Haven't used my SZ for a month - now it's all messed up. Help!

So I got this new Vaio SZ330 something or other a few months ago and have barely used it. In fact, I haven't used it at all in the past month or so. The last time I did use it though it was working like a champ. Now, I booted it up tonight and it's totally messed up. It seems like a bunch of files have been deleted or something. Here's an example of the problems:

1. Can't use Windows Update. I get an error I've never seen before:

"Files required to use Windows Update are no longer registered or installed on your computer."

I searched the web and found a few "fixes" - neither of which worked for me.

2. When I try to access various parts of the OS such as System Information, Security Center, etc. I get the following error:

"Cannot access the Windows Management Instrumentation software. Windows Management files may be moved or missing."

3. The Page and Tools menus are totally gone from IE7??

4. Some things seem to work fine, like surfing the web, etc. Anything with the operation system itself though is really slow, sometimes windows don't open, etc.

The I really haven't used the computer much, beyond the 10-15 hours I spent setting it up exactly how I need it for future use. It's had virus protection from day 1 and there are no viruses, spyware, etc.

I have no clue what to do at this point. And I just realized I don't even have a restore CD. I guess it didn't come with one? Do I basically have to wipe this thing and re-install XP from scratch?? Help!

 

Could the unit have been subjected to some sort of magnetic field while you have had it stored (like an unshielded speaker cabinet)? It almost sounds as if you have developed bad sectors on your hard drive or there are bits and pieces wiped out from a magnet... either way the symptoms you describe could be attributed to this.

Have you run a CHKDSK on the HDD? I would recommend a full scan to see if you have any bad sectors. This has happened to me in the past. I turned on my NB one day and it took forever to boot, and once it did, there were some apps that indicated files were missing to execute while others worked flawlessly...

Hope this helps.

BTW, if you need restore disks and you did not create them when you first started the machine, SONY will sell you a set through the SONYSTYLE website...

 

1. What is the error code you get for the Windows update - you need to regserv a .dll or 2 or 3 to get it working again most likely -
2. First things first, run system file checker to check for missing/corrupt files
Start>Run>sfc.exe /scannow or start>run>cmd>sfc.exe /scannow
3. Try pushing f11 (with IE open and current window) to make sure IE didn't go full screen first off - otherwise you can go to start>control panel>Internet options and reset everything to default - that doesn't work, uninstall IE7, download it again from MS and reinstall
4. You could have a hardware issue, I would test your Hard drive with the manf. diagnostic software (to find the manf. of the hard drive Start> right click 'My Computer'> Properties > Hardware > Device Manager > + Disk Drives ) post the model of the drive and from there I can get you a link to the diag software - You should also test your machine for RAM issues using MemTest -

You could always reinstall XP from scratch using your recovery partition and see if your problems get resolved, if problems persist most likely it is hardware issue - Just backup data first - You can also try a system restore to the last time you used the pc normally (Start>All Programs>Accessories>System tools>System Restore)

 

i totally agree with dlwood and jpagel.

i'd first run the hd error checking prog. you'll be prompted to restart your comp for it to begin. it'll take 30 min to a couple of hours depending on how much stuff is in your comp. then i would do what jpagel suggested

i would also consider checking for malware/viruses.

lastly, if you decide to reboot to factory specs then before paying 20 bucks try pressing F10 (or was it F11) at the VAIO screen while the OS is loading. that will prompt you to options like reinstalling programs while maintaining your content in the hd, making boot disks, or clean wipe and install of the OS as given to you when you boght the comp (worse case scenario since you'll get all the bloatware). this will be the best alternative to purchasing the sony bootdisks assuming that the sector containing the hidden partition hasn't been damaged to the point that it cannot be repaired.

 

Thanks for the replies. Here's where I'm at:

1. When I try to do windows update, in addition to what I posted the first time, in the upper right-hand corner of the page it says:

[Error number: 0x800700E6]

I've reregistered all the various dlls etc. that I read about when searching the web for info on how to fix it. Nothing seems to help.

2. I did a disk check by right clicking on the drive, selecting Properties, then Tools, then Error-checking. I selected the option to find and repair bad sectors. It didn't ask me to reboot or anything but it took over an hour, but reported nothing when it was done.

For the past month or so the laptop has been sitting on my shelf next to my cable modem and big laser printer. Is that bad??

3. I did run sfc and it didn't report anything.

4. The type of drive is listed as ST9120821AS. Some type of Seagate?

5. When I try to do a system restore nothing happens. I've never manually created a restore point, but I figured it should have at least 1 on here?? I select "Restore my computer to an earlier time" and click Next and absolutely nothing happens.

6. I tried running the VAIO Hardware Diagnostics that I found on the computer, and it crashed while running the CF/PC Card Controller Test. I got the standard "... has encountered a problem and need to close." I re-ran this test several times and it crashed every time. A clue?? I don't have anything plugged in to the computer ... isn't that referencing things such as pcmia cards (or something like that?)

The computer is acting as if it's a HD problem, missing files, etc. like you guys suggested, but everything I've tried checks out fine as I listed above. Any other ideas for me? Thanks!

 

At this point, have you tried to reboot in safe mode? Have you attempted all of these steps in that mode? If so what were the results?

Since your unit is so new, I would consider taking the unit back to where it was purchased (granted it was a brick and mortar store) and see if they will exchange it... Not likely, but as a former Area Manager for both Best Buy and CompUSA, it doesn't hurt to ask and definitely don't insult or threaten them... It's easier to catch a fly with honey than vinegar, as the saying goes...

When all else fails, send it to Sony for warranty work...

 

Ok so I did everything again in safe mode, and everything was the same except for the fact that I was able to do a System Restore in safe mode. I restored back to last month the last time I used the computer, and it was working 100% fine when I shut it down. However after restoring back to this point the computer still exhibits all the same problems.

Does this point more to a hardware problem?

 

corrections made by sfc.exe are displayed in EVENT VIEWER under system

in diskcheck there are 2 options: 1. automatically fix.... and 2. attempt to recover....

if you choose both you should be prompted for a reboot as it needs to access system files. i've done this for my pc and the vaio sz320

also, did you try my f10 method?

 

Ya I ended up doing F10 and just re-installing the whole drive. Ugh. It should only take me about 10 hours to set everything up the way I need it. Well thanks to all who replied. I don't know what happened but it's back to normal for now.

Last question. I won't really be using this laptop much. What is the best way to store it? Should I leave it unplugged and just plug it in once a week or so to charge up the battery, or can I leave it plugged in 24/7?

 

If you're pluggin in 24/7 & don't have any intention of moving your laptop anywhere, I'll suggest that you do not attach your batter when plugged in..... This will likely help to save your battery life a bit (& Sony Vaio batteries are d**n expensive).

 

Thanks for the tip. And if I don't plan on using it for say 2-4 weeks, is it better to leave it plugged in without the battery, or just leave the battery attached but not plug the a/c adaptor in? Or neither? I guess what I'm wondering is how long can it sit without any power to maintain the bios settings, etc. Maybe I have a bad battery ... but after not using it for a month this last time I couldn't even turn it on with just the battery, even though it was fully charged when I shut it down a month ago. I figured the battery would be fine/charged a month later, but maybe not?