Sony VGN-FZ220E Recovery Partition deleted - Pls Help

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and I need you help on how to reinstall the Windows on my FZ220E that came a few days ago. I didn't like the Vista Home preshipped version so I accidentally format the HD before creating the Recovery DVDs. I was trying to reinstall XP or Server 2003 but nothing worked. They did not see the HD. I Vista Ultimate and with your help, can I install Windows once the hidden partion is deleted and does any one have a recovery CD?

I'm stuck now and if I knew of this problem, that I can't do a clean install then I wouldn't buy this Sony. This is ridiculuos that I can only use Vista on this laptop and they didn't even supply the recovery disks.

Please help. I couln't do anything with my aptop now, it's dead, physically.

 

I just did a clean install using the set up files (made into a bootable dvd) in the hard drive itself. You should have waited before formatting. You can get a windows anytime upgrade dvd and do a clean install.

 

Simply formatting should not have deleted your recovery partition. Formatting only affects the partition you run the format on. Now if you explicitly *deleted* the recovery partition, that's another story.

Buying/borrowing a set of Sony Restore DVD's for your model should (from what I've heard) restore the factory recovery partition. I can't swear to it though, as I've never tried it on a Sony, and I know that some other laptop manufacturers do NOT restore the recovery partition. Maybe someone else here can confirm.

The lesson learned here is, with today's expansive HDD's, it's never a good idea to delete any factory recovery partitions just to recover a few gigs. If you're down to just a few gigs of free space, then you really need to either clean house or upgrade your drive. But leave the recovery partition alone.

 

As dmorris68 said, unless you specifically deleted the recovery partition it is still there and read for you to use. Power off and then back on then immediately hit the F10 key. This will bring up a menu to allow you to restore from the hidden partition.

However if you REALLY want XP or Server 2003 the issue you have is that the driver has an SATA interface. The XP and Server install CD's can't see that. BUT, there is a way to make them work. Go to the top of the page here and in the search box type "SATA XP SLIPSTREAM" without the quotes. You will find instructions on how to create a "slipstream" XP install disk with the SATA drivers included in it.

Also if you go to Sony support you will find the XP drivers for your machine. However this is ONLY the drivers not the auxiliary apps for things like function keys and power management. Again using the search box at the top look for "XP FZ" you'll find lots of discussion about this including how to get the headphone jack to turn off the built in speakers under XP.

Gary