Sorry for the slightly-off-TR-series post, but you guys seem like the most knowledgable Sony group around, so I’m hoping you’ll have some advice.  Besides, if you can’t help me, I may end up with a TR anyway!

I’ve had an SRX77 for just over two years, love it, and it’s still perfectly adequate for my rather modest computing needs.  But, early on, it fell victim to the (very common) problem of loose hinges, and it’s reached the point where the machine is unusable unless I use some sort of artifical support to prop up the screen for viewing.  An email to Sony Tech Support gets a boilerplate email advising me to send them the computer and $400 for a “flat rate” repair.  That seems like a lot for a simple problem (that, IMHO, is a result of their design flaw).

So, I’m exploring options.  Ideally, I’d like to fix this machine relatively cheaply and keep using it.  I’m not really handy with do-it-yourself computer repair, though, and the one source I’ve found for the hinges (http://www.impactcomputers.com) lists two different left hinges, and two different right hinges—I wouldn’t even know what to order.

Questions:

1.  One argument against fixing the machine is that it will likely happen again within a year or so.  Anybody have any experience in that regard?  Or did they come out with a new-and-improved design once they discovered the problem?

2.  Can anybody here give me a reference to a mail order Sony repair facility that you can recommend with confidence?

3.  This is the 12th laptop I’ve had, and if I have to replace it, it will be the first I’ve replaced ‘caused it was broke, rather than obsolete.  It’s also the only Sony—which makes me think twice about buying a TR-series.  Have their been any similar issues with the TR’s?

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

DC

Not that I can be much help, but I can say that the TR doesn’t have this issue because of the design where the screen doesn’t lock on to it when it’s closed. It’s just securely holds in place when closed.

I have had 4 Sony notebooks and never had a hinge problem.  The TR (and Z1) have a unique, no-latch design which I like.  I did have a Dell notebook with broken fairings over the hinges (repaired under waranty).  For the cost, I think you would be better off applying the money toward a new notebook.

Thanks for the replies, my understanding is that the SR 77 series all had the faulty hinges; don’t know if it went to the 88’s and 99’s or not.  Good to hear the problem doesn’t seem to extend further than that.

I’ll probably go ahead and buy a new computer, but the short Sony warranty and flat-rate repair policy (a minimum charge of $400 for *any* repair on this machine is ridiculous) may have me looking elsewhere.  I know other companies offer longer warranties; I’ll have to check around some to see if they all use the “flat rate” scam.

Sony’s support is unapologetically awful, starting with their technically impressive, yet incredibly frustrating voicemail system. They have you by the balls and they like it that way.

[quote author=“flibmeister”]Thanks for the replies, my understanding is that the SR 77 series all had the faulty hinges; don’t know if it went to the 88’s and 99’s or not.  Good to hear the problem doesn’t seem to extend further than that.

I’ll probably go ahead and buy a new computer, but the short Sony warranty and flat-rate repair policy (a minimum charge of $400 for *any* repair on this machine is ridiculous) may have me looking elsewhere.  I know other companies offer longer warranties; I’ll have to check around some to see if they all use the “flat rate” scam.

I and a friend just recently had BestBuy repair our SRX77 and SRX87 hinges under the extended warranty.  I believe the sony part number for the hinges was on the receipt I was given. 

I’ll post again later if I can find the receipt…..

>> I’ll post again later if I can find the receipt…..  <<

Thanks, Phil, I’d really appreciate it if you could post those part numbers.

DC

[quote author=“Anonymous”]Disregard the part numbers, Phil—I sent the SRX77 off to SparePartsWarehouse.com today for repairs.  They quoted me $32 each for the two hinges, plus an hour labor, plus shipping—so the total cost for the repair should be around $200.

One interesting thing he mentioned is that there is a new part number for the hinges.  He says that the problem is so endemic to this model that he hopes this indicates a new-and-improved hinge—but it could just be the same part, from a different vendor.

Anyway, if this repair goes well, I’ll hold off on the TR purchase for awhile.

DC

Not a bad price at all.

Anyways, I’ll post the part numbers for reference:

SON:465793002 (Hinge, LCD LEFT)
SON:465793102 (Hinge, LCD RIGHT)
SON:A8058499A (DISPLAY, 10.4” LCD)

I can only find the last part number through Sony’s website ($496 !!).  I’m not entirely sure why they replaced mine, but whatever.