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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.
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.
March 18th, 2011 at 10:12 am
mike martinez,
It’s very unlikely that both memory modules failed at the same time but I guess possible.
Have you tried removing memory modules one by one and test the laptop with each memory separately?
March 17th, 2011 at 7:08 am
my vaio laptop keeps rebooting by itself, have changed hard drives and reseated memory mod.
can my memory modules be bad and is there a way to test them, the laptop of course is afew years old but is in great shape, never abused. sure hate to lose it and hope motherboard is not bad.
any thoughts?? thanks
mike
February 3rd, 2011 at 8:49 am
Okay, I *might* be in luck (you tell me): on this particular model of Vaio, there’s three components that deal with power-in: the DC jack (replaced), the video card (yes, some engineer at Sony routed the DC connect male berg plug onto the video card rather than directly onto the mainboard), *and* this part: PWS-24 1-687-499-11 – a DC power board located on the “underside” of the mainboard.
THAT part is easy ($ wise) to replace. Think that could be it?
And thanks a million regardless.
-Bill
February 2nd, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Bill S.,
When I started reading your question I thought this is DC jack failure.
But after you said the DC jack had been replaced, I think this is motherboard failure.
February 2nd, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I sure hope Laptop Tech or someone else reading this can help…I’ve got a V505BX here that’s very sickly. If I switch it on without the (effectively dead, won’t take a charge of more than a few minutes) battery in, the battery and power lights blink once then nothing. The laptop won’t boot. If I hold the power switch in the ON position, the two lights blink steadily, but no boot. If I install the battery and charge it, the laptop will run for the allotted 10-15 minutes then shut itself off when the battery dies, then it goes back to the behavior I described first until the battery takes the minimal charge that it can.
So the motherboard IS drawing power, but apparently only from the battery. I have replaced the DC jack (a simple 3-wire affair, one screw-down Ground and the other two are on a one-directional keyed Berg plug, so no getting that wrong).
I’ve unplugged the CMOS battery and let the system sit for a minute, then plugged it back in and plugged the system back in, to no avail.
Help me, Laptop Tech, you’re my only hope!
November 13th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I have a Sony Vaio PCG-V505 ACK. It seems to be getting very hot. I do not hear any kind of fan. Is there a fan? Can you tell me how to access it? Clean it or replace it? Thank you
October 1st, 2010 at 9:18 am
APJ,
This laptop can take up to 2GB RAM. You should use PC2700 DDR333 SODIMM modules.
There are two memory slots and you can install up to 1GB RAM module into each slot.
Both slots located under the keyboard. Yes, you’ll have to remove the keyboard in order to upgrade memory.
Here’s official user guide for Sony Vaio PCG-V505DX laptop. It’s a PDF file.
You’ll find memory upgrade instructions in the manual on the page 135.
You are correct, it’s better to run Photoshop with 2GB RAM.
Good luck!
October 1st, 2010 at 8:57 am
Sorry I meant -
Sony Vaio PCG-V505DX
October 1st, 2010 at 8:11 am
APJ,
What laptop you are talking about? There are a few different brands when I google 505DX.
October 1st, 2010 at 1:42 am
Hello and thanks for your useful guides. I just bought a 505DX to use around the house and on trips it came with 1gb of ram and I see on the internet companies say this can be upgraded to 2 gb. As i use Photoshop a lot is this correct can you install 2gb in the 505DX ?
Thanks for your time Andrew