Installing a hard drive on a Sony Vaio Z1 model

[adamantiaf]

I recently bought a Sony Vaio Z1VAP off of ebay. The system boots up with the message "Operating system not found" immediately after vaio logo. I tried installing xp pro, but it says a hard drive is not found. So thinking it was a dead drive, I bought a new 60gb hd for the laptop.

My question is: how do I take the Z1 apart? I have already removed the screws from the bottom, and was able to release the keyboard without removing it fully due to the attached cable. I am able to partially pry open the edges, and I can already see the HD. I just need to remove the entire top cover. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Panama Red]

Don't know why but the Sony support page says the hard drive is not user replaceable. Not sure I used the exact model tho. Here's where to check for more info.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/model-faq.pl?mdl=PCGZ1VAP

[adamantiaf]

I was just able to take off the cover and the harddrive.

What a pain in the ass.

Had to disconnect the keyboard, and three ide cables attached to the top cover...don't know if these cables are even supposed to be removed. I was able to reconnect them, so it must be ok. I don't see any other way to remove the top cover.

two of the pins on the hitachi travel star are crooked. the seller must've already tried to fix it.

The problem is clear: a faulty hard drive. This is the second time i've had a problem with Hitachi travelstar. Last one was with a dell 1100, when the HD was a defect when I first got the laptop. It's pretty sad when every other part on the laptop is made in japan, and then the most easily damaged component is made in Thailand and then assembled in China. Must be Sony's money making secret. I should be receiving a new hd and additional 512mb of memory by friday. I'll keep everyone updated.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by adamantiaf I was just able to take off the cover and the harddrive. What a pain in the ass. Had to disconnect the keyboard, and three ide cables attached to the top cover...don't know if these cables are even supposed to be removed. I was able to reconnect them, so it must be ok. I don't see any other way to remove the top cover.

Yeah, this is consisent across most Sony laptops. They don't make those hard drives easy to remove...