How do I get a US Keyboard for a German market Z1?

I have a German market Z11 and I want to have a US keyboard. Haven't been able to find one anywhere, only VGN-Z which has a different form. Last resort is to get a VGN-Z and maually replace the necessary keys, but I'd rather replace the whole thing.

 

I'm pretty sure you can buy the Z1 keyboard assembly if you know the part number but it is not cheap. It includes the top plate and everything.

 

I don't know where to acquire one, but I have seen them on eBay for about $150. I may be able to locate one, but how do you re-map the keys from German to (American) English?

 

Talk to the local (unofficial) laptop repair guys. They should be able to replace the keytops for the few keys that are different for a very nominal charge.

 

Isn't that just a matter of changing the keyboard in control panel> regional settings? Am I missing something here?

 

The keys are in different locations, and the US doesn't have a double height enter key. The case as well as the keyboard would need to be replaced.

 

Can you post a picture?

 

Sorry you're not at paydirt yet, but I'm glad you took the advice to post your problem. No forum on NBR is as helpful as Sony's.

 

The keyboard assembly (which includes the aluminium top plate) is all one piece which is why it costs like $150. It was the same with the old VGN Z series.

you can just replace the keyboard/top plate, plug in the keyboard ribbon cable. Power up the notebook and change the region/language settings to United States.

 

This is probably too good to be true, but I was just going through my "inventory closet" and found that I had once received a spare Z11 keyboard assembly when I bought a refurb that seemed to have trackpad problems (turned out to be software). So, i have a nearly perfect, silver, Z11 keyboard, which includes everything you see on the bottom half of the laptop: they aluminum slab, the keys, the hybrid graphics, palm rests, touchpad, fp reader, etc.

I knew it would be good for you to start a thread on this - just didn't think it might be good for ME!

Not sure I want to part with my spare, but PM me if you want to discuss.

 

Wow, been busy quite a lot but nice to see all these replies when I returned. I talked to unofficial repair guys but they want a part number and I don't have that...

@lovelaptops: hmmm...sounds good except for the part that my Z11 is is black Let me think about it, thanks for the offer.

 

It shouldn't be so hard to find the part number, and I'm pretty sure you can buy them new for around $150.

 

I bought one from ebay.co.uk as i live in London!So check there and also this guide http://www..org/images/Sony_Vaio_F11/Vaio_F_Series_Monitor_Calibration_Users_Profiles_Roundup.htm

cheers

 

Can't find it on Ebay.co.uk Gonna try to find the US lay-out part number. lovelaptops, can you tell me the part nr of the silver one? Maybe I can find a black one at the same place I can find a silver one.

 

I am pretty sure the one I have was taken off of a Z1 which was being harvested for parts. Still, there is one barcoded number that's worth checking on:

148766021 0014933 is the number just above the barcode.

EDIT: PAYDIRT!!

This is the part number for the keyboard; here are some links i found by simply putting it into a Google search box:

http://www.laptopparts01.com/sonyvaiolaptopkeyboard148766021vpczseries-p-1291.html?cPath=96_112

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/SVP-SON-KEYBOARD-UNIT-W-O-ENCODE-CIR/2088866.aspx

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/Sony,Laptop,Part,148766021.aspx - I've seen these people mentioned several times before as sources of parts for the Sony Z series. Like the CDW listing just above, this one had no picture and only said that the number was for a Sony keyboard, but encouraged you to call their 800 number to inquire. I think you should.

http://www.bigestock.com/detail.php?part=2122458 - They also identified this as a Sony keyboard, but appeared to be more of a broker than a parts warehouse. They say you should call them for a quote.

Well, this doesn't get you all the way there, but at least you're not "in the woods" anymore. I still think you need to tap into the "brain trust" here regarding folks who know how to source Z series parts for good prices. That may need to be the title of the next thread you start to get closer: "How do I get Sony Z1 parts at good prices with reasonable delivery times?" Then you can be more specific in the text of your lead-off post. This is just sounding harder than I believe it needs to be. This wheel has been invented before, and you can get much closer much more quickly by getting noticed by the right person.

Good luck. Keep me posted.

(Below the barcode, this is what is printed: HMB3328YSA01 Z2-01A MADE IN CHINA. I got nothing searching for this number.)

 

You're awesome! Thanks for the help! I'm REALLY busy at the moment so I don't think I will be doing this today but I might when I'm on holiday (coming 2 weeks). I will keep you updated!

 

good luck! Sounds like you'll have to work a bit for your "steal" of a deal, but it will be worth it - it's a great machine.