GRX - Second memory slot.

[William]

Just noticed at Vaio village that another unfortunate soul has a problem with their GRX memory slots.

William

[robpaxton]

Don't forget to let us know what happens ....... and good luck, hope you get it sorted out.

[William]

Another bunch of unhappy people:

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=20

William

[opie80]

I am using a GRX580 and had the motherboard replaced when the laptop was under warranty and it has since broken again (will not boot if there is a memory chip in slot #2), but now is out of warranty. I have switched the memory chips around and it still will not boot, but when I leave slot 2 empty it will boot with either of the chips installed. I use a notebook fan/cooler religiously and take excellent care of my notebook.

I had to remove the second memory from my slot #2 and now it will boot up and work just fine, except it is SLOW due to loss of 256MB of auxiliary memory. I went the to following link and read about it in detail and found a shop that will solder the offending pin and return it to you for $150. I also read about a proposed class action lawsuit and a virtual petition to sign about making SONY aware of the problem.

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/

What can I do now??? I have researched the problem and have found it to be real and am upset that SONY hasn't recalled or fixed the problem. I queried the parts page on SONY and found that the motherboard to replace this one is not even carried and at another site it is $650.

WHAT DO I DO NOW??????????? WILL SONY STAND BY ITS PRODUCT AND HELP ME????????????????

[hindlek]

I have had the same problem with my PCG-GRX416SP. Sony have quoted me £902 to replace a faulty processor including labour and VAT. After a long delay in responding to any of my emails for an explanation of the cost I have been offered a 20% dicsount or a refurbished newer higher spec german model for about £730. I don't want a refurbished model (why did it need to be refurbished?), I want my laptop back repaired free of charge with the HDD intact. Sony say that this is an isolated case and that they have never heard of it happening to anyone else. Having followed the Hardware Analysis forum and several discussions on this web site I beg to differ.

I have reported them to BBC Watchdog (and forwarded Sony the letter!)- the more people that do this the more likely our story will be heard. I had a Sony digital camera that had a problem with charging. They denied there was any problem at first but when trying to find out what was wrong with the laptop I notriced that they had acknowldged the fault and the camera was repaired FOC. I am not sure that we will have the same level of success with the Vaios but if we don't try we don't stand a chance.

The fault is mentioned in Personal Computer World, April 2004 edition. See page 10 of this forum: http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5449/?o=180

[kee-lo_]

Yes, it's quite a shock to hear about these notebooks dying like this. From dying screens, bad CPUs and 2nd memory slots going, doesn't really build much confidence in the GRX series, which is a shame because it's a good unit, even though there are better out there, it's still a fine unit.

[William]

Hidlech,

good for you, stand up for your rights.

How can Sony not acknowledge thje problem when so many people are obviously affected.

Vaio Village is full of similar problems and a resolution (at a price is offered) by SMDBIOS.

Fortunatley at this time I do not have this problem and I am running 1Gb total in two slots.

Please keep us informed.
Regards,

William

[kee-lo_]

Yeah keep fighting, don't give up on a good thing.

[William]

I have had a few lock-ups over the last couple of days and I am sorry to report that I now have the dreaded memory problem.

Despite having 1Gb ram installed I am now randomly showing only 512Mb

This will be my last Vaio which is a shame.

William

[robpaxton]

Sorry to hear that you have been hit by the faulty slot problem. We must be in the majority by now.

I won't be buying another Sony computer either.

[kee-lo_]

Sorry for your loss William - I hope the card remedy helps you for now.

I too won't be buying Sony - I know this will shock so many members, but this is just irresponsable of Sony to ignore so many GRX users and their woes with LCDs, memory and other problems. Yes, it's a stable PC, but really, they shouldn't be ignoring customers like William, and others who have posted in this very thread. It just annoys me the lack of customer support this century, looks like it's just getting worse too.

I know a lot of people have paid in excess of 2 grand for these machines, so my thoughts go out to you guys, I know what it's like to have wasted cash on something that:

a) doesn't work
b) didn't recieve
c) isn't compatible (was lied to)

We don't need this hassle :smileyrolling_eyes: