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The following disassembly guide will explain how to take apart a Sony Vaio PCG-K series notebooks. I created this guide while taking apart a Sony Vaio PCG-K25 notebook but I think you can use the same disassembly steps for all notebooks in PCG-K line.
The main reason to open up the laptop was replacing broken power jack. Proceed disassembly on your own risk.
Update: I just created a new guide for Sony Vaio PCG-K series laptops. It explains how to remove and replace LCD screen with inverter board.
Before you start laptop disassembly, unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
Are you looking for spare parts for your Sony Vaio PCG-K series notebook? Search here.
STEP 1
Carefully remove the keyboard bezel using a small flathead screwdriver. Remove it slowly, there is a flat ribbon cable connecting the power button board with the motherboard.
STEP 2
Trun the keyboard bezel upside down. The red arrow pointing to the connecto on the motherboard.
STEP 3
Unlock the connector by lifting up the top side of the connector 1-2 millimeters. Be very very careful. If you break any connector on the motherboard you are screwed big time. After the connector is unlocked, you can pull the cable and remove the keyboard bezel.
STEP 4
Remove three screws from the keyboard.
STEP 5
Lift up the keyboard and place it upside down on the palm rest. Unlock the keyboard cable connector on the motherboard. Disconnect the keyboard cable and remove the keyboard.
STEP 6
Remove all screws securing the metal cover.
STEP 7
Remove the cover.
STEP 8
After the cover has been removed, you can access and clean both cooling fans. You can clean fans with compressed air.
STEP 9
Remove two screws securing display hinges to the back side of the base.
STEP 10
Remove four screws securing display hinges. Unplug the video cable from the motherboard. Unplug both wireless card antenna cables from the wireless card.
STEP 11
Lift up and remove notebook display panel.
STEP 12
Remove hard drive cover, memory cover and modem cover from the bottom of the notebook. Each cover is secured by one screw.
STEP 13
Here’s how you can remove the hard drive. Remove four screws securing the hard drive caddy to the base assembly. Slide the hard drive down to disconnect it from the motherboard. Lift up and remove the hard drive.
STEP 14
Removing memory modules (if needed). Carefully spread latches on both sides of the memory slot. The memory module will pop up at 30 degree angle. Pull the memory module from the slot by the edges.
Removing modem card (if needed). Remove two screws securing the modem card. Lift up the modem card to disconnect it from the motherboard and unplug cable from the side.
Remove all screws from the bottom of the notebook
STEP 15
Remove two screws securing the top cover assembly. Disconnect the touch pad cable connector on the motherboard and unplug the cable.
STEP 16
Lift up and remove the top cover assembly.
STEP 17
Push the CD/DVD drive to the right side with your thumb. Remove the CD/DVD drive.
STEP 18
Remove three screws securing the plastic cover.
STEP 19
Remove the cover.
STEP 20
The power jack is hidden under the metal bracket. Remove one screw securing the bracket.
STEP 21
Lift up the bracket. Now you can access the power jack.
Release the power jack. Now you can remove the old power jack (unsolder from the harness) and replace it with a new power jack.
November 25th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Hi,
I have a problem upgrading RAMS in my VAIO PCGK35.
When I add RAMs (2×512)all I get is 448 total. I tried different compatible RAMS and still the same problem. Used RAMs as recommended by SONY support and still it did not help. PC works but RAMs total stays exactly 448 instead of 1024.
What should I do?
November 24th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I did more tests with Ubunto live-CD with ACPI support. I seems that for Linux the lid is always closed. I alway get “closed” in file /proc/acpi/button/lid/LID/state (or something like that).
Maybe it’s a pb with lid contactor ….
I’ll try to test this one.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Knoppix (3.3 version) is working well with screen=1024×768 or screen=800×600.
I did more tests with Ubuntu live-CD. And after playing with many boot options, I find a solution. It’s working only if I deactivate APCPI (acpi=off).
So as it seems it’s about ACPI, I tried Windows XP without ACPI support (use “Standard PC” HAL). And it’s working well without ACPI support.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
gachet,
I think you are correct. If the laptop works fine with Knoppix, apparently this problem is not related to the inverter board or backlight lamp.
I’m thinking maybe your LCD screen cannot handle high resolution settings? I don’t think it’s the video card because the laptop works fine with the external monitor.
Try booting into Knoppix and set hight resolution on start up. As soon as initial Knoppix logo appears on the screen press F3 and at boot: line type knoppix screen=1024×768 depth=24
Using this command you’ll be able to use the screen in 1024×768 mode instead of 800×600
I’m not sure if it’s a good test, but I guess if your backlight fails when Knoppix runs in 1024×768 mode, it could be related to the LCD screen. It’s just a guess.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Thank you for your responses.
> Will it work if you decrease/increase the LCD screen brightness with Fn+F5/F6 keys?
no
> Can you reduce the screen brightness in the BIOS setup menu, is there any settings for that?
No. This BIOS is very poor.
> Enter the BIOS setup menu and try reducing the brightness then start loading Windows. Will it work with reduced brightness?
no
I don’t think i’s an inverter or lamp problem.
I did somes tests with somes live-CD. For example with KNOPPIX (old one, 3.3 version) is working well : i.e. the screen is OK. This KNOPPIX can use all the height of the LCD.
I think there could be a problem with the display mode (VGA, SVGA, XVGA, ….) in the display card. With somes display mode everything is working.
With BIOS I get VGA display in the middle of the LCD.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
gachet,
I’m thinking there could be a problem with the screen inverter or backlight lamp. Will it work if you decrease/increase the LCD screen brightness with Fn+F5/F6 keys? Can you reduce the screen brightness in the BIOS setup menu, is there any settings for that?
Enter the BIOS setup menu and try reducing the brightness then start loading Windows. Will it work with reduced brightness?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Shawn,
First of all, I would try reconnecting the wireless card. Maybe it’s not making good contact with the slot. Clean contacts on the wireless card with pen eraser. If still no light, apparently you have a bad wireless card.
I don’t think it’s a driver related issue. I believe the wireless card LED lights up even before Windows loads. Not sure 100% though, maybe Sony laptops are different. I just tested it on a Toshiba laptop and the wireless LED lights up when I turn on the switch even when the hard drive is removed.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Very good step by step guide ! I have a PCG-K315S.
I got some troubles with the screen.
When I power it up the sony logo come up but soon as windows xp loads the sreen gose black. Actually the windows/images are there but the backlight is off. It’s possible to see windows/images with strong light.
BIOS display is fine.
It works fine on external screen.
I’m prety sure that is not a driver issue. I get some very close behavior with XP instal CD: First, probably in VGA mode screen is ok and quickly the screen go black.
Have you any idea ?
November 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Have a PCG-K25 with an intermittent CD/DVD drive.
I can see that the flat mylar ribbon cable has some slices through it and when moving it around the drive starts working… let go and it fails.
I know the flexi mylar ribbon cable is not repairable but it must be replaceable… where can a guy find one though.
The Sony shops all want me to drop it of and repair it for me… I’m an electronics repair tech and this seems like a simple parts swap repair with a new flexi cable from the chassis to the CD/DVD drive. Any help?
November 11th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Very Clear Instructions here! I have the PCG-K23 model and my wireless switch use to light up when turned on. Now when I push the switch to the right (ON) the green light will not light up and I receive no wireless signal anymore. I don’t use the laptop much so it stays in the case stored in my closet. The switch is not physically damaged and still makes the “Click” sound when moved left to right. I used Sony’s ESupport yesterday but they were very limited in the help. They said it could be a driver issue.
I am thinking about taking it to Best Buy to have someone that has more knowledge than I take a look at it.
Any suggestions about the switch not lighting up anymore and not receiving wireless signal?
The wireless router is working fine because the family can still log on through it just fine.