Vaio TZ dual hard drive swapping

Just pulled the trigger on a Vaio VGNTZ290NDB for $1,439 on clearance from Sony Style. Seems like a nice unit.

Question:

This unit comes with a 64GB SSD (1.8" PATA) and a 250GB HDD (2.5" SATA).

Given the age of the model line, I'm assuming that the PATA SSD is not of the same performance level as the new SATA SSDs, e.g., Intel X25-M.

Would it be simple enough to put in an X25-M in place of the 250GB HDD and then make it the boot drive? Or is the system limited to booting from the PATA SSD?

A dual SSD ultraportable would be... well... sweet.

 

Bumping to hopefully get confirmation on whether either drive can be bootable in the PATA + SATA dual-hard drive configuration, or if you're limited to booting from the PATA SSD...

 

I have run dual boot Vista in SSD and Windows 2008 on 250GB HDD without problem. I haven't try HDD boot only.

 

*sigh*

An exercise in futility.

I sat down last night to swap in an Intel X25-M for the 5400RPM SATA HDD, and wasn't able to get it done.

I followed the step-by-step instructions given in this thread. After removing the gazillion screws and the hinge cap, I was able to pop off the keyboard relatively easily, but that's where I hit a dead end. He says "After the screws are off you can take the top off but in the center make sure you disconnect the one ribbon cable before totally removing the top off." yet I find no indication that either end of the ribbon cable can be unplugged. Both ends appear to be hard-wired.

With the keyboard still attached to the base, there isn't enough room to work on the HDD cage, as it's attched to and below a zillion other things.

This may not be the least user-ugradeable notebook, but it's darned close.

Since I have the drive ready to be put in, are there services that will do the installation for a fee? Conceivably parties that have the appropriate tools and knowledge of the TZ. Will Sony Service do it upon request? I don't mind paying for the drive swap. What I don't want to do is eff up the notebook in the process.

Any suggestions?

 

It's not hardwire, you just grab the end that is attaching to the base, and apply force vertically to detach it. Don't do it at an angle, or you'll risk destroying the connector.