Windows 7: Sony Vaio VPCEE2E1E Freezes at Login Screen

Hello all,

My laptop was working really well until Friday night, when I turned it on and logged on. Then when I launched up google chrome, the system froze, after a few minutes it was still frozen so I did a dirty shutdown and held down the power button.



Since then, it's been a nightmare. I've twice done a system repair which both times took about 7 hours.

Now I'm stuck with this situation, whether I start windows normally or in safe mode, I cannot get past the logon screen as it just freezes almost within a couple of seconds.

Can anyone suggest what to do? I'm not that good with the technical aspect so you may need to explain things in a bit more detail.

Many thanks
Ollie.

Hello memoman and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "system repair". There's System Restore that can (hopefully) restore your computer to an earlier date/time before the problem began.

System Restore

There's Startup Repair that may fix certain problems, such as a missing or damaged MBR boot file that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.

Startup Repair

Then there are diagnostic/repair scans that can sometimes fix startup issues.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

And then there's something called a Repair Install where you try to rebuild the entire Windows 7 operating system without affecting your user accounts, personal data, programs, system drivers, etc.

Repair Install

Did you try using one or more of these tools and if so, which one(s)?

Sorry, what I meant to say was startup repair. I've done this twice for seven hours a time and it doesn't appear to have helped.

I tried a system restore yesterday but it came up with an error code. I'm not sure of the exact error code but it started with rf.

I have also ran the memory diagnostics tool this morning and it says no issues were found.

Try running the System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two, above tutorial.) If any problems are found, run the scan 3 times, rebooting in between each scan. If still no joy, try the Clean Startup to see if any startup conflicts can be detected.

If still no joy, I'd suggest the Repair Install. If it doesn't work all you've lost is about 90 minutes of your time. But if it does work you should be good to go without any loss of personal data, programs, etc. The only thing you'd have to reinstall are your Windows Updates. If repair install doesn't fix things you've probably got a decision to make: use the built-in Vaio recovery option to restore your machine to factory specs (like the day you bought it) or do a clean install.

Thanks marsmimar, appreciate it. Will let you know how I get on.

Is there any way I can do a repair install with just a recovery disc? I don't have an installation disc as there wasn't one with laptop.

You cannot use an OEM Windows 7 "Factory" Restore/Recoverytype of installation disc that came with or was created from a store bought computer to do a repair install with. These can only be used do a clean install or restore your machine to factory specs.. However, you can download the appropriate ISO file to your desktop from here:

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

You would then have to burn the ISO image to a blank DVD to create the actual Windows 7 with SP1 install media. The finished product can then be used to perform a repair install or clean install.

With regard to the built in Vaio recovery tool, how can I access that?

This PDF document should help: https://www.docs.sony.com/Release/VG...overyguide.pdf

memoman,
Go to another Win 7 64bit system. The win 7 does NOT need to be the same as yours, but must be 64 bit.

Make a System Repair Disc:

=========================================================
=========================================================
CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button


Now you can boot from that CD and run System Repair


OPTION 1
VIA THE ADVANCED BOOT OPTIONS

Shutdown your computer
Power up your computer
SPACEBAR (Immediatelystart tapping)

After the dialog appears:
F8 key (selects Advanced Options)
Repair your Computer (near top of page)

When a dialog window appears:
Select your language preference | NEXT
Select your user name and enter your password | OK button

Select the desired repair option
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt


OPTION 2
VIA A WIN 7 DVD

Insert Win 7 DVD into the optical reader.

Shutdown your computer.
Power up your computer.

A dialog window will appear:
Select your Language Preference | NEXT button

Lower left you will have two choices:
What to know before installing Windows
Repair your Computer

Click on Repair your Computer

Select your operating system | NEXT button
(If no operating system shown | NEXT button)

Select the desired repair option
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt


OPTION 3
VIA A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC

Insert Win 7 SYSTEM REPAIR DISC into the optical reader.

Shutdown your computer.
Power up your computer.

A dialog window will appear:
Select your Language Preference | NEXT button

Select desired operating system if more than 1 shown |
Use recovery tools... Radio button | NEXT button

Select the desired repair option
Startup Repair
System Restore
System Image Recovery
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Command Prompt

===============================
===============================
For Startup Repair
1) Click on System Repair and run system repair
2) Reboot
3) Repeat this sequence 3 times



===============================
===============================
For System Restore
Choose a different restore point radio button | NEXT
Show more restore points checkbox (lower left) |
Highlight the desired restore point |
Scan for affected programs (lower right) |
When you find a usable restore point, then CLOSE | NEXT |
YES | Your computer will restart to finish the restore |
After the computer has restarted, FINISH


===============================
===============================
To restore your computer using an image you created using Win 7 Backup
Click on System Image Recovery

===============================
===============================
NOTE:
You may need to tell your computer to boot from the optical drive.
Power Up your computer.
Immediately start hitting the F12 key
Choose CD/DVD from the menu

If your computer doesn’t offer this capability, try tapping the F2 key to get to the BIOS to change the boot order.
===============================
===============================