Overheat problems solved by Sony China!!??

Heard someone said Sony in China has released a new update of Bios, and he claimed the temperature of his S5X has been down to 46-48C for board and 36-38C for HD.
Isn't it amazing!!?? But it is only released in China. Maybe not compatible to our S5x0?
Here is the link:
http://service.sony.com.cn/KB/display.asp?pageid=1&p_item=3&p_position=&id=2&p_id=1&parent_id=94967
Sorry it's in Chinese, it says the new update can solve overheat problem of those S type machines.

Maybe we should give Sony here a little bit more pressure to release update for BIOS?

 

That would be pretty amazing, I hope it's accurate though. Sony's lost a ton of sales of newer S notebooks because of the heat problem.

 

can you read the chinese or something?

maybe if i have the time ill ask my dad to help read it for me.

 

Well, I have great news for S4 series laptop owners! The Chinese BIOS update listed at the start of this thread appears to be a universal version that will work on US S4 series laptops, and I would suspect S5 series as well. The really great news is that it appears to solve, or at least greatly reduce, the heat problems with this laptop!

I just applied the update to my S460 and ran some preliminary tests, and here are the results:

Note: This particular laptop has 2 GB of RAM, and the original thermal paste between the CPU and the heatsink has been replaced with Arctic Silver 5.

Old BIOS Version: R0092V0
New BIOS Version: R0102VO

Old Video BIOS version: 5.44.02.23.27
New Video BIOS version: No change

Temp readings from initial cold power-on:

>>> 1st pass, original BIOS, No undervolting <<<

After 10 minutes of web browsing: 54 degrees C
After 5 minutes or Prime95 torture test: 76 degrees C
Right palm rest: very warm to touch
underside of laptop: Hot


>>> 2nd pass, new BIOS, No undervolting <<<

After 10 minutes of web browsing: 48 degrees C
After 5 minutes or Prime95 torture test: 74 degrees C
Right palm rest: lightly warm
underside of laptop: warm


>>> 3rd pass, new BIOS, with undervolting <<<

After 10 minutes of web browsing: 47 degrees C
After 5 minutes or Prime95 torture test: 58 degrees C
Right palm rest: lightly warm
underside of laptop: lightly warm


Conclusions: The new BIOS does indeed significantly reduce the heat emission of the S460 laptop, enough to put it back on par with most of the other laptops on the market. When combined with undervolting it reduces the heat even further especially at high CPU usage. Barring any strange bugs that may yet surface, I HIGHLY recommend S4 series owners upgrade to this BIOS, and I'd love to see the results of an S5 series owner trying this BIOS.

-Robert

 

Thank you for the information sharing Robert! My S580 is on the way....Can't wait to have it!!

 

I am trying to translate it...

Machine type： VGN-S59CP,VGN-S58CP,VGN-S56CP,VGN-S56C,VGN-S55CP,VGN-S55C

File name： PHBSYS-00877818-UN

Size： 960 KB

Solve Problem：Overheat problems of VGN-S5 series

Notes：

1.Disconnect all the external drives，include PC card except Sony PC optical drive。

2. Keep your power cord connected through all the process.

3. Don't disrupt the update software. Unless it is command by the system, don't restart the system.

Instructions：

1. Make a new folder on HD, save the download file in the new folder

2. Download file named：PHBSYS-00877818-UN（960 KB）。

3. Stop all the applications.

5. Double click “PHBSYS-00877818-UN”。

6. Click "yes" to update BIOS. (Don't know whether it is in English or Chinese, just try to click one of them!)

7. After update complete, click "yes" to restart computer.

How to check the update is sucessful：

Press F2 while system startup to get into “BIOS SETUP UTILITY”，choose “Main” menu and check if “BIOS Version” is “R0102V0”。

 

What the hell. I just did the BIOS upgrade (would have done it earlier but my adapter was back in the hotel). Update went OK with no issues that I can tell so far. I have the S580P BTW.

 

Ran a couple tests and I can confirm that the machine (CPU and HD) does run cooler. The machine runs cooler because the fan runs more. Albeit the fan runs extremely slow and I can barely hear it. Let me clarify. The new fan assembly on the S5xx series is fairly quiet, but I can normally hear it when it turns on. Seems that Sony reprogrammed the fan to turn on sooner (~49C vs. 55C) and to run at an extremely slow speed. I can feel the fan blowing out air and just a faint sound from the fan. The harddrive (7K100) makes more noise than the fan.

 

I wonder if there is a little more to it than just having the fan run more? I too noticed that the fan comes on sooner than before, but it seems to me like they may have played with some of the thermal control features of the processor a little, perhaps making the throttling more aggressive? I don't know - I'm just happy I'm not helping to bring on early sterility by using the thing in my lap, you know, as a laptop...

 

I wrote an email to Sony concern about this update, here is the reply....

"
Thank you for contacting Sony Online Support.

Sony does not recommend to install the Software and Drivers update available for different VAIO models. All available device Drivers and/or software updates for your system may be accessed from our Sony support website "

 

i know its not reliable but, I can feel the difference. Hell this thing works and with undervolt heat/ fan problem seems alright.

 

does the fan turn on and off more? cause on mine it does it every 10 seconds driving me crazy , would like to know before i try this update

 

Just got my S580 today, and my BIOS version is the new one-R0102V0. They install it for me already! The machine is pretty cool, around 45-48C while using Battery Maximize configuration!

 

will this work for S360 as well

 

Unfortunately, the link to Sony China doesn't work. May somebody please post the direct download link to the new bios? Thank You!

 

I just received my S580 and I also have the newer bios version, R0102V0. Looks like it's now standard on the newly shipped s580 laptops.

 

good question

 

If anyone is interested, I have flashed this new bios on my s4xp and it appears to have made a positive effect on the temperature of the right hand palm rest and keeps the cpu at around the 47-49C range when browsing.

 

Hello,

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the R0102V0 BIOS has been on the Sony Update page for some time, at least if you enter the S5 as your product. The only notes accompanying the update are "Improved CPU cooling".

I can confirm the fan/temperatur behaviour on my S5XP. The fan will normally not switch on when working on the notebook (word-Processing, internet, multiple programs open). Sometimes you can hear it turning on but it's barely noticeable. Temperatures move to around 46-47° Degrees (800Mhz).

 

Can anybody post a link to this new bios update ? I have been tryin to open that Sony China link but its dead I guess .

 

Wel here is the link for downloading the bios update for the S5 models. I am not sure though if this is exactly the same version as the "Sony China" one, so use at your own risk!

http://www.vaio-link.com/downloads/...SYS-00877818-UN.exe&ip=PHBSYS-00877818-UN.htm

 

I don't know if this bios can be applied to the US version.. but for S58GP series..
http://www.css.ap.sony.com/VAIO/Website/General/Download.aspx?ID=47136&Model=VGN-S58GP
this is the Ver.R0103V0

 

Thanks, I installed this on my S460 and it worked perfectly! I was a bit concerned that I may ruin my brand new S460 but I figured I'm on day 1 of my 14 day return policy so now would be the best time to try this BIOS update

 

Hehe Glad to hear it helped, I wonder why Sony doesn't "officially release it for the S4 series..

 

One more time............Has anyone tried this bios update on older S150, S270, S360 models?

 

Thanks Island Boy !! Just bought S460 in Office Depot over the weekend in an amazing deal for $1050. Been tweaking it with CHC etc. This firmware upgrade really took care of the heat and fan problem.

thanks.

 

Wait, so this BIOS version R010 WILL work with the S460P to fix the fan problem? The link didn't show it work with the S460P.
My S460P BIOS version is R0092V0 and I am always worried about flashing my notebook BIOS, especially when it is not officially supported.

 

lan,
You are right.
As I was also in the same situation as islandboy (the computer is only few days old) I dared to upgrade the BIOS and return it in the store if something get messed up.
I believe the version it installed is 102V0.
I can tell you the difference is unbelievable.
Upto you to take the chance.

 

Yes, this newer BIOS will work just fine. I was worried at first but figured it was worth a shot because the heat was borderline you-wouldn't-dare-leave-it-on-your-lap!



You're just going to have to take my word that I have an S460 from which that screenshot is from...heh.

 

Thanks for the information, guys. I installed the R010 BIOS from the website above and it worked like a charm. So far I don't feel any overheat!

I am really curious how they fix this though. Just toning down the fan speed doesn't remove the heat problem, unless they figured out a way to undervolt or some other magic...

 

I've installed this R010 bios on my s4xp. Although it has helped reduce the heat output on the right hand palm rest, I do find that the fan comes on and goes off more frequently which when in a quiet environment can get annoying. There doesn't appear to be any hysteresis between the on and off thresholds.

 

amazing but this will solve the problem?or just makes the cpu to work lower?
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Finally!!!
US Sony's update page has listed the R0103V0 BIOS on 11/22/2005. Although it only mentions about fixing some video noise. No mention of heating whatsoever.
Sorry, I should have mentioned that it is for the S560PB

 

Where? I didn't see it in http://esupport.sony.com for my S460P.

 

Tested with VGN-S38

and its working very fine


Thanks all u made me love my VAIO

 

Hi,
Did anyone install the mentioned BIOS to an S170P or S360P?
Thanks
Jerome

 

So this worked for your S380? Does the fan go on less now?

 

I installed the R0103V0 bios on my s580 a couple days ago. The fan seems to run a lot more often if not constantly, even on the ultimate battery settings. It may be my imagination but the top-right portion of the keyboard seems to be a lot cooler now, so is the palm rest. I could just be getting used to it.

As for the fan noise... well it was a bit annoying at first but i suppose ive learned to ignore it. Aside from what i have noted, there doesn't seem to be any problems so far.

 

I have an s460 and tried installing the s560 R0103V0 BIOS from the USA Sony site.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNS560PB&upd_id=2033&os_id=7

The big problem is you can execute that file, and all seems well at first. But soon it says you have the wrong model for this update and will not allow you to continue.

So I downloaded the link other s460 owners mentioned...

http://www.vaio-link.com/downloads/...SYS-00877818-UN.exe&ip=PHBSYS-00877818-UN.htm

That one installed fine! One thing I didn't like about it is there is no progress bar as it installs. You just see an hour glass. It took me maybe 2 minutes for it to install. The main warning is, if it's taking long to install for you, do not cancel or turn off your computer. Give it as long as it wants. Otherwise, you will probably have a computer that won't boot up anymore. Well, if you give it all night, and it's still busy, I guess it doesn't matter what you do. You are probably in trouble either way.

Anyway, I've just started using the new BIOS version so I can't give a conclusive review, but my s460 did reboot fine. And it was running pretty warm, even with under volting and under throttleing at 800 mhz. After rebooting, and while writing this, I set the speed at a full 1.73 ghz. And rather than getting warmer as it usually did, it's now a lot cooler. Yes, the fan has been running most all the time, but at 1.73 ghz it did that before anyway. But now, the fan speed and noise does seem much lower now.

So far, this is a great upgrade! It will be a crime if Sony doesn't offer this upgrade to S460 and S360 users here in the USA.

 

just finished installing R0102V0 BIOS on S45SP_S 15 minutes ago. So far, everything works fine. The difference I notice is, with new BIOS, temperature drops dramatically. It used to be 58-60 C at 1.73Ghz. Now, maximum temperature is 50 C at 1.73 Ghz. However, the fan is running all the time even when temperature is 48 C. With old BIOS, fan will not operate unless temperature reach 56 C.

If you prefer noise over heat, this new BIOS might suit you well.

Edit: With R0102V0 BIOS, it seem the fan will turn off if temperature is lower than 47 C and turn on again at 48 C.

Edit: I just installed R0103V0 BIOS. Well, one hour after I installed R0102V0. There is no difference between R0102V0 and R0103V0. They say this update fix Video noise problem. I have no idea what this Video noise problem is. At first I thought it would fix noise occuring when you lower monitor brightness but it's not. The temperature level is the same as R0102V0.

This is the download link:
http://rapidshare.de/files/8761354/S5_R0103V0.exe.html

I can't remember where I got this file, maybe from Sony Asia Pacific website. Because it works with my S45SP_S, I assume that this BIOS can also be installed on other S4 series.

 

Personally, I prefer a little more noise over scorching heat.. My S460P still gets hot but it keeps me warm in my classes

The monitor brightness flashing when you lower it is fixed with a video driver update - I wonder what video "noise" they're talking about too..

 

My labtop runs very hot and loud eventhough I have the R0103V0. I did not have to update it because it came like this from the factory. I got it yesterday and was wondering if I can do anything to reduce the heat.
Its a S580 2.26GH with a 2GB DDR2

 

Check out some of the other posts around for the topic of 'undervolting'. It should help drop your temperatures a bit.

 

I've always wondered why people call notebooks/laptops "labtops" - when I corrected a friend of mine, she said she had always called it a "labtop" which I thought was funny

I agree though, undervolting seems like the best way to go. Interestingly enough I always undervolt down to 0.700v on the lowest multiplier. I did this for three Sony laptops and one Compaq V2000. I tried it on my friend's Gateway the other day and the BSOD came up. So with regards to undervolting, you shouldn't have a problem going directly down to 0.700v with your Sony.

 

Thank you guys.

 

I just got my brand new VAIO VGN-S5HP/B a few days ago. The machine came with the 1.02 BIOS on it, and after visiting VAIO-Link, I found out the newer version 1.03 and upgraded to it. As mentioned before the upgrading procedure didn't have a progressbar at all and took about 2 minutes before the 'press ok to reboot' appeared.

After reading the posts on this thread I made an assumption that the BIOS version 0.92 would be the most silent one. Since I'm more of a fan of silence than heat, I decided to downgrade. What I didn't notice was that the 0.92 BIOS doesn't list the S5 model compatible on the support page.

The update process went smoothly. It didn't nag about any compatibility problems and followed the same formula the prior flash that I had done.

Unfortunately this BIOS does not work with the S5 at all. So beware guys if you're playing around trying out these bioses on incompatible or unsure hardware. The laptop doesn't boot at all now. When pressing the powerbutton, the green led turns on, but nothing, really nothing, appears on the screen. It does make a few beeps but that's about it.

The situation is leaving me pretty depressed. I hope tomorrow goes fast since the phone support isn't open until monday. If anyone has any clue howto clear the CMOS, I would really appreciate it. Other hints and tips are also welcome on howto deal with my "dead" S5.

 

Humm... I would of expected an s4xx bios should work on an s5xx...

If you can at least get it to boot off a CD or USB hard drive, you could probably make a DOS bootable floopy or a bootable CD with the bios upgrade file on it. I don't know how to clear the CMOS unless you open up the notebook and remove the small CMOS battery on the motherboard.

Also try hitting F2 several times after you turn on the notebook to see if you can get into the bios setup. Even if the screen driver isn't working and you have a green screen, maybe you can still get into the bios and restore the defaults. After turning on the notebook and hitting F2 several times, wait about 1 min. If you are in the bios and hit an unrecognized key (like a period), you will hear a sharp beep. Then hit Esc to exit bios, then press the down arrow twice which will select "restore defaults", then hit Enter.

Since it's a new notebook, my suggestion would be to just take it back to the store you got it from and exchange it for another one. But most stores here only give you 14 days for an exchange.

If you go through Sony, you'll probably have to mail the notebook to Sony for repair. In my experience they do it pretty quickly. It might be best to not mention what you did with the bios, otherwise you may be charged. Just tell them it no longer boots up, and see what tech support can come up with.

 

It's a pity that if I would have known that the BIOS isn't actually for the S5, I wouldn't have upgraded it in the first place. Actually I received the 0.92 bios-patch as a recommendation from a friend and happened to be the lucky one to try it first. It's a bliss that noone else went along with this before I noticed the lockdown, since we were chatting about the upgrade with plenty of VAIO (S5) owners.

This VAIO was a gift from a promotion campaign here in Finland, so the 14 day option is not possible. I think the next thing to do is to try to get the bios working somehow by clearing it without the screen. Atleast it doesn't make the default beep messages, ctrl-alt-del right after booting isn't working either. Booting from a CD straight away with all set up to flash the BIOS is also worth a try.

And when it comes to the CMOS-battery on the motherboard, I already tried to find it, no luck there. If someone can specify where it is, I might give that another go.

 

I've tried just about everything to patch the bios back to the newer version and nothing seems to have helped.

I'll call the VAIO-Link support tomorrow and hopefully I can take the laptop there for a quick repair (reflash). It always seems that these things tend to happen when there's no support personnel to be reached.

The question is, does anyone have insigth whether they have a BIOS programmer at the support or do they just usually change the motherboard and send the 'broken' ones to repairs off seas?

 

Ouch. So I called the technical support and asked for instructions. Apparently the support here in Finland cannot handle BIOS problems and the laptop has to be sent to France. They clearly said this to be out of warranty repair, and I'll end up paying the expenses. The support guy also said that there's no way to reset the bios, so luckily I only spent about ~10 hours searching for the battery .