Sony VAIO VPCSA390X: Two problems - keyboard and left speaker (Win7 x64)

I bought the laptop at the Sony Outlet during the 50% off deal and am generally pretty happy with it (after I managed to install an SSD in it and Wiindows stopped giving me a "bad install" error because Sony in their infinite wisdom don't think people are capable of replacing an HD in a laptop). However, I've got two niggling issues in it which cannot seem to want to resolve themselves.

1. This is definitely a hardware issue: whenever I hit the space bar with my right thumb (so on the right side), it is making a very annoying squeaking sound as if one of the hinges is messed up. Definitely a mechanical issue. I thought it was debris and tried to blow it out with compressed air, which produced a rather strange whistling noise, the same kind of which I cannot hear from the left side of the space bar. I talked to Sony tech support and the only thing they can think of is for me to send the laptop back to them, a process which is going to take at least a week and one I'd rather avoid if I can. Dell can just send you a replacement keyboard, but apparently it's too complicated for Sony to do likewise. That said, if I can avoid disassembling the entire case to fix one niggling problem, I'd rather do that. Is there a way to take the space bar off without causing permanent damage? And has anyone else experienced this issue?

2. The second issue is almost certainly software-related. A few days ago I noticed that whenever I make a Skype or Google Voice call, my left speaker crackles horribly. I don't know how it started doing that - nothing in the configuration of the laptop has changed - but it is uber-annoying. Also, whenever the computer just sat there, I could hear a really annoying high-pitched whining noise, kind of like weak feedback, coming out of just the left speakers. After doing a Google search on the problem (and reinstalling the sound driver per Sony's incredibly helpful tech support), I messed around with the settings of the sound card, such as the "Communications" tab where I selected "Mute all other sounds", I fixed the problem, but only somewhat. Then I went to the "Recording" tab, where in the "Enhancements" tab I now have everything enabled except "Disable all sound effects". This has helped somewhat, but now the left speaker seems to be completely off on calls, something I don't mind, but it's still annoying to have to do that. Moreover, it doesn't seem to have helped 100% - whenever I play a YouTube video now, I get the feedback for a few seconds after the video has stopped playing. And I also get the feedback constantly when I am in the "Microphone" tab, so I am guessing it's got something to do with that particular piece of hardware. "Listen to this device" is off now, so, apparently before I make a call with Skype/Google, I have to change settings yet again or the mic won't work?

So it's a jumbled mess as you can see. Just wondering if anyone has experienced these issues? Thanks!

 

Also just noticed that the noise comes back whenever I turn on GMail (I am guessing because of the Google Voice) plug-in.

 

I have the same problem on my VPC-SA390X (which I too bought during the 50% off sale) with the slightly squeaky keyboard. It's not very loud and I had the same noise on an HP dm4 that I sold before Christmas. I'm not sure what the problem is but like I said, mine isn't very loud, yet. I also have a dead pixel on the right hand side which is annoying but not that noticeable so I'm living with it.

I don't have a probem with any of the speakers on mine. That actually sounds like a hardware issue to me. I'd send it back to Sony to get it fixed before your 90 day warranty is up if yours is a refurb like mine.

 

I still have intermittent hiss from the speakers, even with the volume muted, and have noticed an occasional faint electronic squeal that I haven't been able to pinpoint the source of... Perhaps I'll look more closely in that direction next time it happens.

You mentioned install errors with Windows 7. I just upgraded mine to a Plextor M5 Pro, and am unable to install Windows 7 RTM to it. It fails every time with an installation error. Windows 8, however, installs just fine. What did you do to get it to install? I've messed around with Win8, but I want Windows 7 back, as it's by far my preferred OS after messing with 8.

Thank you in advance, and sorry for sidetracking your thread!