Sony VAIO Tap 11 SVT11213CXB Upgrade

When Sony sold off its VAIO computer division, I picked up a Sony VAIO Tap 11 SVT11213CXB on the cheap from Best Buy. The default configuration of the SVT11213CXB is a Pentium 3560Y, 4GB memory, and 128GB SSD. While the 128GB SSD is just enough to get by, it really is too small. I personally recommend at least a 240-256GB SSD. It's the bare minimum so that you can install software and have space for personal files. A 128GB disk is only enough for software and requires constant management to make sure you're not filling up the disk.

That said, I decided to go BIG and put in a Samsung EVO 840 500GB SSD into the Sony VAIO Tap 11. I followed the Sony published teardown video of the Sony VAIO Tap 11 and it's definitely more precarious than the video makes it out to be.

See the Sony VAIO Tap 11 teardown here on blog.sony.com.

Apple MacBook Air A1466 Mid-2013 Liquid Damage Repair

Back in September 2014, I got a Apple MacBook Air A1466 Mid-2013 that had been damaged due liquid having been spilled next to it. The good news was that it would boot up, but it didn't detect the boot drive. I took it apart to find that the SSD had suffered a short that had burned off some of the contacts.

Archos 80 G9 Digitizer Repair

Generally, I stay away from tablets and smartphones because they're very difficult to repair because of the glue, small connectors, soldered components, etc. I got my hands on an Archos 80 G9 with a broken digitizer. The device turned on and the LCD was working. I decided to open it up to see if it was repairable and it seemed harmless enough. Make sure you have some Kapton Tape, this is the one that I have here, on hand to replace the tape holding the components in place.

MSI ATI Radeon HD 4350 Thermal Paste Upgrade

I have a entry level MSI R4350-MD512H ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB PCI Express x16 2.0 video card. The stock thermal paste wasn't cutting it, so I took off the heatsink and replaced the thermal paste with Arctic Silver 5. The MSI R4350-MD512H heatsink is held in place by plastic rivets. Some of the original plastic rivets broke while I was removing the heatsink and I had to replace them. Find them here on ebay.com.

Specifications:

• Graphics Processing Unit : ATI Radeon HD 4350 
• Interface : PCI Express x16 2.0 
• Core Clock Speed (MHz) : 600 
• Memory Size (MB) : 512 
• Memory Type : DDR2 
• Memory Interface : 64bit 
• Memory Clock Speed (MHz) : 800 
• DVI Connectors : 1 
• D-SUB Connectors : 1 
• HDMI Connectors : 1 
• HDCP Support : Y 
• RAMDAC speed (MHz) : 400 
• DirectX Version Support : 10.1 
• OpenGL Version Support : 2.1 

HP EliteBook 8470p Upgrade

The HP EliteBook 8470p reminds me of the Dell Latitude in a way because of its accessibility to the components by removing a single screw and panel on the bottom of the notebook computer. However, there is at least one component that I saw that I didn't have access to. I think it's the chipset controller. Other than that, my least favorite part of ALL HP EliteBook notebook computers I have used to today is the touchpad. It's way to slick, it has NO tactile feel and it's just feels creepy.

The HP EliteBook 8470p specifications can be found here.

Specifications:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 3320M
• Chipset: Intel QM77
• Video: Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Display: 14.0 LED HD 1366x768
• Dimensions (WxH): 32.4 x 19.2cm (12.74 x 7.56in)
• Diagonal size: 35.6cm (14.0in)
• Surface treatment: Anti-glare
• Contrast ratio: 400:1 (typical)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Brightness: 200 nit (typical)
• Backlight: LED
• PPI: 112ppi
• HDD: Western Digital Scorpio Black 320GB WD3200BEKT-60PVMT0 7200RPM
• Audio: IDT 92HD87 High Definition CODEC
• WLAN: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 62205ANHMW

Upgrade options:

• Processor: The HP EliteBook 8470p has an Intel Core i5 3320M and an Intel QM77 chipset. Based on the compatibility information available on the Intel ARK Advanced Search, you can upgrade to a maximum of either the Intel Core i7 3840QM (3.80GHz, 8MB cache) or the Intel Core i7 3940XM Extreme Edition (3.90GHz, 8MB cache). Remember to be wary of the Extreme Edition processors. They're not guaranteed to work. While the Intel Core i7 3840QM is 35W, same as the Intel Core i5 3320M, the Intel Core i7 3940XM is 55W.
• Memory: Per the Intel Core i5 3320M specifications, the max memory is 32GB. However, crucial.com lists the max memory for the 8470p at 16GB. As of today, 2014-09-02, I don't see any availability of 2x16GB SODIMM memory modules for a total of 32GB, but the possiblity exists.

Toshiba Portege R835 Keyboard Repair and Upgrade

A Toshiba Portege R835 keyboard was having issues with the "A" key. When attempting to fix the key, I pulled off the "A" key and readjusted the rubber actuator for the "A" key. This made the situation WORSE. Not recommended. This resulted in the purchase of a NEW Toshiba Portege R835 keyboard.

Originally, I thought that the Portege R835 was well built, but after replacing the keyboard, I take it back. Why? THE KEYBOARD IS GLUED ON. What a mess. Taking off the keyboard damaged the original keyboard.

Black Shielding Tape for Electronics

So I've been looking around for this black shielding tape used for electronics (see picture below):

The mini PCIe slot to the right has black tape/film shielding the electronics underneath the mini PCIe card. Initially, I though it was a heat shield, but I think I've finally found the tape. mouser.com has a product called an EMI absorption sheet.

• Molex HOZOX EMI Absorption Sheet and Tape
• EMI absorption sheet and tape products

I'm still looking for a large sheet that can be cut to specification, but a least I'm closer to getting what I'm looking for.

I think the TDK Broadband RF/EMI Flexible Absorber Sheets are what I'm looking for.