The service was quick and simple, finding the service manual easy and it appears to be the original with colour schematics. It contained the info I was after and so sorted the problem.
I have copied it to CD and attached the envelope to the inside back cover of the owners manual. Good manual and excelent service. Robin Wood, Wood Electronics, New Zealand.
Nice to have the service manual for the Sony DCR-TRV345E now. The document is of excellent quality.
Text excerpt from page 42 (click to view)
5-2. Replacing the CPU
1. Removing the CPU
1 Insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the notch as shown in the illustration and rotate it so that the protrusion comes to the lock release position. 2 Pull the CPU gently upward to lift it out of the CPU socket.
2. Installing the CPU
1 Align the triangle reference mark of the CPU with that of the CPU socket and insert all the pins of the CPU to the corresponding holes of the CPU socket. 2 While pressing the two positions marked by a, insert the flat head (-) screwdriver into the specified position and rotate the screwdriver to the LOCK position.
1
2
1 CPU Lock position 2
2 CPU Lock release position Reference marks 1
Lock release position
CPU socket
Lock position
CPU socket
NOTE: Rotate a flat-blade screwdriver to the lock position securely. If not, the operation of the CPU may become unstable.