OS not found on Sony Vaio, OS disks won't work

halfsleep · 02 Jul 2012

So a few months back I busted my laptop. It'd crashed, and when I turned it back on it said "Operating System Not Found". I heard a clicking where the HD was so I bought a new one and replaced it.

I have OS disks from when a tech guy came by before this all happened. I put them in, nothing happens. I went into BIOS to change the boot order around, tried from the hard drive, then from the disk drive - nothing.

I don't know what to do. I guess I can call and ask if returning the HD is an option, and just junk the computer, but I'd like to think that there's -some- way to fix it.

It's a Sony Vaio, windows 7, model # VPCEE 32FX HD: 360gb like the original, but not the same brand. Not much else I can tell you since I can't get into windows and don't have the original packing information.

Golden · 02 Jul 2012

Hi,

Is the COA sticker on the bottom of the laptop (or inside the battery compartment) still present, and the 25 character key still legible?

If it is , you can download and reinstall the version of Windows that is on your laptop (it will say which version on the sticker). Please quote the version of Windows referenced on that sticker - do not post your 25 character key!

Let us know, and we can very easily and quickly help you get Windows installed and activated on your laptop.

Regards,
Golden

halfsleep · 02 Jul 2012

It's windows 7... and the key is still legible. I honestly don't see what difference downloading it will make if I already have disks and they don't work.

Golden · 02 Jul 2012

Hi,

You didn't specify which Windows 7 - Home Premium, Ultimate?

The difference is this:

The OS Disks:
- are for an OEM installion. Windows 7 includes lots of utilities that you may or may not find useful. Often these disks contain trial versions of software (e.g. McAfee, Norton, Trial MSOffice etc.) that typically bloat your installation and cause it too respond slower.

A Windows 7 ISO download:
- contains just Windows 7, nothing more. It results in a crisper, cleaner and leaner OS installation without all the bloatware. The laptop often runs better. Thi installation is activated using the sticker I mentioned and is perfectly legal. Smart PC/laptop users often choose this method.

Which do you prefer? If you want the latter, let me know. If you want the former, double-check your BIOS to see that the DVD drive is first in the boot order, then hit F10 to save and exit and boot from the CD/DVD's.

Regards,
Golden

halfsleep · 02 Jul 2012

Ah, ok. It's Home Premium btw. I'd like the latter, then. And thank you.

Golden · 02 Jul 2012

Good call. Please read through this excellent and easy to follow tutorial by Greg. Everything you need is in there:

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Post back if you need more help with anything.

Regards,
Golden

halfsleep · 02 Jul 2012

After it finished burning, it said something about renaming three files. I put the disc into my laptop, still nothing.

gregrocker · 02 Jul 2012

It shouldn't give such a message if you downloaded the ISO fully and burned it to DVD using the Windows tool. Try again.

You can also try writing installer to flash stick using same tool in case your DVD drive is busted, too.

If it won't prompt you to "Press any key to boot disk" and you've set DVD drive first to boot, try tapping the Sony F11 key at boot.

halfsleep · 11 Jul 2012

Thanks. Booting from a flash drive worked. Windows has installed, but now I can't seem to get online from the laptop. I use a modem and ethernet cable. Seems like usually it would've detected it or the connection would have come up automatically.

AC · 11 Jul 2012

Here is the Ethernet driver from the Sony website