Joe's Hardware Problem...

[JoeActor]

Ok... this is a technical issue, not a personal one!
(so calm down evah-buddy)

This morning I went to turn on my computer, and it didn't. It's a Sony Vaio model VGC-RC310G (liquid cooled).
There's a glowing "VAIO" on the front that lights up just fine, but no fans, no hard drive, no display... nada.

The good news: it's still under warranty (last day in fact).
The bad news: 2 hours wasted on the phone this morning. 48-72 hrs for support to schedule an appointment PLUS 3-5 business days for them to come out and look. Add to that however long it actually takes to fix and it sounds like weeks to me!

I suspect the Power Supply is the issue, but wanted to get some of you techie's takes on this one.

:help::help::help::help::help::help:

Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi! You're my only hope!
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

p.s. I do have an older computer as a backup, but it's a bit noisy...

[Jon Morss]

Joe,

Sound like an old / new problem. If you have tried to plug the system into another outlet and the fans don't power on when you turn on the system I would lean on the side of a power supply issue or a bad power switch. I bought a VAIO a few years back and there was a recall on the power supply back then. They just replaced the power supply and sent it back to me but it still took at least 3 days on the turn around.

Good luck,

Jon

[chucktaylor]

If the light is lighting up as you say, I'm not sure it's power supply...usually with a bad powersupply you get nothing, no power what so ever. Sounds like you are getting some power. I build my own machines and have gotten pretty good at troubleshooting, tell me step by step everything that happened when you went to boot your machine and I'll do my best to help if you still need it.

ct

[JoeActor]

Thanks guys. Yeah, it's a bit confusing.

I tried unplugging all the peripherals, using another outlet, etc. nada.

Here's the sequence:
I press power
The front panel "VAIO" symbol illuminates (which usually means the system is on).
Then nothing. No fans. No drives. No other lights. Zip.
To turn it off I have to hold the power button for several seconds.
There's also some power going to the network card (led is lit up on it).

Dunno if that gives you any more to work with or not.
I'm betting on a fuse or breaker... maybe power supply in a weird way.

Backup system, Activate!,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[chucktaylor]

Sounds like you're getting low flow power, enough to do the lights, but not enough to power the cpu. How good are you with tech stuff? What's probably going to be the easiest to do is buy a new case (they're usually cheaper than the power supply itself!) and then move mobo and all into the new case. Depending on your level, should take less than 30 mins to move everything. If you're not so tech minded, spend the extra and just replace the power supply (it'll save you a lot of headache, just make sure you replace with an equal wattage or higher!)

[JoeActor]

Thanks Jon and Chuck...

Chuck - I'm ok with the tech stuff. Problem is it's under warranty, and they'll take their sweet time fixing it. Ah, customer service!

Well, at least if it's the power supply my data is probably still ok.

Thanks again guys!

Back to the backups,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Jon Morss]

Joe,

Sony was pretty good about getting the power supply replaced in my system so hopefully that has not changed. When Sony had the recall on the power supply and after they replaced mine, they extended my warranty by 2 years. Its been running non stop since which has been about 4 years now. I think the repair facility in located in San Diego which is not too far from you.

One option to consider, if its going to take too long to get your system back and your system is at the end of its warranty cycle, you may look into replacing the power supply yourself. I'm not sure what the cost is, but you may weight this against the down time of the system.

Jon

[JoeActor]

Sony was pretty good about getting the power supply replaced in my system so hopefully that has not changed. When Sony had the recall on the power supply and after they replaced mine, they extended my warranty by 2 years. Its been running non stop since which has been about 4 years now. I think the repair facility in located in San Diego which is not too far from you.

Unfortunately, the San Diego facility is closed at present due to the fires. That's part of the delay...

Well, my backup system seems ok. Guess I'll just wait it out for the service techs.

Thanks,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Colin Campbell]

Joe.... just for giggles... try this. Pull all the power, the AC plug and the battery. Let it sit for a while and put the battery back in, plug it in and try it.

I've seen laptops get in a frozen state and never cure themselves until all power is removed.

Long shot.

[JoeActor]

Colin: sure, why not? It's worth a shot...

Spent about 2 hours on line with support trying to get them to send someone (and I've got On-Site service!) Next week they should be calling me...

Unplugging now,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Joe Rodriguez]

Might be a bad battery? Maybe try a new battery? This is a laptop, yes?

[JoeActor]

It's a desktop. Got a call into the service techs. Since I have "On-site" service they'll come out and fix it... eventually!

[chucktaylor]

I'll just say this, once you get it fixed...leave it running unless you're going to be gone for a length of time. Most consumers don't know this (generally because they don't tell you cause parts is a big business) but turning your cpu on and off wears it out faster! I reboot my machine maybe once a month...and it's been running fine for going on 4 years now. (I also turn it off when I upgrade every so often, can't afford to get electicuted on a broadcaster's salary)!

ct

[Dan7]

the same kind of thing happened to me a while back. i unplugged everything, opened it up and cleaned all the dust out... and it was a lot :p anyway, i just basically tooke it apart and disconnected all teh wires and cleaned it, then put it back together and it works great... if that doesn't work i suggest the following... seriously they are amazing!


Try this forum. they work wonders.
Tech Support Guy - Free help for Windows XP, Vista, 98, and more! (http://forums.techguy.org/)

sign up and create a thread under the Hardware (http://forums.techguy.org/19-hardware/)forum. this forum is huge so be prepared to be knocked off the first page quick so you may need to abandon forum etiquette to be heard. my thread was knocked of the first page in 24 minutes. but what do you expect with 300,000+ members and almost 500,000 threads and almost 5,000,000 posts.

these guys are incredible once you are heard. if there is an answer they have it. they told me how to fix it when somehow my computer was taking whatever my homepage was set to and plastering it over my desktop background. if anyone has an answer they do.

at this moment they have almost 5000 members and guests on!

[Julie Williams]

Sorry about your computer woes, Joe.
Wish I could help.

Are you near Burbank?

[Scott Greenia]

I'm suspecting a bad video card. I'm guessing it has an AGP or PCI-e card? If it does, do you know if the system has integrated video that you could enable in BIOS...just to see if it's the extra video card? A blown GPU will cause the symptoms you're describing, and it's very confusing.

[JoeActor]

Thanks everyone.

Dan7: I'll definitely check out that forum. I think I may have used them a few years back...

Scott: A video card can do that? I've lost video cards before, but at least the fans on the computer came on. This seems more "power supply".


I'll just say this, once you get it fixed...leave it running unless you're going to be gone for a length of time. Most consumers don't know this (generally because they don't tell you cause parts is a big business) but turning your cpu on and off wears it out faster! I reboot my machine maybe once a month...and it's been running fine for going on 4 years now. (I also turn it off when I upgrade every so often, can't afford to get electicuted on a broadcaster's salary)!
ct

Chuck: I've heard that too, but wasn't sure if it was true. One issue I've got is my UPS is also having problems, and I suspect it is a major contributer to the computer problem. I'm following up with them (APC) as well (sheesh!)

Julie: Thanks for the good thoughts, and yes, I'm not too far from Burbank (why do you ask?). I've got a backup system on now (my old one).

Ho hum... another day on the phone with support,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Scott Greenia]

Yup.
I had a nVidia card that gave the same symptoms on a PCI-e system. The card does a check prior to full POST. If it's bad, things stop. lol

[JoeActor]

Yup.
I had a nVidia card that gave the same symptoms on a PCI-e system. The card does a check prior to BIOS. If it's bad, things stop. lol
Whoa! Odd, but I've lived thru stranger issues.
It is an nVidia (came with the computer) card...

I'm going back to notes on legal pads, carrier pidgeons, and wax cylinders,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Joe Rodriguez]

You can always try this approach

http://www.youtube.com/v/0qKxSf5SNj0&rel=1

[JoeActor]

You can always try this approach
http://www.youtube.com/v/0qKxSf5SNj0&rel=1
... don't think I haven't considered it!

[bobbin beam]

I am so computer-addicted I would probably freak if this happened to me. I'd be out of business!` A new power supply is a quick fix. I hope your computer woes are soon over!

[JoeActor]

Thanks Bobbin!

Fortunately I have a backup system.

The main one should be fixed soon...

Now, everybody clap real loud so tinkerbell will live!

Running out of air,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Bret Brizzee]

I second Scott's theory - depending on the type of video card, it could be the source of your problems. It's also possible the motherboard was blown.

Let us know how things turn out, Joe! I'm interested to see what the real problem is.

[JoeActor]

I second Scott's theory - depending on the type of video card, it could be the source of your problems. It's also possible the motherboard was blown.
Let us know how things turn out, Joe! I'm interested to see what the real problem is.

You guys are on track...
Finally got a tech to come out (I've got "on-site" service - sheesh!).
He replaced the video card and Viola! Nuthin'
He's got a motherboard on order, so that's next.

Thanks for the support ;-)

I'll update when I'm up,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[Michael Murphy]

I was thinking motherboard too! If doesn't start up normally and it has some power, It can be motherboard. Make sure he reseats the processor with new lube. Just FYI.


Mike

[JoeActor]

Thanks Mike - will do...
Joe