Laptop Recovery discs

[Spartan73]

From what I have just researched it seems I was mistaken Seth, you have my apologies mate.

 

Care to fill us in mate?

 

;)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

but at least you'll know the disk is bootable.

 

Well that's some consolation I suppose :D :(

[Guest Wolfeymole]

It seems to me that Sony have it locked down tighter than a Camels arse in a sand storm Spartan mate.

 

You did save the settings in the bios before exiting yes?

[Spartan73]

Yes Wolfey matey I saved the settings. :)

 

Seth, The boot disk works a treat in an old compaq laptop I have here. Popped in the CD , restarted, and was prompted immediately that the Sony Recovery utility was starting. Just before i crapped myself that i was going to wipe all the data on the compaq and so speedily hit the eject button :)

 

Re installed Old HDD in Vaio, and tried using the discs that way ( even tried pressing F10 on logo screen as I read somewhere this might help ) and still no OS found.

 

;)

[Seth]

Don't worry, it wasn't actually starting the recovery. It was just loading some stuff into memory, then it would check the computer and tell you it's a no go.

 

Anyway, I can't see how the Vista DVD will boot in the laptop, but the recovery dvd's won't (but will in the other computer:confused:)

 

Can you get the system to boot with the old drive so that you can make new recovery dvd's? If it doesn't boot to Normal Mode, then try Safe Mode. If it doesn't boot at all, then use (was it F10?) to perform the full recovery from the hidden partition. Then make the new recovery dvd's.

[Spartan73]

Can't get the system to boot any which way :confused:

[Seth]

What happens when you try to boot?

[Spartan73]

What happens when you try to boot?

 

Well the cd drive seems to spin for a bit and its like it is looking for something, but after about 10 - 15 secs it says " Operating system not found "

 

By the way the new drive is back in now - and the same thing is happening.

 

When the old drive was in, the Bios would not see it OR THE OPTICAL drive ( in the advanced menu anyway ) In boot menu - it wouldnt open the sub menu for the drive revealing its numbers, as it does with new drive in.

 

:confused:

Edited August 21, 2008 by Spartan73

[Seth]

The laptop boots a Vista DVD, but not the Vaio Recovery DVD.

 

The Vaio Recovery DVD will boot in another computer.

 

:confused::confused::confused:

 

That just doesn't make sense.

[Spartan73]

My sentiments exactly!

 

Really baffling!

 

Hmmm SOmething just isn't right.

 

:o

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

When you boot from the Recovery Disk does it say Press any key to Boot from CD....?

[Dalo Harkin]

Spartan you mentioned that there are 2 DVD's have you tried them both at boot up? obviously one at a time lol

[Spartan73]

Hi Guys , thanks for your replies, I was on the late and long shift at work yesterday, hence my late response.

 

Maynard, it doesnt ask to press any keys,

 

Dalo - yeah I tried both discs ( one at a time lol ) :)

 

:confused:

[Guest Wolfeymole]

If you have set the cdrom as first boot device and the disk is in and it's not working then there can only be three explanations.

 

1: The cdrom drive is faulty.

 

2: The disk is scratched and therefore not readable.

 

3: There are no boot files on that disk.

[Tony D]

Try cleaning the Sony disk. You may have a CD drive in that Sony which has a hard time reading disks.

 

Recently, I had a Gateway machine that I couldn't get the Restore disk to work properly. I swapped CD Drives and got a different result. I even tried a third CD drive that produced yet another result. I ended up washing the Restore CD in water and dishwashing detergent and was able to restore the machine.

 

Be careful when wiping the CD. Wipe from the center to the outer edge to avoid damaging the surface.

[Spartan73]

If you have set the cdrom as first boot device and the disk is in and it's not working then there can only be three explanations.

 

1: The cdrom drive is faulty.

 

2: The disk is scratched and therefore not readable.

 

3: There are no boot files on that disk.

 

Wofley mate:

 

1. The drive boots up a vista disc ok

 

2. The discs are MINT - never been used or taken out of the package before 3 days ago.

 

3. The disc boots in another machine!

 

:eek::eek::eek:

[Guest Wolfeymole]

So Sony sent some recovery disks when you got the machine?

[Spartan73]

:confused:

Try cleaning the Sony disk. You may have a CD drive in that Sony which has a hard time reading disks.

 

Recently, I had a Gateway machine that I couldn't get the Restore disk to work properly. I swapped CD Drives and got a different result. I even tried a third CD drive that produced yet another result. I ended up washing the Restore CD in water and dishwashing detergent and was able to restore the machine.

 

Be careful when wiping the CD. Wipe from the center to the outer edge to avoid damaging the surface.

 

Discs are new, and I will probably do more damage to them trying to clean them, but Ill dig out my micro fibre cloth and try that -

 

I mean - what else is there to try? LOL

 

I dont have ( or know anyone that has ) and external drive I could borrow :confused:

 

 

Thanks LOADS for your help guys

[Seth]

You're welcome.

 

Next step will be to use a cdrom cleaner.

 

Not all discs play nice in all players. Especially if the lens is dusty.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

I'd ring Sony

 

Support : Contact us : Sony : United Kingdom

[Spartan73]

KELLY! you ARE the ONE!

 

Heehee gave the disc and the laser a good wipe and its booting!!

 

Way Hay Im well chuffed!

 

It all seems to be going OK

 

Thanks very much to EVERYONE who gave their time to this. I cant tell you how really grateful I ( and my friend ) am !

 

Thank you , Thank you, THANK YOU!!!

 

Spart :D

[Spartan73]

I feel all happy and warm inside now! LOL

 

you guys are the best

 

Wolfey, Kelly, Seth and Dalo - a TRUE credit to this place - and the Human race !

 

Many thanks indeed guys - wish i could buy you all a beer, but I'll have to settle for making a small donation ( soon ! )

 

Cheers loads guys.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Me - Human?

 

Many people would debate that point Spartan :D

 

Good to see you are rockin and rollin mate. :)

[Seth]

That's great news Spartan.

 

I usually use alcohol and a q-tip to clean the lens, but window cleaner can also be used. What did you use?

[Spartan73]

That's great news Spartan.

 

I usually use alcohol and a q-tip to clean the lens, but window cleaner can also be used. What did you use?

 

Mate I used the corner of a folded micro fibre cloth and wiped the lens gently, and also noticed a small grubby smudge on the disc ( even though I always handle discs v carefully and checked it before :rolleyes: ) and i gave that a good wipe ( from inside to out ) with the micro cloth.

 

Phew!!!

 

Thanks again fellas!

 

Ps wolfey - she bought the back up discs from sony mate £30 i think she said ( as she didnt create back up discs from the hdd as recommended , actually she thought there WERE discs in the box till this happened, lucky she backed up her work regularly, so nothing major lost - Sony dont give out the recovery discs anymore i dont think! How TIGHT! ) A LESSON to me ( ALL? ) also - getting a new lappy next week, will be creating recovery discs before anything else!;)