Vaio laptop crashed after recent update

rocketroach72 said:

Is there any way to tell if the HDD is toasted?

I just gave you a link to Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start which starts out explaining how to test your hardware including HD. Did you even read it? It compiles everything that can be done to start Win7.

Hi gregrocker, Yes I am in the process of working my way through the list of possible fixes. I did check the bios settings and it is set to boot from the optical drive. I installed the Win 7 upgrade disc and got all the way to System Recovery Options window but system froze up there. I will try another option on the list. Sounds like it might be a virus? Thanks, Rocket

Is the HDD registering in BIOS setup?

If so I'd run the HD maker's diagnostics and RAM from the beginning of tutorial to know for sure its condition.

Then move to the disinfecting steps, and testing System Files.

Is your Win7 installer known good? Will it boot and detect the system in Repair my Computer on another PC?

I removed the HDD from my laptop and hooked it up to another PC to read and possibly save files. Neither the main or partitioned drives could be read. Both drives show up and were assigned letters but no files. Is it possible a virus wiped out all data on my HDD.

What were the results of these steps I gave you three weeks ago?

gregrocker said:

Is the HDD registering in BIOS setup?

If so I'd run the HD maker's diagnostics and RAM from the beginning of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start to know for sure its condition.

Then move to the disinfecting steps, and testing System Files.

Is your Win7 installer known good? Will it boot and detect the system in Repair my Computer on another PC?

I was at the point where I was going to do a system restore from the partitioned drive. I removed the HDD to try and save any files then perform the system restore. Not seeing any files in either drive has me thinking about reformat and full install.

I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this website. Sony® Vaio VPCEB26GM BI Factory Recovery Disk | Windows® 8 7 Vista XP | Drivers | Data Recovery | . I still have the product key and for $20.00 it's worth it.

There's no reason to buy the installer since the actual official Win7 installer for your licensed version is provided in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If you follow those steps you'll get and keep a perfect Win7 install.

During the actual booted Custom Clean Install Windows 7
at Steps 7/8 delete all partitions, Create and Format New as you wish or just click Next to let the installer do it for you and begin.

Have your Network adapter driver in the backup so if it isn't provided during install you can install it to get online, then run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates to completion, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)

Thanks for your help....Go Pats!