topic VGN AR31 - part number in PCs & Accessories

VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:09:15 GMT

Hi,

I'm looking for a hard drive bracket/caddy for my sony laptop.

As I bought laptop without the part, but to buy it need a part number. It would be great if anyone could help me with finding one.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:39:13 GMT

Hi Tom,

See whether you can identify it from here .
It is possibly the "bracket" listed under HDD

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:11:29 GMT

Great - thanks Rich,

Any idea if I can stick any 2.5inch SATA drive in this laptop or it has to be some kind of
"special" drive?

Cheers!

Tom

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:09:56 GMT

Hi Tom,

Yes in theory any 2.5 SATA drive will fit as long as they have the correct connectors – but I seem to remember that this only applies to 3.5 drives.

I have just opened the HD bay of my AR31S. It contains 2 X 120Gb Toshiba drives – ref: MK 1234 GSX, HDD 2031 S ZK01S. I assume that your model also accepts two drives configured in Raid 0.

If you can provide a photo of the open drive bay we should be able to confirm this.

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:58:24 GMT

I'm abroad for awhile , so I can't take a picture at the mo. But for sure it's the same model. Just concerned, as prices on the web site you gave me before are a bit terrifying.

For example: A1252264AMS22 TOSHIBA HDD 120GB(H) $2231.02$1216.02.

I know that I must buy a hard drive bracket with 8 screws, but can't believe how much hard drives does cost.
Edited: I found on ebay same as your I expect for 59GBP.

Anyway, in the place where hard drives should be I have "black hole" 😉 and short cable with adapter on the end, nothing else. I bought it like that so I'm not sure what else(if anything) I need to buy. If you can tell me what you seen there I would be really greatful.

Thanks again,

Btw sorry for my poor English.

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:37:47 GMT

Hi Tom,

Yes Nexttronics are very expensive for hard drives and memory – source these from a UK supplier. Not sure about eBay (I am not a fan really). Try Ebuyer – this one for example.

Anyway, in the place where hard drives should be I have "black hole" 😉 and short cable with adapter on the end,

You may also need a couple of connectors for the pair of hard drives. Have a look at the photos below...

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

97122769 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:29:27 GMT

Lol look at the sticker on the last photo.

" rattle noise is normal"

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:25:03 GMT

Lol look at the sticker on the last photo.

" rattle noise is normal"

ROFL luckily I don’t have any rattle noise – just "shake and roll"…

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:18:23 GMT

Rich912 thanks for your replay.
Finally I recovered myself after the new year party and now trying to make my laptop running.

You mentioned a couple of connectors for the pair of hard drives, have you got any idea which one from Nexttronics(or any other shop) should I buy to fit in my laptop?

Cheers

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:55:13 GMT

Hi Tom,

You mentioned a couple of connectors for the pair of hard drives, have you got any idea which one from Nexttronics(or any other shop) should I buy to fit in my laptop?

Unfortunately not and that is partly why I suggested that an email or phone call to Nexttronics would be a good idea.

The two HDD connector cables may very well come with the caddy/bracket but if not they (Nexttronics) should be able to advise on the necessary additional parts that you require.

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:03:42 GMT

Crap! they don't have those parts and have no idea when and if they have.

Please, let me know if there is any other shop with this kind of Sony parts.

Thanks,

Tom

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:43:43 GMT

Sorry Tom I have no other contacts for these parts. Have you spoken to or emailed the question to Nexttronix?

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:39:43 GMT

Hi again, finally I have some pictures.

I found other web page(www.sony.com/dapc) in US which got the hdd bracket in stock. Unfortunately they are unable to tell what parts are going with the hdd bracket, at least to me as my English is as u read :smileygrin:, and they do not ship to UK.

Anyway, could you have a look at attached pictures, and tell me if you can see if hdds are connect to the hard disc bracket? I reckon they are as far I can see on yours pictures.

Thanks for help
Tom

Btw. I really glad that Ubuntu works from USB drive, so I can use my laptop.

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

rich912 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:10:17 GMT

Hi Tom,

I have just had another peek inside the HDD bay and can confirm that it does seem to incorporate the two connectors for the pair of drives. The cable shown in your pics (with a blue tab) connects to the bracket/caddy and the drives plug directly into connectors in the bracket/caddy.

Seems as though the part from Nexttronics will do the bizz!!

Best of luck and please do let us know how things progress.

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

tszpinda — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:38:37 GMT

Finally I got it running, after spending 300£... but still in total I've paid (only?!) 1300£ for ar31 which is not too bad... I hope

Thanks for help and best regards
Tomek

Re: VGN AR31 - part number

Thalamus. — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:58:45 GMT

Anyway, could you have a look at attached pictures, and tell me if you can see if hdds are connect to the hard disc bracket?

Hi Tom

As far as I'm aware the hard drives are attached to the bracket before placing into the AR's body..