Upgrade HD Vaio FE21M

JohnK

Anyone know how to get the HD out of a Vaio VGN-FE21M? I've removed the back cover section and the screws that are holding the mount in place but it still seems to be firmly held in there and I dont want to force it in case I break anything.

I've had a look online but all I can find on the Sony site is how to replace the RAM but nothing on the HD. No luck either on Google which is only bringing back different older models that are completely different. Any help would be appreciated!

thanks,

John.

majiktripp

Well John believe me I did try , found the Sony manual but no mention of HDD location.
On something where theres no direct HDD cover to allow removal its generally located under the keyboard.I would suggest trying to remove it first and see whats located underneath,generally there are several screws holding it in place on the underside of the laptop, then retaining clips along under the base of the screen somewhere.
Hope this is of some help,
let us know how it goes!

JohnK

Thanks majiktripp. There is a cover section for just the harddrive which I've taken off revealing the exposed HD and the mount its screwed into. Unfortunately despite removing all screws holding the mount in place it still seems to be firmly attached to the laptop and I cant get it out

I'm just afraid theres some other screw somewhere or a catch that would get broken if I forced it but if they are there then I cant find them

majiktripp

strange one alright, re-read the original post an I got wrong end of stick initially,there most be some mystery screw holding it in, or alternatively some BFI (brute force and ignorance) to see if it moves.

JohnK

Unfortunately since my last post I've managed to spill a glass of water over my laptop and kill it

I do still need to get the harddrive out to see if the data has been lost though so if anyone has any ideas please please please reply.

majiktripp

Not a solution but maybe someone here would know better
http://club.vaio.sony.co.uk/clubvaio/GB/en/forum/listthreads;jsessionid=EB383E415CB03B3E657861168559C5BE.beru-lars?forum=6
Worth a try.

JohnK

I'll put a post there and see if anything comes of it. Thanks majiktripp!

JohnK

Its turns out you were right majiktripp, BFI (brute force and ignorance) was the way to go. I had all the screws out but the connection was much tighter that I would have expected which is what led me to believe there were more screws in there somewhere holding it in place.

On that other forum you linked to I was given the disassembly guide for the Vaio FE series laptops which was very handy. I tried to attach to this thread in case anyone else could get use of it but its too big and unfortunately vBulletin wont except it

Thanks again

majiktripp

No problem , glad you got it sorted (well the hdd anyways, dunno bout the water damaged laptop!)

JohnK

Well that laptop is buggered I think and it still wont turn on but at least the harddrive is OK. On the plus side I do have a brand spanking new HP laptop... Of course it cost an arse load but thats life I suppose.