Sony Vaio A-Series (A150) Upgrades - Bluetooth ++

This is me first post here

I needed a new laptop...
how do ya squeeze in the craving for a Sony screen, fast parts and great design?

You READ READ and READ!
Then go out and buy yourself an A-Series VAIO... and let the modding begin

I found everything here that I needed to get me started upgrading my VGN-A150.
Being as most of my guidance came from this forum, I figured I might as well return the favor (ditto to a second thread elsewhere), so here goes...

UPS just dropped off my new A150 a few hours ago.
WOW!! The screen on my A150 is incredible!!!
(which, by the way, is manufactured by Hitachi)
Everything rocks (!!!), except the hard drive is a 4200, the RAM needs to get fatter and the designers figured us Americans could do without the wireless mouse or Bluetooth features... booo...

So here's how to get it done yourself.

Over the last week or so, I've been doing some research on this Vaio and put together a list of parts that I'll be ordering to upgrade the features & specs.

Here's the upgrade roadmap:
--> Upgrade hard drive to 7200rpm
--> Upgrade RAM to 1GB low latency
--> Add internal Bluetooth module
--> Replace front LED lens w/ part that has BT logo
--> Add internal wireless mouse RF emitter
--> Replace blank cover underneath laptop with wireless mouse "connect" button (oval shaped, to the right of the battery)


Here's the no brainers (Ordering all of 'em from NewEgg.com):
1x CompuCable Ultra Slim 2.5" USB 2.0 Aluminum External Enclosure, Model "FireXpress 250SX"
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ion=17-145-541
2x CORSAIR XMS 200-Pin 512MB DDR SO-DIMM PC-2700 Low Latency
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ion=20-145-542
1x Hitachi 60GB 7200RPM Notebook Hard Drive, Model HTS726060M9AT00 PART# 08K0939
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...ion=22-146-020

The rest of the upgrade parts were ordered from directly from Sony's DPAC. I can tell you that I know for a fact that these parts work on the following models VGN-A140/A150/A160/A115M/A115Z. Still, I'd expect that most, if not all, of the parts carry over to the whole A-Series line.
FYI, Sony chose not to offer either the mouse or bluetooth options for any of the preconfigured models in the American market (Euro lappys got all of the goods). However, the US systems are prewired and simply lack a few parts to enable the features...


Here's the parts list (PART NO/PART NAME/PART PRICE):

-= Internal Bluetooth Upgrade =-
1-805-554-11 / Bluetooth Module / $87.78
A-1058-407-A / Cable, BT Antenna / $33.42
4-682-449-01 / SE1 Lens Panel CTO (W/WL,W/BT) / $15.95
4-672-839-11 / Screw, M2 Special Head, EG Grip / $1.84
4-672-493-01 / Cover (SC), (Fibrous Adhesive Tape) / $1.84

-= Internal Wireless Mouse RF Upgrade =-
1-796-949-11 / USB RF Mouse Receiver (yes, it's internal) / $69.78
4-682-583-01 / SE1P Spring RF Knob (W/W-Mouse) / $8.74
2-050-873-01 / SEM Button RF (W/W-Mouse) / $7.22
2-050-871-01 / SEM Button Cover RF (W/W-Mouse) / $8.74
A-1058-408-A / Cable, Wireless Mouse / $25.27
4-672-839-11 / Screw, M2 Special Head, EG Grip / $1.84 (x2 = $3.68)
4-672-493-01 / Cover (SC), (Fibrous Adhesive Tape) / $1.84 (x2 = $3.68)
1-796-824-31 / Mouse SLV / $120.32 (don't buy this, buy retail part listed below instead)

-= Misc Parts I Ordered =-
1-477-205-81 / AC Adaptor / $69.95
1-757-562-21 / Power Cord / $15.95
9-876-374-03 / Service Manual / $7.00

These parts were ordered from:
http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/index.jsp
1-800-488-SONY (7669)

Again, the parts I listed above correspond to the models I listed.

And if you plan to use the video output jack on the rear of the laptop, you'll need this AV cable from sonystyle (or a generic like it):
VMC-N320TP AV Mini - Phono (RCA) x 3 Cable $ 24.99
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...es_VideoCables

After looking over the schematics of the laptop, I'm pretty confident that they should work on the other models too. I've ordered everything except for the actual wireless mouse... as the friggin thing is priced at $120!! I'm trying to get someone at Sony to verify that the retail Wireless Optical Mouse that comes with the external RF emitter (PCGA-WMS5/S $59) is the same part. I'll update this post when/if I find out.

Also, if you do have a different model within the A-Series and you're wanting to complete the same upgrades, I suggest you start off by purchasing the Service Manual for your model and verify the part numbers before ordering them. You can also verify the numbers match your model by calling Sony DAPC directly.

There are only three service manuals that cover all of the different models within the A-Series line. The models I listed above share the same manual as the one I've already listed. The JPN, EUR, AO and some American models use another... here's the specifics:

Models: VGN-A50/A60/A70/A130/A170/A190/A115B/A115S/A117/A195/A197/A11/A13/A15/A17/A19
Service Manual: 9-876-367-06 $7.50

Model: VGN-A290
Service Manual: 9-876-387-01 $6.75

(There's expected to be an A250 and an A270 soon too)

I'm not going to include a walkthrough for installing these upgrades as the reference resources I plan to use are available elsewhere.

Follow these links to read further:

Forum thread that first got me thinkin:
http://notebookforums.com/showthread...8&page=2&pp=15
Local forum thread - Sony hard drive replacement:
http://www.notebookreview.com/forums...?TOPIC_ID=3589
Guide - How to add Bluetooth to the Sony TR:
http://www.siliconpopculture.com/rev...ts/59_0_2_0_C/
German site - pics of an A197 Bluetooth upgrade:
http://user2user.info/forum/notebook...asc&highlight=
Forum thread - How to add Bluetooth to the Sony S150/170:
http://sony.thumbrocket.com/viewtopic.php?t=87

I was considering jumping the CPU up to a 2ghz Dothan... but... well... $$!!
Part No: 6-706-559-01
Part Name: IC RH80536GC0412MSL7EM
Price: $1,915.79

The A290 that was just released a week or so ago has a newer dual-layer DVD burner, a fatter drive & a Radeon 9700...
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...uters_A_Series

I called Sony and they couldn't locate the part numbers yet...
30% jump with the newer 9700 I hear??
hmmmm... tempting...

If ya find something I missed, PLEASE post on..

EDIT:
Here's a summary of the steps you'll follow...
-Remove power cable & battery
-Remove all of the screws on the bottom (except for the two mini-cover screws).. remember where each one goes!
-Remove keyboard by pushing the 3 clips along the bottom (below the spacebar)
-Remove two more screws underneath
**Disconnect both the touchpad cable and the special buttons cable NOW !!!**
(If you forget, it'll cost you about $100 to replace the ripped cable)
-Lift cover carefully (again, ONLY after disconnecting the two cables)... a few clips along the top will make a popping noise
Voila...

If you are trying to get to the hard drive, there will be 5 more screws to remove after you've lifted the memorystick module
Make sure to lift the circuitboard connector that is attached to the drive off vertically as it plugs directly into the motherboard.

To attach the BT module, simply plug the cable into the BT board, attach the module to the memorystick circuitboard that lays on top of the hard drive, and screw the antennae into the space provided on the left side...

Before you close the case, make sure to double check that the cable/plug from the PCMCIA reader is connected as it seems to like to pop off when you lift the case cover off...

good luck..!

EDIT v2:
The $59 retail Wireless Optical Mouse (includes external USB RF emitter) - PCGA-WMS5/S is the same mouse that ships with the European models that carry the integrated wireless mouse emitter...
I just received mine from SonyStyle.com and it works perfectly & looks awesome!

Here's a link to the retail mouse kit:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...yName=acc_Mice

-s

Here's a direct link to the English translation of the German link I posted above with pictures, etc:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babel...D2259&lp=de_en

EDIT:
Here's the part number for the touchpad flat-cable:
TP(M),FLEXIBLE PRINT $87.78
Part No: A-1067-142-A

Of course, you'd only need this if you forget to disconnect the cable before lifting the case cover... and it tears...

I am convinced that the internal parts should work for the entire A Series line...
Once you open things up, you'll understand why.

The only part that is different for the 17" models is the thin front LED lens cover that carries the BT/Wireless LAN logo on it.

The part for the 17" models is this:
468244901 -SE1 LENS PANEL CTO (with bluetooth icon)
or
468244911 -SE1 LENS PANEL CTO (without bluetooth icon)

I don't have a copy of the A190 Service Manual as I only purchased the one to go with my A150... however, the schematics should be enough for you to complete the mod... just don't use any of the part numbers within the manual, use these instead. Send me a PM with an addy and I'll try to find the time to scan a few relevant pages for you.
-s

sure, no problem...
Thanks to Dark Angel ^^^ I now have a pdf version of the service manual.
The manual is not the one that specifically convers my A150 (there are two manuals, this is the wrong one)... but everything is "almost" exactly the same as my correct paper version. So without buying a legit paper copy, this is the closest you get to looking at the schematics of the laptop.
Drop me a PM with your email addy and I'll send it to you.

Also, to the other question up there ^^^.
The instructions to install the wireless mouse module are almost exactly the same as the bluetooth module. The only different is that the mouse module is to be installed on the opposite end of the laptop (right side). After opening the laptop up, you'll find the two plastic posts on the right side that you drop the module onto and screw two screws in to hold it there. After that, you simply unscrew another screw to allow removal of the dummy plastic switch and replace it with the mouse "connect" button which lays ontop of the module when everything is reassembled. I know this sounds like a lot but believe me... it's VERY simple to do without ANY modifications. Just MAKE SURE to follow the instructions VERY carefully while removing the flat cables and once everything is opened up, you'll see how easy it is to figure out every step thereafter (as I did). So order the right parts, GO SLOW and you'll get it done in about 20 mins.

Drop me another post if I forgot to answer something.

-s

Oh yeah, the manual does have all of the schematics for the AV dock

very cool... good to read a followup.
FYI, the only driver I couldn't find on the Sony website is the one for the LCD (color profiles). You can, however, find a harcopy of the files in a folder on the recovery drive... I've already wiped mine and dropped it into an external enclosure so I can't remember exactly where it's located. If you need a copy, send me PM and i'll email it to you. Then again, you should be fine with the standard "plug and play" driver that XP uses.

Has anyone had any luck figuring out specifically where the ACPI Lid Switch/Button is on these things?