topic Re: GRX 416SP failed in PCs & Accessories

GRX 416SP failed

HandyandyUK_duplicate_02 — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 16:39:38 GMT

Well, that's it... my GRX 416SP has finally got to the point where I'll have to send it to someone for repair.
About a month back it started to hang and failed to restart. After checking the usual - RAM modules not unseated, it then started ok.
This behaviour gradually got worse up to the point where now, if I'm lucky enough to get it to start, it'll hang at some stage during startup.
Everything I can guess is leading me to think of a soldered joint failure as it started better when cold than when it'd been on a while and was damned hot.
All I need to do now is work out somewhere to send it who will a) actually fix it, b) not charge me the earth. Being way out of warranty there's no way it's going to Sony... I've seen too many posts of how they're so slow, expensive and tend to keep themselves to themselves.
Just glad I still have this old HP 4150.... it's been though all manner of hell and it just keeps on ticking.
Ok, moans over... time for a cuppa and more repairers searches.

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 16:43:22 GMT

Some people say banging on the memory cover works.

Good luck with the search

Re: GRX 416SP failed

HandyandyUK_duplicate_02 — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:22:09 GMT

Well, yes... initially, reseating the RAMs and a polite 'tap' around the underside did seem to work. But I suspect the reality was removing the cover and the two minutes or so the unit was powered off, just allowed the temperature inside to drop enough for things to work again.
My suspicion now is that whatever was being damaged by the high temps has now failed sufficiently so that when startup tries to start it, it misreports and thus the hangup occurs.
Whatever it is has now gone way beyond my level, so I forsee more expense heading my way.
Shame, I expected more reliabilty from a name like Sony.

(If anyone wonders, yes, both fans spin up fine)

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:32:20 GMT

Yes excessive heat can damage the RAM and bays.

Re: GRX 416SP failed

William — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 20:15:37 GMT

The only person I know who actually understands and repairs this problem with confidence is SMDBIOS on the Vaio Village site.

http://p200.ezboard.com/bunofficialsony

He is something to do with this site:

http://www.laptopbios.com/

Unfortunately this would mean a two way tranatlantic trip for your lappy. I think the cost is in the region of $150 but don't quote me on that cos it might be more.

I was tempted to get mine done but the battery is tired and a dog chewed the corner of the lid

It would certainly seem like you have the memory slot problem - My GRX316 is currently in its death throes:smileycry: , second slot is failing - No boot when warm.

William

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 20:19:38 GMT

My GRX316 is currently in its death throes:smileycry: , second slot is failing - No boot when warm.

Erk thats no good at all.
Did you ever get that Acer notebook?

Re: GRX 416SP failed

William — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 20:27:31 GMT

Kee-Lo,

Is that question for me?

You must have noticed that I stayed loyal to Sony and got the TR5.

Just in case you mean did I also get the Acer ferrari - No Could never quite get round to the idea of an AMD chip, I have been loyal Intel longer than Sony:smileycry:

William

Ps I think this is my 900th post:smileygrin:

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 20:31:27 GMT

Hehe yeah it was to you William.
I'm glad you didn't - apparently they overheat !
So you saved yourself time and money.

Re: GRX 416SP failed

William — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 20:37:51 GMT

Funny you should say that Kee-Lo, within two weeks my current partners son noticed that his RAM cover (bit like the GRX's) was warping, presumably because of heat.

William

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 21:11:25 GMT

Yeah I read a lot of reports about it around the web

Re: GRX 416SP failed

robpaxton — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 21:25:03 GMT

Ps I think this is my 900th post:smileygrin:

Looking at the dates we all joined, You, Kee-Lo, and me must be among the longest serving members still posting

Re: GRX 416SP failed

kee-lo_ — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 21:39:56 GMT

The irony we all own a GRX model of some type.:smileywink: