annoying high-pitched sound from my new VPCZ13C5E!

Hi guys!

Just today I've received my new Vaio Z13. But as I turned it on, I noticed a slight high-pitched sound coming from the device. I'm not 100% sure, but I think it must be the fan, because if I turn the notebook on after putting it in the stand-by mode, cpu and monitor already on and there is no sound. Just rigth in the moment where you can hear the fan jumping on, the high-pitched sound is there too.
So what can I do now? Is this a common problem or does it have to be a defect in my fan somewhere? If so, that should be handled as a case of warrenty, right?

 

Hello,

Maybe you encounter the same problem as I do -- and I strongly believe this comes from the fan.

Here are some more info I posted about in the owners thread :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...l-owners-thread-part-2-a-147.html#post7011793

Could you tell me if the sound is somewhat close to what you hear on your Z?

 

yep, sounds pretty much the same. I've requested a new Vaio. UPS is gonna pick it up tomorrow.

What responses did you get so far? Any experiences from other users or from your own?

 

I've got a similar issue, however as soon as I start playing some music the noise disappears (even muted or with headphones connected). It seems like an issue with sound card sleep mode or something like that.

 

@noap : I am hesitating wether to return it or not as it can take much time but maybe all the Zs have that sound.
Please keep me updated when you receive the new one

@ghrh : you do not seem to have the same problem. When I play music nothing changes. The sound looks like a "mechanic" one.
Besides, when I stick my ear to the fan vent, I can hear the sound louder so it definitely comes from there.

 

@tompim
yeah, I will.
Which exact model do you have?
(btw support said, they havent heard from such a failure yet)

 

Is the noise still there if you put heavy load on the CPU? If not, it's just Intel's CPU whine when in power saving states.

 

If that would be the fact here, wouldn't I hear the whine the moment after I put the vaio back on from the stand-by mode? Because as described in my initial post, I can see the windows log-on screen (ergo monitor and cpu must be on) and just about 1-2 sec after that the fan jumps on AND right in the same moment the high-pitched sound comes back.

 

@noap: thanks. It is VPC-Z13M9E/B.

@Mythdat: i am currently running Prime 95.
First thing I noticed is that the fan went faster 20 secondes after starting the stress test (which is to me a long time: usually it speeds within a few secs).
When at full speed, I hear the quite loud noise of a fan spinning (not just the blow of the air) but I don't mind that noise when at full power state (which I use <20% if the time).

As noap said in his last post, when waking up from sleep mode, there are these 2 seconds where the fan is not on yet. Well, the high-pitched noise is not present: the laptop is totally silent (as if it was switched off).
Then the high pitched noise comes back along with the fan.

As I said in the owner's thread, it seems to me that the fan piston is not greased correctly or that it is not in his correct place. I cannot image this noise coming elsewhere than from the fan.

 

Sorry, I can't give you report about my replacement, because I've just cancelled it. I guess I'll be waiting for the next Z to come out, or at least for the SA.

 

Ok, thanks.
I also saw the SA but it does not worth the change to me (I prefer the Z design, form factor and the spec are not amazing IMO).

About the fan, I am still not sure whether to exchange it or not...

 

Keep it.

It goes with the territory. If you want a light, fast computer you will have the fan noise that goes with it.

The alternatives are

1. A heavy fast laptop that can accomodate lthe larger, style heatsinks

-or-

2. a light slow one that uses a ulv processor or such.

For me, the tiny fan noise does not even come close to overcoming all the advantages.

 

Thanks for your answer.

However it seems that my fan is louder than other Z's fan.
In that case, I find normal to try to get a model with a (slightly) better assembly and a quiter fan. If some Z users have no distrurbing noise at all, I don't see why why others should experience noise (especially as we are talking about a high-end product).

 

I don't like the SA either. But it's possible that the prize of the current Z is dropping as the new SA comes out. At least I hope so...

Another option would be to wait for the next Z, which could/should take about 6 more months :S

Thing is, it's not just "a loud fan", it's a high-pitched sound, not typical for a fan. It's not just the sound of a small fan rotating very fast.

 

Hi,

I've got the same problem on a VPCF132FX. It's definitely related to the fan speed, and only appears within a narrow RPM range. I'm not sure if it's the fan itself producing the noise, or if it's the resonance created by the fan that affects another part.

Here is a link to another post in which someone upload an MP3 of the noise - mine sounds exactly the same... you can really hear it well at the end.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7130309-post3006.html

I've called Sony and they told me to bring it into my local Sony repair shop to take a look at it. We'll see what they have to say. If they don't accept it as an issue, then I'll have to return the computer. I'll keep you posted. (not for another week and a half though, as I will be away next week).