Disk read error/ Installer and recovery hanging

[tkirsch99]

My laptop has been experiencing the disk read error on startup. I called Sony (I have a Sony VAIO Laptop VPCF130FD) and they put me through all these steps including trying to boot up the recovery partition of the drive. Through the steps taken, they think that the OS is corrupt as the computer had been freezing before.

The only step that has taken effect is the reset default values of the BIOS. When the recovery partition is selected it hangs between the "Starting Windows" screen and the first recovery screen.

Sony wanted me to pay $60 for discs to be sent to my house, but I am building a gaming desktop PC so I thought I would just buy the OEM System Builder Win 7 Home Prem x64 and use that disc to install as I have the product key my laptop uses.

So I bought the disc today and booted my laptop off of it but like the recovery partition, it sits between the Start Windows screen and the first install screen.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there is anything I can do to fix this, all help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

FYI: The mouse pointer does appear on the screen during the hang between the screens. I can move the pointer around so I know that it is not frozen.

 

[gregrocker]

Does the HD register in BIOS setup? If so set SATA controller to AHCI to try install.

Boot the DVD, press Shift + F10 at first screen to open a Command Box, run Diskpart Clean Command.

Then follow these steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If install continues to fail, post back at what stage inClean Install Windows 7 and any verbatim error messages

Remember not to use the retail OEM Product Key you bought as it will become locked to that mobo. You own the license which came with the laptopn for it's life, using the Product Key on COA sticker on bottom.

 

[tkirsch99]

Yes the BIOS does register the HDDs capacity within it, the BIOS has very little settings so I will see if it has that. Lastly, when would I click SHIFT + F10? And would that key combination be useless if the computer sits between the starting windows screen and the install windows screen?

 

[gregrocker]

Is there a newer BIOS update?

It's a concern that a retail disk won't load. I'd run the hardware tests in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot .

To eliminate the DVD drive extract the ISO using ImgBurn to write to flash stick using Universal USB Installer with Win7 in dropdown menu. Boot under USB, Removable or HD's using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key with HD set to boot first in BIOS setup.

If necessary you can wipe the HD using Partition Wizard bootable CD or DBAN which will boot itself. This should force the installer to also boot itself to proceed with reinstall.

 

[tkirsch99]

I think there may have been an update, but I forgot to install it. I am not at home right now but when I do, I will try some stuff. One question though, what is the difference between the .iso file and the OEM disc?

 

[gregrocker]

To boot a disk it must be imaged with an ISO file. The same file can also be written to a bootable flash stick using a special tool.

There may be problems with your DVD drive. Try another bootable disk or any type like PW CD or DBAN, then try the flash stick method. If it fails, try unplugging or disabling in BIOS the DVD drive to see if it is interfering.

 

[tkirsch99]

So when I put the ISO file on the computer, I will then be able to use the OEM disc? I don't think there was an option on my BIOS to turn certain parts off

 

[gregrocker]

No, the ISO file is what was used to create your OEM disk that you have now.

I said you need it if you want to make a bootable flash stick to try if the disk keeps failing, nothing more.

 

[tkirsch99]

Ok that makes sense... I am pretty good with operations while the computer is running but not during these situations. I am on my way home right now so I will try it out when I get back.

 

[tkirsch99]

Ok... Do I need to use a separate burning software for partition wizard or can I use what Windows XP uses for burning things onto discs?

 

[AddRAM]

Use Imgburn at 4x speed. You need a blank DVD.

The Official ImgBurn Website

Greg has already told you this.

 

[tkirsch99]

Ok I burned the iso file onto a disc using imgburn... now when I put the disc in the drive it does not recognize the CD as a bootable disc to use, basically skipping over it. I have made the boot order even only go to the CD, but to still no avail.

 

[tkirsch99]

Hold on a breakthrough... with the boot order only set to disc I was able to boot up the Windows 7 install disc... updates to come

 

[tkirsch99]

Ok so I am trying the command prompt thing recommended earlier but after I type "diskpart" into the command it lists the info but won't let me type another command in after... any help with this?

 

[gregrocker]

Type it where the blinking cursor is. There is always a prompt in which you can type the next command.

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SEL DISK 1 (confirm first this is the target HD # by size)
CLEAN
EXIT

Then follow the illustrated steps in Clean Install Windows 7.

While it is installing read over the Best Practices in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 until you understand fully how drivers are handled in Win7 (different from XP) and the other setup tips to get a perfect reinstall.

 

[tkirsch99]

So this is weird... The top of the command prompt (title of program) changes from the normal title to adding diskpart to it. I see the flashing cursor but whenever I click a letter, nothing appears.

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get the ISO, how is it burned to CD or written to flash stick exactly?

You can burn a Partition Wizard or DBAN CD using Windows image Burner, boot it to wipe the HD. Then try install. But the installer should be confirmed first. It's possible you've done it wrong.

 

[tkirsch99]

I am using the OEM System Builder disc, so it's .iso. Partition Wizard isn't a recognizable .iso file to boot off of according to my PC.

 

[tkirsch99]

Also may I point out that on the Win7 install screen showing my partitions it says I have 3 partitions titled Recovery, System, and Primary. They have a total size of 9.8GB, 100MB, and 455.8GB respectively. They have 822MB, 100MB, and 455.8GB free respectively. This HDD is 500GB.

This made me wonder, where did the original OS go? I have not formatted the drive or any partitions.

 

[gregrocker]

The OS may be on the 455 GB partition. Did you try to repair it by burning a Win7 Repair CD. You should also be able to use the installer to select Repair on second screen after booting.

If you bought an OEM retail disk to install Win7 then it should boot. Have you tried booting it in another PC to see if it will load and proceed as if to Install?

Try entering BIOS setup to check that the HD is recognized, reset BIOS to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI, set HD first to boot.

Then tap the Fkey given on first screen for one-time BIOS Boot Menu, select DVD drive to boot.

If this fails download DBAN to burn to CD using ImgBurn or Windows Image Burner, boot it to wipe the HD.

You need to be able to boot a disk. Try in another machine to see if it's the machine or the user. It's almost always the user.