem and it is not normal. Obviously he was lying or simply very uneducated on Sony products.

Maybe if everyone called to let them know of this problem then Sony would be forced to admit that this problem exists and find a solution.

My 2 cents...

 

it's not the hdd protection feature since mine hasn't got it and the sensor still works.

besides u don't even have to tap it, it goes off when i lay my finger on it.

AWESOME

ontopic,

I've opened a support ticket on sony's e-support, hopefully it will speed up the process of sony looking into this issue

 

It isn't as bad, but some FZ's have a "whirling" problem too with the fan. Seems to go up and down one notch at times - example.

 

I'm trying to get help about this issue too. My CS has this issue and is similar to the youtube clip posted before, but mine doesn't seem as loud. I can only hear mine in a quiet room and it is very faint. It actually makes the "creaking" sound on start and stop, not just at the end. I noticed that when I hold the laptop upside down and get it to spin the fan, it goes away. It makes me think that something is in the casing that the blades are hitting. When the fan spins up, it probably gets some "lift" and raises it above whatever it is hitting against.

Has anyone with this problem kept theirs still? It doesn't bother me too much, as every computer I've ever owned has had some sort of minor issue with it. Has anyone taken the casing apart and isolated the cause? Thanks.

 

I have had 4 vaios before and never had any trouble, not even a minor issue, that is why i don't think it's acceptable to get this expensive laptop that has an isue like this. I wonder when any one in the forum will tell us if they opened their computer and saw what is that is hitting the fan blades, maybe even take a picture, that would be great. Or has anyone taked their computer to repair with sony and what did they say in sony that was causing the noise?? this forum would be great if people who have solved the problem told everyone how to do it, maybe just opening an screwing something could fix the noise, I don't know.. I uploaded the video in youtube and the sound goes every time the fan starts AND stops. I also tried placing the computer in many angles and by doing so the noise goes away, so there must be something hitting the blades, someone please open the computer and tell us what it is!. Thanks

 

I may take mine down the street to a local repair shop to see if they can take it apart for me. I've taken laptops apart before and re-oiled bearings of failing fans but do not know about this laptop just yet. Luckily this doesn't sound like a bad bearing!

I may take apart some screws this weekend. My only worry is voiding my warranty if I screw up...

 

Hey guys, found this thread on google. Thought I'd let you know I have some similar issues. Really loud obnoxious fan, with the constant on/off routine. Usually ending with a weird noise. I can also confirm that when the laptop is upside down, it doesn't make the weird noise, just the intermittent fan.

Anyone who has any luck with sony tackling this issue will hopefully keep us all informed. I am considering returning this computer to newegg.com for an exchange, or perhaps a store credit. Absolutely ridiculous that within a day of buying this computer I am already having to consider returning it/fixing it/messing around with it.

Good luck to all of you, and I'll keep you updated of anything I find out.

 

Grr, I tried to to take off some screws, but some of the smaller screws don't work with my bits. I'll have to get some different bits.

It REALLY sounds like a wire is hanging down and hitting the blades. It doesn't sound like a scraping sound but more like a small obstruction. I really want to keep this laptop as I got a great deal on it and feel that something like a fan is easy to fix...once I get it open.

I really wish some disassembly instructions are out there.

 

I just want to say I've found the noise to vary from time to time. Last night I was using it and noticed that in a quiet room, while I heard the fans come on, I could not hear the erring sound at the end. When I moved around however, it came back.

I'm hoping my local repair shop gets back to me with when they can take a look at it. I don't want to ship it back to Sony as I doubt they'll fix the issue.

 

I'd use the warrenty while it lasts . If they can't fix it they'll send you a brand new CS.

 

I stopped by best buy and talked to the geek squad. I didn't know this, but they honor the manufacturer's warranty apparently - so they'll do hardware repairs up to 1 year.

I explained the problem to them and they said they can certainly take a look at no cost. So, I'll bring mine in sometime soon and have them look at it. If they can't fix it in the store, they'll send it out to Sony. Really seems like a hanging wire, so hopefully not every single replacement fan has this problem!

 

I hate to keep beating this thread to death but I uploaded a youtube clip of the sound. Now, mine isn't as loud as the other one ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFdpRrRsAdc, but does make the noise. Maybe I'm just overreacting, but is this roughly the same volume as others experiencing this?

here's mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMl9-VqQ1Ug (may have to turn the volume up some)

At any rate, I'm taking it to the geek squad to get it looked at in a week or so.