New UK Member - Just bought a VGN-Z21 Help please

Hi Everyone,

I just joined up and i'm looking for a few pointers. I just purchased a second hand VGN-Z21WN, unfortunately i've noticed a few issues which i'm hoping someone can help me out with.

- First off the Screen is knackered, it displays multi-colored vertical lines down half the screen. I've connected to an external display with no problems and flexing/pinching the screen doesnt make any difference so I assume its the LCD rather than the graphics card/connections? If so does anyone know the best place to buy a replacement screen? and are there different types/resolutions? can I buy any VGN-Z**** screens?



- Secondly i've noticed it occasionally drops off my wi-fi connection and if i go into the connection manager it says the wifi is disabled and must be enabled (the switch is on). Restarting seems to fix it, is this a known bug?

- Finally it seems to get quite hot, I was thinking of regreasing the CPU/GPU, can I use conventional thermal grease or do I need special stuff?

 

Hi!

1. Check ebay for a screen... You can also just check the connector for now, but it looks like the screen is a goner.

2. It sounds like the hardware button for the wifi has an issue... When disassembling the machine for tasks 1 & 3 check the button, too.

3. Good IDEA. Take Arctic Silver paste. Make sure to remove the original pads from the CPU and GPU and ICH with alcohol and scrubbing (or miute amounts of acetone but DO NOT spill acetone on the motherboard or any plastic components)...

4. Make sure to clean the fan and check it for function, too.

Since you will be taking apart the machine, think about tuning: New wifi (Intel 6200/6300 for example) more ram, etc...

 

Does the display to that regardless if it's set to speed or stamina mode? If it happens on speed only then I'd think the GPU is shot.

 

Exchanging thermal paste is horribly difficult in case of this notebook, I broke my MB while trying that (and no, it wasn't the first notebook I've opened). I would also recommend different thermal paste than Arctic Silver, but that's on your personal taste. Anyway be careful.

Also are you running Vista or 7? If 7, check that you got the latest bios version regarding your screen issue. The screen on VGN-Z came in two resolutions - 1366x768 and 1600x900. Be sure to get the same resolution you have there now.

 

Dropping of the Wifi is common with the Z's early drivers. Download the latest wifi drivers from the Sony support site to fix that.

You can get any resolution screen you want, they are both interchangeable... and they both cost the same if you buy new from Sony (~$500)

 

The 1366x768 version used to come with GPU with less memory. Are you sure they're easily interchangeable without any problems?

Also in case of wifi drivers you don't need to rely on latest (old) drivers from Sony. Just download the latest ones from Intel.

 

Sony accidentally sent me the downgraded 1366x768 screen as a replacement on my old Z, and when I plugged it in, it did work, so I know they are interchangeable. I can't comment on how well a lesser GPU will deal with the 1600x900 screen, but I would imagine it wouldn't have an issue, as even an netbook can push a 1080p monitor.

I used to always download the latest drivers directly from the parts manufacturer... now I don't unless I'm facing an issue that can't be resolved using the laptop company's driver. I've found that generic drivers can sometimes introduce quirks even if they do give you an added config screen or the simply the latest version number.

 

Thanks for all the responses,

The screen issue happens on both modes. Is it easy to dissasemble the screen? I can't see any obvious screws etc... (its the 1600*900 version)

I had a look on ebay for screens but they seem to be selling for £300+ which seems quite steep, i'm half tempted to try and buy the oldest/lowest spec laptop on ebay e.g. Z11MN? and swap the screen then sell off the rest in bits to try and recoop some costs.

I'll try some updated drivers for the wi-fi and fingers crossed that will do the job, will also check the button when its in bits - what should I look for?

Metsn - do you know what you did exactly to damage your mobo? (just so I can avoid the same mistake!)

The OS is Vista business but i'll prob upgrade to Win7 asap.

 

If you buy another machine swapping the screen is easier... Just exchange it lid and all... or do a motherboard swap and upgrade the other machine...

 

You can, and I have exchanged the LCDs w/o tearing down the machine completely. The easiest way to go is to
1. Remove the palmrest/keyboard (can't remember if this is even necessary, but its easy enough and may give you an extra few mm of space for step 4)
2. Pry off the bezel
3. Carefully remove the old lcd while making sure to hold the connector as to not stress the wires too much
4. Slide the new LCD in, and try to connect it to the plug...this part takes the most fiddling with and time since you don't have much working space w/o tearing apart the whole machine.

 

Unfortunately I really don't know. The multi-layered MB is very fragile and there are many things which can go wrong. I heard that it's common even for Sony technicians that they break the MB in VGN-Z...