Thanks for the detailed explanation. I have an HP DV7 laptop (2007), so accessing the drive is a little different (literally one screw), but my main interest was seeing how you removed the faceplate. The specifics as to exactly how you did that were somewhat lacking but seeing how it looked when it was separated off clued me in as to where the tabs were located. Nice job. 👍
Hi Andy, I am unable reply to your comment below, apparently like thousands of other users Google seems to have no interest in fixing the issue. I haven't upgraded the RAM. I have several of these laptops, and love the large screen. As far as I know, 8GB is the max, requires 2x4GB. You can buy them on EBay. Search on Ebay for " vgn-aw 8GB " Dozens of listings. But the asking price is $110 to $180, which is why I haven't upgraded. What is the STOP code with the blue screen, just the first address. STOP : 0x000... etc just the first one. Seems like it may be overheating, so checking the heat-sink mounting screws(from the back of the case, missing or loose), and re-doing the thermal paste seems like a plan. I wasn't aware of the need to upgrade the BIOS for the 8GB, but will look into it. I use Add Block Plus browser extension in FireFox. It helps to remove scripting links for advertisements. The linked video ads on some web pages are particularly annoying, and use up video, graphic, and CPU resources. These will overheat your CPU and graphics processor. Many web sites were just not usable with the ads, but ABP, removes those, love it. Thanks, Alex Allen TX
I see some Sony models say BC-5500H, BC-5500H-H1, or BC-5500S. These drives were used in Gateway, HP, and Acer models. Other than the faceplates, do you know if these Sony drive models variations are interchangeable? For example use a drive pulled from an HP in a Gateway? I have a Gateway nv59 with the H version. The drive is mounted in with a single screw on the back via a metal tab.
Hi RKGSD, Cosmetically, the drives appear to be identical. The original drive in the Sony Vaio is a BC5500S, and in the video I replaced it with a BC5500H. Note: Im not sure what the letters after the H in brackets mean, maybe the firmware version. They have almost exactly the same dimensions, as listed in the datasheets. I think they all have that one screw in the back. You can see the one screw in the back, on my video as I take off the bracket at time 6:00. Sony had an elaborate mounting bracket on the VAIO, but I think they could have just used one screw. Use the newer BC5500H models instead of the older S. I attached a link to the summary, and datasheet for each drive. The BC5500S SATA, and BC5500A (PATA) summary, firmware and datasheet: www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/bluraydrives/slim/bluraycombo/bc5500as.html The same for the BC5500H SATA : www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/bluraydrives/slim/bluraycombo/bc5500h.html The BC5500S and BC5500A are earlier models. The are S S-ATA ( serial ), and A P-ATA (parallel). These were designed for Windows Vista. The specs are also slower, for example the max BD BlueRay read speed is 2X. The BC5500H BD BlueRay read speed is 4X, and was specifically designed to work with all versions of Windows 7. The links point to the datasheet, and you can upgrade the firmware. Be sure you get the correct version, or it could get bricked. Early ( Made for Vista ) versions of the blue ray players often would not play blue ray movies, and would require a firmware flash. If you have the BC5500S, and want to flash it, be certain you get the the SATA version. So Im pretty sure the H will fit in place of an S, and would upgrade any BC5500S to the newer BC5500H. Thanks, Alex Allen TX
FYI, If you plan to flash the firmware of the older "S" versions, be sure to use the correct OEM firmware. I didnt see any updates for the "H" versions. The Sony website states that their firmware update may damage drives from other vendors. Use firmware from the original OEM instead of from the Sony links. "OUR FIRMWARE UPDATES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE PROVIDED BY THE OEM VENDORS (e.g. HP, DELL, FUJITSU-SIEMENS ETC.). THESE VERSIONS MAY DAMAGE YOUR DRIVE." Thanks, Alex
I agree with RKGSD; this is great info. I have seen blog posts of frustrated 😞 HP folks who could not upgrade their firmware on the BC-5500s that came with their laptop.
Thank you. I learned from your vid how to solder my Alienware USB board. It works and stops with the 'ding ding' notification.
It amazes me that something so obscure as this is of interest to 2000+ other people, including me.
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I have an HP DV7 laptop (2007), so accessing the drive is a little different (literally one screw), but my main interest was seeing how you removed the faceplate. The specifics as to exactly how you did that were somewhat lacking but seeing how it looked when it was separated off clued me in as to where the tabs were located. Nice job. 👍
Same player used in some Gateway computers.
Hi Andy, I am unable reply to your comment below, apparently like thousands of other users Google seems to have no interest in fixing the issue.
I haven't upgraded the RAM. I have several of these laptops, and love the large screen. As far as I know, 8GB is the max, requires 2x4GB. You can buy them on EBay. Search on Ebay for " vgn-aw 8GB "
Dozens of listings. But the asking price is $110 to $180, which is why I haven't upgraded.
What is the STOP code with the blue screen, just the first address.
STOP : 0x000... etc just the first one.
Seems like it may be overheating, so checking the heat-sink mounting screws(from the back of the case, missing or loose), and re-doing the thermal paste seems like a plan.
I wasn't aware of the need to upgrade the BIOS for the 8GB, but will look into it.
I use Add Block Plus browser extension in FireFox. It helps to remove scripting links for advertisements. The linked video ads on some web pages are particularly annoying, and use up video, graphic, and CPU resources. These will overheat your CPU and graphics processor. Many web sites were just not usable with the ads, but ABP, removes those, love it.
Thanks,
Alex
Allen TX
do you have a video on how to replace the motherboard in a vgn-aw series sony laptops?
I see some Sony models say BC-5500H, BC-5500H-H1, or BC-5500S. These drives were used in Gateway, HP, and Acer models. Other than the faceplates, do you know if these Sony drive models variations are interchangeable? For example use a drive pulled from an HP in a Gateway? I have a Gateway nv59 with the H version. The drive is mounted in with a single screw on the back via a metal tab.
Hi RKGSD,
Cosmetically, the drives appear to be identical.
The original drive in the Sony Vaio is a BC5500S, and in the video I replaced it with a BC5500H.
Note: Im not sure what the letters after the H in brackets mean, maybe the firmware version.
They have almost exactly the same dimensions, as listed in the datasheets.
I think they all have that one screw in the back. You can see the one screw in the back, on my video as I take off the bracket at time 6:00. Sony had an elaborate mounting bracket on the VAIO, but I think they could have just used one screw.
Use the newer BC5500H models instead of the older S.
I attached a link to the summary, and datasheet for each drive.
The BC5500S SATA, and BC5500A (PATA) summary, firmware and datasheet:
www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/bluraydrives/slim/bluraycombo/bc5500as.html
The same for the BC5500H SATA :
www.sony-optiarc.us/endoflifeproducts/bluraydrives/slim/bluraycombo/bc5500h.html
The BC5500S and BC5500A are earlier models. The are S S-ATA ( serial ), and A P-ATA (parallel).
These were designed for Windows Vista.
The specs are also slower, for example the max BD BlueRay read speed is 2X.
The BC5500H BD BlueRay read speed is 4X, and was specifically designed to work with all versions of Windows 7.
The links point to the datasheet, and you can upgrade the firmware. Be sure you get the correct version, or it could get bricked. Early ( Made for Vista ) versions of the blue ray players often would not play blue ray movies, and would require a firmware flash.
If you have the BC5500S, and want to flash it, be certain you get the the SATA version.
So Im pretty sure the H will fit in place of an S, and would upgrade any BC5500S to the newer BC5500H.
Thanks,
Alex
Allen TX
FYI, If you plan to flash the firmware of the older "S" versions, be sure to use the correct OEM firmware. I didnt see any updates for the "H" versions. The Sony website states that their firmware update may damage drives from other vendors. Use firmware from the original OEM instead of from the Sony links. "OUR FIRMWARE UPDATES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE PROVIDED BY THE OEM VENDORS (e.g. HP, DELL, FUJITSU-SIEMENS ETC.).
THESE VERSIONS MAY DAMAGE YOUR DRIVE." Thanks, Alex
Austin_Semiconductor Great info, thanks!
I agree with RKGSD; this is great info. I have seen blog posts of frustrated 😞 HP folks who could not upgrade their firmware on the BC-5500s that came with their laptop.