vaio c1z screen noise

I just bought a c1z 13.3' laptop (on 30th November).I really like it, looks great, performs fine,(1.66 core2duo,nvidia 7400 - might do a review also) but it has a very annoying problem: the lcd screen buzzes.Its a very irritating high pitch noise.It sometimes changes according to the screen angle.Very dissapointing indeed.And i hate to send it right now for servicing in france, as i realy need it.( i think they keep it for 2-4 weeks).
I checked the clubvaio forums and i saw similar problems with the fs series, that sony didnt admit the problem, but some people got a replacement.I sent and email to the tech support, but i havent got an answer yet.

Anyone knows anything about this problem, or had it or why/how it happens???

 

This subject has been discussed a lot on this forum although I don't think anyone has been able to fully explain why it happens.

Read this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1648532

 

Thanks for the link MassiveAttack. I've heard about this issue in some notebooks, but haven't experienced it firsthand. Notebooks these days jam a lot of power and performance into increasingly smaller packages, and sometimes electronic noise is not fully insulated.

Let us know what Sony says about it.

 

Well... I'LL let you know what Sony says about it! I exchanged my FJ270/b notebook and my SZ340 notebook because of screen buzzing sounds. If you search for threads that I started, you'll read a lot about it.

The long and short of the story is that both of the notebooks I just mentioned would emit an electronic buzzing sound under certain power settings --- they'd be quiet ONLY when on max brightness and running off AC power. Also, certain programs running in the foreground would inexplicably trigger the buzzing on and off. Weird stuff.

I ended up sending my SZ340 in for service 3 separate times for the LCD buzzing noise, and Sony kept sending it back with 'repairs' that never seemed to do anything. The final time I sent it in, Sony offered me an exchange, and the techs looking at my laptop said that the buzzing is partial to the model design of notebooks with LCD screens that make use of an inverter. Apparently the LED-backlit screens of the premium SZ models don't have an inverter, or don't use it in the same way ------ the computer I have now doesn't have a buzz at all, whereas both the SZ340 adn FJ270/b had a plainly obvious LCD buzz.

If you do some internet searches, you'll find that this is a commonly reported problem in FEs, some Macbooks, and other PCs. Some people don't seem to mind it ---- it sure drove me crazy though.

Best of luck!

 

YES! My FJs sound is driving me nuts!
I didnt notice it during the summer, when I had it mostly on AC power, but now that I am taking it to class, its soo annoying.
Was it covered under warranty? If I can send it in, I will.... I still have 7 months warranty on it.

 

it s been 3 days i emailed sony's tech support and no answer.I get the buzzing on any brightness level.It comes and goes, but when i use the laptop home at night, it really gives me a headache!A very light tap on the back of the screen (on the vaio logo!) can stop it for a while.Too bad i chose it because it looks well built

 

Well, if you're willing to be as much of a pain as I was, you might get results. I sent a lot of computers back and forth between me and Sony before I landed one that I'm really happy with (aka, no screen noise). Sony offered me (eventually --- after a LOT of returns/"fixes"/complaining/etc) an exchange for my FJ270/b.

I used the money I put into the FJ to get an SZ340 --- that also had the screen noise. After 4 returns, Sony upgraded me to the SZ360P for no extra cost. I'm not trying to imply that this was standard Sony customer service protocol ------ more so that I was a major pain, very insistent, and eventually got lucky. It's all about who you talk to.

And, for what it's worth, always always call Sony. I never waited on hold for more than a minute before talking with someone --- it's also fairly easy, based on my experience, to get elevated to tier 2 tech support and talk with some people who are genuinely sympathetic and understanding. Email responses from Sony will only get you very, very basic responses and will, more often than not, just tell you that you have to call in to get your problems resolved.

I also liked my FJ, but the errant noises drove me nuts. Good luck!

 

Thank you for the tips!
I hadnt any response on my mails.I ll try calling, but after a couple of weeks, since i have a lot of work to do on my whiney laptop.

 

How are you emailing them? If you use the form on the sonystyle website, they generally will get a response to you within 24 hours.

 

I got a reply yesterday.I contacted through the online form in the weekend, so it took them around 3 working days to reply.They said it is a "mechanical fault" and i should first ask from the shop a replacement (though the shop pointed me to the sony support in the first place ) or arrange a repair/replacement through sony europe, but to be prepared to wait for at least a month before i see a new laptop.
I ll give another try with the shop, but i fear in the end i will take the "long route" through sony.

 

When I first noticed the noise in my FJ270/b, I took it back to Circuit City (where I had purchased it) and exchanged it for a new one ------ the new one had the exact same problem as the old one. Sent THAT one into Sony, they sent it back having replaced the inverter. Still had the problem. Sent it back again with a lengthy trouble-shooting description, and then they offered me an exchange (after much 'discussion').