VAIO Z creaking.

Hi, all

I have the area of the palm rest near the mouse button (left) under it and to the side of it creaking to pressure. When I apply pressure I feel it is not as solid as the right palm rest. It is tolerable. Nothing too bad. Today I held another Z at the store it was a bit better. It is as if it need a screw to be tightend. Does anyone face a similar problem?

Best regards

 

My one doesn't creak, but where the hard-drive indicator and the metal palm rest meets, just that one spot is loose - it clicks in and out if I apply enough (little) force. In my case, having looked through the service manual for the Z, it seems that a plastic redent has snapped off or is loosesly attached - wouldn't have a clue since I never opened up my Z (though it has had some nasty belly-flop landings on the desk, which could have loosened it)

I guess these problems are expected - these machines are hand-assembled so human error is more likely than on a machine operated assembly line (at least, I know the made in Japan ones are hand-assemebled like mine, not too sure about the American ones)

Though if you really think it is a loose screw, then I would suggest you get that sorted out - wouldn't want that to short-out the lappie...

 

I had that before on my old Z. The creak went away over time. Don't worry about it too much.

 

I had the same issue over at the far left end near the left usb connection. Then Sony changed my palmrest for another problem and this time it was assembled better and the creaking has stopped.

 

my z has the same issue. since I had ever opened it and replaced original hdd with a 500g hdd, so I am not sure whether the problem was coming from my own assembly.

i opened it after getting it 1 hour, I just did not notice the creaking before openning it

 

Thank you very much for replying, I will let go of this matter. The thing that I wish also to ask about is the lid. While opening or closing it is creaking too. I mean not smooth. Is this because it is very thin. Even though shouldnt this be a hinge responsibility??

SECONDLY, the hard disk is driving me insane always being accessed. Needed or not nearly always in operation. This happens with my Z, TZ and FW. Any suggestions will be highly appreciated. Even now while I am writing this reply it is in operation.

 

I ain't too sure, but my display hinge is rather smooth-feeling and soundless - have you tried comparing to a Z in a store?

The hard drive is in constant access for the first 5 minutes or so after starting Vista - a running process called trustedinstaller.exe searches for windows updates during that time, regardless of whether you are on the connected to the net or not. It is perfectly normal (thus you see it happen on your other Vaios). Can't be disabled; a Vista feature...
After the search is done, the HDD will blink once every 1 or 2 seconds, which I assume is the HDD protection in action - I haven't tried XP on my VAIO (which doesn't support HDD protection) so can't really confirm

Hope that helps

 

with me it is kind of smooth but you know that sound of plastic hinges. feels cheap actually. Not soundless though.

 

I take what I said back. If you are talking about the 'cracking' sounds everytime you try and close the lid, then yes, that is normal.

Sony seems to have used more inferior materials at the hinge to cut costs (thus to the consumer, hopefully) - the plastic bits are great looking, but durability wise are prone to scratches and from what I read here, cracking (of the plastic) as well.

BTW, the two silver hinge-bits connecting the LCD to chassis; they don't perfectly line up in their inserts; another cost-cutting step from Sony

 

Same here, I just did not want to talk about it to increase my misery. When I close the lid the left hinge changes orientation. You know a little inclined. I guess both are also not centered.