[Tomo]

I have vaio t270p I got a virus yesterday and decided to format, unfortunately I didn't realize that the partition was necessary and I formatted that too. Now I am not sure what to do, I installed windows but obviously most of the features of the lap top do not work? Can anyone provide me with a step by step instalating guide? I downloaded all relevant drivers from Sony, however I am not sure where to begin? Do I need to repartion the drive? THanks for your help!

[PangingJr]

How to Install the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System and VAIO® Applications
http://esupport.sony.com/EN/osmig/xpclean.html

Before installing Windows XP, complete the following tasks:

* Create a Recovery Media Kit (a set of system restore CDs or DVDs) using the VAIO® Recovery Wizard provided on the computer’s original factory-installed image.

If your computer does not have the ability to create the discs or if you are unable to locate the original restore discs that shipped with some VAIO computers, contact Sony at 1-800-488-SONY (7669) or visit the Sony Direct Accessories and Parts Center Web site (http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/) to purchase a set of system restore CDs or DVDs.

* Download driver updates (for the original factory-installed software) for your computer model from the Sony eSupport Web site at http://www.sony.com/pcsupport.

Check the Updates section for any drivers that may be newer than the original factory-installed drivers. Burn these newer drivers to a CD-R or CD-RW disc. Write down the description of each driver package for future reference.
Note: You may be able to store the driver packages on a hard disk drive partition instead, as long as, during the installation of Windows XP, you choose not to remove the hard disk partition on which you are storing the drivers. If, however, you choose to create new partitions while installing Windows XP, all data on the hard disk drive, including the stored driver packages, will be deleted.

* Download the Sony Shared Library, which is listed as one of the original shipping drivers on Sony’s Online Support Web site. The Sony Shared Library is required to install VAIO applications. Store the Sony Shared Library with the other updated drivers, either on a CD-R or CD-RW disc or on a hard disk drive partition that will be retained through the installation of Windows XP. If you choose to create new partitions while installing Windows XP, all data on the hard disk drive, including any stored driver packages, will be deleted.

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the Sony Shared Library update must be installed after you install the Windows XP operating system in order for you to use the Recovery Media Kit.

[Tomo]

Thanks, I acutally had read that. I was trying to see if there is a way to do a clean install without the recovery cds. By partitioning the hard drive my self, and then just updating drivers.

[PangingJr]

see if this helps...

How to install Windows XP (SP2) on a Sony Vaio PCG-TR5AP
http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/rogoy...k/tr5ap_winxp/

[pr0digal jenius]

just install XP, and then load up all the drivers and utilities for your model off Sony's site....I removed the recovery partition from my laptop 3 "incarnations" ago

[Tomo]

Thanks so much guys!

I thought was completely screwed! I'll try it out and keep you guys posted.

[PangingJr]

that's just information in general concerning what you want to know, the hardwares and drivers that are on the web page may not be the same as your Vaio. i didn't check the spec of your Vaio.

[Tomo]

I am going to try and just install the drivers available on the sony website for my vaio. Because I wiped the partition those intructions don't really help.

[Tomo]

Well I tired to just install windows xp and then from there I downloaded all the drivers from sony and burnt them onto a cd using my desktop. When I tried to install them, nothing much happens. My video settings are still messed, and I still don't see my dvd-r. Seems like I am out of luck.

[Zardon]

You are probably missing the chipset drivers......


It is a sad state of affairs that many laptop makers are now supplying all the tools on a hidden partition, companies like Dell etc are all going this way to save themselves money on optical media.

You are well within your rights to phone sony and ask them for a driver CD for your specific laptop and they are obliged to deliver.

Tell them, your machine was giving issues and the hidden partition on the hard drive is damaged.

the first rule of thumb whenever you get a laptop is to get yourself a copy of norton ghost and backup the windows XP directly straight to DVD. then you can play around with it, safe in the knowledge that if you mess anything up, its just a matter of ghosting the image back.

[Tomo]

Thanks, yeah I think that what I am going to have to do. Thanks for the help I appreciate it.

[PangingJr]

for SONY Vaio on some hard drive recovery models as i've some experience in a couple of them, before you delete it if you had not create the recovery disks yourself, there is no way to have the system working fully again unless you purchase new recovery disks.
Z. has good advice there. hope you don't have to buy the whole set of recovery disks. good luck.

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and as for other people who may has this similar problem in future...
the hidden recovery partition which you cannot see it in your my computer without using a special software, or the contain of the recovery disk(s) is basically Windows PE which is licensed to and custom built by SONY.
there are a lots of SONY software programs and stuffs that maybe you don't want to use them anymore, but there also seem to have some of good stuffs in there as well. you may not interested in having them, but i think it would not be a bad idea at all to have them in DVD/CDs by using the Vaio recovery wizard before you delete the partition.

[newvaiouser]

I just found this information and thought I would post in case anyone ever needs it. My Vaio, of course, showed up with no recovery disks. My sys admin was working on installing a Linux partition and the bitmap(?) got screwed up. Without recovery disks, he couldn't start anew. He had no access to the recovery partition without the Recovery Wizard.

Upon speaking with the helpdesk, they claimed that when I first booted, it would have prompted me to create recovery disks, which it did not.

However, the next bit of information was useful (and should be included with each laptop they ship!). You can access the recovery partition without disks. When you boot up, you get the Sony screen. At that point, press and hold the F10 key until it either starts up the recovery wizard or starts beeping. It will take you directly to the recovery partition and allow you to install everything.

Once your system is back up and running, you can supposedly make your own recovery disks from the Recovery Wizard program. I have yet to do this.

[PangingJr]

Originally Posted by newvaiouser

However, the next bit of information was useful (and should be included with each laptop they ship!). You can access the recovery partition without disks. When you boot up, you get the Sony screen. At that point, press and hold the F10 key until it either starts up the recovery wizard or starts beeping. It will take you directly to the recovery partition and allow you to install everything.

the F10 key recovery method should be mentioned in the Vaio laptop's user manual. no?

About Recovery Options

You have several options when recovering software or your computer’s operating system.

Accessing the VAIO Recovery Wizard

You can start the VAIO Recovery Wizard utility from the Microsoft® Windows®
XP Start menu, from the Recovery Media Kit, or from using the F10 key* on notebook computers. Depending on how you access the VAIO Recovery Wizard, you have different system and software recovery options.

System and software recovery options

❑ Create the Recovery Media Kit
You can create a Recovery Media Kit, consisting of CDs and DVDs, which enable you to recover your computer at a later date if the software stops working properly. You can start the VAIO Recovery Wizard from the Windows XP Start menu, and create a Recovery Media Kit.

❑ Windows® System Restore
Return your computer’s operating system to a previous working state by performing a System Restore. You can access this recovery option by
starting the VAIO Recovery Wizard, or by using the Windows XP System Restore Wizard.

❑ Recover drive C
Returns the drive C to its original factory-installed settings. All previous data and settings on drive C are deleted. You can preserve data on other partitions, such as drive D. To recover drive C, access the VAIO Recovery Wizard from the Windows XP Start menu, the Recovery Media Kit, or by using the F10 key on notebook computers.