The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Reduce Fan (Motor) Noise VPC-Z12?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by indobladez2, Jun 12, 2011.

  1. indobladez2

    indobladez2 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I recently just received my refurb Z12. Unfortunately, it does make the annoying buzzing/fan noise that has been discussed on this forum before.

    See video: YouTube - ‪vaio z13 fan noise‬‏

    Has anyone found a way to either lower the fan speed or reduce the noise somehow. I plan on using this device in the library or class often and I dont want it to sound like a jet is about to take off.
     
    indobladez2, Jun 12, 2011
    #1
  2. TofuTurkey

    TofuTurkey Married a Champagne Mango

    Reputations:
    431
    Messages:
    1,129
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    That does not sound normal at all, something's wrong with the fan...
     
    TofuTurkey, Jun 12, 2011
    #2
  3. indobladez2

    indobladez2 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    This is the second unit that I received from Sony where it made such noise. In the first unit, a technician came to replace the entire GPU + Fan and it still made the same noise.
     
    indobladez2, Jun 12, 2011
    #3
  4. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

    Reputations:
    476
    Messages:
    2,376
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It's not normal. It sounds like rubbing/pressure on the fan.
     
    beaups, Jun 12, 2011
    #4
  5. BlackLS3

    BlackLS3 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Indo and I exchanged some PMs regarding this. I bought 2 Z refurbs - a Z1290X and a Z1390x and both fans made exactly the same noise. I thought maybe the first one was bad so I got another. When the second one showed up making the same ridiculous noise, I sent it back and figured that it was a trait of the fan that Z users somehow came to live with.

    It drove me insane.
     
    BlackLS3, Jun 12, 2011
    #5
  6. requiem86

    requiem86 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    76
    Messages:
    531
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    this kinda worries me as i also have ordered a refurb Z..should have it on Tuesday. Anyways...i think the problem maybe either (1) lubrication ..which evaporates over time...sony probably never re-lubed the refurbished Z...or (2) vibration from the heat sink..which can be fixed with a little tape. See videos below...maybe they will help if your willing to open your laptop.

    YouTube - ‪sony vaio fan noise‬‏
    YouTube - ‪Sony Vaio SZ CS B TZ series fan noise solving technique‬‏
    YouTube - ‪Sony VAIO SZ4 Fan Noise and Overheating Solving Method.MPG‬‏

    i really hope i don't have this problem...
     
    requiem86, Jun 12, 2011
    #6
  7. indobladez2

    indobladez2 Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I agree, its driving me nuts too.

    But i've been researching laptops for over a month. No other brand has a device that even comes close to the Z. I even settled for the SA but after reading about the screen I figured it was absolutely not worth it.

    For $899 + Tax, I'm honestly ready to just settle and live with it.

    I'm going from the VGN-Z so any other laptop will just disappoint me. If they sold new VGN-Z's for a reasonable price, I would without a doubt consider that.
     
    indobladez2, Jun 12, 2011
    #7
  8. travfar

    travfar Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    49
    Messages:
    565
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's definitely not normal. I can't hear my fan at all unless I'm going full out.
     
    travfar, Jun 12, 2011
    #8