Removing the speaker/S-button cover

About three months ago I returned my laptop to be repaired for a hard drive malfunction, not a big deal since I had the two year accidental protection plan. When I got it back they gave me a new hard drive, but my video card switcher no longer worked! Please see the attached image: the slide switch is towards "Stamina" however the "Speed" is illuminated. The slideswitch seems to be locked in place, I cannot move it.

I only recently had time to tell Sony about this, to which they replied that they cannot help me, since it has been more than 30 days since the repair. I replied explaining that I had this fancy-shmancy protection plan, and perhaps it could be fixed under that umbrella; to which they tactfully retorted that they had (prematurely) terminated my contract, and that if I want, I can send it in and be charged for parts and labor for the thing that they broke. [/rant]

Anyway..I would love to fix this myself, since I am in fact on my own. I took off the keyboard and palmrest, and was unable to find out how to remove the cover that contains the S-buttons/slideswitches/power button/speakers. Is it in there with just clips? This region looks particularly delicate, not that the rest isn't, however I feel as thought I should be especially gentle. Ive checked all the disassembly/teardown links I could find on the sz series, but none seem to detail how to remove this one part. Help? Thanks yall,

IHateMayonnaise

 

http://home.comcast.net/~nw_systems/vgnSZ.pdf

 

Thank you but I already have this.. pg 10 says: "Turn up the Hood (Keyboard) from the front and disengage the detent (eight places)."

I didn't find this to be particularly helpful, and neither was the accompanying figure. Can anyone help me from personal experience?

 

I can't add much, sorry...

I did successfully remove/reinstall the part you are talking about on my SZ110. I followed the instructions in the teardown manual you already looked at, and I agree the instructions for this step are not that good.

I did not have any trouble with that part...some of the other steps were a huge pain, but that one came out with just a bit of jiggling. I don't remember having to use too much force. Sorry my memory isn't better!

 

Well,
You did remove the keyboard. After that, you need to:
- remove the four screws behind the battery slot
- Use your nails to detach five places behind the screen and a screwdriver to push 3 places next to the keyboard

 

I got the screws behind the battery. What places behind the screen? Are you talking about right above the cover and behind the lights? Is it necessary to remove the entire screen bezel in order to get at that?

Thanks for your help,

IHateMayonnaise