New
#1
Sony VAIO laptop, S series, Windows 7 won't boot
COMPUTER/SYSTEM INFO:
Sony Vaio Laptop
Model: SVS13AA11L
Product: SVS13A1EGXB
Bought: Sept 2012
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1
CPU: Intel i7 3520M 2.90GHz
RAM: 8.00GB
BIOS: Insyde Corp. Version: R0142C5
HHD: 1TB Western Digital WD10JPVX
Hi folks, new member here. I discovered this problem 2 weeks ago, when I did a Restart to satisfy my AV's request for it. I experienced it again last week, when I wanted to boot from my USB Acronis key to do my annual HHD clone.
WHAT THE COMPUTER IS DOING:
From a cold boot - Press power switch: green light flashes briefly, there's a single click sound that I believe is the optical drive searching for a disc, then computer goes off. The screen is black during this process.
From within a Restart cycle - computer goes off, then brief green light from power key, then off. Screen always black.
From a cold boot, with my USB Acronis rescue/cloning key plugged in, Green light when power is pressed, then off. Screen always black.
Removed USB key.
Repeated attempts to start computer by pressing power button are the same (flash of green power light & click sound), but after many tries, HHD finally spun up and Windows launched normally.
Computer works perfectly normal: I close cover at end of day, it goes into hibernation, and opens back to its current status from hibernation normally.
The computer has no problem operating with my usual full load - 2 open pro-audio editor sessions, plus open video editor session, 5 or 6 Firefox windows, 4 or more Windows Explorer windows, several Notepad files, all open on the taskbar.
Closing the cover at end of day, it goes into hibernation, awaiting next day's work, recovering without problem.
Before 2 weeks ago, I would shut down or Restart whenever my Kaspersky AV or another program requested, with no problems ever.
WHAT I'VE DONE:
I've only allowed this to happen twice: the first time 2 weeks ago, when the AV requested a Restart, and once when I took the following actions after shutting it down:
Thinking it was a faulty HHD, I put in my last year's clone, which worked perfectly when made and tested last year (2017).
There was no change in the situation.
I put in the Vaio's original 2012 HHD which still works, with no change.
I tried booting from my USB Acronis key, with no response.
I put back the current drive, and spent 5 minutes re-pressing the power button, and it finally took hold and booted into windows, where it is currently, hibernating every night.
Kaspersky still wants a reboot, but I'm finishing up a video project, so it will have to wait.
I've joined SevenForums and tested its operation on my smartphone, so I should be able to get back here, if the computer won't come up at some point.
The last time I went into the BIOS, last year, I left the boot order as:
1st: USB
2nd: Optical drive
3rd: HHD
so I can boot from my Acronis USB cloning key, to clone the HHD every year.
This problem just began 2 weeks ago, with the recent attempt to Restart for the AV.
The computer has worked almost flawlessly for over 6 years. I did a complete recovery from my Sony 6-DVD set bought at purchase, once, about 2 years ago, to try and solve the typical Centrino Wifi-card failure problem, ending up buying a USB wifi key after giving up, like everyone else on the Internet does.
So again, once in Windows, the machine works fine and normally, with ZERO issues.
These are my ideas:
I'm thinking it's a hardware issue. Perhaps a dying CMOS battery, perhaps a faulty Bios chip.
I can't see RAM or my main battery as problems because once in W7, everythings fine. Vaio Care says my battery is in excellent state.
As stated above, I've put 2 other working HHD's in, and the problem remains.
I'd like some advice from you folks as to my next step, because once I power down to do something about this, there's no guarantee it'll come back until the problem is solved.
Thanks in advance.