Vaio Z disappearing WLAN hardware...

Recently the WLAN on my Vaio Z27GN started acting up. The slightest touch on the laptop internally disconnects (or shorts) the WLAN hardware that totally disappears from the device manager. Usually a few gently tapings on the back and a reboot fix it. The problem has gotten worse to the point that now its gone forever. It is clearly a short, a loose wire or something connecting/disconnecting the hardware. This has nothing to do with the front sliding switch to turn on/off the wireless.

I've also noticed recently any slight torsion on the casing shuts the computer down instantly.

I want to get the keyboard out so I can look inside and see if there is anything obviously loose or disconnected. Does anyone know the location of the WLAN hardware (card or board) so I know where to look for? I am familiar with opening the Z up and upgrading the HD etc., but I do not know the location of the WLAN piece.

Thank you very much for the advice. I am on the lookout to buy a Vaio FW because the Z's screen is too small for me for the heavy use I give it daily and maybe this is my queue to get a new laptop… I love the Z though and my main gripe with the FW is that there are no native XP drivers and I MUST have XP (Vista is a no go for me).

Thanks again

 

seems you have the XP with your Z. Did you install the utility that can manage the wireless device (SmartWi or Wireless Switch Setting Utility or something else)?

 

No, I have no utilities or need them. What I have is a hardware problem in the form of a short or a loose connector. At the smallest touch on the casing the WLAN exists or not on the device manager. Now totally gone and almost permanently. I just need to see if visually I can identify something wrong looking at the hardware (a wire, a loose board or connector) or if not, its time for the Sony Service center to rape my laptop which is the last thing I want. On my previous Vaio when I sent it in other stuff was not working, the casing got scratched and of course "it was already like that" and it was not their fault. The second I drop my Z at Sony, for me, I know this thing will never be the same. So, I would like to see if I can at least try to fix it myself.

 

Any suggestions on this one? I'm having similar problems with my Z11WN (a few googles seems to show this isn't unique to us two either). I'm on Vista and have the correct software installed - the device disappears on moving the laptop, squeezing or tapping the case gently will sometimes make it reappear again so I'm certain this is a hardware issue.

I've taken a look at the disassembly instructions in the sticky at the top of this forum but I'm not sure which bits I should be checking? Any pointers?

Cheers
Finn

 

If you can take the machine apart (using the sticky guide), my suggestion is to re-seat the wireless card and check out the antenna connections. I am not a hardware techie, but that's what I would try first.

 

Yes, but unfortunately I can't spot the wifi card in the schematics in the sticky above (the detailed manuals, not the quick guide). They do have mentions of the antenna connection, but these are labelled for the bluetooth - presumably this is also for the wifi as well?

Does anyone who's opened up their Z remember where the wifi card was, or if it's built into the motherboard?

I'll probably give it a go anyway this weekend but as the Z looks a little tricky to take apart and put together I'd prefer if I vaguely knew which bits to aim for rather than completely stripping it down to find the card.

Thanks
Finn

 

If you look at the laptop in the normal upside position, the WLAN card is on the left near the very left side, on top of ExpressCard slot. Next to it is a modem circuit. There is structural plastic construct over it but you may be able to avoid further disassembly by trying to wiggle card a bit. It is actually attached to the underlying housing with two screws, and you do need that extra disassembly (which is quite hard: you'll need to remove power button and power plug caps, etc.) to get to screws comfortably.

I went all the way since I was replacing Wi-Fi card with 5300 version.

It's possible that not just card is loose but the circuit that houses the slot itself. I wonder if it could get this way due to extensive use of ExpressCard slot.

 

I am so sorry to hear about OP's Z...

 

Cool - that's exactly the info I need, I just hope it's not going to end in tears when I open it up in a few days .

Cheers
Finn