VGN-S1VP Boot Problems

[EvoEndZ]

Hi everyone

I have a vaio VGN-S1VP with a problem I am having trouble diagnosing the problem.

When you press the power button, the power light comes on the HD makes a noise for about 1 second, the battery light comes on when you depress the power button (when it is on battery power) but the laptop does not even get to the post, .

I have just purchased a new charger and have just noticed that when the charger is plugged in, and I touch any metal part of the laptop, I get a little shock (maybe a seperate issue).

Anyway, if you keep powering the laptop on then off (holding down power button) after a while it will boot up fine without any problems.

I HAVE TRIED
Reseating memory and changing slots.
Powering on with just battery, just charger and just car charger.
Plugging battery in while pressing start button.
Holding down different keys while booting.
Resetting
Checked bios setting and power management
Unplugged bios battery
I started to thake the unit apart, I removed the CD Rom, harddrive, screen.

But still does the same

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[EvoEndZ]

Today after getting the Vaio to turn-on about 6 times in a row.

On the second attempt when it rebooted, during the startup when you can see the xp starting logo, the HD lights flashed very quickly and it just rebooted, then when booted up after reboot.
An error appeared in windows saying "the display driver for Mobility Radeon 9200 seems to be responsable for the system instability"

Not too sure if this may br just a symptom of a deeper problem.
This happened twice in the 6 bootups.

The Vaio now wil not boot and does the same thing as first described.

Also the CPU Fan is also coming on when it should even when it does not boot (every 20 seconds or so).

[rich912]

I am afraid that this problem sounds serious. This is an extract from a posting on Vaio Village:

S series problems

Lately, there have been several cases of the VGN-S series that "appear" to have the same characteristics as the GRX / GRV memory slot problem. The reason it's similar is because slight pressure to the RAM slots seems to resolve the problem temporarily and the system may boot.

The VGN-S series DO NOT suffer from the memory slot problem. Currently, there are no signs of the solder welds becoming a problem.

The slight movement from the pressure being applied to the RAM is causing temporary contact within or under the video chip. We're currently developing a repair for this problem. It's not easy.

Typical symptoms of this problem are:

System does not come out of hibernation
System reports an error in the ati driver
System does not boot, screen remains black.
In some cases the Sony logo come up on boot and does not proceed with the boot process.

Here is what I suggest you do:

If you're under warranty, contact SONY and setup a repair ticket with them.
If your system still boots and this problem is intermittent and you're OUT of warranty, for now, use the system until it is un-reliable. Try to avoid moving the laptop.
If your system does not boot, contact us for a possible repair.

[email protected]

Joe Kabalan
AQS Computer Services
2572 Sheridan Drive
Tonawanda, NY 14150

Toll Free: 1-866-204-4677
Local: 716-832-2473
Email: [email protected]

www.aqstech.com
www.laptopbios.com

Just a quick update.

This repair has been finalized and is in full swing. So far, this condition has appeared in the following models:

VGN-S150
VGN-S170
VGN-S260
VGN-S270

Basically any S series with the ATI 9200 video chip. It's best to get this repaired as early as possible (after seeing the above mentioned symptoms) to avoid a non-repairable condition.

Thanks,

Joe K
Edited by: SMDBIOS at: 9/29/05 10:02 pm

END OF POST

If your notebook is still covered by warranty I suggest that you contact Sony support asap.

[pmlelliott]

I have 2x chargers for my VGN-SZ1, the original Sony one and a "Juice" multi voltage charger (AC and DC) with correct Sony Tip. They both give a slight buzz to the metal keyboard surround on the laptop. However, you don't get this buzz when using the Docking Station.

I don't know what this means, but I'm still alive and havn't been electricuted yet and the laptop still works!

I haven't had your boot problems.