topic Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead? in PCs & Accessories

Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:20:55 GMT

It a 7 years old PC so i think it's worth a try. I got it back in 2002 ever since its been working fine until last week. i did a full format, restored it back to factory settings. Now i did a few restarts to make sure it was working and until 6 hours later it powered on but not screen shown the keyboard light blinked, DVD drives peek out and then in when press the eject button. I took the heatsink out and gave it an clean. Still wouldn't boot up. I am deaf, My parents said it does the normal noise and then a funny noise.

I think it is dead would i be correct?

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

rich912 — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:16:31 GMT

This does not sound good Danny.padova, but can you ask one of your family members to listen carefully when the machine boots?

Normally if there is a problem with any hardware component there is an error ‘beep’ code – short and long tones.

No beep code may indicate a hard drive problem but, if there is a beep code we may be able to help further.

EDIT: If the DVD drive opens and closes then it would seem that the operating system has loaded - have you tried attaching a different monitor?

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:59:31 GMT

Well I don't think it is the monitor but i will try linking it up to my TV tomorrow. I will report back.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:28:26 GMT

This does not sound good Danny.padova, but can you ask one of your family members to listen carefully when the machine boots? 

Normally if there is a problem with any hardware component there is an error ‘beep’ code – short and long tones.

No beep code may indicate a hard drive problem but, if there is a beep code we may be able to help further.

EDIT: If the DVD drive opens and closes then it would seem that the operating system has loaded - have you tried attaching a different monitor?

No beeps at all. The hard drive works in external. Tired my other monitor nothing too.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

rich912 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:12:18 GMT

DVD drives peek out and then in when press the eject button

Are you saying that the drive opens on its own at boot and then closes when you press the button?

Although I have never encountered a drive opening on its own I suggest that you check the BIOS boot sequence.

Tap F2 at boot (when you see the Vaio Logo) and look for a tab that lists boot sequence - set the hard drive as the first in the list.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:44:01 GMT

Actually when i press the eject button it pops out about 1 inch then goes back in on both drives. I've changed the RAM too!

I can't get to the boot sequence power on blank screen nothing at all.

I think the motherboard on the PSU is faulty. When can information on the motherboard what kind it is and get a replacement?

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Thalamus. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:55:36 GMT

Have you tried reverting back to the RAM configuration that you had before the problem started.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:50:19 GMT

Nope I never. It just goes black screen when I boot it up can't access the BIOS or anything. No SONY logo came up as well.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Thalamus. — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:17:53 GMT

I've changed the RAM too!

What changes did you make.?

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:25:12 GMT

Swap it for with my other PC, they both the same kind. But that was after it was broke.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

rich912 — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:44:25 GMT

Hi Danny.padova,

I suspect that you have a motherboard problem, but this is very difficult to diagnose at distance.

A local repairer may be able to help but the cost may possibly be more than the machine is worth

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

Danny.padova — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:49:41 GMT

I am an Advanced user with computer background of passing Network+ and currently doing MCDST. I think my problem is linked to people with A+ correct?

I am not worth repairing it. Any idea how I diagnose the problem. So I can get a quote on the price to repair it?

EDIT: Also How much do you think Sony will charge me to buy the motherboard off them? I very much doubt they don't exist anymore.

Re: Sony VAIO RZ401P dead?

rich912 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:27:59 GMT

If you wish to carry out diagnostics yourself then you will need a hardware card that supports ‘Forced Diagnostic Mode’, as your system is failing to post. If you Google “Forced Diagnostic Mode Motherboard” you will find results. These are designed for professional use and don’t come cheap.

The alternative is to swap components such as Video card, CPU, BIOS chips etc...

I am afraid that I have no idea whether the motherboard for your model is still available, but I suspect that it will possibly cost more than the machine is worth. You will need to either Google or contact Support.