How to take apart Sony Vaio VGN-CS215J laptop. Replaciong DC jack harness.

In this guide I will take apart a Sony Vaio VGN-CS215J laptop in order to replace failed DC jack. I think this guide will work for all other models in the Sony Vaio VGN-CS line.

During this disassembly process I’ll go though the following major steps:
STEP 1-5: Removing laptop hard drive, DVD drive. Accessing memory modules.
STEP 6-12: Disconnecting and removing laptop keyboard.
STEP 13-16: Removing laptop bottom cover.
STEP 17-18: Disconnecting and removing the cooling fan assembly.
STEP 19-29: Disconnecting, removing and replacing the DC jack harness.

It’s hard to replace the DC jack on this model. If you have never fixed a laptop before, you don’t want to start with Sony Vaio VGN-CS.  I think Sony engineers tried their best to make the DC jack cable replacement as difficult as possible. Well… they succeeded.

STEP 1.

Turn off the laptop. Unlock and remove the battery.

STEP 2.

Loosen/remove screws securing the hard drive and memory covers on the bottom.

Lift up and remove both covers.

STEP 3.

Remove one screw securing the hard drive caddy to the laptop case.

STEP 4.

Slide the hard drive assembly to the left to disconnect it from the motherboard.

Lift up and remove the hard drive.

In my Sony Vaio VGN-CS215J laptop I had a regular 2.5″ SATA hard drive installed.

Both memory slots/modules accessible on the bottom.

It’s not necessary to remove memory modules for the purpose of my repair so I’ll leave them connected to the motherboard.

STEP 5.

Remove one screw securing the DVD drive.

Pull the DVD drive from the laptop and remove it.

STEP 6.

Remove four screw securing the keyboard on the bottom of the laptop.

Make notes where these screws are located. It’ll make your life way easier during the reassembly process.

STEP 7.

Insert a piece of soft plastic under the top side of the keyboard and lift it up.

Continue removing the keyboard with your fingers.

STEP 8.

Lift up the keyboard and turn it upside down on the palmrest. Be careful. The keyboard still connected to the motherboard.

STEP 9.

Now you can access the keyboard cable connector.

In the following two steps I explain how to unlock the connector and remove the cable.

STEP 10.

The keyboard connector has a locking tab.

Slide the locking tab about 1-2 millimeters to the shown direction. The tab must remain attached to the white connector base.

STEP 11.

On this picture the connector shown in the unlocked position.

Now you can pull cable from the connector.

STEP 12.

Lift up and remove the keyboard.

Looking for a new replacement keyboard for your Sony Vaio VGN-CS laptop? They are available here.

When the keyboard is removed you can access the wireless card and modem.

STEP 13.

Turn the laptop upside down and remove all screws located on the bottom.

Again, keep track of all screws locations. All screws are different. You can put the on a piece of paper in order removed.

STEP 14.

Unplug one cable located in the memory compartment.

STEP 15.

Now you can start lifting up and removing the bottom cover.

STEP 16.

Remove the bottom cover.

Here’s laptop shown with the bottom cover removed.

The DC jack located in the upper right corner and the cable routed under the heatsink.

STEP 17.

Remove four screw securing the cooling fan assembly (fan and heatsink).

Disconnect fan cable from the motherboard.

STEP 18.

Lift up and remove the cooling fan assembly. Probably it needs some cleaning.

New cooling fans for Sony Vaio VGN-CS laptops available here.

STEP 19.

Here’s one more surprise. The DC jack cable routed UNDER the metal frame.

In order to replace the DC jack properly it’s necessary to disassemble the whole thing apart.

I’ll replace the DC jack without taking the hole thing apart. It’s not the proper way but I’ll try it anyway.

WARNING! You can damage the laptop doing this. If you are not sure. Stop right here. I’m not responsible for any damage you can cause to your laptop.

STEP 20.

Remove five screws securing the battery board.

Lift up the battery board to disconnect it from the motherboard (there is a connector underneath).

STEP 21.

Disconnect the DC jack cable from the battery board.

STEP 22.

The DC jack cable routed under the plastic part.

Push the DC jack cable though the hole  and pull on the other side at the same time.

STEP 23.

Pull the DC jack cable thought the opening again and release the cable as it shown on the following picture.

STEP 24.

The DC jack cable running under the video cable.

Unplug the video cable from the motherboard and put it aside.

STEP 25.

Now continue unrouting the DC jack cable.

STEP 26.

Here comes the most difficult part.

Remove all screws shown on the following picture. Again, keep track of screws.

Be careful with the display because it will be loose.

STEP 27.

Insect a plastic stick between the top cover and metal frame and spread them wide enough to remove the DC jack.

One more surprise was waiting for me. The DC jack was glued to the metal frame.

I had to use a screwdriver in order to separate the cable from the frame.

STEP 28.

Finally pull the failed DC jack harness from the laptop.

STEP 29.

Now insert the new DC jack harness back in place. It’s not easy but definitely possible.

On the following picture I have a new DC jack installed.

Before crewing all together, make sure all cables are routed correctly.

I would suggest you taking close up pictures during the disassembly process. This will help you to route cable correctly.

By the way, new DC jack cables for Sony Vaio VGN-CS laptops available here.