I’ve been looking for a replacement notebook for the x505 and finding none that can fit the bill I decided to install Vista to see how well she holds up. Since that was successful I wanted to see how much power I can get out of the notebook since it appears I’ll be keeping it for a while.

Right now I have a SP model with the 1.0 GHz CPU and 20GB of HDD. Sony made an x505 with a 1.1 GHz CPU in the ZP model but it didn’t come with the same carbon fiber finish as the SP did. As for the HDD, Sony didn’t offer anything bigger then a 20GB HDD, however Toshiba does make a 40GB HDD that fits the x505.

I set out to find a 1.1 GHz Motherboard and a 40GB HDD. The motherboard was easy, I found someone selling a ZP on EBay.  The 40GB drive has been a bit harder. I ordered it from two companies and both took the order but then canceled it. Apparently Toshiba put the drive in a Gigabeat as well, but that has been equally as hard to find. I’m not giving up yet, but it might take longer to find then I was thinking it would.

I’m going to update this thread regularly until the upgrade is complete. I’m open to suggestions or comments, and if anyone can find the Toshiba MK4007GAL, please let me know.

Step 1: Purchase x505/ZP motherboard.
EBay - $324.82 + 2 year warranty - $45.99

Pictures: 

I tested the Vaio and it works fine. There was no OS installed, which is fine. Although it looks rough, everything seems to function correctly. I haven’t disassembled it because I don’t want to take the Vaio’s apart more then once. I’ll wait until I find the HDD.

Until the next update.

Erik

UPDATE 4/11/07 - Hard Drive Obtained

The new HDD came via FedEx today, damn is it tiny:

I went to install it today. I started to take apart the spare (1.1GHz) 505 when I realized I needed a tiny Philips driver that I didn’t have. Of course since I was at my GF’s house she didn’t have one either. It’s now half apart, half together. I will need to wait until tomorrow to run home and get the other driver.

Side note: I broke one of the side clips…they are waaaay too fragile.

Hopefully positive update tomorrow!

Erik

UPDATE 4/16/07 - Heavy-duty screwdriver obtained - notebook taken apart.

I went to Home Depot and picked up a decent screwdriver and finally got the notebook apart:

The bad news is the drive I was sent does not fit. I was told it was an equivalent to the MK4007GAL but it was not. I am returning the drive and trying to locate another one.

For those interested, the ports sitting on top of the HDD:

The HDD cable and protection:

Several good things happened though. First, the ‘spare’ 505 I bought has bent USB ports (as you can see) and I’m glad to learn I can use mine. Second, it is fairly easy to take apart the unit so I won’t be so worried with the Carbon fiber one.

I was considering removing the speaker from the unit. I never use the built in speaker because of the poor quality sound, so I don’t see a need to keep it. I still haven’t decided yet, but it’s a thought.

Does anyone know what these two ports are? I know the pictures are bad, I didn’t have a good camera with me at the time.

I’ll update again when things change.

Erik

UPDATE 4/24/07 - Toshiba Gigabeat F40 arrived today. It was supposed to be an F41, so it’s being sent back. I ordered a MK3006GAL which should fit but is a 30GB HDD vs a 40 since I can’t seem to find the 40 anywhere. It’s being shipped overnight so hopefully I will have another update tomorrow.

Erik

Update 5/1/07- It’s done!

Before I go into details I just want to say that it was a success. My notebook now has the 1.1 GHz processor and 30GB of disk space. The Vista scores were 0.1 higher for both the CPU and the HDD. I wasn’t expecting miracles and I’m very happy with the results.

Now, for the details; after opening both notebooks I noticed some differences between the two. The outer shell has a different pattern (as shown in the pictures) and the components are sometimes held together differently (clear tape vs. black tape).  The 1.1 GHz model had the updated soundcard, and the mouse buttons had a different design (inside, see pictures). Regardless of these changes, the motherboard swap went without issue. I reassembled the main notebook and booted it up to install Vista. The notebook showed the new 30GB drive and the installation went smoothly.

While Vista was being installed I assembled the spare notebook using my 20GB drive from the main computer (taking the spare notebooks drive out for an external case). I put the unit together and went to boot it up using an external monitor. For some reason the notebook wouldn’t boot. Nothing happened. I thought I left something unplugged so I took it apart to inspect it. All the cables and connections looked ok so I put it back together. Again, it wouldn’t boot. At this point I figured I must have broken something and I decided to leave it alone until I had more time to fix it.

At this point I wanted to charge my second battery so I closed my main notebook and swapped the battery. All of a sudden, it hit me. The laptop (spare) thought the LCD screen was closed which is why it wouldn’t boot. Sure enough when I lifted the metal bracket (all that’s left of the LCD) the computer booted up. Phew.

After all was said and done here is what I came up with. First, I have a faster notebook with a larger hard disk drive.  I have a newer version soundcard and a US BIOS instead of a Japanese one.  I now realize that my screen hinges were a bit loose before I took it apart and put it back together. Now, it’s as tight as it was the day I got it.

I threw a 2 GB Sony Micro Vault Tiny and Vista allocated 1.8 GB of the drive for ReadyBoost and I have over 13 GB free after everything I use on my notebook is installed. Needless to say, I’m a very happy camper.

Total Cost: $457.81

MK3006GAL – OCMicrosupply - $87 + shipping
x505/ZP motherboard - EBay - $324.82 + 2 year warranty - $45.99

SP(Left) - ZP(Right)

SP (Notice the Carbon Fiber strands):

The Next two pictures are the same part of the unit, first the SP, then the ZP. Notice the difference:

The Next two pictures are the same part of the unit, first the SP, then the ZP. Notice the difference:

Finally, a screenshot of my PC showing 1.1 Ghz and 30 GB HDD.

Well, that’s it. If anyone has any questions, please let me know.

Erik

Have you looked at the Asus U1/U1F? I feel its in some ways the sucessor to the X505 no?

The X505 was an awesome notebook from Sony, I wish they could remake it again. Wait, is the G series the sucessor to the X505 somewhat?  :?:

[quote author=“rahulnirmal2000”]Have you looked at the Asus U1/U1F? I feel its in some ways the sucessor to the X505 no?

The X505 was an awesome notebook from Sony, I wish they could remake it again. Wait, is the G series the sucessor to the X505 somewhat?  :?:

I’ve looked at both the Asus and the G (although I’ve been told a revised G is on it’s way that will be comparable to the X). The Asus is over 2lbs. I want something sub 2lbs like the X is. The difference between 1.8 and 2.2 is pretty significant (22% heavier). The G at it’s lightest now is 1.98 which isn’t bad, except the sizes are off:

X505: 10.2 (W) x 8.20 (L) x 0.38-0.80 (H) [inch]
G :    10.9 (W) x 8.46 (L) x 0.93-1.00 (H) [inch]

Maybe I’m nitpicking too much, but it’s not as thin (nowhere near as thin up front). It’s 25% thicker in the back and 144% thicker up front.

If the revised G comes out then I am pretty sure I’ll be all over it. Until then, I want to get the most life I can out of my X.

Erik

Your right, there is still nothing quite like the X505, even almost 3 years later, which is an eternity for a laptop! 

Do you know why Sony has not made anything like the X505 again? Why could they not have made the G like the X505 since its already pretty similar in several respects? I think the G can be had with or without a built in optical drive?

How much longer will you be keeping it? Even though its design is still one of a kind, it must be getting quite old for you now no?

[quote author=“rahulnirmal2000”]Your right, there is still nothing quite like the X505, even almost 3 years later, which is an eternity for a laptop! 

Do you know why Sony has not made anything like the X505 again? Why could they not have made the G like the X505 since its already pretty similar in several respects? I think the G can be had with or without a built in optical drive?

How much longer will you be keeping it? Even though its design is still one of a kind, it must be getting quite old for you now no?

Yeah, the 1.98 is without the optical drive (which can’t be added after as I’ve been told). The optical makes the unit over 2lbs. I’ve been told by a reliable source that a revised G will come out that will be thinner. I’ve got my fingers crossed, because as you’ve pointed out it is gettig quite old. That’s why I’m trying to get as much life out of this one as possible.

Erik

let us know when u geth ur hands on one of these thoshiba hdds, have given up lookin for it

I have a brand new 40GB slim 1.8” zif drive from my UX280. I upgraded my UX to 80GB . It has less than 5-6 hours of running. (to create the recovery CD’s)

Anyone interested shoot me a reasonable offer.

Ye, X505 still rocks in its dimensions and Sony usually takes time in their RD before showing off their latest. I also like VAIO G especially after looking at the vids and the quality build of that notebook. Erik, do let us know how your upgrade will go. I know for sure I’ll be keeping my X505 as it is definitely a collectible item.

Actually, it’s going well. I just found the HDD I need. Thanks to VaioWhore I looked up what the UX had, and although it’s not the one I needed, I found a source that had the one I did. It will be here Friday and I will keep the site up to date.

Erik

Cool! So VAIO UX HDD is not exactly the one needed for X505? Does it have different connectors? Maybe in the near future we could use an SSD as it would be the best combo!

All I know is that its not the Toshiba MK4007GAL so I dont know if it will fit or not. I was looking for that specific model and thats what I found.

It will arrive on Friday.

Erik

Hmm…maybe this is the G update I was told of:

They brought it down to 1.89lbs, now they just need to make it thinner.

Erik

Bump, update on first post.

Erik

Hi Erik -

The screwdriver you need isn’t a phillips.  It’s a Triwing Microdriver #00.

See this thread for more information.

Jef

[quote author=“jefn”]Hi Erik -

The screwdriver you need isn’t a phillips.  It’s a Triwing Microdriver #00.

See this thread for more information.

Jef

Jeff,

I have that one. There are 4 philips screws (each of the two hinges & two under side parts).

Erik

Gotcha Erik.

Good luck with the update.  I’ve considered searching out a larger hard disk for my own X505ZP.

Jef