How to replace my Sony Vaio VPCSB2C5E Harddrive and get it working - Restore/fresh windows install

I have Sony Vaio model: VPCSB2C5E which is just out of warranty. I have confirmed the Harddrive (HD) is going by performing SMART test which shows errors: "read failure 90%". I have a recovery partition (have NOT YET created recovery disks) and using it have restored to original settings by using Assist button which works however this has not helped and still Windows is not performing - cannot log in, takes 25 mins to load windows logo blue screen. Was told by Sony I cannot replace the HD myself because the system will not accept the new HD and the Windows is custom to machine (?). I cannot afford Sony repair center todo it for me as it costs >£150. My questions are:

1. First I would like to create recovery disks - Now that I cannot log into Windows is there another way of doing this manually. The recovery partition is fine as I used it to perform restore. Can I copy this partition and create an .iso file in linux/ubuntu ??? or copy this partition on different machine and create it from there ??

2. Should I go ahead and replace the HD myself. I have ordered the same make Hitachi but model is different. Will installing a fresh windows home premium x64 work on it ?? or once i have the recovery disks will that work on new HD ?

3. What are my other options ??

thanks

 

If you can make recovery discs, you can use those to recover on a brand new HDD or SSD. I have done this myself.
You can also use your windows key sticker on the bottom of the laptop to re-install the same version of windows. (or if you can boot into windows use Magic Jelly bean keyfinder to get your current key).

You might try copying the recovery partition using Acronis (free trial), or Clonezilla linux. For clonezilla you will need an external drive to save the image to. I haven't used Acronis.
You can probably swap out the hard drive yourself, It's usually really easy on most laptops with just a couple screws to take off the access panel on the bottom of the laptop. Be very careful with the hard drive cable, they are very delicate. I would strongly suggest upgrading with an SSD if you can afford it, the performance gain is very noticeable.

Was told by Sony I cannot replace the HD myself because the system will not accept the new HD and the Windows is custom to machine (?)

I'm guessing this is because of the Assist software. If you were to just install a new copy of windows, it wouldn't have the Assist software built in and I'm not sure if it is able to be downloaded. Your best bet is to try to copy either the entire drive or the recovery partition and bootloader. Your goal is create recovery media so you can just recover on a brand new drive.

Sony's site has some of the software and drivers available:

Support for VPCSB2C5E | Sony

 

I think that warning from Sony has more to do with UEFI booting systems (new - Windows 8 and later). If you have issues, just go into the BIOS and turn off UEFI secure boot, and it will then boot in the old fashion. It is a little slower, but it should still work.

If you can get a good deal, look for a 2.5" SATA SSD. It fits in the same way as the HDD and will give you a tremendous performance boost. I put a 240 GB SSD in mine after using my 500 GB HDD for about 4 years.

 

Update: I'v still not managed to create the recovery cds as i cannot log into Windows. Is their a manual method of doing it or solution ??

I am just about to get the new HD and replace it - before doing this how can I make an image/clone of the old HD. Your suggestion of Acronis thanks however I cannot use it as my Windows is not working unless I am not aware that it works in Linux ? (running LIVE ubuntu off flash drive)

I have come across 'Ubuntu dd command to create disk image' - can anyone provide more info on this and which one I should use dd command or Clonezilla ??
My idea is to use an external HD I have and store the image/clone on it and then again use it to restore the image/clone to new HD.

If in the case I succeed in restoring the image to new HD. I will only have the option of using the Assist button as I still would not have the recovery cds. If that works bingo! else I will have to wipe the new HD to its factory settings (how can I achieve this quickly if required ?)

If all above fails will install fresh windows however have been advised again that the OEM Windows key will not work with fresh install of windows and will lose all Sony addons like Assist, Power management etc.

 

Hi thanks for your reply, i have provided an update above. Please see

 

All you really need is the Windows sticker on the bottom of your laptop. Install the same flavour of Windows using that key, then get Microsoft to activate it. They will do it a limited number of times, so don't misuse this facility.

Everything else that is needed can be obtained from the Sony support page. If you prefer, now might be a good opportunity to go for a newer OS, e.g. Windows 8.1. Then you don't need to mess about with activating Windows - the new OS will come with a fresh key.

My laptop came with Windows 7, and I am now running Windows 8.1. I don't need the recovery partition at all. Just go through the 'clean install' threads here and find one that suits your model. Everything can be made to work, except the bundled software that came with your laptop, which are usually outdated trial versions that are no use now in any case.

 

I would try Clonezilla.

Download and make a cd or create a bootable flash drive using tuxboot: Clonezilla Live on USB

Boot the laptop from clonezilla and plug in your external drive to save the image to.

When you get your new HDD, install it, and run Clonezilla again, and restore the image to the new HDD.

Boot the new HDD and try your assist button, or whatever method allows you to get into the restore partition. I think the restore gives you an option to do a full wipe and restore to factory - use that.

If you still encounter problems I remember one time I had to use gparted and mark the hidden sony partition flag as "bootable", and I think using ubuntu I was able to make a grub entry to boot it.

If everything works out and you get windows restored on your new hdd, you can run the recovery disc creator and make a new set of discs.

Another last option: There is a way using linux to pull all the oem software from your sony recovery partition, but its pretty involved: http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...dvd-etc-sony-s-hidden-recovery-partition.html

 

Update below:

 

Hi guys have fixed the problem by installing fresh windows: Now I am downloading the drivers required from Sony site.
I have a question on the drivers. According to Sony I should download the below drivers after fresh install:

Audio
Bluetooth
Chipset
Memory Stick
Memory Card Reader/Writer
Modem
Network
Notebook Control Device
Sony Notebook Utilities
Sony Shared Library -
Video
Wireless LAN

but on their site they have many more drivers like:
Bios
SATA Driver (Intel) HIPM Disable Registry Patch
Graphics Driver (AMD) - 8.862.4.4000
SATA Driver Raid - NA
ME Driver - NA
WWAN Driver - NA
VAIO Care - 8.4.0.14281

I 'm abit reluctant to install the extra drivers listed above as dont want to break my machine again but some of these sound important like SATA Raid, Bios, Graphics driver ????

Should I go ahead and install all drivers ???

 

I probably wouldn't install any bios update unless your having a problem you know is fixed by the update.

Everything else is fine though, its made for that laptop.

On Vaios, the drivers need to be installed in a certain order for some of the vaio function keys to work.
On my "SR", they are in this order: utilities, utilities update, shared library, firmware extention parson, hdd protection, both memory card drivers, bluetooth, fingerprint scanner driver, audio driver / video driver.

you might want to look through this thread and see if there is a certain order to install stuff:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...al-sony-sb-sa-sc-sd-series-owners-thread.html