SZ680 Warranty

I've seen some posts about swapping the HDD for a Hitachi one...

But, if I do so, will the warranty expire? Could anyone tell me?

 

You will void the warranty by doing that. Only an authorized Sony service center can do that without voiding the warranty.

 

That's complete BS right there. Upgrading your hard drive will not void the warranty on your system, just that the new HD will not be covered by Sony. It is a well known fact that hard drives and memory can be upgraded by the end user without a loss of original warranty.

I had an old Sony notebook in which I upgraded both the memory and hard drive. 2 years later it crapped out on me and still had full coverage.

Don't scare the guy like that next time. He might actually believe it and go ahead and pay an outrageous price to have an "authorized Sony service center" replace his HD when he can do it by himself for free.

 

I would like to agree with you Adinu but with my recent fiasco I am not so sure.
Just to be safe I would check with Sony and make sure.
I had changed my memory and they proclaimed it caused my motherboard to fail and try to void the warranty. They had said I was not allowed to change any of the hardware unless done by Sony in the first year, kind of funny since it only had 1 year warranty.
Even though Sony ended up replacing everything in the long run, it was a big headache and our legal department got involved.
I would definitely get the extended warranty.

 

Of course their gonna try to blame the new hardware for causing the damage, but unless they can actually prove it concisely, they are legally obligated to give you the warranty service you deserve.

And that "you're not allowed to change any of the hardware unless done by Sony" is utter crap. They were just trying to get out of it.

 

There is no hard drive door on the SZ. I would agree with you if there was. You have to unscrew the case, remove the keyboard, and a couple other things just to get to the hard drive. Sony does not want end users to open up their notebooks, and if they realize that you did, you won't have a warranty.

It's just like the current Macbook Pro. You can do it, but don't get caught.

 

I'm having a Sony technician coming out on Tuesday, do you think if I asked him to upgrade my RAM he would? I've already upgraded it myself, but I don't want to lose my warranty especially since I just purchased 3 year accidental/onsite.

 

I don't think upgrading you RAM will void your warranty, but they might do it if you ask nicely. Sony even explains how to in the SZ user manual.

 

Yes, also why not stick in your original Ram than after service just toss the upgrade back in.

 

Here's a simple tip not to void the warranty when you call sony for any hardware error mark sure that you put back the original hardware the came with the unit. warranty only cover the part that came with unit. you can contact sony support if you have any hardware issue not the part thet being upgraded make sure that you dont mention that you upgraded a part so you will cover by the warranty and put it back correcty just like brand new.

 

Yeah, that should work if there's no sticker. If you break anything in the process though, don't expect to get it covered under warranty.

 

OK... the screws on the bottom show some sign of being opened since they are painted black... Is it void warranty ?

 

I don't work for Sony, so I can't answer that. Just use common sense, and be careful.

 

Or call Sony and ask them.

 

From a law point, no. They cannot by any means prove that you've done anything with the computer just by looking at the screws. Sure if you carve in "Tom was here 2007" on the inside that can be seen as proof but that neither should void warranty. So just by the screws, no. (It can be sand thats grinded the color etc.) I'm no employee of Sony but the screw deal shouldn't be a problem.