Does anyone know if replacing HDD on Vaio Z yourself voids warranty?

I can't fin anything written and i saw in the thread where it shows you how to replace that it *might* be but he wasn't sure. I'd rather see it written down somewhere in case i ever run into a problem than call and Sony

Thanks

 

By default if you open your vaio by anyone who isnt an authorised Sony repair specialist, it will void your warranty. Thus you need to open your vaio to change the HDD.

 

Only component you can upgrade without voiding your warranty is the RAM.

 

I am about to change my 2 day old Z to 500 gig HD this weekend.

This suck.

Will I be OK?

 

My advice is to actually use the laptop for a few days first. No point in replacing the hdd if you need to return it as your wireless lan drops out for unknown reasons etc and/or other problems

 

Different region has different rules. In US, harddrive upgrade does not void your limited warranty -- you don't get Sony warranty coverage on the new harddrive you installed and if you screw up the computer while installing that's your fault, too, but other than that it's perfectly ok. Sony Support even have harddrive replacement instructions on-line -- just go to http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/index.pl and then search "HDD Upgrade" on the entire site.

However, you do void your warranty in its entirety if you upgrade a CPU because there is a Sony installed thermal paste that will be completely gone and this act is considered unacceptable as Sony can no longer guarantee the thermal management and therefore the operational integrity of the laptop.

In other parts of the world, it maybe different. I know regions in Asia they actually put stickers to cover the screws in the back of the laptop and if those sticker are broken -- even if not caused by you trying to remove it to unscrew the screw --, your warrnty is gone.

 

Does the Z series machine not have an access door to allow you to get to the hard drive without opening the case? The FZ series and some others in the Sony line have this. If so, then you CAN replace the drive without voiding the warranty.

Gary

 

Good advice make sure you want to keep it.

If you are going to replace the hard drive do it in a way that Sony technicians can not spot it. Do not damage the screws and keep the original hard drive around so you can put it back if needed.

 

And if you actually have on-site warranty, and the technician is there, with the cup of tea you've made him, I dont think he'll "notice" :-;

 

Thanks for all your advice.

I am actually going to keep the laptop. I had sent in my rebate to get free battery so I can sell it and get some money back.

I'll keep the original hd just in case I need to put it back.

 

chong67. Did you buy your Z from Sonystyle or any other reseller?
Do you have a link to the mail-in rebatte you are refering to?

 

I bought mine from PCNation website. The rebate link is there when you click on a product, like the Vaio Z540. Let me know if you cant find it.

 

how much is a battery worth? and when is the rebate gonna be over?

 

I see on fleabay nobody sell it on bid and its over $150.

Is this new? Sony is doing this rebate and maybe some of you didnt know?

 

Could you please post a link on where all of this is stated?

I did a search for the HD replacement for the Z-series and I did not find one.

I couldn't find the fine print either that says it is acceptable to Sony for you to replace the Z-series' HD. They have instructions for other Notebooks and Desktops but not for the Z-series.

Voiding the warrant would be a total pain for an expensive laptop such as this and new for that matter.

Links would be greatly appreciated.

 

Were you able to replace the HD?

And How?

Thanks

 

Sony does not provide a user guide on how to change HDD in a Z already tells you something, doesn't it?

Yes, technically speaking, changing a HDD on a Z will void its warranty. However, many people are willing to "take the risk." As long as you keep your original HDD & swap it back in when you need service & do a "good" job during the swap, you should be fine.

 

I'm not sure if its a guide for the current Z or the older model of the Z.

Can you please check this website out?

vaioz.com/opening.html

It looks complicated.

Thanks

 

That is not the current Z series. The pictures from the link you posted show the "older" Z series from a few years ago.