HDD and Bluetooth Module upgrade procedures for VGN-A series!

[Woody27]

I've had to split this into 3 posts as it is too large to post in it's entirety! - POST 1

NOTE:

Some U.S. users will also find this post helpful as Sony chose not to offer the bluetooth option for any of the U.S. pre-configured models in the American market (We Europhiles get all the goods... ...for a change!). However, the U.S. systems are pre-wired and simply lack a few parts to enable the features to function (I seem to remember them doing the same with some of the U.S. Clie's as well).

Getting parts for VAIO's in Europe is hard work (unless your in the business), but you can get parts easily from Sony's DPAC site (which is based in the U.S.):

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/index.jsp
01800-488-7669 (7669 = SONY)

These parts work on the following models VGN-A140/A150/A160/A115M/A115Z. Still, I'd expect that most, if not all, of the parts carry over to the whole A-Series line (the laptop schematics support this anyway!).

Here's the parts list (PART NO/PART NAME/PART PRICE):

1-805-554-11 / Bluetooth Module / $87.78
A-1058-407-A / Cable, BT Antenna / $33.42
4-672-839-11 / Screw, M2 Special Head, EG Grip / $1.84
4-672-493-01 / Cover (SC), (Fibrous Adhesive Tape) / $1.84

(I got some of the above info from VAIO VILLAGE, which I heartly recommend. Don't worry... ...I have checked and all the above parts are currently available!)

The HDD you can get from numerous sources anyware in the world.
It needs to be a current 2.5" version and try and go for a 7,500 rpm type (it will make a startling difference to the performance of the laptop). For most users of the VGN-A series you will be looking a size of either an 80 or 100 GB (other wise you are only getting a speed enhancment... ...not the ability to store more data). The Hitachi ones are particularly fast and reliable (they also make the x-black screens, by the way, that Sony uses in its laptops), go for ones that mention 'pixie-dust' in the specs, it is a highly reliable media type used on the disk platter that acheieves increadible levels of data density (i.e. more storage per unit area of the disk).


If you are technically minded you can also consult the VAIO service manuals:

There are only three service manuals that cover all of the different models within the A-Series line. The models listed above share the same manual as the ones I've listed below. The JPN, EUR, AO and some American models use another... here's the specifics for the one that U.s. and European users need:

Models: VGN-A50/A60/A70/A130/A170/A190/A115/A117/A195/A197/A11/A13/A15/A17/A19
Service Manual: 9-876-367-06 $7.50 (again from Sony's DPAC)

Before we start, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Doing this WILL INVALIDATE YOUR WARRENTY WITH SONY! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
2. Whilst not having to be particularly technically proficient (at least for the HDD replacment), you should at least know your way around the inside of a laptop computer (i.e. that's the HDD, that's a DIMM (RAM) module, etc).
3. I cANNOT AND WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMADGE THAT YOU CAUSE TO YOUR VAIO, you perform the following entirly at YOUR OWN RISK!
4. Buy a GROUNDING STRIP, to prevent static discharge from YOU damaging YOUR computer (Maplins Electronic
Stores sell these)
5. TAKE YOUR TIME !! Rushing will lead to mistakes and potential damadge to the computer.
6. NOTE WHERE EVERYTHING YOU REMOVE, CAME FROM AND IN WHAT ORIENTATION it was in the laptop, this includes the ribbon / flat cables (make a sketch diagram if it helps!)

PART 2 to follow...

[Woody27]

Continued...

Section 1. HERE'S THE HDD UPGRADE PROCEDURE:

1.Firstly, turn the VAIO-VGNA off, remove the battery and loosen all the screws on the lower surface. They are marked by cute little arrows (as on all Sony products), don't loose any screws!
2. Turn the Vaio the correct way up. Now remove the keyboard. It is important that you have loosened the two screws approximately in the center of the lower surface - these are longer and run through the laptop and attach to the bottom of the keyboard.

IMPORTANT: Under the right lowest edge of the Ctrl key and underneath the arrow down key are two small "Clips". These need to be pressed down with a small screw driver head (otherwise they will snap off!), the keyboard can then be easily lifted upward... ...SLOWLY!.

Now the keyboard ribbon cable can now be removed carefully from the Main board.

IMPORTANT: Make certain that the cable is pulled out evenly and perpendicularly upward, so that you don't damage it!

Lift the keyboard away and put it somewhere safe... ...DON'T DAMAGE THAT RIBBON CABLE!

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE SECOND RAM MODULE IN THE CENTRE OF THE KEYBOARD RECESS!

3.Now the top panel can be removed - from the front of the laptop, raise it towards the display and lift upwards, VERY SLOWLy!!!!.

NOTE: At the back of the Vaio (where the power connection is), are two other screws that may need to be removed, particulary in the large 17" screen versions (DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE SCREWS DRIECTLY UNDER THE SCREEN - they can be left alone, as can that lovely screen).

IMPORTANT: Initially, The top panel should only be raised only a little! The Touchpad is also connected to the Main board (like the keyboard) with a thin broad flat cable, this must also be removed! AGAIN TAKE CARE NOT TO DAMADGE IT!

You will now have a 'naked' VGN-A, it looks pretty scary (much more densly packed than many previous VAIO's of this size)!

The main componets are (from left to right, top to bottom):

(A) The processor exhaust. This blows air used to cool the Pentium-M chip out of the back of the laptop through cooling fins.
(B) The processor, under a heat sink and two thick copper pipes (used to disipate it's heat).
(C) Approximately in the center of the Main board sits the second RAM module.
(D) Completely to the right is the DVD burner module.
(E) To the lower Left is the PCMCIA card Slot.
(F) Below this is the HDD (which is what were after!!!!!!!!).
(G) On top of the HDD, is the MEMORY Stick Drive Assembly (MSDA) and bluetooth / wireless module.

more to follow....

[Woody27]

continued...

4. In order to access the HDD, the screws holding the MSDA in place must be removed. Also, beside the MSDA is a small switch for WLAN on/off, be careful NOT TO loose or break it!

5. If the screws are removed, the MSDA can be folded upward and away from the HDD assembly (let it remian attached to the mother board via it's ribbon cable.. ..BUT TAKE CARE NOT TO DAMADGE IT!)

6.There is one remaining plate to be removed. That is the HDD interface and it's sled, on which the HDD hangs. If the two screws are removed from it, the HDD including the interface plate and the sled can be removed from the Vaio (Phew... ...at last!).

7. Now the interface plate for the disk connection can be removed. Notice how this interface is inside of the sled, so this needs to be removed from the HDD (it's only a mounting bracket). Remove the sled, (4 screws) and finally remove the interface plate from the HDD!

8. Place the interface plate on the new HDD and repeat all the steps above in the reverse order to re-assemble the laptop.

NOTE: TAKE CARE RE-ATTACHING RIBBON CABLES, DO NOT CREASE THEM AS THEY CAN EASILY BREAK!

9. Once reassembled, insert the recovery disk, partition the drive as you wish, sit back and let it re-install the software. That's it your back to the factory default, but with a larger, faster HDD!
Time to put all your software back on the computer!!

Part 2. HERES THE BLUETOOTH MODULE INSTALL PROCEDURE (for U.S. owners ONLY!):

NOTE: THIS IS MORE COMPLICATED AND REQUIRES A KNOWLEDGE OF SOLDERING.

1. Follow the above steps, upto and including step 5.
2. On the MSDA you will find spaces for the bluetooth module and a connector for the antenna.
3. Push the blutooth module into place and solder the antenna to the respective solder points on the left hand side of the MSDA. It does'nt matter which wire goes to which solder point!
4. The antenna clips into the gap on the far left-hand side of the case (adjacent to the HDD / MSDA), it needs to be taped down or use the soldering iron to melt the top of the pins that hold it in position!
5. Re-assemble the laptop.
6. Windows XP SP 2 has a good bluetooth driver, so I suggest you get this update and use it (the Bluespace software the Sony supplies is pretty mediocre, by the way!)

NOTE: Unlike European users the Bluetooth module will be permantly ON (unless you disable it in software) as the WIRELESS LAN / BLUETOOTH swith will only control the WIRELESS LAN, unlike in Europe where this switch can be configured to control both!

Hope this helps VGN-A users and good luck with your upgrades!

CW

PS Anyone want a CPU upgrade guide for your VAIO laptop? It's relatively easy to do! :smileygrin:

[kee-lo_]

PS Anyone want a CPU upgrade guide for your VAIO laptop? It's relatively easy to do! :smileygrin:

Please.
Thanks for this great guide :smileygrin: