Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM Fan Replacement

Written By: Kevin

Comments: 3

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

15 - 20 minutes

Introduction

This guide will inform readers on how to safely remove the fan of the Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM laptop for replacement.

Tools

Parts

Sony Fan

Step 1

Power down the laptop by pressing the power button.
Turn the laptop onto its backside.

Step 2

To release the battery, hold both the release button and the unlock button at the same time.

Step 3

Remove the battery out from the notch while continuing to hold the release button.

Step 4

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two 7.8 mm cover screws on the bottom corners of the panel.

Step 5

Use a finger/fingernail to grip the notch at the bottom of the panel to lift it off.
You may need to use your other hand to safely remove the panel.
You can also use a spudger for this step.

Step 6

Remove the two remaining 7.8 mm screws using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 7

Grab the tab between your thumb and index finger.
Hold the hard drive securely in a horizontal position using your other hand.
Push the hard drive to the left using the plastic tab to disconnect it from the laptop.
To prevent damage of the connection on the hard disk drive or the laptop, perform this task slowly and with care.

Step 8

While still holding the plastic tab, lift the right side of the hard drive out at a 45º angle.
Pull the hard drive out.

Step 9

If you need to remove the bracket from the hard drive, follow the next few steps:
Remove the two 3.7 mm screws from either side of the bracket with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
Lift the bracket off the hard drive.

Step 10

Remove the one screw with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
The screw cannot be removed from the RAM casing cover.

Step 11

Pull the two retaining arms away from the center of the RAM chip.
The RAM will make a "pop" sound and the RAM stick will rise for ease of handling.

Step 12

Pull the RAM stick out of its socket.
To remove the second stick of RAM, repeat steps six and seven.
When installing RAM, make sure sticks are firmly in place or the computer will not register them.

Step 13

Remove the following 16 screws securing the back cover using a Phillips #00 screwdriver:
Two 3.8-mm screws
Two 8.9-mm screws
Twelve 7.75-mm screws

Step 14

Check to make sure all the screws have been removed.
Using both hands, separate the back cover by lifting from the back and working around the perimeter to release tabs.

Step 15

Locate the fan and the processor attachment.

Step 16

Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, remove the top four 3.88-mm fan screws.

Step 17

Remove the two 5.7-mm screws located at the base of the fan, using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 18

Pull back the tape located on the far side of the fan.

Step 19

Remove the wired connection between the fan and the copper wire using metal tweezers.
Do not to pull on the wires directly or it will damage the connection between the fan and the laptop.

Step 20

Remove the four 5.65-mm screws on the processor corners using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

Step 21

You are now ready to remove fan and processor connection
Position thumbs and index fingers close to processor and lift up on the copper wire, while applying slight downward pressure on the motherboard with remaining fingers.
If there is thermal paste between the processor and the fan attachment, increased force will be required to detach the fan.