In this guide I explain how to remove and replace the keyboard in a Sony Vaio VGN-T350 (model PCG-4E1L) laptop.

You can use this guide for replacing the keyboard or accessing the internal memory slot which is located under the keyboard.

This guide might work for some other Sony Vaio VGN-T series laptops. Please mention the model number in comments below if it works for you.

Before you start, turn off the laptop and remove the battery.

STEP 1.

Remove three screws securing the keyboard on the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 2.

There are two latches securing the keyboard on the top.

They are located above the F5 key and NumLk key.

STEP 3.

Push on both keyboard latches with a small screwdriver and release the keyboard.

STEP 4.

Lift up the keyboard from the laptop case. Be careful, the keyboard is still attached to the motherboard.

STEP 5.

Turn the keyboard upside down and place on the palm rest.

Now you can access the keyboard cable connector which is located on the right side from the cooling fan.

When the keyboard is removed, you can access the memory slot. In this laptop you have to use PC2700 DDR333 microDIMM memory module (512MB maximum).

STEP 6.

Before you pull the keyboard cable form the connector, the connector has to be unlocked.

In order to unlock the connector, flip the left side of the brown locking clip up with your fingernail. The brown clip will pop up at a 90 degree angle.

After that you can remove the keyboard cable from the connector.

On the following picture the connector is shown in the unlocked position.

STEP 7.

Now you can remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one.

The best way to find a new replacement keyboard for your Sony Vaio VGN-T series laptop is searching by the laptop part number.

Search for the keyboard part number on the sticker. In my case the part number is 147898681. You can use this keyboard for Sony Vaio VGN-T150/T250/T350 laptops.

You can buy a new keyboard replacement here.

In the following guide I explain how to disassemble a Sony Vaio VGN-BX series laptop. In my case, I’m working with a Sony Vaio VGN-BX760 laptop.

You can use this guide for one of the following projects:
1. Removing and replacing the keyboard.
2. Removing and replacing the cooling fan.
3. Removing and replacing the CMOS battery.
4. Removing, replacing or upgrading memory modules in the internal or external slots.
4. Removing and replacing the hard drive and CD/DVD optical drive.

Need spare parts for your Sony Vaio VGN-BX laptop? Find spare parts here. Search by the laptop model number and part name.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop, unplug the AC power adapter and remove the battery.

Remove two screws found in the battery compartment. These screws securing the keyboard cover.

STEP 2.

Remove two rubber screw seals. You’ll find two screws hidden under those seals.

You can remove the screw seal with a sharp object. The bottom part of the seal is sticky. Glue the seal somewhere on the laptop so it doesn’t get lost.

STEP 3.

Start removing the keyboard/hinge cover from the laptop.

Be careful because the power button board and finger scan device are attached to the cover and connected to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable.

STEP 4.

Remove the keyboard/hinge cover.

Now you can access the ribbon cable and disconnect it from the motherboard.

It might be not necessary to disconnect this cable, simply move the cover aside and secure it somehow. I’m showing how to disconnect the cable just for your convenience.

In order to disconnect the connector you’ll have to lift up the locking clip about 2 millimeters. After that you can pull the cable from the connector.

The locking clip (dark brown) must stat attached to the connector base (white).

STEP 5.

Remove three screws securing the keyboard.

There are two ribbon cables connecting the keyboard to the motherboard:
1. The pointing stick cable.
2. The keyboard cable.

STEP 6.

Move the keyboard towards the LCD screen so you can access the pointing stick cable.

STEP 7.

Unlock the connector and release the cable.

STEP 8.

Carefully turn the keyboard upside down and access the cable connector underneath. The locking clip must stat attached to the connector base.

STEP 9.

Unlock the connector and release the cable. The locking clip must stat attached to the connector base.

STEP 10.

Remove all screws securing the aluminum cover.

STEP 11.

Remove the cover.

Under the cover you get access to the cooling fan, memory module in the internal slot, CMOS battery.

STEP 12.

Remove/loosen five screws securing the heat sink and cooling fan assembly.

Disconnect the cooling fan cable from the power board.

You’ll have to disconnect the video cable from the motherboard because the fan cable routed under the video cable harness.

STEP 13.

Remove the heat sink and cooling fan assembly.

STEP 14.

Remove the memory module from the internal slot.

Another memory module, hard drive and optical CD/DVD drive can be access and removed from the bottom of the laptop.

In this guide I will be taking apart a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop. In my case I’m working with a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ330p laptop but the guide should work for the entire VGN-SZ line.

In you need replacement parts, search here.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop, unplug AC adapter and remove battery.

Remove one screw securing the keyboard.

STEP 2.

There are two latches securing the keyboard. They are located above the F2 and Insert keys.

STEP 3.

Using a small screwdriver press on the locking latch above the Insert key and lift up the right side of the keyboard.

STEP 4.

Do the same with the second latch and lift up the keyboard from the laptop base.

STEP 5.

Place the keyboard upside down on the palm rest so you can access the cable connector underneath.

STEP 5.

In order to unlock the cable connector move the black clip about 2 millimeters towards the touch pad. The clip must stay attached to the connector base.

If you break the connector, you’ll have to remove the motherboard. Work very carefully.

STEP 6.

Release the keyboard cable. Remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one if needed.

STEP 7.

Remove four screw securing the heat sink cover. Remove the cover.
Remove two screws securing the memory cover. Remove the cover.

STEP 8.

Remove two screw securing the CPU heat sink.

STEP 9.

Remove heat sink from the laptop.

Now you can clean the cooling fan and heat sink with compressed air.
Also, you get an access to the CPU.

STEP 10.

Both memory modules could be access through the door on the bottom of the laptop.

STEP 11.

Remove four red screws securing the switch cover.
Remove three yellow screws securing the palm rest.

STEP 12.

Carefully lift up and remove the switch cover.

STEP 13.

Remove three screw securing the palm rest.
Unlock the touch pad cable connector and release the cable.

In order to unlock the connector simply lift up the right side of the locking clip with your finger nail.

On the picture below the connector is shown in the unlocked state.

STEP 14.

Release the touch pad cable and remove the palm rest assembly.

When the palm rest assembly is removed you get an access to the hard drive, DVD drive, wireless card and CMOS battery.

STEP 15.

Remove three screws securing the hard drive assembly.

Disconnect the hard drive cable connector from the motherboard.

STEP 16.

Remove the hard drive assembly from the laptop.

If you are replacing or upgrading the hard drive you’ll have to transfer the mounting bracket and cable from the old drive to a new one.

STEP 17.

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.

STEP 18.

Slid the DVD drive to the right to disconnect it from the motherboard.

There is an adapter between the DVD drive and motherboard. This adapter has to stay attached to the motherboard.

STEP 19.

Remove DVD drive from the laptop.

STEP 20.

In order to remove the wireless card, disconnect two antenna cable from the card, remove two screws securing the card and pull the card from the slot on the motherboard.

If you would like to replace the CMOS battery, simply unplug it from the motherboard and replace with a new one.

In one of the previous guides I explain how to remove the LCD screen and inverter board from a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series laptop.

This guide will help you to remove and replace the keyboard in a Sony Vaio VGN-C series laptop.

I’m replacing the keyboard in a Sony Vaio VGN-C250N laptop but most likely you can use these instructions for the entire VGN-C line. If it works for your laptop, please mention the model number in comments below.

Also, I found another model number on the sticker: Model PCG-6R3L.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop and remove the battery.

Remove one screw securing the keyboard on the bottom.

STEP 2.

There are for small latches securing the keyboard on the top.

Push on latches with a small screwdriver and release the keyboard.

STEP 3.

Carefully lift up the keyboard and place it upside down on the palm rest.

STEP 4.

Now you can access the cable connector under the keyboard.

Unlock the connector first and after that pull the cable from the connector.

In order to unlock the connector carefully move the black clip to the direction shown by two arrows.

On the following picture the connector is shown in the unlocked position.

STEP 5.

Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector and remove the keyboard.

In my laptop the cable was glued to the laptop base with sticky tape, so I had to unglue the cable first.

Replace the keyboard with a new one.

You can search for a new keyboard using the part number. In my laptop the keyboard part number was 147996521.

Here you can find and new keyboard for Sony Vaio VGN-C series laptop.

In this guide I explain how to remove the keyboard and access both memory modules in a Sony Vaio PCG-V505 series laptop. The whole process will not take more than 10-15 minutes and can be done even by an inexperienced user. In one of the previous posts I explained how to remove and upgrade the hard drive in the same Sony Vaio PCG-V505 laptop.

Before you start do not forget to turn off the laptop and remove the battery.

Need spare parts for Sony Vaio PCG-V505 laptop? Search for replacement parts here.

STEP 1.

Remove one screw securing the keyboard. This screw is located between the lock/unlock and release latches.

STEP 2.

Insert a small flat head screwdriver between the keyboard and base. Carefully lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

STEP 3.

Move the keyboard and place it on the display panel so you can access components underneath.

Under the keyboard you’ll find both memory (RAM) modules and RTC (CMOS) battery.
Sony Vaio PCG-V505 laptop can handle up to 1GB memory total. You can install up to 512MB memory stick into each slot.
You should use PC2100/PC2700 DDR SODIMM memory modules.

If your laptop looses date and time each time you restart it, apparently it’s time to replace the RTC (CMOS) battery. You can easily unplug the RTC battery from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.

STEP 4.

Before you remove the keyboard, you’ll have to unlock the cable connector on the motherboard and release the cable.
On the picture below you can see the cable connector in the locked position.

Unlock the connector and release the keyboard cable.

Now you can remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one if needed.

You can find a new replacement keyboard here.

This guide will help you to remove and replace memory, hard drive, optical drive and keyboard in Sony Vaio VGN-FE series laptops. As an example I took a Sony Vaio VGN-FE855E laptop. All these parts can be removed without opening the laptop case.

If this guide works for your Vaio, please mention the model number in comments below. This will help other users with similar laptops.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop and remove the battery.
Remove the memory and hard drive covers from the bottom of the laptop. Each cover is secured by two screws.

If you are removing the keyboard, you’ll have to remove one screw (green) securing the keyboard.

STEP 2.

Remove two screws securing the hard drive.
Slide the hard drive to the left to disconnect it from the motherboard.
Lift up the hard drive and remove it from the laptop.

The hard drive is mounted inside the caddy.

Remove two screws from each side. These screws securing the hard drive to the caddy.

Remove the hard drive from the caddy.

In my laptop I had a 2.5″ 120GB SATA hard drive installed. This hard drive can be replaced with any other larger 2.5″ SATA hard drive.

STEP 3.

In a Sony Vaio VGN-FE laptop both memory modules can be access from the bottom.

In order to remove the memory module spread latches on both sides of the slot until the memory module pops up at a 20-30 degree angle.

Pull the memory module from the slot by the edges.

This Vaio laptop can take up to 2GB memory. You can install up to 1GB memory stick into each slot.
Use DDR2 PC2-5300 or faster SODIMM modules.

STEP 4.

Remove three screws securing the optical CD/DVD drive. Pull the drive from the laptop.

If you are replacing the optical drive, it might be necessary to transfer both mounting brackets and the face plate to the new drive.

STEP 5.

Remove three screws located in the battery compartment. These screws are securing the speakers cover.

Start removing the speakers cover with your fingers.

Carefully release and lift up the right side of the cover.

Continue removing the cover with your fingers. It might take some time. It’s harder than looks on the pictures.

The speaker cover has been removed.

STEP 6.

Remove four screws securing the keyboard.

Lift up the keyboard and place it upside down on the palm rest.

Now you can access the keyboard cable connector. The keyboard is connected to the motherboard.

Before you can remove the keyboard, you’ll have to unlock the connector and release the keyboard cable.

In order to unlock the connector, move the black clip about 2 millimeters to the direction shown by two arrows. The click must stay attached to the white base. Now you can release the keyboard cable.

WARNING! If you break the connector, you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard OR use the laptop with an external keyboard.

Remove the keyboard and replace it with a new one if needed.
Need a keyboard replacement? You can buy a brand new keyboard here.

In this guide I explain how to disassemble Sony Vaio TZ series laptops in order to remove and replace the hard drive. As an example I took a Sony Vaio TZ130N laptop (Model: PCG-4L3L). In this little laptop the hard drive is buried deep inside the case and we’ll have to disassemble the whole thing apart.

I assume that my guide will work for the entire Sony Vaio TZ line of laptops. If it works for you, please mention the model number in the comments below.

Do not forget to turn off the laptop and remove the battery. Work in static-free environment.

STEP 1.

Remove the memory cover from the bottom.

Pull the memory module from the slot.

You don’t have to remove the memory module in order to access and replace the hard drive. I’m doing that just to show where you can find the memory module.

STEP 2.

Remove all marked screws from the bottom of the laptop.

There are three more screws hidden under three rubber seals.

You can remove these rubber seals with a sharp object. Remove all three screws found under the seals.

Remove one more screw found under the square rubber seal located close to the hinge.

STEP 3.

Very carefully remove the plastic cover from the left hinge. It’s not easy. I spent about 5 minutes trying to figure out how to remove the cover. It has a couple of plastic latches inside and you can remove it using a small flat head screwdriver.

The cover has been removed.

Fortunately, you have to remove only one cover from the left hinge. This cover protects the power jack.

STEP 4.

If you have any SD card or cover inside the slot on the front of the laptop, remove both of them.

Start separating the top cover (keyboard) assembly as it shown on the picture below.

Work with your fingers until the top cover separated from the base.

Place the top cover (keyboard) assembly upside down on the palm rest and disconnect the cable from the motherboard.

Remove the top cover (keyboard) assembly.

STEP 5.

You cannot access the hard drive until you remove the SD slot/USB board.

Remove two screws securing the board and unplug the cable from the motherboard.

Lift up and remove the SD slot/USB board.

STEP 6.

The hard drive is mounted under the metal bracket. Remove one screw securing the hard drive bracket.

Remove the hard drive bracket.

Lift up the hard drive and disconnect the hard drive cable.

In order to release the cable you’ll have to unlock the connector first. Very carefully lift up the black piece on the connector. Pull the cable from the connector.

The hard drive has been removed. If you are replacing the hard drive, you’ll have to transfer four rubber corners to a new drive.

My Sony Vaio TZ130N laptop had a Toshiba 1.8″ 100GB hard drive (MK1011GAH) installed. It’s same type of hard drives found in iPods. These 1.8″ hard drives are not cheap but you can find them relatively inexpensive here.

In the following guide I will open up the display panel and remove LCD screen with inverter board from a Sony Vaio PCG-K series laptop. As an example I’ll be taking apart a Sony Vaio PCG-K33 laptop. These instructions should work for many other laptops in PCG-K line.

By the way, in one of the previous posts I explain how to access the power jack.

There are four screws securing the display bezel (mask) to the LCD cover. These screws are hidden under four rubber covers. Two black covers on the top of the bezel (marked with yellow squares) and two white covers (marked with red squares).

Remove two white covers on the bottom.

Remove two black covers on the top.

Remove four screws found under the covers.

Now you can start removing the display bezel as it shown on the picture below. Carefully release the bezel from under the hing cover with your fingers.

Continue removing the display bezel.

Finally, the display bezel has been removed.

The screen inverter is located below the screen. There are no screws securing the inverter in this model. The inverter board simply glued to the screen cover.

Carefully unplug cables from both sides of the inverter.

The inverter board has been removed.

Now I’m going to remove the LCD screen.

Remove six screws securing the display assembly to the cover.

Now you can separate the screen assembly from the cover and access the LCD cable. The LCD cable has to be unplugged from the screen.

Remove the yellow tape. Carefully push on latches securing the LCD cable and pull the cable from the connector.

After that you can separate the display assembly from the cover. As you see on the picture below, the mounting brackets are still attached to the screen. In order to remove the brackets, simply remove four screws securing them to the LCD screen.

Finally, when the LCD screen is removed, you can replace it with a new one if needed. You can find a new LCD screen for your Sony Vaio PCG-K laptop here for less than $60.

My reason for taking it apart is replacing the broken power jack but I will remove all major components so you know how to do that.

First of all, turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.

You can search for spare parts for your Sony Vaio VGN-S360P laptop here.

Remove two screws securing the cover on the bottom. Under these cover you’ll find laptop memory and wireless card.

This model has two memory slots accessible from the bottom but unfortunately you cannot use regular notebook RAM modules. You’ll have to use PC2700 DDR333 microDIMM. I believe you can install 1GB total. Up to 512MB module into each slot.

If you are replacing the keyboard, remove only two green screws and proceed to the next step. These two screws secure the keyboard.

If you are taking the whole thing apart, remove all screws – red and green.

There are two spring loaded latches above F4 and F12 keys.

Carefully release these latches with a small flathead screwdriver.

After the latches has been released, you can lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.

Turn the keyboard upside down and place it on the palm rest. In order to remove the keyboard you’ll have to unlock the connector first.

Remove the keyboard.

Remove four five screws securing the top cover assembly. (I forgot to circle one screw which is located on the right side from the touch pad cable).

Unplug two speaker cables (green), the touch pad cable (red) and the power button board cable (yellow).

Here’s a closer shot on the speaker connector.

Now you can lift up and remove the top cover assembly.

The top cover assembly has been removed.

Remove two screws securing the hard drive assembly. Unplug the hard drive cable from the motherboard.

Remove the hard drive assembly. If you are replacing the hard drive, you’ll have to remove the mounting bracket with the cable and transfer it to a new drive.

Before you can remove the CD/DVD drive, you’ll have to remove the PC card slot.

Remove one screw securing the slot and unplug it from the motherboard.

Remove the PC card slot assembly.

Remove four screws securing the CD/DVD drive assembly to the laptop base. Unplug the cable.

Remove the CD/DVD drive assembly. If you are replacing the drive, you’ll have to transfer the face plate with the cable and mounting bracket to a new drive.

Remove three screws securing the CPU heat sink.

Remove the CPU heat sink.

If the heat sink is clogged with dust blow it off with compressed air.

Remove two screws securing the DC power jack. Remove the mounting bracket and release the jack.

As you see on the picture below the power jack in my laptop is broken in two pieces. I’m going to replace it with a new power jack. I will unsolder the broken jack and solder a new one.

Before you install the heat sink back in place, you’ll have to apply new thermal grease on the top of the CPU.

This guide explains how you can remove and replaced damaged keyboard on a Sony Vaio VGN-S150 laptop. I assume the guide will work for some other Sony Vaio models with the same case.

For this repair you’ll need only one tool – a small flathead screwdriver.

The keyboard is secured to the laptop case by two small latches located above F4 and F12 keys.

Use a screwdriver or other thin metal blade to push the spring loaded hold-downs above the F4 key upward, and pry up the left side of the keyboard. Hold it up a little with your fingers and then release the catch above the F12 key. Be GENTLE. If the keyboard doesn’t lift easily you have not released the spring hold-downs properly. The keyboard is flexible and easily damaged if you use too much force. Lift the keyboard and lay it face down so you can see the ribbon cable connector on the mother board.

You can search for a new keyboard for VGN-S150 here.

Be very careful with the keyboard connector on the motherboard. You have to unlock the connector before you can pull the cable and remove the keyboard. The keyboard connector is permanently attached to the motherboard. If you break the keyboard connector, you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard.

When the keyboard it opens a window to the cooling fan. If the fan is dusty you can blow it off with compressed air.

UPDATE: It looks like Vaio VGN-S150 laptop is very similar to VGN-S360P. I just completed a 25 step disassembly guide for a Sony Vaio VGN-S360P laptop.