Sony Vaio Win7 "Operating System Not Found" - missing data files

[JimNYC]

Sony Vaio Win7 "Operating System Not Found" - missing data files

This is a client's pc.

• SONY VAIO All In One VPCL21AFX/B
• recvd a "Operating System Not Found" error msg when starting after normal shutdown
• rebooted w/o external devices, same error
• F8 didn't work
• F12 put it into a Sony repair menu Esc'd out to Win menu
• Command Line "bootrec.exe /fixmbr" - successful
• reboot "Operating System Not Found" error
• ran Sony Data Rescue to save data files on external drive and got nothing but empty directories
• pulled HD and looked at it as an external on another machine - there are no data files
• ???
• the Sony recovery utility will restore a factory load but delete all data

Where did the data files go? They were all there the night before.

 

[gregrocker]

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup?

Try running a few Startup Repairs from DVD or Repair CD, which automate all repair commands, tests and fixes.

To take a look at the state of the partitions use Partition Wizard bootable CD.
Post back a camera snap if possible so we can look it over. You can scan for missing partitions using Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help. I would also run
Partition Wizard Check File System and Partition Wizard Partition surface test to check HD condition.

You can rescue files as shown in Step 3 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 then get the superior Clean Reinstall without the factory bloatware which is the worst possible Win7 install.

 

[carwiz]

Sounds like the MBR is corrupt. The MBR signature may be missing. Did the battery go dead in the laptop while it was running? Or did the user try to load Linux? If not, then there may be a virus on the PC. The partition table will be needed to recover any files unless a "file walker" type recovery is done. There are MBR/partition recovery programs but these can be tricky.

Active@ Partition Recovery Freeware Toolkit.Recover Deleted Partition, Volume.Undelete NTFS,FAT,exFAT,HFS+,Ext2/Ext3/Ext4,UFS

 

[JimNYC]

Thanks for the suggestions. BTW-It's an all in one desktop. I'm going back tomorrow, Sunday, to put the HD back in it and examine it some more. Does anybody have any idea why data files wouldn't be visible when I put the HD in an external usb case and attached it to another machine? We're not as worried about re-installing the OS as recovering certain data files.

 

[VistaKing]

Hi Jim after running the /fixmbr did you run these commands

/fixboot
/rebuildbcd

Then restart

 

[JimNYC]

no I didn't.

 

[gregrocker]

I'm not sure why you installed the HD in an external USB case to access its files. Better to install it internally for more direct access to the files without USB. If HD does not show up in Explorer is it registering in BIOS setup and Disk mgmt? You may need to give it a letter in Disk Mgmt.

Next see if Partition Wizard detects it, to run Check File System and Surface Scan to see if repairs to the File System will make data visible. If not try the Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard or Recuva Data Recovery.

 

[JimNYC]

I put it in the external usb because all I could get at boot was the error message then I found by pressing the F10 and Del keys multiple times it would stumble into the Sony Recovery program. I ran the Rescue Data selection there and after 2 hours got nothing but a Directory structure with no files on an external drive. I'll replace the HD and try again when I go back this afternoon. Thank You!

 

[JimNYC]

I just installed it in my Maingear as a 3rd internal and got the the same results.

 

[gregrocker]

It might also have been infected by a virus that hides files. To check this unhide Hidden Files in Control Panel>Folder Options>View. If they are seen then copy them out to backup and run Unhider on them to change Properties from hidden. Unhide.exe - A introduction as to what this program does

Another way to look is from boot, using one of the rescue methods I posted earlier with the Win7 DVD or Paragon Rescue disk.

So you have about a dozen steps stacked up to try.

 

[JimNYC]

Thanks for all the help! It is going to be an interesting afternoon.

 

[JimNYC]

 

[JimNYC]

There were at least 50Gig to maybe 100Gig of Docs, Pictures, & Music on this HD. I need to find an "Excellent" data recovery service who can try to recover whatever it can.

 

[JimNYC]

Does anybody have any experience with Secure Data Recovery?

 

[gregrocker]

Did you try completing the Partition Recovery by checking all of the boxes then click Finish. The fact the Wizard found them all is a good sign. You may not need Data Recovery which is a much less fruitful recovery. Partition Recovery Wizard almost always work, data recovery rarely does.

 

[JimNYC]

I didn't because all of the lost/deleted partitions were so small.

 

[gregrocker]

I would attempt to Recovery the partitions then again confirm 100mb is marked Active and run Startup Repair 3 separate times to see if it will start. If not browse in to see if you can find the data now.

If it warns that the extant partiitons will be overwritten then I'd back out and do the data recovery. Start with the one I linked unless you prefer another.

 

[JimNYC]

"Start with the one I linked"

where?

 

[gregrocker]

Well I just scrolled up to find it and there it is in post #7. Recuva

Are you following the steps given without missing any?

What happens when you check all the boxes and click Finish on Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help?

 

[JimNYC]

Well I just scrolled up to find it and there it is in post #7. Recuva

Are you following the steps given without missing any?

What happens when you check all the boxes and click Finish on Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help?

Found it, Thanks. I assume that I can only run it if I can get the existing software repaired to boot or if that isn't possible can I setup a booted USB/CD session to run it under. When I looked at the HD as an external on my machine (I always have Hidden files visible) I saw nothing in any of the directories. I don't know if that's because there is nothing visible at that level or Win Security prevents my access if if I take ownership of the directories.

I've done all the steps leading up to finishing the wizard. somewhere along the way I lost access to the command line in a F8 menu. It goes straight to Sony's Rescue Data app now when I select Command Line in F8.

If I click on ALL the boxes it appears that some of the lost/deleted partitions will overwrite overlapping parts of the existing partitions. I've been doing this as a favor for this client (another business) with the understanding that if I don't see an obvious fix I'll help them find a professional recovery service to try and do it. So far I've tried to explore options that don't further complicate the sectors and partitions. However, I have no problem recovering lost partitions that don't overlap existing partitions. Before I do the overlaps I'd like a better idea of what could happen.

I really appreciate your help here.