Replacing hard drive on Sony Vaio Z

Hi,

I have bought a new SSD I want to use to replace the hard drive on my Sony Vaio Z. A couple of months ago, I found this great guide to replacing the hard drive and saved it but now when I click on the link, it says the thread is invalid. I know the link is right because I used it before and it is also linked to from another thread. Do you know how I can access this old thread or is there another detailed guide available somewhere? Thanks!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=272690&page=90

Thanks for your help,

Brian

 

You can try this... *here*

 

I know this is an old thread, but can anyone find the guide for it again? I looked at the link above and it doesn't provide a good guide.

I also cannot find the technician manual they spoke of in the link above

http://www.howardcomputers.com/images/digcon/USER_MANUAL/5F0DD0A5-2C95-4A27-A1B8-BF9C54256736.pdf

I found this, but it doesn't show to to remove the harddrive.

 

You might want to try the following link, if you're looking to replace the HDD on the "old" VAIO Z (VGN-Z series):

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/114814-sony-models-specs-support-dissassembly-links.html

 

Thanks!

Yeah, the harddrive crapped on the laptop.
The problem came up and said it had no operating system, I checked the bios and no harddrive was recognizable. I also tried to install a new operating system but I could not find the drive, so I believe it is the harddrive.

I might have to look for a new computer if the harddrive doesn't work. Maybe another Z but I kinda want to semi-hardcore game on it, so I might get one of those MSI GX640s for a gaming laptop and then a HP mini 210 to carry around with me.

Instead of having a laptop in the middle with decent gaming abilities and being still small enough to carry, I could go for the extremes. I will miss the Z though it is still a great laptop.

 

The only thread I can think of that is somewhat similar is this one: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/469244-z11-replace-dvd-hdd-working-solution.html. It describes replacing the OD drive with an HDD. I think you can get a 2.5" SSD in there as well. I assume that is what you are looking to do right? You can't replace the Z's Samsung/Toshiba SSDs, as they are a proprietary size and make.

 

^I'm fairly certain he has a VGN-Z (standard HDD).

 

The hard drive on the VGN-Z is easy to replace, for those confident with electronics that is... Well, I've been taking things apart since I was 4 so I don't suffer from the 'shakes and sweats' as people tend to call it...

There are a decent number of screws to get past on the underside of the Z, and one under the RAM cover (I think there were a total of 11; consult the disassembly guide).

If I were to give you a tip, DON'T force the thing open when you get the screws all out. There are clips and plastic indents all over the front and sides (not to mention the slider-lock in the battery bay), so take your time and GENTLY pry places here and there to get her to open.

Once that's done, everything should be sweet; unscrew the HDD, and put your new one in.

If you are talking about the VPC-Z, then the warranty (the VPC-Z hasn't been out for a year anyways) to get the HDD replaced. I'm pretty sure that the HDD versions of the VPC-Z don't have proprietory connectors..?

...The VGN-Z really ain't a gaming machine. In actual fact, no laptop is despite their specs. The end result of heavy 'hard-core' gaming is severely shortened usage life and constant high-heat dissipation, which don't go down too well with any laptop and their heavily compressed circuitry. If you can spare huge sums of money for something like the high-end Z, then I'd suggest custom-building a desktop.

 

Oops... Double post..

Though I should add that if you are so desperate for a performance increase, try the 2x SSDs setup in RAID0 (provided you are talking about the VGN-Z).

You'll need 2x 1.8' SSDs, the metal frame / bracket, and a dual SSD flex connector. Apparently allows for 350MB read speeds, which compared to a 7200rpm 320GB drive, is a 5x increase.

 

Oops, didn't realize.