Computer start up fail

Ok I think we might be getting somewhere now I know the BIOS is working ok. Now you say you have most of the important data backed up - just make sure that you have cos if you do a factory default it is going to be gone!

Be absolutely sure that you have your pictures and docs and anything else onto an external or whatever you put the data on. You can still recheck via the Ubuntu OS for anything you have left behind or missed.

Now if you want to do this and I am not saying it will 100% work as the drive itself might be past it's use by date but it is worth a try. I have done this a few times with my Toshiba's when I have had problems with them.

Just to be absolutely sure what brand / model machine is it?

We need to know this because some of the brands have different F keys for different models for example I have to push the 0 key when powering on a Toshiba but if it is a Sony you have I have already seen three different combos.

Ok now this one looks to be a Ubuntu driven thing I suppose you can try it TK - if it fails to correct the problem then it might mean going to plan B - that factory default which I spoke of.

Most of the refs I have found for the Sony are power on and hold down Alt and F10 that brings up a menu of what you want to do.

Just so you can see what I mean I found this Youtube video on the process

How to Restore a Sony Vaio Laptop to Factory Settings - YouTube

As you will see there are other options so it is not just a factory default or nothing . You can now see from what this fellow says it will clear everything on the drive -BUT you need to keep that factory default C: drive size - it is a small partition of the drive that is installed by the factory for this very purpose - when you haven't got any recovery media (disks).

Now if you go this route you can still boot from a Ubuntu disk -personally I think installing that as a dual boot is not necessary and because it is a totally different system may cause problems. I know that this takes a little longer but it will give you more drive space.

Now if you go this way then as soon as the system is up and running - make a backup rescue disk asap. The get some security on it asap then you can install some or all of the data back to the drive.

Personally I would clone the drive to an external once you have your system back up and running as you want it - if the drive goes to heaven then it is just a matter of booting from the external and clone the external back to a new drive. I know you don't know how to renew a drive but I can show you - it is easy and will save you heaps of dough at the techies:)

Let me know how you go - I am leaving for work shortly - late shift (hospital) but may get a chance to catch up via my laptop


Great stuff just found this now I know the model
http://www.docs.sony.com/release/VPC...series_QRG.pdf > look at the section re Recovering your computer it mentions the Assist button which I didn't find and an option for no Assist button - which is what I think you may need IF you are stuck after that Ubuntu fix:)

Hum this is really unusual it really is a pity you haven't got that gadget as the drive could scanned via the Vista machine.

So we are left with a working Vista machine and a Sony laptop that boots to a Ubuntu disk or nothing?

Plan C if it will boot to Ubuntu and you can access the net how about we try a download of SuperAntiSpyware and do a scan of the machine?

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware! and another one we can try is an ESET scan

ESET Online Scanner

run the Super first then the ESET and see what we get.

There are more scanners to try but lets go with these first.
I am still suspicious from what you said in your first post re that sudden drop out when on Youtube and the other options we have now tried.

Ok TK lets try another tack if the Vista is working ok try putting those on a stick and run them from the stick on the Sony.

It certainly looks like something doesn't like you running anything.

Another is the Kaspersky TDSS Killer try this one and lets see

Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

TurboKitten225 said:

I can't use the vista (see post #17).

Sorry I was assuming you were booting the Vista and / or the Sony form Ubuntu

Now the only other things I can think of now is a hardware problem with the Sony like the CPU getting too hot and it going to a thermal shutdown.

I am thinking this now because we have exhausted the options wit software problems and it doesn't want to do anything which points to the machine inner workings.

So have you had chance to let the laptop get really cold yet? If you do this and the machine starts and runs for longer than it has been then it could just be the cooling system for the CPU is clogged and with laptops the heat builds real quick because of the close confines of the casing.

I don't know what the weather is like where you are but try and let it get cold and then start it up. The other thing is try and get the power supply unit tested.