Vaio laptop crashed after recent update

[rocketroach72]

My laptop crashed after recent update. Firefox locked up during browsing session and after hard boot the OS will notstartup. I can get to the flag logo screen but thats it. Safe mode doesn't work, it gets me to a wallpaper screen with no icons or toolbar then tries to reboot after a time. Hard drive light has a steady blink every 2 seconds. Not a flicker as a normal HD does. Not sure if it's my hard drive (full?) or the update ( coincidence?). Help!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome Rocket mate can you boot into the BIOS?

 

[rocketroach72]

Hi Dr.Tinkerer, Thanks for the response. Right up front, I'm not as computer savy as some. That being said I have not tried to boot into BIOS screen. If I can get to the BIOS screen can I get to safe mode? Thanks, Rocket

 

[gregrocker]

Boot into System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair.

It should automate System Restore, but if not run it manually from the Options list if the Repairs don't work.

If these fail everything possible that can be done is here for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start

 

[rocketroach72]

I'll give it a try, Thanks for your help.

 

[rocketroach72]

Is there any way to tell if the HDD is toasted?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Is there any way to tell if the HDD is toasted?

Possible but without being able to boot anything it is hard to test unless yo have access to another machine and a USB to SATA adaptor.(see pic)

 

[rocketroach72]

Hi Dr. , Is it true that you won't be able to get into the BIOS screen if your HDD is bad?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hi Dr. , Is it true that you won't be able to get into the BIOS screen if your HDD is bad?

No mate the BIOS has it's own chip on the board and has it's own "firmware". To get into it tap the F2 button on power up and it should go to that screen.

Sony eSupport - VPCEB26GM - Drivers & Software

scroll down to that info here

 

[rocketroach72]

Thanks Dr., I do have a Win 7 upgrade disc. I'll check my BIOS settings and use the disc to boot through the DVD drive. Hopefully it can repair any problems. Can't thank you enough for your time and help (also the sony link). Rocket

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes just check the BIOS first before you do anything check the lot what is connected up the temps etc etc

Another option is to boot a Ubuntu OS - you will need to make a bootable disk and set the machine to boot from the optical but first things first eh?

 

[gregrocker]

Is there any way to tell if the HDD is toasted?

I just gave you a link to Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start which starts out explaining how to test your hardware including HD. Did you even read it? It compiles everything that can be done to start Win7.

 

[rocketroach72]

Hi gregrocker, Yes I am in the process of working my way through the list of possible fixes. I did check the bios settings and it is set to boot from the optical drive. I installed the Win 7 upgrade disc and got all the way to System Recovery Options window but system froze up there. I will try another option on the list. Sounds like it might be a virus? Thanks, Rocket

 

[gregrocker]

Is the HDD registering in BIOS setup?

If so I'd run the HD maker's diagnostics and RAM from the beginning of tutorial to know for sure its condition.

Then move to the disinfecting steps, and testing System Files.

Is your Win7 installer known good? Will it boot and detect the system in Repair my Computer on another PC?

 

[rocketroach72]

HDD not read by second computer

I removed the HDD from my laptop and hooked it up to another PC to read and possibly save files. Neither the main or partitioned drives could be read. Both drives show up and were assigned letters but no files. Is it possible a virus wiped out all data on my HDD.

 

[gregrocker]

What were the results of these steps I gave you three weeks ago?

Is the HDD registering in BIOS setup?

If so I'd run the HD maker's diagnostics and RAM from the beginning of Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start to know for sure its condition.

Then move to the disinfecting steps, and testing System Files.

Is your Win7 installer known good? Will it boot and detect the system in Repair my Computer on another PC?

 

[rocketroach72]

I was at the point where I was going to do a system restore from the partitioned drive. I removed the HDD to try and save any files then perform the system restore. Not seeing any files in either drive has me thinking about reformat and full install.

 

[rocketroach72]

I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this website. Sony® Vaio VPCEB26GM BI Factory Recovery Disk | Windows® 8 7 Vista XP | Drivers | Data Recovery | . I still have the product key and for $20.00 it's worth it.

 

[gregrocker]

There's no reason to buy the installer since the actual official Win7 installer for your licensed version is provided in Step 1 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If you follow those steps you'll get and keep a perfect Win7 install.

During the actual booted Custom Clean Install Windows 7
at Steps 7/8 delete all partitions, Create and Format New as you wish or just click Next to let the installer do it for you and begin.

Have your Network adapter driver in the backup so if it isn't provided during install you can install it to get online, then run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates to completion, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3)

 

[rocketroach72]

Thanks for your help....Go Pats!