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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.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Dennis King,
Did you break the keyboard connector clip?
Take a look at this post, I think it’s still possible to fix the connector.
http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2009/11/17/fix-broken-keyboard-connector-on-laptop-motherboard/
I hope you didn’t though away the broken piece.
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I read a posting for the wrong model when I went to replace the keyboard on my vgn-sz240 laptop and messed up. I wish to God I had seen your site first. Anyway, I did snap the connector and now I’m wondering what my options are. I had just finished upgrading this puppy with new memory and a blazing fast hard drive and it was running great. Now I can’t even log on.
A tech at Sony Style suggested a USB keyboard and it may come to that. Is it possible that I might find a new clip assembly from an old mother board. You say that the mother board has to be removed if that clip is broken. Is it actually possible to fix this puppy without buying a whole new mother board. Obviously, I would be better putting that money toward a new computer.
At any rate, anyone’s experience or help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much in advance. Dennis
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:08 am
hello admin..nice works..
but could u help me..i want to know where is the cmos battery for asus f series located?
i’ve going crazy becouse of this cmos batt. located..can u place a picture of it?
February 18th, 2010 at 9:00 am
These instructions are fabulous. I had to replace a DVD drive and a display. Right on.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Nino,
I think it’s onboard.
I don’t see any discrete video card on the pictures of the motherboard posted here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457860
You cannot replace onboard video card. If the video card failed, you’ll have to replace the entire motherboard.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
@UTtheGeek
I have the same problem, seems like the VGA 8400GS has failed, I don’t know if it have a single replacable module or onboard. but you should sacrifice graphic performance and switch to stamina mode, it should switch the 8400 to intel GMA 3100 and will run just fine. but you cant utilize the 8400 anymore. I heard that this chipset has many troubles.
anyone knows how to replace the 8400GS dedicated VGA? I need to replace this to play games
February 9th, 2010 at 12:56 am
Very nice..easy to follow with these excellent pics! Thank you very much..
February 8th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Sergiy,
Nice work!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Hi,
I have put together a DIY for replacing the fan in Sony Vaio VGN-SZ series. Please check it here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457860
January 29th, 2010 at 6:44 am
Sound card doesn’t works , so is there any way to change sound card on this motherboard, i opened it but I couldn’t found sound card.
Any ideas ?
Thanks