We need to complain to Sony - SZ Spacebar Key

Hi All,

I think we need to complain to Sony and make some noise regarding the spacebar issue on the SZ. The spacebar key, for some, is awful - you all know what I'm talking about.

Any suggestions?

I suggest we kick up a fuss with certain tech news websites too, it might get Sony to admit a problem and replace our faulty units.

Does anyone have email addresses for Sony (US, UK, EUR etc), and news websites?

(They wanted to take mine away for repair - unacceptable, I can't do without it.)

 

It's strange, I have what I believe to be a first generation SZ120, and the space bar has been just fine for me...

I tried hitting it at the edges with a letter opener, and it doesn't work, but tapping it anywhere along the surface works fine... it has yet to frustrate me.

Is the problem this bad for anyone else ?

 

That sounds exciting! Too bad I don't have an SZ.

 

I am about to send back my second unit for this reason along with an issue relating to blue screen of death followed with a complete reboot. Otherwise I like the machine a lot. There are no other notebooks that best fits the range of features I am looking for. I figure if enough people send back their SZ for this reason, word will trickle up to the powers that be.

 

This isn't going to work, I'm afraid. It simply isn't as big of an issue than a screen problem.

 

I believe Sony is aware and has fixed this issue on newer SZ's.

Check out my thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=47848

 

I would like them to either admit their mistake and/or replace my unit for a brand new one - I absolutely cannot afford for them to take it off me at all for the next few months.

 

I think the keyboard from the S series was better. Why'd they change it?!?

 

mines perfect sz 160

 

Just picked up a SZ110 today and it seems the spacebar is fine. Havent tried the letter opener on the edges or anything but just trying to push it on the very edge with your finger works. So it seems any new SZs should be fine.

 

my sz1xp/c has the problem on the left side, but as i'm
typing this, i have no problems with it at all. my hands
are large enough that i tap near the center of the bar
when i am typing normally.

however, i do agree that it's an annoyance to know
that such an expensive laptop has issues like this which
are only solved *after* many are purchased.

 

When did you buy yours? I've got an SZ1XP/C which I bought on 24th March 2006. I don't have any problem at all with my space bar.

 

For reference I got my SZ1XP/C on the 10th March.

 

I was told by 2nd tear support that my SZ120 keyboard *COULD NOT BE FIXED* because the issue was due to the fact the spacebar has only one sensor in the middle. Newer revisions have addressed this issue. My notebook was 16 days old when I called. Of course Best Buy told me to go fish...

I bought a SZ110 that doesnt have the issue. I am so discusted w/ Sony I think both units will be going to eBay. I really want to like this notebook... but this type of support is not acceptable for a $2000 unit IMHO.

-Jason

Edit: Now have *2* SZ's; One that works and one that Doesn't.

 

Can someone who's spacebar works please pop the key off and take a picture please?

Thanks

 

i received mine on the 26th of march.

 

Yeah, you need to call and talk to someone else. Mine is going back to them to get the space bar fixed. I mentioned it while working on another problem with their second level support, and she handled it exactly how it is supposed to be handled. If you get a response like that again, you need to ask to speak with a supervisor.

 

I'd be curious to know what's been changed as well...

 

Any chance of you popping the spacebar key off and taking a picture? If you do, would you also take a picture of the underside of the spacebar key please.

Thanks

 

i'd like to see a screenshot as well.

perhaps something can be added to the spacebar to fix this.

i do not want to send my laptop to sony, as i'm using it.

 

I will give Sony a call tomorrow and try with them again. I need to get this resolved ASAP. My SZ120 needs to work properly... I would like to keep it and sell the SZ110 I bought to replace it when Sony fubbed me over on the tele...

Thanks for the help guys... mabye we could all reference each other's case #s with Sony so they will be forced to hear us out! What do you all think?

-Jason

 

I received mine (SZ1XP= SZ160 I think) dual core 1.83ghz, 100 gigs of HD and 1 gig of memory
and I have no prob at all with the space bar

 

120 here and space bar is working perfect - no problem whatsoever.

 

if any of you without problems manages to take a screenshot
of how it looks beneath the spacebar, please post it.

perhaps we can fix it ourselves.

 

i opened an e-support case two days ago and they've
just responded that they're sending me a replacement
key.

 

Hong Kong SZ18 seems to have the same problem which im gonna address to them when i get my overseas warranty. it isnt much of a bother for me because i dont use the tip of my space bar anyways.

 

Did you say anything specific in your request in order for them to send out the replacement key? I spent an hour on the phone with Sony Support regarding this and they had me uninstall the keyboard driver, boot into safe mood and a lot of other useless things. In the end I had to go because I just didn't have anymore time to talk with them that day.

I since logged an e-Support request regarding this, actually asking them to send me a replacement key. I just got the standard response however. "We are sorry for the difficulty you are experiencing with the spacebar. Please contact our Customer Information Service Center by phone. This will allow our telephone technicians to diagnose your issue further."

Just what I needed to hear after having spent an hour with a "technician" asking me to reinstall the keyboard driver.

Please let us know if the replacement key actually fixes the problem, or if the problem is with the underlying keyboard itself.

Thanks!

 

well, i opened a case asking for a spacebar key because people
on these forums said that replacing it did in fact fix the problem.

as for what i told them in my case:

*** NOTES 15-Apr-2006 Action Type: Info
1. Installed service pack: WindowsXP Pro SP2
Still using service pack: yes
2. Boot language: English
3. Detailed problem description: the spacebar does not respond when pressing it on the far-left side; i can press it, but it won't process.
4. Checked for upgrades or patches: yes
5. Additional SW: none extra, some removed such as the microsoft office and adobe premiere trials.
6. Additional HW: none extra.
7. Extra memory added: no
8. Additional remarks: it always occurs. i am hoping sony can send me a separate space-bar instead of needing the laptop sent to them, as i use my laptop daily. the issue is not show-stopping, it's a mere annoyance, but an annoyance which should not have to exist with a laptop of this value.

 

Thanks for this info. I tried this as well, but got the following reply:

"We sincerely regret any difficulties you have experienced and that you are not completely satisfied. Unfortunately, our email support team is not involved in the resolution of customer service issues. We are here to provide Sony's customers with product information, troubleshooting, and technical support.

Sony believes that customer service issues should be addressed through live, personal communication. As such, these issues are addressed through telephone contact only. Please contact one of our customer service representatives to discuss your concerns. We are available at 888-476-6972, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

I just talked to support again and they will send me the packaging material to send my notebook in to replace the keyboard. I was hoping to only replace the space bar myself, but I guess they do not want me to. At least this way they will look at my battery as well that has been losing charge overnight.