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    Need copies of the CDs that came withe Sz160

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by zii, Apr 26, 2006.

  1. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    My company lost the original CDs that came with my SZ160P/C, and I would like to reset the SZ back to the state when it was originally purchased (new user set-up config and the like) so that it can be used by another employee.

    Does anybody:

    i) know how to get the CDs (or a copy available on the net)
    ii) know how to reset the system to factory settings?

    z
     
  2. winter

    winter Notebook Enthusiast

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    There is a hidden partition on the HDD that will allow you to fully restore the system. All you need to do is open the Vaio support center and intiate the system recovery. If for some reason your company decided to delete this partition then your only option is to purchase the recovery DVDs from Sony. As a side note, Sony Vaio Laptops do not ship with recovery disks, ever.....
     
  3. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    This partition is still there, so I shall play with it. Cheers Winter.

    Does the Vaio come with any CDs, such as OEM Win XP?
     
  4. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    PS. Is there a Vaio recovery option to back up only the user's data and account settings, that lets one import them onto another computer?
     
  5. FenderP

    FenderP Notebook Deity

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  6. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    thanks FP.
     
  7. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    The hidden drive is there and has never been touched by company or myself.
    However, the system restore cannot find the drive. Perhaps, I have taken the wrong option.
     
  8. zii

    zii Notebook Consultant

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    In fact, I can browse the hidden partition with Partition Magic and see all the files there (art Doc drivers minint sony SUPPORT System Volume Information, plus a load of .ini .com .sys etali files)

    However, there is a System Restore point :

    31/5/2006 - System Checkpoint. This would have been done by Sony since I didn't have the laptop back then.

    How safe are system restores?