No Worries – The Sony VAIO F Laptop Is Okay And Back On Sale

Update: The so-called “high-pitch noise” is different than the driver fix available at esupport.sony.com and requires the VAIO F to be either sent in for repair or end users can leverage Sony’s in-home servicing. Contact VAIO support today.

According to dozens of forum users at Notebookreview.com, owners of the new Sony VAIO F Series VPCF112FX/B, VPCF11JFX/B, VPCF11MFX/B and VPCF1190X CTO were experiencing an odd high pitched whine or buzzing sound (aka whining) while using the laptop. The issue caused several consumers to call Sony for support, but they were unable to provide a fix over the phone – this led to several of the laptops being returned, exchanged, and so forth. Things got even more confusing when the VAIO F was no longer available to purchase on SonyStyle around the world. Then the CTO model disappeared, leaving many to speculate that there was issues with the i7 processor, manufacturing issues, and every other conspiracy theory under the sun. We initially wrote a story about the whole situation, providing a temporary fix for those annoyed by the sound.

We spoke to Sony and they cleared up the confusion – a Sony representative has informed us that they “received reports from the market that some F series end users were experiencing a pitched noise under certain conditions. As a result, we decided to halt shipments momentarily while we conducted in-depth investigations. The matter has now been resolved, corrective measures have been applied to our manufacturing process and the F series is shipping again. For those end users who are experiencing this pitched noise level, a on-site solution will be deployed in the coming days.”

I’m personally very happy to hear this news that it wasn’t a larger issue, as I think this is one of the best laptops Sony has offered to date – the price and features (especially that i7 processor) is very hard to beat. We also noticed that the VAIO F is back on sale at SonyStyle USA.

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04
Feb 2010
POSTED BY Christopher MacManus
POSTED IN

Hardware, Vaio

DISCUSSION 34 Comments
  • Sean

    What about the fan noise issue ? That is another issue that is creating a lot of bad press for the F series ( i am a victim too ). It seems to be on most times when I am just browsing and its way too noisy

  • defend

    NO worries? Halting shipments and adjusting the manufacturing process is pretty serious.

    Sony did ask for it.This isnt a cheap DVD player from walmart so why do they Outsource the manufacturing of a complex high end $1200-$2000 VAIO notebook to a random Chinese Factory?

    Sadly Sonys outsourcing is happening at an alarming rate, 9 years ago almost every VAIO notebook was manufactured in Japan now its China, sony are slowly fading into obscurity with these business practices.

  • Jim

    “a on-site solution will be deployed in the coming days.” — really? When will we know about this on-site solution?

  • David

    So can anyone confirm that the ones ordered from now on will NOT have that whining noise?

  • Eivoid

    I have a February build date replacement of the January build date F11. No more Morse-code noise.

    The bigger issue is the limited vertical viewing angle of the screen. See one for yourself and determine if the constant lid tilting that you have to do to get a good picture is worth it for the life span of the unit.

    There is light-bleed emanating from the bottom of the screen which seems to be by design and not a defect.
    If you plan on working with dark backgrounds or watch movies with dark backgrounds, be prepared for over contrasting and washed out pictures if you don't view it at the perfect angle (or slightly move your head) which from my experience is just roughly 90 degress from the keyboard. Anymore than that the degradation of picture quality is immediate.

    But when viewing the sweetspot though you're in for a great treat as the screen quality is amazing!!!!!

    No amount of post screen calibration will improve the viewing angle.

    Sadly I am returning mine and wait until Sony replaces the screen entirely. Everything else is great!.

  • David

    Thanks, good to know. I ordered mine a few days ago. I did check one out at Bestbuy and the screen seems okay to me. Either my previous laptops didn't have this issue, or it's something I've learned to live with with all of them LOL =) I am using mine for light gaming and everyday computing needs (Word/Excel/Powerpoint), and maybe some Blueray/DVD watching, so I won't be moving my head too much. That's why I'm more concerned about the noise issue.

  • Matthew

    Almost a month later and still no “…on-site solution will be deployed in the coming days”. If the “matter has now been resolved”, then why aren't you sharing it?

  • anonymous

    I tried to get the “on-site” solution back in February for the noise and after a week of waiting for the tech to arrive, Sony called me to cancel the on-site repair stating that I would need to send it to San Diego for evaluation. After pressing them on this, they informed me that they had no idea what was causing the noise. So that completely flies in the face of what they stated online regarding an “onsite fix.” I was able to exchange my unit at the local Sonystyle store. No more noise. I hope to never have to deal with Sony Support again. They were completely inept, not to mention impossible to understand.

  • SonySad

    My 2 week old VPC-F11JFX/B just died. There's power to fan and DVD drive, but the system won't boot. From reading forums, this is another relatively common problem that Sony needs to fix. Very disappointing.

  • http://www.sonyinsider.com/ Sony Insider

    The so-called “high-pitch noise” is different than the driver fix available at esupport.sony.com and requires the VAIO F to be either sent in for repair or end users can leverage Sony’s in-home servicing. Contact VAIO support today.

  • http://www.sonyinsider.com/ Sony Insider

    The so-called “high-pitch noise” is different than the driver fix available at esupport.sony.com and requires the VAIO F to be either sent in for repair or end users can leverage Sony’s in-home servicing. Contact VAIO support today.

  • Terry

    I have a Sony VPCF115FM/B.

    There was not much of a fan noise when I first got it.
    After doing the Vaio Upgrade, it start have that awful fan noise that goes on and on like like My heart will go on by Celine Dion!!!

    My solution is restore the laptopt to the date that it is still working correctly without the loud fan noise.
    After that, ignore the update from Vaio.

  • Junior

    Hi my vaio F series Is having a problem but its not the high picth sound its screen stays dark,I turn the Pc the green lights goes on and the backlight doesn't stop shinning,I don't know how to fix it any help or tips maybe befroe I ask sony suporte

  • mtm

    Does any one know why you cant order a premium display option for the CTO model?
    Ive been wanting one of the F series for sometime and when I went to place the oder about 1 week ago the premium display option has been removed.
    Ive waited a week but the option has not returned!!
    Any comments?

  • Dave

    well I was ready to buy on the site today the F11 (1700 euros!) but when I wanted to change options the site tells me “error configuration”. in end a vendor on tchat told me F11 was at end life and not sold anymore on internet! and I have to wait for next F12!
    I think it's not good practice : I take time to analyze what the best laptop for my need, I was ready to buy. and there is no information on their website! now I have to wait without having any info on F12
    I'm wondering if I will go to another laptop more powerful. but I liked the screen without glass for work…

  • Dave

    well I was ready to buy on the site today the F11 (1700 euros!) but when I wanted to change options the site tells me “error configuration”. in end a vendor on tchat told me F11 was at end life and not sold anymore on internet! and I have to wait for next F12!
    I think it's not good practice : I take time to analyze what the best laptop for my need, I was ready to buy. and there is no information on their website! now I have to wait without having any info on F12
    I'm wondering if I will go to another laptop more powerful. but I liked the screen without glass for work…

  • au gratin

    Interesting, I bought one of these in mid March and it arrived about three weeks later. I liked it so much I wanted to order another.

    The replies above stating that the F series is once again available are 2, 3 and 4 months old but I just went to the Sony Style site and tried to order one. It shows the unit as being available, and even says “Ready to Ship” on the first page. But when I go through the configuring process and end up on the final step I get “No longer available for purchase at Sony Style”.

  • Al Mirbach

    Resolved my ass. I just bought one in June and it still whines and the fixes posted won't work.

  • Laura928

    Hi, I bought my laptop F series VPCF121FX about a month ago and I seem to have fan noise problem too. At times, i feel like I am browsing the the internet next to a jet engine ready to take off. It is wayyyy too noisy for me. Anybody else with similar problem? Any solutions?

    • Anonymous

      Laura928, change plan settings under power options like when to dim the display (5 minutes) and put the laptop to sleep (15 or 20 minutes).Also, you can turn of the auto-brightness and set your own. The maximum brightness that comes with the pre-existing settings IS NOT the highest. Actually, it is set at only 50%. Junior mentioned having a problem with the screen on his laptop being too dark.Click on the start button, type color management.This tool is very helpful in adjusting the brightness of the screen.I’ve noticed after I’ve done the above mentioned steps, the fan wasn’t sounding as a jet engine and I was able to improve the brightness of the screen.Now, the colors on my VPCF11JFX/B that I got only 2 days ago are as not vibrant as they were on my VGN-FW 590, but that’s due to the quality of the LCD on this laptop that has a bit too much of a gray color overshadowing other colors as well as the overall brightness of the screen.One of the keys on the keypad came loose, busted.The space bar is already making squeaky noise.I’m not a fan of having a 10-Key Numeric Pad and the touch pad being off-centered.Most definitely preferred the nicely spaced out keyboard and the centered touch pad on my old laptop, as well as the fantastic 16.4″ extra wide HD screen.But, my old laptop had to be replaced.

    • Anonymous

      Laura928, change plan settings under power options like when to dim the display (5 minutes) and put the laptop to sleep (15 or 20 minutes).Also, you can turn of the auto-brightness and set your own. The maximum brightness that comes with the pre-existing settings IS NOT the highest. Actually, it is set at only 50%. Junior mentioned having a problem with the screen on his laptop being too dark.Click on the start button, type color management.This tool is very helpful in adjusting the brightness of the screen.I’ve noticed after I’ve done the above mentioned steps, the fan wasn’t sounding as a jet engine and I was able to improve the brightness of the screen.Now, the colors on my VPCF11JFX/B that I got only 2 days ago are as not vibrant as they were on my VGN-FW 590, but that’s due to the quality of the LCD on this laptop that has a bit too much of a gray color overshadowing other colors as well as the overall brightness of the screen.One of the keys on the keypad came loose, busted.The space bar is already making squeaky noise.I’m not a fan of having a 10-Key Numeric Pad and the touch pad being off-centered.Most definitely preferred the nicely spaced out keyboard and the centered touch pad on my old laptop, as well as the fantastic 16.4″ extra wide HD screen.But, my old laptop had to be replaced.

    • Anonymous

      Laura928, change plan settings under power options like when to dim the display (5 minutes) and put the laptop to sleep (15 or 20 minutes).Also, you can turn of the auto-brightness and set your own. The maximum brightness that comes with the pre-existing settings IS NOT the highest. Actually, it is set at only 50%. Junior mentioned having a problem with the screen on his laptop being too dark.Click on the start button, type color management.This tool is very helpful in adjusting the brightness of the screen.I’ve noticed after I’ve done the above mentioned steps, the fan wasn’t sounding as a jet engine and I was able to improve the brightness of the screen.Now, the colors on my VPCF11JFX/B that I got only 2 days ago are as not vibrant as they were on my VGN-FW 590, but that’s due to the quality of the LCD on this laptop that has a bit too much of a gray color overshadowing other colors as well as the overall brightness of the screen.One of the keys on the keypad came loose, busted.The space bar is already making squeaky noise.I’m not a fan of having a 10-Key Numeric Pad and the touch pad being off-centered.Most definitely preferred the nicely spaced out keyboard and the centered touch pad on my old laptop, as well as the fantastic 16.4″ extra wide HD screen.But, my old laptop had to be replaced.

    • Halvarg

      Same problem (load fan noise vpcf11), no fix. Lots of people mention various solutions, but i have not yet found one that work. I bought it second hand. I will see if there still is guarantee on it.  I reduced the cpu speed (not the fan speed) with 50% in windows advanced power options. It helped a little, but not enough. Guess there is not much sony can do about it either, except take it back. I have uppdated Bios and I removed all Sony background software the first day.

      Best fix so far: Really good ear protection. Or external screen and put the computer where you cant hear it.
      Good name for a computer that sounds similar to the F11 figher plane with a 33kN turbojet. At least it doesnt overheat. Hope it will not take off and fly away any day soon.

      Anyone knows how to downclock this machine? i dont mind if it get’s a little slower, if only i can use it for longer periods of time.

      I might try Ameli’s suggestion, but i dont see how changing the brightness affects the CPU heat and fan signifficantly. Anyway, thanks Ameli.

      -Victim of Noise

      • Halvar

        It’s unclear to me if the graphical processor or the i7 processor is the cause of the heat and noise. The graphical processor is quite powerful, i will try to change some of it’s settings.

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    I like this model.
    Thanks for sharing it.It is very helpful for me.

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    Well that is good the issue was resolved on these laptops!!

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    Well that is good the issue was resolved on these laptops!!

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    I had this issue with my sony vaio i had exchanged it under warranty once the updated one was released!!

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    Is it worth taking a chance with this one having some type of defect as well? I am personally going to stay away.

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    This is a solid looking laptop, to bad for the malfuction. Glad to hear they fixed issue!

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    This laptop is to nice to be have problems with, glad to hear they fixed the issue!

  • http://www.batteryup.com/Sony-Vaio-PCGA-Batteries/ Sony Vaio PCGA Batteries

    Cool, thanks for sharing the information to novice like me. This will really help me a lot.

  • Griddle

    I just got a VAIO laptop and the high pitched whine that this thing generates is really, really annoying. It’s like being exposed to a hearing test for hours on end. I have contacted Sony, and there is no fix. Hopefully I can still return it. 

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