Serious issues With F12Z and Sony repair center

Regarding Vaio VPC-F12Z and its problems during 1 year of use.

1. The rubber on the palm rest is loose and expanded so that the does not fit in its casting.
2. AC adapter, which creates interference which is heard in the connected stereo systems and is visible as flicker on screens. Have been able to reproduce the problem in 3 renovated three apartments. AC adapter is used with a Belkin Surge Master Surge protection, but problems arise with and without The surge protector. Been through this before with another DEFECT AC adapter. The outlet where grounding is not used, this problem is gone, but nothing I want to use reguarly.
3. The computer has been unstable, as it suddenly has "given up", and random BSOD.
4. Whining fan noise at lower RPM,
5. unusually warm but not over 83 degrees, usb connectors seem to be "loose", The heat feels sometimes burning when using the touchpad or computer on your lap.
6. Left CRTL not always working
7. The chassi at the front has become looser,
8. WLAN stops now and then to function,
9. the computer has more recently has not started up.
10. Can not adjust the screen brightnes (bug, will return always after a reinstall, conflicts with the MS update packages?).
11. Sweeping sound from the speakers at the bios logo
Have tested with clean installations and with Sony's Media Recovery. The symptoms have been around for throughout the year. However not able to send it in for repair.

During this summer I was able to send it in. It went to the Sony Service in Germany. First day of repair they told me that the repair would be delayed by 24-48 h because of extra testing. 3 days later they tell be they found liquid inside the computer, 1,5 weeks after I requested a repair under warranty, at following locations: Moterboard, memory and DC jack.

The repair center want me to pay 1200 USD for the spareparts.
I know that the computer have not been in a wet or strange enviroment, and they have not provided any proof of this statement.

I wonder know that is your experinance with the repair centers and what I might be able to do against this false accusations.

 

1) Don't pay anything like more then 100$ for it. Especially under warranty.
2) Have no german repair center experience. the only liquid can be is in keyboard but it has nothing to motherboard or else. It is natural to be something inside this island style keyboard.

You can buy NEW LAPTOP for 1200$! And much better than this old 1-year VAIO!

Have you ever updated BIOS? Because you should always have the newest one, you know that, right?

Use Heating control strategy in VAIO Control Center to get rid of winning fan noise.
Repaste CPU and GPU, clean fan for better cooling. Also grill can be dusted with hair and other. Vacuum cleaner, compressed air?

You should download DVD-image distributive Windows 7 SP1 built-in. Not that crappy usual Win 7 DVD and then updating to SP1.

You should uninstall Smart Wi-Fi or Smart-Wi for good WLAN.

Take that advertisement sticker on the right of touchpad from palmrest if you have. I am talking about BIG one, not about that little stickers about Intel core, Nvidia, energy star etc.

use you-tube microphone tweak for getting rid of microphone noise.

You should install everything in right order when making clean install. Edit later for step-by-step instructions for this.

Too much words about DC. More words, less I understand

 

1) Already had the latest Bios version
2) Thermal control was in use, EIST and C state activated.
3) Win 7 from sony was in use.
4) Smart Wi-Fi was needed to re-enable when the Wifi disabled itself. If not installed a reboot was required.
5) All stickers was gone 1 week after I bought the computer.
6) Youtube tweak was already done, but not needed for the mic.
7) Correct step by step clean install was used
8) AC-adapter had grounding problems

I live in Sweden but it was shiped to Germany for repairs by Sony with UPS.

EDIT: The computer starts, but do not show the bios logo or load windows and the fans runs at max RPM.

 

they've always done the 'you have liquid damaged your device'

but.

recently my friend dropped water into his z1290x and oddly enough they did the repair with no problem!

 

Oh then:
memtest86+. You should check RAM. Also you can take away 1 stick of RAM. Then if it will continue not booting exchange it.

What instructions did you use? From Ahmadka on VAIO F forum? Or general one? Or for other Sony? Or for using recovery media instead of distributive?

Thermal control strategy can't cure fan but it can force fan work on other rpms.

You say 3) Win 7 from sony was in use. It means that you did not use usual OS DVD or what? Because previously you said that you used both and distributives and recovery

Don't you think that it was exactly why you shoud uninstall Samart-Wi.Or you had this problem when it was already uninstalled?

 

The computer was dead, can not boot into any media or drive for testing. Tested with different memory sticks

Based from http://www..org/images/Sony_Vaio_F11/Vaio_F_Series_Clean_Install_Guide.htm

I know Usually the F12 could be really quiet

Sorry, writting error , I have only used the Recovery Partition and Recovery Media. Interrupted the install before Sony software was installed.

Had the problem already when Smart Wi-Fi was uninstalled.

The computer is at the repair center, the center waits for my response to accept the charges for repair or not.

 

As I said you can buy new one for such cost. But I think you must fight somehow for it.

 

That is a ridiculous price to pay for repair. Ask for evidence of liquid damage. If they show you "evidence," even if it was not your fault, you probably won't have much ground to fight unless you have pictures of your unstained motherboard with a date stamp of when you sent it to them. In that case, I would see about repairing it yourself for cheaper. I've never dealt with Sony service, but fight them on it and if they won't back down, take your computer back from them without paying.

 

I can add that you should warn them about it. Tell that you will upload some video on Youtube about this, different forums and other

 

I emailed the Store and Repair center. Sorry for google translate, it was written in swedish

Your assertion that you have found liquid on the motherboard, RAM, and the DC plug is not credible, because I am an experienced computer user who knows how a computer should be used and not used the computer in any improper way. Besides, you have no way provided evidence for your claims, nor evidence that I had used it in any improper way, as required by Swedish law.

In addition, any purported fluid come from condensation due to design flaws that cause complain overheating or condensation from the transportation error to your service center. You are responsible for both design flaws and transportation error, because you have chosen transport company and transport themselves. You took over the responsibility as the carrier itself packed the computer and put it in sealed plastic bag that can also cause condensation. This you will have to settle with the carrier on without bothering me.

No liquid has come from outside and into the computer for my use. Your description of the alleged liquid investment, on Motherboard, RAM, and DC-contact, also confirms this, as in this case, fluid had been on the surfaces and parts that are above or below the surfaces that you claim has now been fluid. You contradict your own words. If the DC connected also had fluid in my use so had GFCI breaker in the home triggered.

According to information on the Internet with clear images on the computer's internal, so the liquid may, in theory, only enter the computer through the speakers and the buttons on the touchpad, but according to your description, these elements are not wet, and they are also not related to the parts you claim is soaked in liquid. It is also conceivable that fluid can enter between the buttons on the keyboard, but then it had stopped at the metal plate under the keys and then instead been wet. Your own description shows that this does not have happened. During the metal plate under the keyboard, there is also a black plate that protects the metal plate being in contact with the keyboard. Your description indicates that this is not wet. The only major port on the computer's exhaust port that sits on one side of the computer's rear but your description confirms that there not been fluid and this opening is not in direct contact with the surfaces that you claim you have found liquid on. Thus I have shown that your claim is unlikely.

If it were true that you found the solution, it is therefore more likely that you yourself caused it when you opened your computer or that it is condensation you yourselves also responsible for the workmanship that gives complain overheating or transportation error as you also are themselves responsible.

There are eg some opportunities in the mode you selected, which can cause condensation in the computer's internal without adjacent surfaces become wet, as they had been on the liquid come from outside.

Transport firm UPS brought the computer with me at 16:44 August 1, 2011. They packed the computer in a sealed plastic bag with the hot humidity that existed then in Stockholm. Then they flew with the computer in a cargo space that becomes cold at high altitude and then precipitates the humidity was trapped in the plastic bag. Pressure change also helps to precipitate liquid out of the air in the bag. Two days later, 3 August 2011, at 10:02, SMS'ed Sony Repair Center, they received the computer. It had been in the plastic bag for two days with a possible solution in itself, for air transport, and which could not wipe out. Until 5 August 2011, at 08:19 emailed Sony Repair Center and claimed that the fluid found in the computer, the surfaces showed that the liquid does not come from outside and inside your computer, ie, no handling errors by the buyer.

The second possible explanation for the alleged liquid in the computer may be overheating due to design flaws and causing condensation. The computer has no holes for inlet of air. Only a hole for exhaust of air from the fan. Overheating was also the rubber on the palm rest expanded, that became larger and the glue melted. The rubber swelled so much because of the overheating that no longer fit in its mounting. Overheating was so strong that the burns occurred on the fingers touching the touchpad. Overheating is probably causing all the errors in the computer. It is known that the earlier model of the computer was withdrawn by about half a million computers.

In my opinion, AC adapter defective because it gives symptoms suggestive of improper grounding. When the AC adapter is causing the hum and processing sound in external speakers. This was dismissed, however, the Sony Centre in Stockholm, where I showed up adapter for inspection. If the AC adapter caused overheating or errors, I can only speculate

Furthermore, no limitations of warranty regarding moisture damage reported to the buyer before purchase, but only that the computer had two-year warranty, ie without any restrictions. The alleged constraints have here no legal effect in this case.

For this report indicate that neither the seller Dustin in Sweden or the Sony Repair Center has no legal means to require payment of repair, nor require examination fee. Which one of you will pay, you will make up between you.

The computer should then be repaired at no cost to me, otherwise your purchase will be lifted according to Swedish law and then have you pay back the full cost of the computer. After two sloppy repairs, I also have the right to cancel the purchase and get the money back.

The computer should be returned to me after the repair by 14 August, when I return to a foreign country on 16 August. Unless this happens I am forced to buy another identical computer and charge the cost to you in accordance with Swedish law.

If you refuse then we take the matter first to the Public Complaints Board who will submit to you to repair your computer at no cost to me, under Swedish law. If you then still refuse to go the case to the District Court and then to the bailiff for the recovery of the computer's cost to me. You refuse to pay, I file for bankruptcy of your company to get the money.

The computer is purchased on Dustin in Stockholm, which is my legal counterparty under Swedish law. Sony Repair Center will, therefore, if necessary, make up with Dustin about the cost.

 

You're making me wish I lived in Sweden. US law is quite different. Good luck and hope you have a working computer soon.

 

Maybe they are quick or slow

Had similar issue with my 2 HTC Desire with a strong pink tint. 1 year later they agreed to take a look at it and give the money back, 1500 usd in total. xD

 

I am SO VERY sorry to read about your trials with Sony Service. I know what you are going through. I've been going through it with my Z11 and have been for over a year. My computer has been either waiting for service or for parts for 70% of it's life. It was so bad, that I coerced Sony - through enormous effort on my part - to extend the manufacturer's warranty from February 2011 to the end of 2011 (10 months). I know just how disappointing it is to have this awesome piece of engineering in your hands that is supported by people who either don't care or aren't allowed to do the right thing for customers.

It's even more disappointing to read that it isn't just U.S. Sony Support that provides abysmal support.

 

9 days later and Sony has not answered my email or called me. They did get my mail, because it was forwarded to the Repair center by an employee.

 

My second mail

Answer from Sony:

Pictures from the repair Center.

 

New letter from us:
1) I have only received three photographs of the alleged liquid on some parts of the computer. Please transfer also all the other pictures that you want to invoke as evidence in this case.
2) What kind of fluid do you think it is?
3) Please describe in words the appearance of damage.
4) From where do you think that the alleged liquid to come in from?
5) Mark out the pictures, which talk about the circuits that are damaged in the pictures!
When I got all the proof I will provide information on this matter to you, about how the computer should be handled.

replies

 

From the picture, it seems that the motherboard corroded for an extended period of time

 

Picture says that laptop had a sup for dinner. But how is that possible? I hope you will get a refund but not sure if you really will. Anyway crossed fingers.

 

So... How is it?

 

Did you buy it refurbished or new?
Since you said you received the laptop on August 1st, and the corrossion showing in the photos couldn't be happened within a month, especially on the chassis.
However, in fact your laptop got spilled even though there are no evidences from outside. It is not caused by humidity condensation.

 

OP: I think you're out of luck IMO, sorry to say.