Replace Vaio combo drive laser unit

**HipHoper** · November 9th, 2007, 08:22 AM

Hi,

A client will bring me later her 3 years old p4 2.0 ghz vaio, I don't recall exact model, but it seems that her hard drive fail to boot.
i saw this laptop few months ago, And noticed that it does not reads some discs in the combo drive.
Tried to clean it with alcohol, but it didn't helped much.
I couldn't find a similiar drive like this in Israel or on Ebay (only saw 1 computer for parts).
Is there a way to only replace the laser unit in this laptop combo drives ?
links will be helpful.
Thank you

**Niclo Iste** · November 9th, 2007, 10:25 AM

Well depending... One do you want to invest the time to find the lens mount and emitter? Two is it really that important for them that they are willing to pay you for the time it will take to find and install said parts? Three it's been a while since I've ripped an Optical Drive apart but if you're lucky you won't have to do any soldering. In the event you would have to you will need micro soldering tools and experience in handling of such. (In my life travels I met a retired Navy certified electronics technician that would as a hobby repair such things along with cell phones, radios, etc.) IF it's imperative I'm sure I could find his mailing information. I will post later if I can find parts. I am in possession of a generic electronics parts catalogue somewhere in the office.

**HipHoper** · November 9th, 2007, 11:11 AM

Thank you Niclo.
First I'll get her laptop later this evening and will try to look for compatible drives. And I think her hard drive need to be replaced. If she will be willing to spend some money for the hard drive AND the DVD drive, I might ask for your help with this.
Thanks again for your good will

**HipHoper** · November 10th, 2007, 03:09 AM

Model is PCG-V505BX.
Ok, Didn't manage to get the DVD drive out of this laptop. Even downloaded service manual, Which have picture of all the parts but it didn't helped.There is interwaving of the plastic parts and i am afraid to break/tear something.
Will leave DVD as is and only replace Hard drive.
Thanks

**CCT** · November 10th, 2007, 07:25 AM

All the screws shown here I believe:

http://home.comcast.net/~jttar/PCGV505BX.pdf

It is the 'hidden' bottom ones that are the problem apparently. Sony likes to hide them near the USB port and under hard-to-remove speaker covers.

Also:

http://www.fencepost.net/projects/vaio/

**HipHoper** · November 10th, 2007, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the Links CCT. I've downloaded the service manual, But I don't feel confident enough to open it as I need. I tried to open it as best as I could, Which help me easily replace the HD, But couldn't get to get the DVD drive out. You got to face your own limitations...
I bet that someone with more Vaio experience can do it easily, And since it's kind of a old computer, i am not sure the client will be willing to spend 200$+ for the replacement of the drive, So I've decided to offer her only the HD replacement solution.
I would be happy to make few more bucks, But in this case it takes too much energy....
P.S. The other link is not relevant since it is differently another model, But thanks for the help

**CCT** · November 10th, 2007, 08:49 AM

Yes - the second link was more for showing 'hidden' screw placement. I should have been clearer.

**HipHoper** · November 16th, 2007, 02:08 AM

And the plot thickens....

Finally was brave enough to disassemble laptop, To find out that cpu fan stopped working....Seems that it need to be replaced with original part and can't replace the fan with similiar one (It kind of turbine shaped).
Notified my client, She is looing for a new computer, And then I might trade her the Vaio for the work I'll put into her new one, And then I can disassemble it completely and buy parts on ebay to make it work.
It is strong and light computer (2ghz p4), So I guess investing in a hard drive (70$) + used fan (40$) and combo drive (80$) is worth the invest, Since a working computer like that can be easily sold for about 400$...
So maybe in the end it will be worth all the hassle...

**NooNoo** · November 16th, 2007, 05:42 AM

If nothing else, you will get to learn about the innards of Sony laptops!

**HipHoper** · November 16th, 2007, 05:56 AM

Yes, But if it'll happend, I'll play smart, First I'll take the computer apart and ONLY THEN invite the parts....So the lesson will be cheaper in the (laptop)case I can't figure out what I'm doing...... :O)

**CCT** · November 16th, 2007, 06:01 AM

BTW - good chance the fan failure caused cpu shut-down so the hard drive may be recoverable.

**HipHoper** · November 16th, 2007, 06:07 AM

Well...No :O(
I first noticed the fan not working when I've plugged the new hard drive and after few minutes the computer was HOT in the buttom. I haven't noticed it before, Because from my experience Laptop fans doesn't go to work immediatly, But after the cpu get heated a bit.
Secondly, The old drive "clicks" the minute the computer is turned on in an endless loop.
So 1+1=Bad Bad laptop :O)

P.S. I'm having another problem. I'm making some rice and frozen meatballs, And two of the meatballs are stuck together...oops...Wrong forum... :O)

**CCT** · November 16th, 2007, 06:32 AM

http://www.vaioshutdown.com/overheat.html

edit: note the 'hidden screw' info

edit again: this thread has some pertinent info re overheating - that model is specifically mentioned;

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/cont...c/5449/?o=1400

**HipHoper** · November 16th, 2007, 06:45 AM

Thanks for the links CCT. The models that are mentioned are not the exact models, But there is a tip of soldering the cpu radiator with the fan part in some cases that might be interesting.
The vaioshutdown site name is FUNNY....LOL....I think I'll register cantopenmyvaio.com , Or findvaiohiddenscrew.com :O)