Recovery discs not working (Vaio Laptop)

Searched the forum, and checked the sticky for this issue, no dice.

I have a sony laptop - VGN-660N - every time I boot from the recovery DVD I get the following error:

"Cannot use this recovery disc for this computer. Confirm the model type"

I have the right discs per the label on the discs (discs are labeled for VGN-600 Series), which I purchased directly from Sony. I contacted Sony, who was worthless on the matter.

Googling this shows people just sent in his/her respective laptop for service and that resolved the matter. Mine is out of warranty, so I'm not about to spend the cost of a new laptop to send it in. No one posted a response on how they resolved it with a confirmation.

Any ideas? I tried to flash the bios to the newest version per Sony's website, no help. I tried nuking the hdd using Ultimate Boot CD ( http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/), still no dice. The OS became corrupt, and for whatever reason the recovery partition didn't work, so I ordered the discs and am where I am.

Thanks,

 

Is there something that emulates BIOS?These CD's check the BIOS to see if they are VAIO.Looks like something is interfering with it.

 

Not that I can think of. Hardware is stock (ram upgrade), partition was nuked, nothing plugged into any device (USB, optical, firewire, etc.).

Would reset the CMOS/removing the mobo battery potentially help?

 

Have you tried the hidden partition? i.e, power off, power on and hit F10 while booting up. (maybe F8, F11, F12 for your particular model).

 

I bought it used, and it wasn't there when I got it...

 

What is the exactly the model name? I don't know any "VGN-660".

 

On the bottom, the sticker has listed:

Model: PCG-7A2L

Bottom of the LCD Bezel has: VGN-FS660/W

Thanks to those responding here. Even if a solution isn't found, I still appreciate the time.

 

I hope the disks are labeled "FS 600 Series" and not just "600 series", else you got the wrong disks.

Anyhow, Sony support should have been able to help you with this -- if they were "absolutely worthless", you should ask to speak to a supervisor and let them know this.

 

FS600 Series come with XP Home and FS600P Series come with XP Pro, so you may have to recheck the recovery dvd you ordered. FS600 and FS600P are totally different.

 

They tell me I have to use the online chat, since I'm out of warranty, and so far the online chat has not yielded any results. I'll try the chat again after the weekend.

The discs are labeled VGN FS 600 Series.

Is there a way to tell which version of XP is on the recovery disc?

 

As I said, if it says FS600 on the Recovery disc, it is Home.
Otherwise, FS600P is XP Pro. So without letter "P" is HOME and with letter "P" is PRO.

 

So that means I have the right disc then...

No dice with the online chat. They said to send it in to a service center.

Gonna try different hdd, and if that doesn't work, try removing the mobo battery

 

ok

I tried a diff hdd

I tried removing the mobo batt, letting things reset, and then putting it back in

No improvement, same error.

Any other ideas?

 

What model does the BIOS think the machine is?

Gary

 

Bios Version R0040J1
EC Bios Version RK040J1
Machine name VGN-FS660P-W

Ok this is odd... The license sticker on the bottom has XP home, but per the bios version, I need XP pro...

Time to call Sony again and order another set of discs.

Thank Gary

 

Is there possibilities that the previous owner change the hardware such as CPU or memory or others ? . Exception for the Hard Drive. You can change the hard drive and still use the recovery disc.

I am pretty sure that if there is change of hardware, the recovery disc will not work.

 

I doubt it. The guy sold it to me as a parts laptop. When I got it, he gave me some shotty ac adapter with it. Replaced the ac adapter with an OEM Sony and it worked fine.

He was also happier than a pig in a pile of s*** when I told him I could recover his my docs folder for him for free.

 

DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! We have a winner. ...big ol' grin... There is your problem. The installer looks to the BIOS to determine what model the machine is and there by which OS is needed.

Gary

 

Anyone know if/where I can find the bios flash file (bin) for Sonys outside of the Sony site and Driverguide?

Again, thanks to all for the help. I really appreciate it.

 

Why would you want to? There is no way I would trust a BIOS flash from any place other than the OEM, not even Driverguide.

If you are thinking about reflashing to change the model type, I'd suggest instead that you get Sony to send you the proper set of recovery disks.

Gary

 

I'll call them this afternoon.

Thanks,

 

The recovery DVDs have been ordered.

Not bad - $26 out the door from the official Sony Parts and Accessories Store.

Thanks again to all.

 

Didn't you buy the first set from Sony? If so, THEY sent you the wrong ones, and should have done an exchange with you.

Gary

 

I can't find that email/order # (ordered them like a year ago - laptop was being used by a family member). For $26 I didn't feel like getting into it with someone on the phone.

I'll just sell them on ebay for whatever they will go for.

 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to say I got my second set of discs, and it worked like a charm.

Thanks again to chose who helped with the trouble shooting.

 

Hurrah! Good for you.

Gary