The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Vaio Z1 hinge misaligned?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Eienkei, Aug 21, 2011.

  1. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    There's something odd I noticed about my Z135, the hinge on left side is some how misaligned, it doesn't make any noise or problem but I can see it's a couple of mm off the place.
    Is this normal? Please tell me your experience!
     
  2. antonyunus

    antonyunus Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I have a few question below, and I also has the same problem with you recently because I dropped my Z1, if you didn't drop it, can you take some picture of it ? and does the lcd seems like pressed on the hinge when opened ?
     
  3. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    1,240
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Could you please post a pic?
     
  4. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I will take photos as soon as I get home, it hasn't been dropped, also it pinches the screen when I open & close it on both sides...
     
  5. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,905
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Probably best to open the screen in the middle where the motion eye is if you aren't already. (Feel free to correct me as I haven't had this VPCZ1 for very long.)

    My screen pinches in four spots on the bottom edge of the screen when I close it, but nothing I can see when I open the screen.
     
  6. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    What about hinges? Are they perfectly aligned?
     
  7. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,905
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    216
    I've opened it up before and I can't recall how it looked before, but now both hinges are slightly towards the outside - look like they are slightly wider apart.
     
  8. Brianho1337

    Brianho1337 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    427
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Mine Z1 is also slightly misaligned on the left hinge as well. I haven't dropped mine (well, *dropped* it once after i lost my grip, it's only a 15 cm drop to the table). Frankly speaking, there isn't really a fix for it, and I'd advise you not to try and align it correctly.

    Given that you can still open and close the screen without using minimal/too much effort, you should be fine.
     
  9. beaups

    beaups New Jack Hustler

    Reputations:
    476
    Messages:
    2,376
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    The plastic piece is likely just unsnapped. That's not the hinge. The hinge is stainless steel and is underneath the plastic. Post a photo and we can give you some advice.
     
  10. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    525
    Messages:
    2,223
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    You should be able to straighten up the hinges. I had some trouble after I pulled my screen off when the Z1 was originally launched, then again when I replaced the LCD.

    Links:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/473598-sony-z11-lcd-disassembled-pics.html
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/565087-vpc-z1-screen-goes-snap.html
    Should have some hinge photo's in here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/466881-sony-vaio-z-vpcz1-unboxing-photos-movie.html

    Things can get scary once you start dinking around with the hinge assembly, so I HIGHLY recommend taking photos throughout the process. Take special note of the screw placement on the hinge and how the wires are organized.

    I think you may have bent or unseated the metal fastener. If this is the case, loosen the mounting screws and see if you can get it to mount flush. If the metal assembly is bent, use two sets of pliers to realign them. The hinges themselves are very sturdy, the stuff around them is not.

    I consider this process moderately difficult. If you can still open the lid and you haven't worked inside the machine before, you may be better off living with the problem.
     
  11. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
  12. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Any ideas guys?
     
  13. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  14. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    3,905
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Looks fine to me. Don't do anything if there isn't anything wrong with opening and closing the lid.
     
  15. ZoinksS2k

    ZoinksS2k Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    525
    Messages:
    2,223
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Wow, not what I thought you were talking about. Extremely minor, that.

    A shiny nickel says you have a, ever so slightly, warped keyboard tray or some loose screws.

    My advice, leave it be.
     
  16. ota-con

    ota-con Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    205
    Messages:
    1,240
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I also think that it's fine.
     
  17. Eienkei

    Eienkei Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Maybe I'm obsessive about it... I felt it when I touched that area, otherwise no noise or problem opening & closing it!
     
  18. Ashers

    Ashers Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    120
    Messages:
    575
    Likes Received:
    39
    Trophy Points:
    41
    Mine looks exactly the same - I'd never even noticed it. I wouldn't worry about it.
     
  19. pyr0

    pyr0 100% laptop dynamite

    Reputations:
    829
    Messages:
    1,272
    Likes Received:
    36
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Looks to me that the screws at the back have been fastened too tight. If this really bothers you much, open up the device, straigten that and reassemble, but since it is a minor inaccuracy and does not affect the laptop's function, I'd also leave it as is.