Fan Failure - Sony Vaio SZ Notebook !!!

[Jola]

Hmmm, the fan on my three year old Sony SZ is going.

I have worked on this notebook before, replacing the hard disk, wifi card, and DVD drive.

But looking at some internet manuals, and descriptions, replacing the fan requires complete disassembly of the notebook, and I am not too keen on that.

At the same time I'm not really sure that I trust the usual repair guys to do this properly.

If I do it, I would be really tempted to upgrade the CPU from a T7200 2GHz Core 2 Duo to a T7600 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo, considering that the heat sink, etc, needs to be removed anyway. The T7600 is the fastest CPU that would work with this motherboard.

The notebook has been upgraded to a 320GB 7200rpm drive, 4GB RAM, and W7, so it is working well, apart from the fan noise. I can't even use it for Skype, the fan noise is picked up by the built-in microphone.

Any suggestions ? Any good techs who could do this ?

 

[bdt]

Given that the machine has to be completely exploded (as it were - think of the exploded view diagram), changing the fan is trivial - it largely comes down to keeping track of which length screws go where ..and finding all of those little buggrs in the first place.

Actually, unless you've already GOT the replacement fan, that's going to be more of a mission than changing it - and you don't even want to KNOW about getting a new CPU: there are, I think, at least 4 different socket configurations you may have there. But that can be simplified a LOT if you can provide the SL number on your current CPU.

Also, are you ready to pony up mucho dinero for said T7600?

 

[KhoisanX]

If I do it, I would be really tempted to upgrade the CPU from a T7200 2GHz Core 2 Duo to a T7600 2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo, considering that the heat sink, etc, needs to be removed anyway.

Good luck finding that processor. Changing the fan shouldn't too difficult though.

 

[Jola]

Also, are you ready to pony up mucho dinero for said T7600?

I had a look on eBay, I can get the fan for about USD30 (+ shipping) and the T7600 for about USD200-250 (+ shipping). I think that the CPU is the 479 pin PGA package, but I will check that up, don't have the notebook with me at the moment. I can get the SL9SD and SL9SJ on eBay, I think that the pinout is the same - but thanks for the warning, I must check this.

Sounds like a lot to spend, but this is a cool notebook and really works well at the moment.

The replacement Z-series Sony may be a little faster, but would cost a fortune.

 

[bdt]

I had a look on eBay, I can get the fan for about USD30 (+ shipping) and the T7600 for about USD200-250 (+ shipping).

You find no worries with buying ebay?

I think that the CPU is the 479 pin PGA package, but I will check that up, don't have the notebook with me at the moment. I can get the SL9SD and SL9SJ on eBay, I think that the pinout is the same - but thanks for the warning, I must check this.

cpu-world.com is your friend here: compare the SL9SD and SL9SJ ..that's an arse-biting just *waiting* to catch you right there! - you need to confirm which socket your T-series CPU uses: M or P

 

[Jola]

You find no worries with buying ebay?

The only problem with buying on eBay is the SA Post Office - package theft is a serious problem, but this can be obviated by getting them to ship registered or EMS for a high value item.

Cpuz says that my T7200 is a Socket 479 mPGA - not sure whether that is SL9SD or SL9SJ - I think the former.

 

[bdt]

Re actually getting your goods, good to know; ta. Re getting the right CPU: "I think" is not the place you want to be - you *really* want to have the correct socket part 'cos just now you get your uPGA479 ...in the WRONG socket form factor! And, from very nearly having been caught out myself (I managed to move stuff into different machines I was building at the time), there's little worse than getting your CPU and, on comparing it with the socket you have on the board, seeing it's the *other* one.

That said, you can't argue with exploding that thing and giving it the old hairy eyeball - THAT is guaranteed to get you the right answer!

 

[Jola]

Actually, taking the CPU out is easy, it's got a flap at the bottom, you don't even have to open the notebook - you only have to dismantle the whole thing in order to get to the fan ! Crazy, the fan is the main mechanical part in the notebook, and the most likely to go.

But not sure that will help with the CPU ID, I have seen some really good threads on the internet, but the codes are all different. For example, look at this.

He put a T7400 SL9SE in there, and I want to get a T7600 SL9SD, but how do I know that the package is the same ? It certainly looks the same, but how can you be sure ?

Update : I have checked on the Intel site, both of the above are Micro-FCPGA. The T7600 SL9SJ is Micro-FCBGA, so that is wrong.

 

[bdt]

Compare the socket on that page at http://www.techontheroad.com/images/jeffk/sz10.jpg with this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Socket_P-above.png - THAT is the difference between socket-M and ~-P. You may/may not have colour to go by, but if you put the side with the locking screw at the top and look at the top left corner, you'll see ONE missing pin on socket-M vs TWO missing pins on socket-P.

As to which package you're looking at, compare your SL-code-of-choice on Intel and cpu-world, exempli gratia the SL9SE at cpu-world and at intel processorfinder

 

[Jola]

OK, I have ordered a T7600 SL9SD, whick is the correct Micro-FCPGA.

My son's notebook has an Intel T2400 (1.83GHz CoreDuo 2MB cache), and will take my old T7200 (2.0GHz Core2Duo 4MB cache), so the old chip will migrate to his computer.

Now I just have to wait.

 

[bdt]

A T2400 to T7600 upgrade had BETTER encourage your lad to vote you Dad of The Decade! .. but what's the RAM situation like tho' - you want balance, not extremes of CPU over RAM or, now, vice versa.

 

[Jola]

The T7600 SL9SD arrived this morning, the XMas mail was a bit slow - will install it in the next day or so.

bdt, my Sony has 4GB of RAM (But Windows 7 32 bit, so can only use 3.2GB), and my son's notebook has 2GB RAM.

Only problem here is that even though my Sony is really easy to do a CPU upgrade, my son's HP notebook has to be dismantled completely.

 

[rudirautenbach]

I have 2 SZ's, and both had their fans replaced after about three years. If you speak nicely to Sony/Rectron, they might only charge you for the part (around R900) and throw in the labour FOC. They did it for me. I know the guys at Sony are a proud bunch and dont like to see failures on their premium notebooks, so they will come to the party. Speak to Tony at Sony before you take the machine in to Rectron, let them help you to make arrangements.

I would strongly advise against upping the CPU, as the SZ's already run hot (hence the premature fan failure) and swapping the CPU to a higher-specced unit will just increase the temps, making the fan work even harder.

I also upgraded to a 7200rpm drive, nice upgrade and cheap for the performance gain, but unfortunately adds to the problem of heat generation.

 

[Jola]

Done the foul deed, the SZ is now running a T7600 (2.33GHz), and runs well - I will monitor the temperatures.

I have a WD 320GB Black 7200rpm drive in the SZ, these drives are supposed to generate no more heat than the older 5400rpm drives.

IMO the fan failures are just related to poor quality parts, nothing else (and it seems to be a standard thing on Sony notebooks, I know of others as well). I have ordered a new fan on eBay (already received) and will replace it at some point. The only problem with the SZ's are that you have to dismantle them completely in order to replace the fan. In contrast it is extremely easy to replace the CPU and fairly easy to replace the HD and DVD drives.