Sony TT11WN Laptop Win Vista startup issues

[mikkybgs]

Hi everyone!

 

I have a problem with my new Sony Laptop. Technically it's my brothers old cast-off which he said "if I can get to work I can have".

 

It is a Sony VAIO TT11WN laptop running windows vista - This is all I know.

 

When I turn it on the VAIO SCREEN comes on the I get taken to the WINDOWS ERROR RECOVERY SCREEN.

 

The problem is, at random moments it just decides to turn off. Once I got it to the scanning for errors stage but then turned off, other times it doesn't even give me a chance to select an option.

 

I'm no expert but seeing as there is nothing that is needed on the computer I'm guessing it'd be best to just format and start again with the whole thing? I don't have recovery discs though, is this a problem?

 

Thanks for reading, and for any comments/suggestions.

Edited July 8, 2012 by mikkybgs

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Some Sony machines have a recovery partition.

If you switch on and tap F10 about once per second - you may be lucky :)

[mikkybgs]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Some Sony machines have a recovery partition.

If you switch on and tap F10 about once per second - you may be lucky :)

 

Hi, and thanks for the reply!

 

I did that and it took me to "Edit Boot Options"

 

Then it has the following text:

 

"Edit windows boot options for: Start VAIO recovery centre

 

Path: \windows\system32\boot\winload.exe

 

 

[ /DETECTHAL /MININT RDIMAGEOFFSET=8192 "

 

There was more text here but the computer turned itself off before I had chance to write anymore out.

 

What are the next steps please?

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Take the battery out and just use the power adapter.

 

See if it stays stable this way.

 

If it does - no need to use the recovery centre.

 

Alternatively - battery only with no power adapter.

[mikkybgs]

Hi,

 

Take the battery out and just use the power adapter.

 

See if it stays stable this way.

 

If it does - no need to use the recovery centre.

 

Alternatively - battery only with no power adapter.

 

Hi,

 

Managed to get all the way to the recovery centre which is exactly where I want to be. Just started to recover the c: drive when it turned off.

 

Tried it both on battery or A/C and still it randomly decided it will shut off.

 

Could this be a hard drive problem becuase when it's on and turns off it sounds like the hard drive just stops spinning?

 

Just a thought....

 

thanks.

[mikkybgs]

Hi,

 

Managed to get all the way to the recovery centre which is exactly where I want to be. Just started to recover the c: drive when it turned off.

 

Tried it both on battery or A/C and still it randomly decided it will shut off.

 

Could this be a hard drive problem becuase when it's on and turns off it sounds like the hard drive just stops spinning?

 

Just a thought....

 

thanks.

 

Actually I tell a lie, just tried it again and this time it was the screen to turn off first then two seconds later the machine died.....

Hmmm....

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, considering it just shuts down with little or no warning, it could be a serious overheating problem. However to get to the source does mean dismantling the laptop and then investigating the heat sink, fan, and possibly replacing the thermal paste between the heat sink and CPU.

 

I doubt that it is a hard drive issue as you should get some form of message from the BIOS that it cannot find any boot volume, rather than a total shut down.

 

Though if a serious overload of the power system from a damaged hard drive would shut it down straight away, it isn't that likely.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Nev may be onto something by suggesting overheating.

 

You could get a can of compressed air ( from any computer shop ) and give it a few blasts through the vents.

You could take any panels off from underneath and give it a blast through there too.

Dust can build up over time and can cause the machine to over-heat.

If it is this - then the machine will just shut down.

 

Try the compressed air and then try booting normally

 

If you get part-way through recovery and it shuts down you will have no option but to use the recovery options again

The OS will be un-bootable. ( If there is such a word :) )

[mikkybgs]

Hi, considering it just shuts down with little or no warning, it could be a serious overheating problem. However to get to the source does mean dismantling the laptop and then investigating the heat sink, fan, and possibly replacing the thermal paste between the heat sink and CPU.

 

I doubt that it is a hard drive issue as you should get some form of message from the BIOS that it cannot find any boot volume, rather than a total shut down.

 

Though if a serious overload of the power system from a damaged hard drive would shut it down straight away, it isn't that likely.

 

Nev.

 

I thought it may be this becuase the more I use it the (generally) the shorter time it runs for before shutting off. If I come back to it after leaving it a while I tend to get further in the process of formatting. (my record is 30%!)

 

I've taken all the screws off the bottom of the laptop to try and get inside but no joy. is it worth sticking a hoover to the vents to try and get any dirt out that may be clogging it and causing it to over heat?

[KenB]

is it worth sticking a hoover to the vents

This is never recommended as the cleaner can produce a lot of static - which isn't good for the ICs on the motherboard.

 

If it came to a choice - junk the machine or try the hoover then you have nothing to lose.

 

The can of compressed air will have a straw-like attachment that you can poke into the vents.

 

Taking a laptop apart is not the most simple of things to do - but if the machine isn't working and you don't want to spend money on it - it is worth giving this a try too.

We may be able to find some instructions if it comes to this route.

 

EDIT:

Just read Nev's post below:

If you do decide to take it apart take a series of digital photos to help you when it comes to re-assembly :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, you just might be able to find a service manual for it on this Sony website=

 

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/VGN-TT11WN_B

 

Failing that, have a good look around this guys website, he specialises in laptop repair and advice all for free.

 

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/

 

Hope you can find enough to help you take it to bits for cleaning, and also to be able to put it back together too.

 

It is that bit still on the work top after you think you finished :confused:

Now where did that bit go?? :D

 

Nev.