subject: How to fix your Sony PCG GR300 Series Laptop? [print this page] How to fix your Sony PCG GR300 Series Laptop?
My CMOS battery was dying on my (admittedly ancient) Sony Vaio PCG-GR390 (GR300 series) laptop. It took me a while to find out how to get into the innards (and, searching the Web was not helpful!). This article tells you how to replace the CMOS battery or other parts exposed including the keyboard and maybe the fan.
Instructions
1.Get a battery. These are hard to find for decent prices. I eventually found one on eBay by doing a search for "2/V15H". There may be other sources -- I thought 4D Electronics was one -- but they did not have the part and most others wanted $20 plus $10 shipping!
2.Replace the battery. The CMOS battery is roughly in the center of the computer case below the keyboard. It is probably labeled 2/V15H, 2.4V, 15mAh. You can just unhook the oldvgp-bpl13 battery connector and hook up the new battery, leaving the old battery in the computer. The new one can be installed (with double-sided sticky tape) on top of the old batteryvgp-bps9a/b.
3.Remove the strip above the keyboard. This strip contains the speakers, status lights, power button, and model number (PCG-GR390 for mine). To remove this, first remove a small rubber button above the F3 key and just below the screen. I used a small knife but a small flat-blade screwdriver will work, too. Second, remove the Phillips-head screw under the button. Finally, push on the right end of the strip to release the "hooks" holding that end and the center of the strip, lift the strip about 1/2in (there are somewhat fragile connectors and cables underneath), and fold the strip back against the screen. You do not need to remove the cables or connectors.
4.Remove the keyboard. There is a small Phillips-head screw just above the F8 key. Remove that and the keyboard can then be folded down over the Touchpad. Unless you are replacing the keyboard, you don't need to disconnect it.
5.Remove all power sources including the AC adapter and the main battery (open flap on right side of computer and remove).
6.Reassemble. Put back the keyboard, its screw, the strip with the speakers, its screw (optionally replace the rubber button), the batteryvgp-bps13/b, and the AC connector and you should be ready to boot. You will have reset your CMOS memory in the process so everything will revert back to the default settings (that are usually what you want, anyway). You can reset the clock before booting Windows or wait and do this once Windows (or your operating system) is booted.
