Question

Replacing hard drive on Sony Laptop Model PCG-8R1M VGN-A2175

Asked by: afflik1923

I have been having blue screens on the above model and even after reinstall using Vaio recovery the blue screen starts happening after reinstallation (Can't even properly reinstall as bluescreens too quickly)

Further research has found three bad sectors on hard drive (using a Dos style HD tester)

So figured I need to replace the hard drive.

However the Sony does not provide easy access.
1) Anyone know where I can find a guide to replace hard drive - or give good guidence.
2) Anyone know if the hard drive is IDE or SATA (the model is http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/toshiba/mk1031gas.htm)
3) Also welcome opinions if people think the three bad sectors (At about 22% position of the hard drive) would be causing the bluescreens (DRIVER_IRQL_not_less_or_equal)

For those interested I do have another post on this same laptop but wanted to post some specific questions as was digressing too much
(http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Misc/Q_24719641.html)

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Asked On
2009-09-10 at 02:24:37ID24720678
Topics

Computer Hard Drives

,

Miscellaneous Hardware

,

PC Laptops

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
12

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Answers

 

by: jayasankerPosted on 2009-09-10 at 02:38:01ID: 25298602



check this site and let me know
this is your model, i have tried before with a very small model of sony laptop, the HDD was inside the cover unlike normal laptop's , also you need special kind of screw driver,

this 2.5 inch HDD was bit diff from the normal type, i would suggest you to take to sony support

 

by: jayasankerPosted on 2009-09-10 at 02:39:10ID: 25298607

 

by: afflik1923Posted on 2009-09-10 at 02:40:50ID: 25298612

that looks like the right model in the picture.

 

by: greg_vanderPosted on 2009-09-10 at 02:59:41ID: 25298675

hi

if this is this model it's an ide Hard Drive.
http://support.vaio.sony.eu/computing/vaio/specifications/index.aspx?l=en_IE&m=VGN-A217M
on these kinds of vaios you need to open the whole cover (all the screws under the laptop) to find the HDD.
I confirm that bad sectors could give you BSOD but you don't need to change the HDD for that. I would do a low level format first.

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2009-09-10 at 03:44:10ID: 25298859

Here is a disassembly guide for the VGN-A series
http://home.comcast.net/~nw_systems/vgnA.pdf

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-09-10 at 03:44:23ID: 25298861

Bad Sectors if located on position where OS resides its system files is could be the cause of the problems.
You need to find out the model of the drive and run its vendor made test utilities. Such utils normally are able to fix the bad sectors and let you continue working with the drive.
The list of links to utils: http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/include/templ/object2.jsp?objId=3273

 

by: afflik1923Posted on 2009-09-10 at 03:52:49ID: 25298920

Well it was a tool from the ultimate boot CD that found the bad sectors but I cannot find a tool specifically for a Toshiba drive. The Driove is a:
TOSHIBA MK1031GAS

and I found this link to it:
http://www.3dvelocity.com/reviews/toshiba/mk1031gas.htm

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-09-10 at 04:10:34ID: 25299030

Try Maxtor utility or one for Samsung.
Also, here is a good list of tools:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287#toshiba

 

by: sparkmakerPosted on 2009-09-10 at 05:40:21ID: 25299535

HDD regenerator is a great tool for repairing bad sectors, takes a long time to run but will do the job if the damage is not physical.
http://store3.esellerate.net/store/ProductInfo.aspx?StoreIDC=STR793615240&SkuIDC=SKU9923428806&pc=

 

by: jayasankerPosted on 2009-09-10 at 15:35:30ID: 25305215

ok pls click the link to download the manual , but it will tell you how to remove the memory , normally Sony hides their HDD either under the keyboard or the other side

ftp://ftp.vaio-link.com/pub/Manuals/Notebooks/A2/A2_H_EN.pdf

why don't you contact the support center and ask them how much it will cost you, i know this will be bit extra for you but when it comes to laptop you need some exp hands to the work for you, any other manufacturer it is easy coz it's in the backside, it will take less than 5 min,

Also repairing option has its on problem, you may experience system freeze and hanging etc...

 

by: afflik1923Posted on 2009-09-10 at 17:13:01ID: 25305794

Here is what I had and here is a great link on exactly what I need to do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMO-W5LSq50

 

by: noxchoPosted on 2009-09-11 at 01:17:18ID: 25307465

That is crazy!! Hey Sony, why do you make things so complicated??? Just a drive exchange needs 20 screws to be removed.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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