Sony VAIO Bios problem

[mjbanks]

I'm fixing a computer for a friend, and there's something I've never seen.

http://mjbanks.net/temp/screen.jpg

The Bios screen looks like that too. Sony's system recovery disks won't work. It won't let me get to windows. I think there's an issue with the bios, but I'm not sure. I found a program on Sony's website to make a bios floppy, but it will only run on that model (PRV-RZ16G), and I can't get that computer to boot to Windows, so I can't make a bios disk. Doing Sony's online help was far from anything useful.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can make this bios disk? If anyone out there has this model and could run the program and send me the files from the disk, I would be more than grateful

Thanks everyone!

 

[garebo]

I've never seen anything like that. I wonder if the main font that windows is using isnt corrupted or, at the least, changed somehow.
Or the bios is corrupted, seems like one of the two.
Sorry i cant help any. Suggest you email sony support while waiting here. I wouldnt be surprised if someone here could help you out.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[mjbanks]

Hi Garebo,

I tried talking to Sony, but they're only response is "take it to a service center and pay $100 to have them look at it" which is just not acceptable.

I don't think it's a windows issue, as the Bios setup screen (hitting F2 at boot) looks that way also. I think something in the bios is corrupted, but I can't be sure unless I can reflash.

 

[garebo]

Thats why i didnt suggest flashing the bios as it doesnt appear you can, unless someone else knows a way.
Fortunately, there are people here who know a heck of a lot more than i do.
There IS one suggestion i can make though, how about re-setting the bios! check with the manual or website as there are different methods of doing this and you want to be sure you've given it your best shot, dont want to do it wrong thats for sure. But try re-setting the bios, i dont think you could do any harm if you do it the right way for a Sony Vaio.
I just wished we all would build our own computers! But thats another issue, lol. I guess if it was that simple then we all would.



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[mainegeek]

mjbanks,
I would suspect a CPU issue. Probably over heating slightly.

Look to see if the cpu fan is spinning.

What Sony model is this?

 

[mjbanks]

mainegeek - cpu fan is spinning is seems to be working fine. The model number is PCV-RZ16G. I think the bios is corrupt because the computer was hacked, had over 200 viruses, and more pieces of spyware than I want to count.

 

[garebo]

That is something you should have noted at the beginning!

Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[mjbanks]

garebo - you're right, I should have noted all that

Sorry I'm still just very frustrated at the lack of knowledge and support I've gotten from Sony on this issue. I know the bios needs to be reflashed, however I have no way of getting this done. If only they would allow you to make the bios floppy from a computer other than that model...

 

[mainegeek]

mjbanks,
Click on "Downlaod" then click on "Accept and Continue"

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=PCVRZ16G&upd_id=407&os_id=7

 

[mjbanks]

mainegeek,

I tried that last night. That program will only run on Sony model PCV-RZ16G, no other computers. Sony has it locked down for some reason. I tried it on a friend's Sony computer and both my desktop and laptop at home. None would let the program install to make the bios disk.

And since I can't get into windows at all with the broken Sony, I'm sort-of stuck.

 

[garebo]

Im having a prob with some software i bought. I went to install it, it wont, says i need to update. But i only want the version i paid for, that shouldnt be too much to ask for! Then they wonder why people download their program on the free side.

On your end, i think you need to do what i do. I type out my compliant in a text doc, make it firm but fair and without cursing, even though thats hard to do, and then i send it via email not only to their tech support, but to any and all email addies i can find for that company. Usually i get results! This may not be what you wanted to hear but i only know it works, takes a bit of time but usually worth it. I am doing that right now with the software company.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[mainegeek]

mjbanks,

You wrote:

"The model number is PCV-RZ16G."

"That program will only run on Sony model PCV-RZ16G"

You lost me!

 

[mjbanks]

Hi mainegeek,

The problem with that Sony program you pointed me to for download, is that when I try to run it on my desktop so that I can make the bios floppy disk, it gives me an error that the model number or my computer does not match, and the installer quits. I thought maybe it needed a Sony computer, so I tried a friend's Sony, and it gave the same error. Since the computer that's messed up (model PCV-RZ16G) won't boot into Windows at all, I can't run that installer on it to make the floppy. That's where my problem is right now.

Hope I explained that ok?

 

[mainegeek]

mjbanks,
I understand now.

Can you get it to boot in safe mode?

 

[mjbanks]

No dice with safe mode, system recovery disk, or anything

BUT... after all this work, I found out 10 minutes ago that my friend has a 3 year replacement plan from PC Richards, where she bought the computer!!!! So she's taking it back and having them replace it. Sort-of frustrating

 

[garebo]

Maybe you could suggest to her that she ask how they fixed it in case it comes up after the warranty is done. Also, you sure want to make a bios floppy for future use, if needed.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips