HomeIn the following guide I explain how to take apart a Sony Vaio VGN-S360P laptop and replace broken power jack (aka power connector or DC jack). I’m not sure if this guide will work for the entire Vaio VGN-S line or laptops but I think it will be pretty close. If you have a different Sony Vaio laptop and these instructions work for you, I would really appreciate if you mention your laptop model in the comments for benefit of other readers.
My reason for taking it apart is replacing the broken power jack but I will remove all major components so you know how to do that.
First of all, turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.
You can search for spare parts for your Sony Vaio VGN-S360P laptop here.
Remove two screws securing the cover on the bottom. Under these cover you’ll find laptop memory and wireless card.
This model has two memory slots accessible from the bottom but unfortunately you cannot use regular notebook RAM modules. You’ll have to use PC2700 DDR333 microDIMM. I believe you can install 1GB total. Up to 512MB module into each slot.
If you are replacing the keyboard, remove only two green screws and proceed to the next step. These two screws secure the keyboard.
If you are taking the whole thing apart, remove all screws – red and green.
There are two spring loaded latches above F4 and F12 keys.
Carefully release these latches with a small flathead screwdriver.
After the latches has been released, you can lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.
Turn the keyboard upside down and place it on the palm rest. In order to remove the keyboard you’ll have to unlock the connector first.
Remove the keyboard.
Remove four five screws securing the top cover assembly. (I forgot to circle one screw which is located on the right side from the touch pad cable).
Unplug two speaker cables (green), the touch pad cable (red) and the power button board cable (yellow).
Here’s a closer shot on the speaker connector.
Now you can lift up and remove the top cover assembly.
The top cover assembly has been removed.
Remove two screws securing the hard drive assembly. Unplug the hard drive cable from the motherboard.
Remove the hard drive assembly. If you are replacing the hard drive, you’ll have to remove the mounting bracket with the cable and transfer it to a new drive.
Before you can remove the CD/DVD drive, you’ll have to remove the PC card slot.
Remove one screw securing the slot and unplug it from the motherboard.
Remove the PC card slot assembly.
Remove four screws securing the CD/DVD drive assembly to the laptop base. Unplug the cable.
Remove the CD/DVD drive assembly. If you are replacing the drive, you’ll have to transfer the face plate with the cable and mounting bracket to a new drive.
Remove three screws securing the CPU heat sink.
Remove the CPU heat sink.
If the heat sink is clogged with dust blow it off with compressed air.
Remove two screws securing the DC power jack. Remove the mounting bracket and release the jack.
As you see on the picture below the power jack in my laptop is broken in two pieces. I’m going to replace it with a new power jack. I will unsolder the broken jack and solder a new one.
Before you install the heat sink back in place, you’ll have to apply new thermal grease on the top of the CPU.
September 12th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
this is the best i’ve seen but i have i have vgn-fw170jw is it the same?
May 19th, 2011 at 6:31 am
Hi i have a sony VPCEB19FX i need to replace the power jack but i can’t find a diy with my model # can anyone help thanks
May 18th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Vicki H,
First of all, test the AC adapter if you haven’t done it yet. It’s possible the AC adapter is dead and the battery discharged.
If the AC adapter works properly but the laptop appears to be dead, most likely this is motherboard failure.
May 18th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I have changed out the power jack on my sony vgn s360 with no problem but I still can’t get any power at all could I have blown the Internal battery? When we had a power outage from the tornato I plug my laptop into the car to charge it and I think I mayhave blown the Internal battery.
Help Please
May 17th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Hi i have a sony VPCEB19FX i need to replace the power jack but i can’t find a diy with my model # can anyone help thanks
April 19th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
John G,
You can buy the jack with wires and plug it into the motherboard.
April 19th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Do you have to solder it, or can you just buy a jack with wires and plug it into the motherboard.
Thanks. Great site
January 24th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Rich,
I guess you are talking about this post: http://www.insidemylaptop.com/repair-damaged-power-jack-toshiba-satellite-l305-l355-laptops/
I don’t know if RadioShack has a jack for your AC adapter.
When I was looking for my replacement jack, I just took AC adapter to RadioShack and tried a few different jacks available in there. I was lucky to find one.
If you cannot find a generic jack, you’ll have to purchase the original replacement and replace it.
Here’s how to replace DC jack soldered to the motherboard: http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/12/06/dc-power-jack-repair-guide/
January 24th, 2011 at 9:32 am
In one of your toshiba articles you describe the radio shack replacement part number with a picture for the dc power jack. Do you know what the radio shack equiv is for the dc plug on a vaio PCG-7Z1L laptop? mine has shattered inside and now the battery wont charge because the power brick cord keeps falling out.
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Well, I figured out my problem. Like a dummy I was trying to insert the keyboard cable while it was in the locked position. I was wondering why it kept slipping out. Anyway, I inserted it while it was unlocked and then locked it up and it stayed in there tight and is working perfectly now. Thanks!