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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.
April 12th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Very well presented article and very helpful.
Once I retrieved the hard drive from the laptop, I then went on a mission to find a ZIF to USB connector which I found on Amazon.
Extremely helpful and instructive article.
Thank you.
February 5th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Ok it’s working now.
I replaced in Sony TZ21NM the Toshiba HDD 100 GB with RENICE K3VLAR SSD 240GB. I cloned the whole HDD with EaseUs ToDoBackUp (Free) to the SSD.
January 12th, 2012 at 2:17 am
@Suebase….Just installed a 120GB Renice K3VLAR E on a fresh install of W7…its a plug and play situation…no problems whatsoever
January 5th, 2012 at 4:29 am
Did anyone try the RENICE K3VLAR SSD 240GB. Does it work? Is the SDD known by BIOS?
December 30th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Bruce,
Where did I mention that there is only 5mm available hight?
Can you go to the BIOS menu and see if the hard drive model mentioned in there?
December 30th, 2011 at 6:35 am
I have a Tony TZ 160C which I believe should have the same hard drive space as the other TZ series. Sony does not appear to want to give any of this info to me.
I am trying to find out what the correct replacement drive is before I take the laptop apart.
Your photo shows the HD model no as: Toshiba MK1011GAh but hen I look at the specification for this, it is 8mm high. You mention that there is only 5mm available height in the system for the drive.
Am I misreading this?
Can you can help me?
Sony does not want to help at all
Thank you
December 26th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
The toshiba hdd1789 drive is FINE and working, i just need a USB adapter of some sort so i can copy data to my working computer, nothing I have works with the small connector.
What can I but to do that?
December 23rd, 2011 at 10:59 am
Replaced the 64GB SSD SAMSUNG with a 120GB SSD RENICE K3VLAR…
November 24th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@ D.N.
I don’t know if these connectors are compatible. I’ve never done something like this myself.
Probably you should email this question to the manufacturer.
November 21st, 2011 at 1:20 pm
hi guys,
Thank you very much for your guide! It is awesome and works well for my TZ-93S
I have the stock Toshiba Mk1014gah and would like to upgrade my TZ with a SSD. I read that the MK1014GAH has a LIF connector. I can’t find any SSD with LIF connector.
Could I fit a SSD with ZIF connector instead? If yes, does this one work.
Thank you very much for your answer!
Best regards,
D.N