PCG-K115Z Freezing please help..!!!

[mappyuk]

Is anyone else having problems with the K115 series freezing. It happens normally after 15-20 mins of use and can occur during any activity (normally low or idle) the mouse freezes up and nothing responds (not even ctl+alt+del) You have to hard power off. It happens a lot when using Internet Explorer.

I tried restoring using the system restore disk and that seemed to solve it, but 2 days later it seems to be happening again.

I have registered the warranty but when I try to log into e-support it states it doesnt recognise my email address.

Most frustrating....please advise

Mike

[kee-lo_]

Insight are not the ones dealing with the repairs, which is a shame.

[TygerTyger]

Hm....I'm not entirely convinced this is a heat related problem. I have the K115s which is different only in that the CPU is .2Ghz slower. I can use my laptop in a hot room, or even out in the direct sun with no ill effects other than a suntan. Also I notice that the problem only started after 2 days every time, and unless you left your laptop on constantly for two days, then didn't switch it off for long enough for it to cool ever, it doesn't make sense to me, not to mention that the CPU shouldn't be working out when the computer is idle unless you are running SETI@home or something similar.

What I suspect (I may be wrong) is that after restore you are reinstalling all your programs/drivers/updates etc and it's one of those that causes the problem, hence the problem returning after a few days. In fact one of the drivers that Sony ships with the K115s is giving me Page_Fault_Errors all the time, but luckily its not lethal.

If it's convenient, do another system restore but this time update nothing other than the Windows security hotifxes which really you should have. See if the problem comes back. I also find it odd that Sony replaced the modem since you are using the Wireless LAN, but if you want to be safe the modem can be disabled via the control panel.

If you still suspect heat problems, put the laptop in a cool room, and if possible put something under the four corners of the base to raise it off the table, this can help with heat. Unfortunately Sony appear to allow you almost no access to the BIOS which is where most computers tell you the CPU temperature.

Edit: A thread just appeared below this one which links to CPU temperature software lol. Excellent timing. Download here MobileMeter. My K115s is currently at 59 degrees C, it's been on all day and it has the sun shining down on it through the window on a bloody hot day.

[Qbix]

To make life more complicated some people have reported freezing problems which they have associated with some of the security updates.

If you want to work through it methodically I would suggest:

1) Restore to factory state - leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes.

2) Update all the device drivers from the Sony website - leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes.

3) Update the Via4-in-1 driver (www.viaarena.com) - leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes. Some people have cured the freezing problem at this stage but it didn't work for me.

4) Update BIOS from Sony website - leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes. This cured the problem with my PCG FX-701 freezing. What version of the BIOS do you currently run? What version is the latest version on the Sony website?

I would suggest reading myplc.com/sony on BIOSes before doing this.

5) Update all security updates - leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes. If the freezing has stopped at 1 - 4 then you may want to do this stage in parts to see if adding a security update restarts the freezing issue.

6) Add all your additional programmes (preferably one by one) and leave running for a couple of days to see if it freezes.

Freezing appears to be a major issue with the Vaios and the Sony support desk never appears to acknowledge there is an issue.

Good luck.

Q

[TW]

Hm....I'm not entirely convinced this is a heat related problem.

Me neither actually for that matter.

Tnx for describing the real hot scenario:smileywink:

Like I said, before we gave it over to repair, we had it physically standing on the airco for hours and the problem still occurred.

Anywayz, need to wait now untill it gets back to us.

[kee-lo_]

Yeah let us know TW :smileygrin:

[mappyuk]

Well I restored it back to its original condition and didnt install any software/updates/drivers. It seemed pretty solid.....

Was thinking about tenantively installing something today but left it on over night last night and it froze up within about an hour. As far as I'm concerned now there is something definately wrong with the computer if it doesnt work consistently 'out of the box' so I am sending it back for them to look at it again and am also writing to Sony to ask for a refund.

Does anyone know a name/address for their customer services?

[kee-lo_]

Yes I think thats the best move sending it in if it doesn't work "out of the box"

VAIO-Link should have an address.

[Qbix]

I'm not surprised it froze. My 701 only stopped freezing after flashing the BIOS to the lastest version.

Q

[mappyuk]

My laptop is on its way to France again to be looked at this time by second level support.

I dont hold much hope out for a fix. The problem is that these freezes are so unpredictable. I had nothing for about six hours then about three one after another. They say if they can't reproduce it they will return the laptop and close the call. I can understand that to some extent but without real world testing they will never reproduce it.

Its all rather depressing....

[Kunal]

Hey, i bought the same laptop from a dealer and the same day my comp started freezing every 10 minutes, i did the whole system install and same problem. I reckon there is a problem with the K series. Luckily for me the dealer took the laptop back although he charged in 15% restocking fee but that was fine, i got a new a new laptop from sony directly and not the same one after this experince. I think u better contact sony n tell them bout this problem.