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Article ID : S700023624 / Last Modified : 12/07/2018Print

How to replace the AW Series keyboard
    difficulty rating Difficulty rating:
    Difficult    		 time needed Time needed:
    20 minutes activity

    WARNING
    !! These instructions are presented in a general way. Sony VAIO of Europe hereby informs you that the self-replacement of keyboards should be performed with care. If any damage is caused to components of your VAIO while replacing the keyboard, their repair or replacement will be considered as out of warranty and therefore chargeable. !!


    1. Shut down the computer and disconnect all peripheral devices.
    2. Unplug the computer from the AC-Adapter and remove the battery pack.
    3. Touch a grounded metal object to discharge static electricity, for example a radiator or a tap.

    4. Remove 7 screws (marked in red in Figure1).

      Figure 1 - Removing 7 screws from the bottom


    5. Turn the unit around and open it to working position. Tilt the display back as far as it goes without applying any force.

    6. Caution:
      • the keyboard hood is attached with a number of hooks. These hooks can easily be broken, especially if force is applied in the wrong direction.
      • the keyboard hood is connected with a flat plastic cable to the computer (see step 7). Keep this in mind while removing the keyboard hood to avoid damage to this connector.
      Put your fingers between the display and the rear center of the keyboard hood and pull it upwards and slightly towards the display while pushing the keyboard hood's front edge towards the display with your thumbs. (see figure 2). This will release the hooks that hold this cover in place. Wiggle the keyboard hood slightly to release any still fastened hooks.

      Figure 2 - Removing the keyboard hood


    7. Detach the flat cable (marked in red in figure 3) from the keyboard hood by pulling gently on it.

      Figure 3 - Detaching the flat cable


    8. Remove 1 screw (marked in red in Figure 4)

      Figure 4 - Removing 1 screws from the top edge of the keyboard


    9. Caution: 
      • the keyboard is attached with 8 hooks (marked in red in figure 5) and a number of dents. The hooks can easily be broken, especially if force is applied in the wrong direction.
      Put your fingers on the keyboard's edge next to the hook at the F8 key and gently push the keyboard's edge away from the display while lifting the keyboard as a whole away from the machine. Once this hook is disengaged, release the hooks on the keyboard's left side. That will give you leeway to wiggle the hook at the Insert key free and allow you to release the right side of the keyboard. 

      Figure 5 - Releasing the keyboard hooks from the palmrest


    10. The keyboard is held by dents towards the touchpad. After releasing the hooks as shown in step 9, gently move the keyboard a few millimeters towards the display and then fold it down to the touchpad as shown in figure 6).

      Figure 6 - Preparing to detach the keyboard from the mainboard


    11. If any tape secures the keyboard flat plastic connector to the connector, carefully peel it off.

    12. Caution:
      • If the keyboard connector is broken, the mainboard needs to be replaced. The cost of replacing the mainboard may exceed the value of a used VAIO.
      The mainboard’s keyboard connector is composed out of two parts: a fixed part (beige) and a bracket (brown), which holds the keyboard's flat cable in place. Carefully unlock the bracket from the connector by pushing gently at it's corners as shown in figure 7.

      Figure 7 - Detaching the
      flat cable

      The flat cable should then be free and will slip out of the connector without effort.

    13. To install the new keyboard, reverse the procedure while taking note of the following:
      • To avoid unnecessary work, test if the keyboard's flat cable is well connected before continuing with the reassembly. To do so, connect the AC-Adapter to the VAIO, press first the power button and then F2 as soon as the VAIO logo is displayed to enter the BIOS. If that works, switch the VAIO off again, detach the AC-Adapter and proceed with the reassembly.