Hi everyone!
If you have recently bought a new VGN-CS11 series notebook, I'd ask that you take a moment to read this post.
Since I unboxed the new notebook, I have been experiencing strange noises from the fan unit evey time it operates. Before, it used to be simply that every time the fan stopped working, it made a soft "growl" noise (probably due to some internal vibration) for a mere second or two. Recently, however, it has also begun to make a strange, barely audible "clicking sound" as the fan starts up and operates, accompanied by the "growl" at the end, like before. At first, I was led to believe that it was just the normal operating noise that the fan made (although quite annoying!), but due to these recent developments, I am more and more convinced that this is some problem or malfunction that perhaps, will only get worse with time.
Other CS11 users have already posted in the thread "Problem with fan!!" that they also experience this problem, and, from what I've been able to gather, it does not seem like an isolated problem... but this is what we need to confirm.
That is the purpose of this thread.
I would like to ask and encourage all CS11 users to post in this thread if they also experience the same "problem" with the fan (abnormal noises that are clearly distinguishable from normal operation) or anything fan-related, especially if you have experienced them since you bought the notebook and haven't done anything that could "provoke" them (like dropping the notebook or hitting it in some way, blocking the ventilation vents, etc...). This is to have a general scope that this is not an isolated problem that is only happening to a few, and that way, perhaps Sony will take an interest and take the necessary measures to correct this problem if this, in fact, turns out to be a generalised problem.
I have already created a new case with e-Support regarding this issue. Note that these are brand new laptops that have been out on sale for barely a month, and now would be a good time to correct any problems that may arise. If this turns out to be a common problem for most CS11 users, then we should all contact Vaio-Link or e-Support and report the problem, so that Sony will take this problem into consideration if enough people have it.
Remember: the sooner, the better! 
Also, perhaps it would also be of interest that those CS11 users that DON'T experience this problem also post in this thread, to see how many DO and how many DON'T... it may be interesting to also know.
Ok... without taking any more of your time, I leave this thread to fellow CS11 users and to anyone that might be able to lend a helping hand. Thanks!!! 
Hi everybody!
I just read in another forum (and have actually tried it myself and it actually works!) that if you turn your CS upside down when it's on and the fan comes on, the "err" sound at the beginning and the end is gone!! However, once you return it to the normal position, it's back :smileycry:.
This clearly indicates that it is a mechanical problem with the fan and it's got nothing to do with software or the like.
I would continue to encourage everyone to open cases with vaio-link, describing the problem and saying that everyone else has it. I thank you all those that already have, and I only ask those who haven't to please do!! It's the only way we're gonna grab their attention and hope to attain something!
Hi!
Have you tried to download all the BIOS updates that Sony has released through the support page, updates section? There are two, one dated the 21/11/08 and another more recent one dated 18/12/08. Although they do not directly address the issue in the notes they give you, it is true that it seems to control the fan so that it doesn't start and stop constantly.
I've got both updates installed and also some CPU monitoring software. What I notice is that the fan starts to spin when the CPU core temperature reaches approximately 41ºC. Right now, what I experience is that if I turn on the computer and place it practically under no load (internet explorer, minor programs, etc.), it takes quite a while for it to warm up, remaining in the 20 and 30 degree zone (while writing this it's 37ºC, so the fan hasn't started yet and I've had the laptop on for about 20 min). However, even if you don't place it under any load, with time, it will eventually reach the 41ºC threshold and the fan will start to spin. However, as soon as the fan starts working, the temperature falls once again below 41ºC (maybe to something like 40.4ºC) and the fan stops. However, in a few seconds, it will reach 41ºC again because the fan has turned off and the same ritual ensues. This will happen continually, with the fan working for something like 5 secs, then turning off for about 10 and going on again. However, when I place it under some heavy load (a 3d game or some CPU demanding numerical program), then the temperature usually reaches 45ºC in less than two seconds, and the fan remains on longer. However, even with this, the fan is able to reduce core temperature in less than 10 or 15s of operation and it stops once again. However, in a second or so, it's reached it again and it starts working again!
Maybe, as some have suggested, the BIOS should keep the fan on all the time at a low RPM and work higher under load, or that the temperature that it starts be higher than the temperature at which it stops (for example, start working at 41ºC but keep it on until it reaches 38ºC or something), so that the on/off ritual does not repeat itself as often as it does. This, however, is something Sony should do with their BIOS updates: it's software related.
Note that the time the computer will take to warm up also depends on ambient temperature (it's quite cold right now, we'll have to see how it is in summer!!).
Hope this helps!!
Hi everyone!
I hope that I am the bearer of good news today...
I've been reading in some places of the net (following other forums that deal with this issue) that apparently Sony has identified the problem and are now willing to replace the defective fan if you send it in for repairs. I've been waiting for several days to see if more people posted this but in the end, I couldn't wait and I decided to call vaio-link myself.
I'm glad to say that the technician has just confirmed to me that in their database they've got the info that states that some CS fans were defective, producing a lot of noise (as he told me, the manufacturer of the fans has admitted to this problem), and that they've received instructions to replace the fan with another from a different manufacturer (at least here in Spain). However, I don't know if they will make an announcement or a recall; I think that right now, if you don't call and say the problem you've got, they won't arrange for repairs or go out of their way to contact you (in fact, a few days ago, I received a call from another technician that acted as if he had no idea of my case and started telling me that they had no knowledge of this problem and that it was nothing, and asked me to describe it again... I had already done so for like 5 times!!!) so that's why I've called again today and asked directly if they had some memo or something that addressed this issue.
I don't wanna start jumping in joy yet (I won't until I get my latop back and actually hear the fan working properly...) but this is a large step to solving this problem. If there are those of you who wish to wait and see what happens, then know that I will post again when I get it back and report the outcome.
However, if you want to find out for yourselves, call vaio-link and ask them specifically if they have addressed the issue, so that you can have confirmation. It would also help to post it here (that sony actually admitted to this issue and has given instruction repairs out)... it's not the same to hear it from just one guy than from 4 or 5.
Anyway, I hope that this is the beginning of the end of this problem, so that we can all have our laptops to the way they were always meant to be!!
hello Vamp1387,
I assumed you sent your laptop to Sony? Can't wait to hear back from you
What bothers me now is that I really need my laptop daily and I was told the it would take 5 business days to have it fixed..
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