Disassembly guide VGN-SZ1M/B / PCG-6J2M?

Dear All,

I have used the search, but haven't found what I was looking for (desperately so...), so I have decided to start a thread and ask for your help and expertise. Hopefully all you knowledgeable Sony users and experts are smarter and better informed than me...

I have Vaio VGN-SZ1M (bought in 2006) that I need to take apart. Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to pop out the keyboard. I have removed the "relevant" four screws from the bottom, then figured that the part between keyboard and display doesn't seem to be removable (as it is with my even older, super slow Toshiba Satellite I am relying on right now), and now I am stuck. Does anybody know where to find a disassembly guide? - Preferably a step-by-step guide as I am not only a blonde but also not exactly super computer-savvy (as this thread clearly demonstrates). Or does anybody know how to take this notebook apart?

For some reason the VGN-SZ1M (or VGN-SZ1M/B) has two different model names printed on it, the other one being "PCG-6J2M", but according to the Sony website the "PCG-6..." model number is used "for different purposes" - no idea what that means - and the "real" model number is VGN-SZ1M).

I have spent the past two hours trying to find a disassembly guide online (or just a quick "how to pop out/remove the keyboard" explanation, but haven't been successful. I have also tried to get in touch with Sony's customer service in the U.S., however, they cannot (or won't) help me because the laptop was bought in Germany (where I was living at that time), so the U.S. customer support doesn't feel responsible (or so), and the customer support in German doesn't apply because I am now located in the United States. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. Don't take this as a rant, please, it's not meant as venting. Just trying to explain my level of "stuck-ness".

Anyway, I need to remove and clean the keyboard urgently, and I also need to access and clean the fan, so any help in regard of the disassembly of my old friend Vaio VGN-SZ1M would be highly appreciated. THANKS to everyone who read this, and DOUBLE-THANKS to everyone willing to help.

Unfortunately, it doesn't help. The only disassembly guide refering to a VGN-SZ series model is showing how to take apart the screen. Not quite what I am looking for.

Those stickies are what brought me to this great forum, though. I'll keep hoping for someone with an idea where to find a decent guide.

I could actually bite my butt, because about a couple of years ago I DID come across a beautiful step-by-step description of how to replace the hard drive (which requries to take out he keyboard in a VGN-SZ1M), and I didn't save a copy of that when I decided not to upgrade the hard drive after all. (Blondes do not-so-smart stuff every now and then. Like throwing out disassembly guides that might come in handy at a later time) And sure enough I didn't really pay attention to said guide back then, so I can't remember what the "secret" to a successful keyboard removal was.

Thanks, all, for your help - I DID it! Mr. T's hint with the push-back tabs was very helpful - those tabs were tiny and I had originally not noticed those. Keyboard is out now. Thanks again - you guys rock!

Happy as a clam.

I have opened notebooks before (Medion and Toshiba), but those were different. More blondes-friendly.

Thanks again!

Well, it might have to do with my specific personal cluelessness when it comes to these matters. Also, the Medion and Toshiba notebooks were larger (15") than my Vaio (13") - maybe sizes does matter in this case. It might be more difficult to work on those dwarf-ish miniature notebooks. I generally love my little Vaio, though, it's a nice travel size, it's dependable and usually a pleasure to use - I am just not a repair-savvy person (obviously) but your typical "user-only" kind of computer user.

However, I would appreciate your considering adding blondes-friendliness to your review checklists. After all, I will probably look for a new notebook next year - and blondes-friendliness will top my priority list for sure, so I will check the reviews section before shopping for a new notebook...