Sony Vaio laptop help needed...

Jarrett · Jan 19, 2008

I have a Sony Vaio PCG-7F1L laptop that keeps shutting down when the screen is opened wide enough for normal use. If I barely crack it open enough to turn the power button on it will come on but as soon as I open the screen more it will shut off completely. Sometimes though, it won't even come on at all. Any ideas of what the problem could be? What should I be looking for? Thanks in advance.

hudr · Jan 20, 2008

Does it actually shut off, or does the screen just go black like the laptop is going to sleep/hibernate? Could be the VGA cable that runs past the hinges to the LCD. Also, I don't how your laptop is setup, but there is something (a switch of some sort) that tells the laptop to sleep when the lid is closed (depending on software settings, of course) or at least kills the LCD when the lid is closed. You might check that out.
By any chance is the laptop still under warranty?

Diesel-ME · Jan 20, 2008

just lug it to someone's house/work and plug it into a regular external monitor. Then at least you know it's just the screen and not the system.

motepoc · Jan 20, 2008

Can't believe that this actully was posted. I have a Sony VAIO model #
PCG-K15. The same thing has happened to mine. Is there some kind of conspiricy going on. I contacted Sony and they gave me bunch of stuff to check and do. I connected an external monitor to the back (15 pin) port and the computer came up fine. On mine the screen did flash a couple of times before it went blank or dark. I believe that it's either the cable mentioned before, or the screen, because the back port on the computer should be powered from the same uart (chip) that powers the computer screen, and that works. I'm going to contact Sony again, and see how much it would be for them to fix it.

Jarrett · Jan 20, 2008

hudr said:
Does it actually shut off, or does the screen just go black like the laptop is going to sleep/hibernate? Could be the VGA cable that runs past the hinges to the LCD. Also, I don't how your laptop is setup, but there is something (a switch of some sort) that tells the laptop to sleep when the lid is closed (depending on software settings, of course) or at least kills the LCD when the lid is closed. You might check that out.
By any chance is the laptop still under warranty?

Yes, it actually shuts off. I doubt it's under warranty. I'm not the original owner. My Dad actually found it in a vacant apartment he was working in. The tennant moved out and left it behind in a closet (loaded with naked pics of herself

), along with a vcr and dvd player. A couple months later my Dad was hired by the owner to repaint and do some other remodeling work before a new tennant moved in. He found the laptop and other stuff and the owner said he could have it. He didn't need the laptop so he gave it to me. When you can get it to come on and stay on it works great. It's no big deal to me if I can't get it fixed. I'm not out anything.

NuBota · Jan 20, 2008

If you get it attached to an external monitor or see enough of the screen, check the power settings

Goto Control Panel and launch Power Options. Goto the Advanced tab - there is a setting for closing the "lid". Choose "Do Nothing". This is in XP and W2K - not sure about Vista. This won't solve the hardware issue, but may let you bypass it.

There may also be things in the BIOS/CMOS settings that you can (or need to) set/unset as well, but not usually.

milkman · Jan 20, 2008

Jarrett said:
Yes, it actually shuts off. I doubt it's under warranty. I'm not the original owner. My Dad actually found it in a vacant apartment he was working in. The tennant moved out and left it behind in a closet (loaded with naked pics of herself ), along with a vcr and dvd player. A couple months later my Dad was hired by the owner to repaint and do some other remodeling work before a new tennant moved in. He found the laptop and other stuff and the owner said he could have it. He didn't need the laptop so he gave it to me. When you can get it to come on and stay on it works great. It's no big deal to me if I can't get it fixed. I'm not out anything.

If you can barely open the display and it's loaded with the previous owners naked pictures, it sure gives new meaning to "peep show" now .
I have and am on a Sony Vaio laptop now that is at least nine years old and the only problem that I've had is when I stepped on it and broke the display and had to have the display replaced. Sony was going to charge me over $3oo to replace it till I had a fit and they replaced it under the extended warranty. It sure is worth fixing if you can use a loptop.
Here's a link with LCDs that look like they have all the cables attached.
Sony Vaio PCG-FX Laptop LCD Screens: Parts, Repair for Laptop LCD Screens

Soundguy · Jan 21, 2008

Wow.. interesting thread.

I'm gonna have to get a job cleaning out and painting apartments I think!

soundguy

hudr · Jan 22, 2008

Wait a second, Soundguy... He didn't describe the previous tenant.. She may be one of those that has a "really nice personality"

rich_ncal · Jan 22, 2008

It has to be said, Okay, I'll be the first. Please post the pictures!

Soundguy · Jan 23, 2008

hudr said:
Wait a second, Soundguy... He didn't describe the previous tenant.. She may be one of those that has a "really nice personality"

Well.. that is true.... we might just need to verify that theory.

soundguy

Jarrett · Jan 25, 2008

rich_ncal said:
It has to be said, Okay, I'll be the first. Please post the pictures!

I would be glad to share them if I can get the **** computer working long enough to get them off the computer.

RedRocker · Jan 25, 2008

My Viao laptop went South lately too. The picture is garbled, on an external monitor too. Do you think the video card is bad? Everything else seems to be working, just can't read what's on the screen very well.

Kyle_in_Tex · Jan 25, 2008

Jarrett said:
The tennant moved out and left it behind in a closet (loaded with naked pics of herself )

My guess would be that you could post the pic's in a thread entitled "What's this 16" 2 bottom plow worth?"

Jarrett · Feb 27, 2008

Just an update: I got it working. I opened it up and unplugged every wire, cable, plug, processor etc. that I could and reseated everything. It's been working fine ever since. Obviously something wasn't seated good and was getting tweaked while opening the screen and losing connection. Glad to have it working now.

hudr · Feb 27, 2008

So pictures follow shortly?

Honestly, though, glad you got it working. Especially with the amount of money you have invested in it.

Jarrett · Feb 28, 2008

hudr said:
So pictures follow shortly?
Honestly, though, glad you got it working. Especially with the amount of money you have invested in it.

Sure, where do you want them sent?

Soundguy · Feb 28, 2008

depends on if she looks like a farm animal or not!

soundguy

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 1, 2008

Like I said, does it look like she's got a 2 bottom 16" plow?

Jarrett · May 1, 2008

Kyle_in_Tex said:
Like I said, does it look like she's got a 2 bottom 16" plow?

I guess I should rephrase it. She's not nude, just topless

Anyhow, it only lasted a week or so. My wife was using the laptop and it just shut off for no reason. Off, blank, dead, nothing etc. I can't get it to come back on. With just the battery, no AC adapter - absolutely nothing, no lights, no noises. With the battery & AC adapter, the battery light on the front panel will flash green. 2 quick flashes and a pause, 2 quick flashes and a pause, etc. Which I assume is the battery charging. I've tried it without the battery and only the AC adapter, absolutely nothing. At the advice of a local computer tech, I've removed both the battery and AC adapter, held the power button for +30sec then put them both back and still nothing. Any ideas what could be causing this? I'm afraid it's going to be the mobo.