Sony VAIO laptop, S series, Windows 7 won't boot

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  1. Posts : 2,798
    Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
       #11

    Hello cjay2


    cjay2 said:

    I'm wondering if there is a way to find the complete booting sequence for this computer, in order to help diagnose this problem better.
    i. BIOS Firmware boot
    ii. Windows OS loader
    iii. Kernel mode startup (Windows 7 Logo screen)

    Source: Windows 7 startup
    cjay2 said:
    So, therefore, your opinion at this point, is that I should replace the CMOS cell, and see if that clears the problem.
    Then, if not, try to boot from my first recovery DVD, or should I specifically create the repair disk that you linked to?

    Pick the last option, "specifically create the repair disk" that I linked to. This option has more tools that might help. You can use a repair disk created on any 64-bit Windows 7 machine.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18
    windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Replying to Megahertz07 first:

    I don't know if the disk #1 of my Sony recovery set is a Legacy-MBR or a UEFI-GPT disk.

    >>> Your questions:
    "For what you described on post#1, I don't think it's a disk boot failure or a dead CMos battery."

    I'm tending to agree with you on these points. I tried two other working HHD's that have operated in this computer before (the original HHD and the working clone that I made last year). The condition of the CMOS battery is always in question, but let's allow that to pass for now.

    "- Disk boot failure or any other boot failure you see something going on. You described a computer that couldn't even turn on and start POST."

    Exactly. Until one of my button-presses 'catches', and the computer goes through its usual boot-up and into Windows, there's just a quick flash of the green light, that slight single mechanical 'click', and then all goes dead. The screen never shows any sign of life during this activity. I'd consider a faulty power button, but the green light always lights when it's pressed, so it's working to that extent. Also, I assume that if the green light comes on at all, then any further operations in the boot process should also start up, if all is in order.

    "- On laptops with main battery on, the CMos battery should last forever. My question is: Does your laptop has the main battery and is it good?"

    My Vaio Care tells me periodically (since the day I bought this laptop) that the battery "is in excellent health". I have it in the 'extended battery-life mode', in which it is charged to 50% of its capacity, instead of full charge. This is to extend its life, as well as because I never use the computer off of the power supply. I have no use for portable operation. When I DO run the computer from the battery in order to occasionally 'exercise' it, it runs for about 1.5 hours, then a red sign comes up stating that there's about 2% charge left and that the computer must be plugged into the AC to charge it.

    "- The first thing we notice with a dead battery is that the clock is wrong every time we boot. Did you noticed wrong clock after boot?"

    Never. This computer has always, and continues to run excellently (once up in Windows). The date-and-time functions are always correct without fault.

    I've been searching the Internet trying to find a source for the CMOS cell assembly. The only ones I see are 'used'-condition offers on eBay of the exact same part, taken from old Vaio SVS13 laptops. I would like to have the option of being able to replace the CMOS cell once I've disassembled the laptop, if and when I need to. If I could find ANY Sony tech info on this laptop and discover which cell is being used in the 'sealed' assembly, I could consider buying a new cell and soldering it into the original assembly. I haven't found one bit of real technical support or info about any aspect of this or any other Sony laptop. I have their 'Service Manual'. Empty and useless - no parts numbers, no parts values; just some block diagrams and some rough drawings of part assemblies.

    See my up-coming reply to iko22 for further discussion of my possible future actions on this.

    Thanks for your thoughts!!!
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 18
    windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #13

    iko22,

    You wrote:

    "Pick the last option, "specifically create the repair disk" that I linked to. This option has more tools that might help. You can use a repair disk created on any 64-bit Windows 7 machine."

    I should be able to purchase a blank DVD locally here (or a pack of 5) and create this 'repair disk' that you linked to. I'm just wondering what features it might offer over and beyond what my disk#1 (of my set) offers, that would make it worth the trouble of going out and getting some blank disks, because I'm living here in Florence, Italy, and it's not at all a 'high-tech' place. There's no Frye's Electronics around here to pop into and pick up a HHD or some resistors, let alone a blank DVD or 2. There is a 'Media World' big-box store here, a 25min bus-ride away, where I can find a limited stock of computer-related accessories for sale.
    So if you think that it would be a good thing to have around, then I'll get some blank DVD or CD and make that disk. Let me know.

    This machine is working without any issues, once booted. I'm using it right now to type this. This is why I want to continue using it, as well as the fact that I've got thousands of dollars of paid-for audio & video-restoration & editing SW on here that all works fine together, and all work well on Windows 7.

    That Windows 7 Startup link is exactly what I was searching for, and never found. I neglected using the word 'startup' in google, and was using variations of 'boot', which just brought me sites dealing with Bios issues. I am truly amazed at the quantity and availability of real information here at SevenForums, as well as being able to actually speak with people about these things.

    I guess it's time to make a repair disk, and read up on the W-7 Startup process. I'm definitely up for resolving whatever problem is occurring with this machine, at the component level. I have none of my tools with me, but I want to at least pinpoint the problem, if not solve it myself, so that if/when I find competent service, I can instruct them on what to do. It's annoying not to be able to restart when I need to.

    Thanks very much for your help.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,798
    Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
       #14

    Yes you want the DVD Repair Disk created so you can test the boot path to the optical drive. You can create this disk without powering off the computer. I want to know if the DVD boot is successful, or whether there is more black screen. If the optical drive boot test is successful, then you can run a CHKDSK on the system drive from the DVD command prompt. Running CHKDSK will check the disk for file corruption. There is a possibility that the C: drive is corrupt, and that the corrupt files were cloned to the USB Acronis key.

    In the UK, blank DVDs are also available from a stationary shop. You may want to try from where you are.

    I know that you are waiting for a reply from Megahertz07, in the meantime use DISKPART to find whether your disks are MBR or GPT. Start DISKPART from an elevated command prompt, and then type LIST DISK. Take a picture of the results and post on the Forum here.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18
    windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #15

    iko22

    Here's a cropped screenshot of my brief Diskpart session on cmd prompt.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Sony VAIO laptop, S series, Windows 7 won't boot-diskpart-1.jpg  
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #16

    Thank you for the answers on post #12. I would say that the problem isn't on the CMOS battery. By the way, 99.9% of the CMos battery is the CR2032 coin battery. It may be on a slot or soldered to a cable with a socket.

    I have seen same thing you described on a desktop. It was a bad function of the fan speed sensor. The fan was running but it wasn't sending the info to the MB. To protect the CPU, the MB was turning off the computer.
    Do you hear the fan speeding up when you turn the computer on?

    FYI, your disk is UEFI - GPT.
    Last edited by Megahertz07; 10 Aug 2018 at 14:03.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18
    windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #17

    Megahertz07

    Yes, the fan become audible about 20 seconds after the computer begins a successful (normal) startup.

    An interesting sidenote here is that about two and a half years ago, I turned on the computer one day, and the fans, after about 20 seconds, went into their high-speed mode, and remained there through the session, rather than staying in their silent low-speed mode. And ever-after that startup, the fans have come on after about 20 seconds, in their high-speed mode. They stay that way for as long as I'm using the computer. They shut down when the computer is placed into hibernation, and come on again, after 20 seconds, when the computer is opened back up to continue working.

    Shortly after its occurrence, I scheduled a calm and bright day and bought a can of compressed air, and disassembled the computer, in order to clean out the fan assembly. It wasn't very dusty, but I sprayed the assembly clean, and put it all back together. I did NOT disassemble the heatpipes from the CPU and GPU chips, as I didn't have any way to find new thermal pads to replace them with.

    Incidentally, I found a 11-minute video on Youtube in which an asian tech completely disassembles this very computer. It's been on there for years. Title of video:
    Sửa Laptop Sony Vaio SVS13 không lên ǵ

    The fan speed was NOT affected at all. This situation still exists. I found and purchased a brand-new Sony fan assembly on eBay for this exact model. It comes with the two heatsink thermal pads attached, and the entire double-heatpipe and fan and fan radiator assembly. It's sitting in its box awaiting a time when the fan should go bad.



    It doesn't seem to me that this fan-speed abberation is a part of this new current problem, as it's been going on for almost three years now. But I wanted to bring it up, in case someone has had an issue that involved this additional situation. I monitor the CPU core temperatures with CPUID Hardware Monitor, which indicates a temperature range of about 42 - 50C in winter, and about 50 - 59C in summer. The CPU is currently reading 49-51C (122F) in my room, without air conditioning. Outside temps are around 32C today.


    To fix the fan speed issue, I've tried cleaning the fan assembly and updating the BIOS. Nothing has changed it. The only other thing to do, physically, would have been to put in new thermal pads (and possibly heatsink compound???, but I don't know if thermal pads require heatsink compound) and anyway, neither Sony nor anyone else has ever had these pads available anywhere online. So, I just live with the high-speed running fan.



    I've purchased a blank DVD locally, and will now work on creating a repair disk via that link that iko22 gave me.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 18
    windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #18

    iko22, Megahertz07,

    I have created a DVD 'Repair Disc Windows 7 64-bit'.

    CJ
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,798
    Windows 7 x64, Vista x64, 8.1 smartphone
       #19

    Hello cjay2,

    In your own time, re-boot into the System Repair DVD. See if the boot succeeds the first time, without any black screens. While the computer is carrying out the startup sequence, the DVD may start to rattle, but listen out for any fan noises - does the fans suddenly get louder? And what is happening on the screen? Is it always black, or do you get past the Logo screen? Also, do you see the mouse and keyboard LED lights, momentarily?

    If this test is successful, and you get past the Windows Logo screen, then run CHKDSK, on the C: drive, from a command prompt Window in the System Recovery Environment.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #20

    Due to the size, Laptops work at higher temperatures than desktop.
    Normally you have a power saver plan that allow the CPU to run at very low clocks (10%) when not in use. If the CPU is almost not in use and the clock is low, heat generated is low and the fan can also run at low speed.
    But if the power plan sets the lower clock to 80% or higher, heat generated is high and the fan must run at high speed.
      My Computers


 
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