topic Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP in PCs & Accessories

Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

110defender — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 20:57:30 GMT

Hi,

This problem started with my screen 'freezing' and the HDD becoming inactive. This would happen after 30 minutes of use then reduced in time to seconds.

Now, when I press the on/power button, the fan turns, there is activity on the CD/DVD drive and the external FDD (if atached)and less than a second of HDD activity shown on the LED. The screen does not come on at all.

I have linked my HDD to my PC and there is no problem with that at all.

Power LEDs are iluminated with either the battery or mains power.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

rich912 — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 22:04:55 GMT

This sounds like the infamous GRX memory slot problem. Google that and you will see what I mean.
The eventual solution would seem to be a motherboard repair or replacement, but a short term solution is to pack the memory chips with thin cardboard (between the memory modules and the compartment flap).

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

robpaxton — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 23:11:23 GMT

If irt does turn out to have the slot problem then another solution is to just use one slot but populate it with a larger capacity card. The innermost slot doesn't seem to get affected by the problem. I would avoid packing the outer card as it can weaken the solder joints on the working slot.

It's a fault that should've been acknowledged and dealt with properly by Sony IMO.

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

kee-lo_ — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 23:32:39 GMT

I agree Rob, I feel it's a disgrace Sony have allowed this to carry on. We should have had this sorted years ago

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

110defender — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:40:26 GMT

Many thanks for that information guys.

It was indeed the memory. I only have one slot used (256) so I changed slots but it still would not start. Repacing it back into the original slot with slight pressure on and it started.:smileygrin:

I'll live with it for now but it's good knowing what the problem is/was.

After doing a search on the subject, I can't believe how many owners have had the same problem.

Thanks again.

AJ

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

kee-lo_ — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:26:05 GMT

After doing a search on the subject, I can't believe how many owners have had the same problem.

I know, and Sony pretend the problem doesn't exist

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

robpaxton — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 21:19:46 GMT

Once the slot totally dies then there are only three real solutions:

a) Have the motherboard replaced.
b) Find a good repairer who can resolder the surface mount slots.
c) Replace the notebook.

b) would be my preferred option, it's relatively inexpensive to have done and the GRX is still a pretty good spec. notebook so it's well worth the investment.

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

110defender — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:50:01 GMT

Whilst searching the problem I came accross a site petitioning Sony about recognising the problem. There were owners signing up to it from all over the world.

RAM is now back in position with a folded bit of paper between it and the cover and the notebook is working fine. I hope the problem doesn't deteriorate any further but thanks for the advice on what options are open to me if it does.

Cheers.

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

kee-lo_ — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 17:14:07 GMT

Finding b is not always easy though Rob, but you're right, still love the GRX, it's a brilliant machine now after 3 years!

It's just really sad that this has to happen to them, and that the inverters are not amazing too.

Come on Sony, have some respect for the GRX316MP, it's one of your classics, don't forget it!

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

William — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 16:35:16 GMT

My beloved GRX-316MP was broken up and sold on Ebay (Got £140 for the screen), my girlfriends is now lying dead in a dark corner.

Both memory slots eventually died on both:smileycry:

Sony you are despicable,:smileydevil:

Don't ask me why but we both bought new Vaio's.

We must both be mad:smileysad:

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

YahtzeeLad — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 08:01:32 GMT

Mine died four months out of warranty. Sony charged me over £400 to replace the motherboard, and then it died again 13 months later with the same problem.

As I'd found out what the problem was via Google, I explained it to a local repairer who fixed it for less than £100.

Goddamn Sony scumbags; all my home entertainment equipment purchased over the years without exception was Sony and I swore I would never buy another Sony product.... until I saw the VGC-V2S.

They say there's one born every minute, and maybe that's what Sony are relying on, but it's an excellent machine (be nice if they bothered to update the graphics drivers though). I've had no real problems with it, the Sony 12 month guarantee runs out in 6 weeks, but John Lewis bunged another 12 months guarantee on top, so fingers crossed...

I can't understand why Sony treat their customers with such contempt with regards the GRX, which is such a great piece of kit, even 3 and a half years on.

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

Coffeejockey — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:29:52 GMT

Hi Guys N' Gals. I have been interested in what you have been saying about memory and startup problems. Although I have to err on the side of caution and agree that this could indeed be the correct diagnosis of the problem, I would like to draw your attention to the little know effects of over population of the memory slots.

Back in the good old bad old days, I thought more memory in the system was a good idea until I suffered the same symptoms as you have descibed. On trying to figure out the solution I came across the problem of maximum memory usage and the speed of the Front Side Bus.

To my bewilderment i I found motherboards could only cope with a certain amount of memory and had a max memory threshold which if exeeded caused similar problems as you have described. I hope I have'nt muddied the water by this entry but sometimes it can be a lot better with less memory.

Regards.

Del... $:o)

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

William — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 17:36:06 GMT

Thanks for making the suggestion.

I believe Sony indeed said the max mem for a GRX316MP was 512mb. However, the chipset used does support 1024Mb as proved by many here and at Vaio Village.

I was using 1024mb but my girlfriend's GRX never went above the Sony "approved" 512Mb (256Mb in each slot).

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

110defender — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:49:28 GMT

My problem is definately the memory slot problem (still working with bothched fix) and it wasn't down to over population of memory. I only have 256Mb.

AJ

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

kee-lo_ — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 18:57:49 GMT

Yeah the problems stated here stopped me upgrading the RAM in the GRX316MP.

I hope one day Sony will come out with the truth

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

110defender — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 23:40:42 GMT

I've now put the memory in the other slot (without the paper wedge) and for the last 24 hours has been running fine. It must be just the one slot that has the fault.

AJ

Re: Start up problem - PGC-GRX316MP

kee-lo_ — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 13:49:11 GMT

Yep thats the most common symptom