where I can find a service manual or instructions on how to get inside a VAIO TZ37? I'm looking for options to replace the 120GB HDD with a 128GB (or bigger) SSD. I understand the 120GB HDD is PATA but not sure how many pins the connector has.
I know I can just unscrew the bottom and have a look but I prefer to find out a bit more before attempting that. My past experience in trying to get inside a Z505R was very frustrating as the screws were hidden under a few snapped in clips, they were very difficult to get off without breaking them (without the proper knowledge or tools).
Also while I am asking questions, here are couple more ...
1. Is it absolutely not possible to go beyond the 2GB memory limit?
2. Are there Windows 7 drivers available for TZ37?
3. If so, is it worthwhile upgrading from Vista Biz to Windows 7 on the TZ37?
I have been thinking about the X series but with its Atom CPU and lack of DVD/RW, it's kinda like a very very expensive netbook. So I think it would be better investment to beef up my TZ37 with a SSD. I have been very happy with it once it's booted up and ready, it's just that Vista takes years to boot time the 4200rpm HDD. My work around has been putting it to sleep 95% of time and only power off/on when I absolutely have to or when it has crashed big time. The wake up from sleep is very quick, so that's the saving grace of its slow HDD.
I am a frequent traveller who needs a reliable and ultra-portable notebook. I have owned a Sony Vaio VGN-TZ37 for almost 18 months. While I like it very much, it is very slow to boot up (XP). For that reason, I decided to replace the notorious in-built HDD with a SDD.
I have succeeded in replacing the original one with a Photofast G-Monster 1.8” ZIF SSD V 4 and am very happy with the result. The following is my experience.
When I decided to change to SSD, I did a lot of internet search and finally took 3 key decisions: (1)Which SDD? – After a lot of search, I settled for G-Monster 1.8” ZIF SSD V 4. It is not the least expensive, but I am happy with the results.
(2)DIY? – A few repair shops could provide the service but they could not assure compatibility or system installation.
I decided to do it myself which is a good decision because I had to re-open the case 3 times. (3)Secret of opening the case – There are a few weblinks offer pictures and tips on the internet. They are essential for non-technical people like me .....
I have been having a bit of a nightmare with Sony support. Basically, when my laptop first arrived, my F7 key always looked a bit "off" - the backlight under it always seemed brighter, and it was slightly raised on one side, but I ignored it - how often does anyone use F7?
Anyway, I was cleaning the keyboard because it has that stupid type of keyboard that picks up every bit of oil (drives me mad!) and the F7 key just came off. It wasn't even a harsh cleaning
how to take apart the keyboard on the Sony Vaio TX.
[url]
However, the keyboard 'came-away' from the rest of the latop so fast upon lifting it up I did not get a real chance to see how it actually connects to the laptop.
I am now having a real problem connecting the keyboard back to the laptop. Does anyone have any high resolution images of how their laptop is connected or how it should be done?
I contacted Sony support about the keyboard color; I was going to change the color of my system to white so I could have the white keyboard (and I really started liking the color).
Unfortunately, it was too far along in the process (even though it was backordered and not shipping til the end of April) to modify the order.
It isn't really worth the trouble, in my opinion, to wait for the notebook, return it, and wait another two or three weeks for the white one
I had replaced mobo on my dead SZ 4 series (don't ask why) and couldn't stop there since I was in the move thus consequently contemplated about possible upgrades. For now I settled for fan, WLAN card and CPU upgrade. If it works well, I might install SSD also.
1.Fan Modification
As you all proud SZ owners know, fan is very noisy on this machines so it made me think if there is any possible modification to reduce the noise. Since the BIOS is controlling it there is not much to do on the RPM part (in win at least, but more on that later) I settled for a fan and fan casing swap from SZ 4 to SZ 7 series.
In the photos you can see that fans, fan casings and heat-sinks are of different design. Besides design differences, voltage and the amperage are the same, 5V-300mA.
Only way was to install the fan and the casing of the SZ 7 heat-sink to my old one as one of the heat-sinks bolt bushings is off for a few millimeters.
There has to be some care exercised when prying off the fan casing, some heating was required from the aluminium side on three pins were casing is attached.
Not to be simple, the difference is also in the inlet hole. One on the SZ 7 heat-sink is bigger and off centre compared to SZ 4s. Had to do some filing there, to match it to the size of the new fan. Fan of SZ7 is not bigger, it is due to different design of the fan eye and its volutes...................
Trying to get rid of these questionably useful programs -- but I don't see entries for them in add/remove programs in the control panel (or for any of the other useless VAIO software packages that come on OEM machines sans "fresh start")
and first of all sorry as there seem to be loads and lots of ssd threads already. I just couldn't find any specific on that model. Is the z11 the same as the z520?
My boss wanted to buy a new laptop (office work only) and I adviced against it, because I think the hardware of the z11 is still VERY fast.
I've a Vaio TT that I'm (or was) fairly happy with, and before that I had the TX and the TZ.
I would however like to replace the TT since the Blu-ray has stopped working for the second time and I just refuse to pay an insane amount of $ to have it fixed. The question is, - Replace it with what?
I want an ultra-portable, i.e. 12" or smaller screen, weight less than 3 lbs, and it must have Blu-ray and SSD. Where can I find one
if you can take apart a Sony Z and replace the optical drive with a standard hard drive? Would the older tutorial here be the same way you can take apart a new sony Z or how do you think you could get in there?
[url]
Or is that a different model? I don't suppose there's a new tutorial out for the new Zs as they just came out.
On another note - I heard you're suppose make a new connector for the hard drive because the Sony Z uses microSATA or uSATA or something like that for their optical drives. There isn't a connector that you can readily purchase now.
My new Sony Vaio I ordered will be arriving soon. I did some research and the main criticism about the new laptop appears to be the short battery life.
I saw this battery on amazon for the Sony Vaio E series. Link
I was wondering would this give extra battery life if I bought it? I think the battery shipped with the Vaio is 3500mah but this new one is 5000mah. How many extra hours would it give? Just wondering if it is worth it or not.
Also is the battery for the 15.5" screen size E series or the other sizes?
I replaced the 40 GB hard drive that came with my VGN-B100B with a Western Digital 250 GB drive. When I installed Windows XP Professional on it, the partition was only 127 GB. The WD drive is a PATA, which I understand to be synonymous with EIDE, which should work on this computer. Is there a limit to how large a hard drive this computer will recognize?
I am trying to replace my laptop fan in a Sony Vaio VGN-S270. I removed all the necessary screws and plugs to get to the fan, but there are three screws connecting the fan which I'm not sure how to remove. Two of them are located on the lower left of the fan and are gold in color. They appear to be spring-loaded and have a threaded center to the screw. This seems to be an extension of the fan itself and covers one of the chips.
The other screw is very small and is located up and to the left of the actual fan portion. This screw looks to have a circular head to it, but its so small I can't really tell what type of tool to use for it.
i have an 11.1" screen tx series, but the screen is cracked.
i have checked on various site, ebay store, and the cheapest i can get an oem replacement is around $300.
i am just wondering is it possible i can just buy any 11.1" netbook, and use its screen on the sony machine? since the netbook costs about the same as the lcd screen, and i can use the other parts too.
I'm looking for a replacement screen bezel/surround to fit my SZ61WN/C (mine is cracked in half at the bottom between the N and Y of Sony! N is lost in the abyss so I currently have a SO Y Laptop ).
After a bit of digging on this site I have found the disassembly guides and nexttronics who will deliver what I need to me here in the UK, my only issue is that I'm not sure which one I need to buy.
I'm think its one on this page (below) under the "lcd133led" section as it is an led backlit screen with motion eye camera (on diagram as 1011).
[url]
My model isn't listed as its a European version (the SZ61WN/C is an all black Premium Carbon model), is there an equivalent US model number that anyone knows of?
I got a VGN-NR260E to fix and the HDD is reporting problems, now most laptops I've worked on have a HDD panel on the bottom, not this one, and Im thinking I have to take it apart fully.
I have just been given a VAIO PCG8A2M (GRX316MP) , i was told "it's broken but if you can fix it yo can have it" so having a quick look at it there's no sign of life on the display but the lights come on and i can here the HDD heads moving about.
Looking a little more i found that all the ram is missing , so now im not sure if its worth buying some ram to see if it works or not ? The lack of ram would prob explain the lack of display but i wonder if i should be getting POST beeps at least, which im not.
So my question is if a VAIO had no ram should (if all else was working) it be getting POST beeps ?
