I hate Sony

[NoLove]

Ok. So I have a Sony Viao laptop. I decided I wanted to upgrade the HD, so I bought a new one, and installed Windows 7 on it. Went to the Sony website and downloaded all the drivers, and suddenly was unable to do any Windows Updates. I spoke with Microsoft, and everything they told me to do didn't work. So I called Sony. The first time they accessed my computer, and then after a while said, "Yea we can fix it, but your computer is out of warranty so you have to buy the service." Needles to say I told them where they could shove their service.
I then tried to use the Recovery Disks to install the System and Drivers, after all that is what it is for. Well the recover disks would not run. I call Sony again, they tell me, "The recovery disks do not work on HD that are not purchased from Sony." What kind of bullish*t is that!!!!
I am about to just say F-it and get rid of the piece of sh*t. Should of known better then to buy a Sony...Before I do though I wanted to see if anyone here had the same problems and or if they new how to fix it. There is obviously a way because Sony said they could if I paid. Well I would rather burn the $40+ dollars then give it to them.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Anytime you have a problem with Windows, your best bet is to avoid Microsoft or the OEMs and come to a place like this. Most of us would wipe out a system as soon as we get it, and handle our own support. As for Sony, I've been boycotting them for years now. Their computer products are always very over-priced, and have always been loaded with extra hardware and drivers that I couldn't figure out why they were necessary. I prefer my computers to be simple and easy to set up hardware-wise, so I tend to stick with Dell.

 

[NoLove]

Yea, I let a friend talk me into it, and have regretted it ever since. One of the main reasons why I was wanting to use the System Restore Disk, was and I learned this the hard way, one I do a clean install, or tried to re-install everything on the new HD, I lost the BlueRay Player, and for the life of me couldn't figure out how to get it back another way. I think I am just going to take the loss and sell the damn thing, but figured I would one last time before hand.

 

[Zomby88]

Where did you get the windows 7 dvd, retail ? iso ? Is it activated ?

 

[Bill2]

Its called OEM "tattoo", HP also has it last I knew. Best to go the clean install way, lot of great tuts here.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Have you considered trying the restore discs anyway? I can't imagine what would prevent them from running by swapping the HDD. Those are usually set to look at the BIOS, so you couldn't use a Dell restore disc on a Sony, etc.

If not, give the clean install another shot, and if you run into trouble again, bring the issues back here. We're much cheaper than Sony or Microsoft for support.

 

[NoLove]

DeconFrost- I have tried the Clean Install a few times, and it works fine, it is when I install the drivers from the Sony site that it ends up breaking the Windows Update.
Zomby88- I have both Retail and ISO of Win7 with activation key.

 

[Max Peck]

Anytime you have a problem with Windows, your best bet is to avoid Microsoft or the OEMs and come to a place like this. Most of us would wipe out a system as soon as we get it, and handle our own support. As for Sony, I've been boycotting them for years now. Their computer products are always very over-priced, and have always been loaded with extra hardware and drivers that I couldn't figure out why they were necessary. I prefer my computers to be simple and easy to set up hardware-wise, so I tend to stick with Dell.

Same here. All of the systems I've purchased in the last 5 years have been from them. The hardware is good to excellent, support (when I need it) is great and they really last. They're also priced very well.

I also noticed when I bought my XPS 8300 (just a week or so ago) that they're no longer loading all the crapware on the machines. That's more like it. This time all I needed to do was replace McAffee with MSE and set it up from there. I didn't even feel it necessary to reload from scratch like I usually do because it didn't have all that much to remove. So far so good with that one.

My Inspiron 1545 is close to two years old now and, since reloading it, it has given me zero trouble: and I run a BUNCH of stuff on this box.

-Max

 

[Zomby88]

If your network connection is working ok , did you try to download the windows updates first ?

 

[pparks1]

I think the problem here is that after doing a clean install, the user does NOT have his bluray player software that was installed on the laptop. And it wouldn't surprise me at all, if Sony didn't have it on their website for download.

The only real way to get it back is to restore the system using the disks provided with the system (or something you would have had to make on your own). Unfortunately, as discovered here, this may or may not work depending upon the actual hard drive in the system. I think that's really crappy that it won't install to just any purchased hard drive. At the end of the day, it's most likely just a protective measure to keep people from using their system recovery disks on other peoples computer giving them a free OS and some software. It seems like looking at the BIOS and such would be enough...but as we know...there are fake bios loaders and such to try to fake this stuff out.

Rather than scrap the whole PC, you might just want to
1). Buy a retail copy of Windows 7
2). Buy a BluRay player software.

These 2 things might be more cost effective for you than replacing the whole PC.

 

[pparks1]

Zomby88- I have both Retail and ISO of Win7 with activation key.

And this retail copy with activation key was purchased legally from a retail store or online store? Meaning, it's not a free download from a shady website? Quite often, I find these OS's are like transformers there is often "more than meets the eye".

 

[Bill2]

Have you considered trying the restore discs anyway? I can't imagine what would prevent them from running by swapping the HDD. Those are usually set to look at the BIOS, so you couldn't use a Dell restore disc on a Sony, etc.

If not, give the clean install another shot, and if you run into trouble again, bring the issues back here. We're much cheaper than Sony or Microsoft for support.

Some OEMs like sony (and also HP) have a code (tattoo) imprinted electonically on various hardware components. Presumably the recovery disks look for those and refuse to cooperate if not found.

 

[vmgprez]

I went through the exact same process twice with Sony's chat service two times. They have a choreographed scheme in order to get you 99% of the way to a fix and then tell you they can finish with a $399 charge. It's disingenuous and shows horrible intentions on their part. I have had 2 Sony Vaios with the exact same problem and they are so evil that I'm left helpless. I'm no longer looking to fix my computer. I'm calling on someone with more technical expertise than I have to start a movement. Remember, it was one young lady that took her sentiments to the web and started something so powerful against Bank of America that she forced every other bank to halt their debit card fees and forced Bank of America to rescend theirs. It's time we put a stop to Sony's poor service. First of all, we deserve to understand who we're talking to. Second, they can't have a choreographed scheme to extract money from us as its sole purpose. And lastly, they must keep their promises. I finally got someone to agree to come out for a site visit. I was promised this service by a "second tier" customer service agent, only to have them back up on that promise because I wouldn't format my hard drive. Formatting my hard drive is not the answer. 2 laptops in 7 days old each would both have the exact same problem and it be the hard drive. its a simple software conflict and they refuse to listen to me. Lets make them change. I have the contacts but I don't have the knowhow to create the electronic media storm that this deserves. Are you with me?

 

[whs]

Sony is a real pain. Not only do they have a very restrictive BIOS, but they seem to want to control everything else too.

On my VAIO I cannot run live Linux CDs because the cursor is frozen and there is no way to make it move. They tell me that the Vaio is not designed to run Linux. Have you ever heard BS like that. What might be true though is that you cannot run the pointer with a generic driver.

The matter is now escalated to their higher level support. Let's see what they come up with.

 

[gregrocker]

The solution as stated several times already in this thread is to wipe the HD and clean reinstall with the Product Key on COA sticker, which is a vastly superior install to the factory preinstalled bloatware anyway.

Manufacturers cannot lock the BIOS to keep you from using your property the way you want - they sold it to you and are not your computer's landlord. Courts have ruled hard against them that this borders on theft so that they dont' even bother any longer.

Follow these steps to get a perfect reinstall of factory OEM based on thousands we've helped with here: Reinstalling Windows 7

If you run into any hurdles or have further questions just ask back here or in a thread of your own.