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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.
January 1st, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Jon E,
Can you lift up the hard drive as it shown on the step 16?
Disconnect the orange cable from the hard drive.
Grab the hard drive cable connector and carefully pull the hard drive to the left.
January 1st, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Have a Vaio VGN-SZ3VWP/x, & keep getting disk errors, as it’s over 4 years old, I decided to replace the hard disk. Got as far a your step 15, but don’t know how to disconnect the orange cable from the hard drive to the motherboard. Tried removing from hard drive without disconnecting at the motherboard but seem to be stuck in with adhesive tape. I’m a bit wary about breaking something so any tips on disconnecting cable would be appreciated. Thanks.
December 14th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@ Paul,
Unfortunately it’s not easy. In looks like in this laptop the fan is mounted on the bottom of the motherboard.
It means you’ll have to figure out how to remove the palm rest assembly and remove the motherboard. Only after that you’ll be able to replace the fan.
December 13th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I need to replace the fan. If you get it this far, is it easy to replace the fan?. I’ve taken the heat sink off the back and sprayed air, etc. but it’s too far gone.(Fan-very noisy)
December 5th, 2011 at 11:45 am
hi, my sony vaio VGN-SZ61MN SERIES are one problem , hdd cable is different ? can i send a pictures ?
November 20th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
@ Kyung Tae,
I don’t remember this. If this model has a sound card, it’s located under the top cover assembly. It’s necessary to remove the top cover and take a closer look inside.
It’s possible there is nothing wrong with the sound card. Could be just loose cable connection.
November 20th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Hi,
Recently I accidentally dropped my laptop and now there is no sound. I think the sound card has some problem. Could you tell me where the sound card is located at?
November 9th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
yet again, this web page helped me a lot. Makes my work sometimes easy
Thnx!
October 29th, 2011 at 5:47 am
Hi, I ordered a replacement palmrest for a sony vaio fw 160d laptop n it came without a trackpad. Thought it was included. Do I have to order the trackpad separate?
Thanks
Bongbiemi
September 23rd, 2011 at 10:21 am
@ khaled,
I don’t cover fan replacement procedure in this guide.
It will be necessary to go though all steps in my disassemble and after that remove the top cover assembly.