I can't run like 5 programs at once or it will get too hot i guess? and it will automatically just shut off.. that wasn't too bad i just wouldn't use programs such as kazaa, etc.. but now even when i'm not running anything it just shuts off after being on for about an hour.. is there anything i can do

Thank goodness that someone else is expereincing the same problem that I am, it is really starting to p**s me off, seriously p**s me off. I have been on the phone with Sony about the problem and they say that nothing else has been reported in this area. I CANNOT run the computer and the CD/DVD for more than 30 minutes before it shuts off because it's too hot. Its the same when I am just running ordinary programs or using the Internet, the most amount of time I can constantly use the computer is about (MAX) 2 hours before it shuts off. I've already wiped down the laptop 4 times, restoring it to its original configuration (which Sony told me to do) and it hasn't made a single bit of difference.

Have you been in contact with Sony about the problem? Unfortunately for me I am living in Germany so if I want it looked at I have to ship it back to the states which will cost quite a bit. I just keep hoping that it will sort itself out.

I have a good tip for you though. If you have a hairdryer with a cool setting put that on, raise the laptop up on a book or something and just keep the hairdryer running on the cool setting, circulating air underneath the computer. Of course you cant actually listen to anything between the sound of the hairdryer and the fan in the computer but it means that you might get another 30 minutes working time.

If you hear anything on this problem, make a post I would also love to hear if anyone else has had the same problem, this could be a Sony fault!!!

I have the same problem, I bought the computer in February and returned it Sony in Mach. Got it back March 23 and it is already shutting off again. I am getting ready to send it back to Sony again. This time I am telling them to refund my money or replace it with another comparable model as this is jus ridiculous. 5 months old and going back to Sony for the Second time for the same issue. I have already lost 6 working days as I use this computer while on the road working.

i have to add my name to the list of dissatisfied sony customers (hell, and i used to work for sony!). anyways, my grz530, that i bought back in january, will run for about an hour before it shuts down. it doesn’t matter if i am working in word or surfing the net, it just shuts down without warning. i have lost so much work due to this problem. i contacting sony a few months back and they basically blew me off. it has gotten so bad that i will be contacting them again.

i just want everyone to know that they are not alone, this model has some serious issues!

I have the same laptop, and am having the same problem, especially when playing DVD's. Its driving me crazy. Has anyone found any resolution yet?

Apparently we aren't the only ones having this problem!! Read the bottom review!

http://d2774266.u40.infinology.com/Sony,VAIO,PCG,GRZ630,Notebook,,2,40,GHz,Pentium,4,,512,MB,RAM,,40,GB,Hard,Drive,--1-565122-B000083GME-0-computer-product.html

I have the same problem with my sony vaio laptop
it crash because it heat up
did somebody got reaply from sony telling you what to do?????
do they take responsebility for their defect???
please let me know

I had the same problem and tried everything to no availand one day almost by accident I decided to upgrade to XP pro. From then on I can leave the comp. on all day, use as many programs as I wish. Watch DVD.

Hey guys,
I have the exact same problem with the model in question. I understand that it has a fan on the inside but i think the problem is it isn't circulating the air to the outside of the cpu. I am writing this on my Dell inspiron which never has had a problem like this because it has a fan on the outside which draws hot air out of the case. Is there any way to mod the vaio to fit a fan on the outside of the case? I would just like to know if anyone has found any solutions to this problem. Thanks!
-Pete

I am going to give the XP Pro a go and see if that works. I am really at the end of the line with the laptop, it has gotten a lot worse now, I get about 30 minutes before it shuts down. If the XP Pro upgrade works then I will be sure to let you know.

Hello,

I am a computer technician living in Vancouver, BC.

I am in the process of buying a vaio PCG-GRZ530 i am somewhat concerned with your posting and wanted to know a little more about the laptop.

Before you read on please understand that laptops are very fragile and that opening them will render the warranty void and that it could very well damange the computer for ever.

I have worked on some laptops and therefore am a little aware of how they are put together. I wanted to know if you might have had the chance to look at some schematics or perhaps open the laptop?

I wanted to know if maybe drilling some holes into the plastic casing near the cpu/fan would help ventilation?

Please let me know what your thoughts are.

Hi all,
I am facing the same problem with my Sony VAIO laptop. When I was in US this thing started happening
after 2 months and it became worse. Initially it used to switch off after every 2 hours which slowly became
30 mins and now its hard to write more than 2 CDs continuosly.
I however got it repaired and the model was Shipped to San Jose, US where the person did modify some part.
It did start working well and I remember watching 2 DVDs continuosly even though I could feel that it was hotter than what is used to be before when the problem was there. I inquired about the problem and the
person said that it was due to some software they install which varies speed of the FAN as the CPU gets heated up.
However the problem wasn't there for 4 months and started happening again for the past 1 week. Now that
I am in India and the only option is either ship it to singapore or use Hairdryer .


Atul

Just to be a bit clearer on my previous post. The problem can be removed. Its been 9 months since I bought the Laptop and the VAIO customer service people did remove the problem quite well. It was free from the defect for 4-5 months until now when it again started happenning.

Atul

maybe we should all move the the artic.

then we won't have problems with computers over heating.... heh heh heh

or if moving to the artic is not feasable, then just find a block of ice and sit the computer on it ;-)

Alright guys So I guess I found the solution to the problem. Try doing this.
Install the Power panel that comes with sony vaio application recovery CD. Make sure you use
S/W that come with sony Vaio for Playing DVDs. I Guess othe S/Ws cause Vaio to malfunction.
I played a DVD for two and half hours in WinDVD for VAIO and it worked. Earlier the same DVD on
DirectDVD could play for only 30 mins before the laptop shuts down.

Once you install Power Panel the icon should either appear on the taskbar or you should switch it on
using the applications from start button.
In The power panel properties click on the power profile tab. In the Plug In option select the Power Management option as off and apply the changes. I hope this should work. Atleast it did work for my
model and today I watched "Lord of the rings two towers" continuosly without any powering down.
But Make sure you have the power panel running all the time.

I searched over the net and did found that many of Vaio Laptops have this problem and it might be due to the wrong signals the thermal sensors send causing CPU to power down immediately. Its safe to swith off
the power management.

Atul

Well I installed XP Pro and it hasn't made much of a difference. The first evening I was able to keep the computer on for 4 hours, I was only word processing, emailing and surfing but for the machine to actually stay on for 4 hours, well it was nothing short of a miracle. I did try to run a game from CD with little success, PC shut down after 10 minutes for that.

Yesterday I wanted to upload pictures from my compact flash, the computer was on for 20 minutes and it shut off. Turned it back on and just started to rotate images, it shut down within minutes. After another 4 times of it shutting off within minutes I gave up. I guess the XP Pro upgrade doesn't work for me.

I tried the power panel option that was suggested here when I had the computer set up with the Sony software, never worked for me at all.

Has anyone out there actually had their laptop successfully repaired by Sony or someone else?
It's too late for me to send it back to Sony now, it will be out of warranty at the end of December.

I actually called out some one at sony canada.

They told me that most of the problems with these units (over heating) can be solved simply by cleaning the vent for the fan. Go out to the store and buy one of those compressed air cans and use it to clean out the vent.

Note, do not use a vacuum... a vacuum may actually damage your laptop.

Other than that, I suggest calling in a trouble ticket while it is still under warranty and shipping out as soon as you can. As long as you called them before you warranty is out and you have a trouble ticket for it I'm sure they'll accept it. Just make sure you talk to someone first and don't forget to send a copy of your invoice!

Juan

I can't quite believe it myself but I did buy a can of air and I have cleaned out the comptuer and it actaully seems to be working. To be honest, I haven't gave it a proper work out. I did however manage to play a game, running from CD for a full 40 minutes, something which was impossible before. Also, just leaving the computer sitting, the fan does not come on full blast at all, usually it is roaring away after 5 minutes. When I have time I am gong to give it a go with the usual stuff that usually makes it crash, fingers crossed. I will keep you guys posted.

hello

i sent my pc to sony usa they fixed it by changing the zinc plate sponge next to the fan
also they made full fixing of speakers and new hdd
and until now (1 week) it didn`t crash yet
so hopefully they know how to fix it now

Thanks Juan!
I tried the compressed air and I was surprised when dust came out of the laptop. It has never been near a dust source and I never had this problem with my Dell Inspiron. But the compressed air worked, it has been a week and it is fine. All I can say it is I am disappointed with Sony on 2 levels, 1 their customer service sucks and 2 their products are not as good as they say they are. SHAME ON YOU SONY, I will definately never buy a computer from u again, Dell has surely beaten you out here with better service and design.
-Pete

You are welcome, I'm glad I was of any help.

Personally, if I were to buy a laptop I would purchase an IBM. If I want to be price conscious I would buy a DELL. IBM is really great for warranty and I know that Dell is quite good as well.

I should mention, it was Sony Canada who suggested the compressed air.

Maybe you guys just spoke to the wrong tech.

Juan