Help! Vgn-nr385e

First let me say - I'm not a PC person, so please don't get too frustrated with me.

I crashed my system a couple days ago and have been trying to recover. I have pushed the PF10 key more times than I can count. I have reinstalled via the "C:" and the "Full system" . Both of them work properly until the system resets itself and tries to install the drivers.

It installs:

VAIO Smart Network
VAIO Smart Network Patch
Original Function Settings Update

and then it gets some kind of Appl error where it says to choose
"Program installed properly" or "Reinstall program using the Correct Operation system" (or something like that) - I've tried both choices and "Cancel". It just continues running no matter which I choose.

It runs the install of AOL Software Suite (56% done) but then it does
Quickbooks Free Starter Edition (58% done) and it sits there FOREVER without doing a thing. I've let it sit for over 5 hours once and NOTHING! At this point - I was able to do a control-alt-delete and bring up the task manager and such. I am able to see the C: drive but don't know what I need to get rid of - it all looks weird since I think I'm actually looking at the boot partition. Can anyone PLEASE help me!

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.
It sounds like you are using the disk that will restore your system like it was when you got it. See if there is an operating system disk instead. If there is, use that disk to do a fresh install. Then if there are any application disks that came with the pc, install those. If you have a second pc, go to the Sony site and download the hardware drivers (especially the ethernet driver and video driver) for your system before you begin. Put the drivers on a flash drive. If you didn't get the operating system disk (not a restore disk) with your system, call customer service or tech support. Tech support also might be able to help you with the restore disk before the operating system disk arrives (if you don't have one).

 

Yes, according to the documentation - it is suppose to restore my system to the condition it was in before it left the factory. It did not come with any operating disks and when I called Sony, they would not lift a finger to help me because I was "out of warrantee". To even talk to someone - they insisted on charging me 49.95 per hour. That's why I came here. I will try customer service again but at this point - I'm ready to throw this hunk of junk in the trash!

 

Sorry to hear that. Just a thought, when you are restoring your system, is the ethernet line plugged it? If it isn't try connecting it. It's a long shot but maybe the installation requires it to be connected and will hang the system if it isn't. How old is the pc?

 

I have wifi and the internet connection light is on. It didn't ask for connection to the internet and none of the documentation (even online) says anything about it. I bought the computer June 1st, 2008. I'm so totally frustrated with this and the Sony customer service! (sorry for the venting)

 

It is ok to vent. See if you can verify that it is indeed connected to wifi. Alternatively, you can purchase windows 7 and install it but make sure you get the correct version. I suspect 32 bit for your system. Another alternative is to bring the system into where you purchased it to have them do a restore or new install, but first ask what their rates are. (My oldest pc is a 7 year old Inspiron)

 

I have ordered their disks.
Thanks for the advice.

 

You are welcome.