topic Re: Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display in PCs & Accessories

Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display

BiscuitTin — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:55:06 GMT

Following Sony's instructions I'm doing a factory restore of drive C using the backup DVD created using Sony's restore tool.

I can boot from DVD and the restore runs and the system runs through the Sony driver installation and then re-boots. When the system re-boots, you get a Vista desktop and the installation continues. The system re-boots once again. When it re-starts you get the Vista progress bar, but when the system should switch to the desktop, I get a blank screen and there is no drive activity.

If I re-boot (only possible by pressing the button) and select the safe boot option, I get a message telling me that install cannot continue in safe mode. I re-boot back into normal mode but the same blank screen problem occurs.

I've tried raising a case on Vaio Link but the site is currently down for maintenance hence my posting here.

Thanks.

Re: Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display

Blencogo — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:35:31 GMT

Hi BiscuitTin.

It sounds like the DVDs are faulty or the recovery software is faulty.

Try recovering direct from the Recovery Partition. Remove all DVDs from the drive and re-boot. At the first Vaio Logo screen press F10 continuously to start the HDDR recovery.

Follow the screen instructions for a Complete Recovery. This should return your Vaio to factory settings.

Re: Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display

BiscuitTin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:59:27 GMT

Blencogo, I didn't get the Vaio screen you mention, just the Windows Vista startup. Pressing F10 takes me into an option to edit the startup menu?

Re: Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display

littlebucko — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:02:33 GMT

there are a few other ways of getting into the recovery
they are as follows (some work on diffrent types of computers)
f1 (hold on power up )
f2 (hold on power up )
f12 (hold on power up)
esc / del (keep pressing on power up)
f11 (i see you tryed this one)

Re: Help! Restoring system to factory default, getting no display

BiscuitTin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:42:58 GMT

I think it was F8 that eventually gave me a screen with advanced startup options. On the list was an item to start the display in low res 640x480 mode. I tried that and got int the Windows destop. I was abe to finish the windows config and set the display resolution maually. It would seem that the sysem set a resolution/frequency that my monitor - that is my TV - couldn't handle.

Thanks for the replies.

PS. to get the Vaio logo up I had to disconnect from the power supply and hold the power button down for a few secs to discharge the remaining power in the system.