Windows installation problems

Model : SONY VAIO FS740/W

PhoenixBIOS Setting
1. BIOS Version : R0084J1
2. EC BIOS Version : RK084J1
3. IDE Channel 0 Master : 80GB (TOSHIBA)
4. IDE Channel 0 Slave : CD/DVD (SONY DVD DW-Q58A)
5. Boot Options:
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive -> Y-E DATA USB-FDU-(USB)
• Hard Disk Drive -> TOSHIBA MK8025GAS-(PM)
• Network

I tried installing DVD writer software and my internal DVD stopped working. With an external DVD writer connected via USB, I tried to fix/repair Windows XP. My internal DVD was still not working. I wanted to completely format (as I accumulated lot of junk files over the years) my HDD and do a fresh install using my external DVD writer. At this point my external DVD was detecting via USB option at boot-up. For some reason, I could only replace the WINDOWS folder and all other files were not deleted.

I took my HDD out, connected it as an external HDD via USB to another laptop and did start -> control panel - > Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> storage -> Disk Management: Delete Partition and Format my HDD.

Now when I put my HDD back, I get Operating System not found (of course), but there is no USB boot option for external DVD writer. I was counting on my external DVD writer via USB to install my XP. Still my internal DVD won’t work (When I say won’t work, I can see the lights and I can hear the DVD trying to read the DVD disk. It appears as if it starts and in like 2-3 seconds it stops and it tries that over and over and over until I remove the DVD disk from the drive).

I have an external floppy drive, at boot-up via USB, BIOS is able to detect the external floppy drive but not the external DVD writer (external DVD does work, checked with other computer).

I copied windows installation disk to a USB stick (just copy paste). I don’t see this as well in my boot-up option.

I copied all files and folders from other working laptop to my HDD, connected to my laptop, hoping windows would start. No luck! I still get Operating System not found.

1) Can I make a USB stick windows installation? If so how?
2) I have only 4 floppy disks with me. Can I upgrade/copy new BIOS version using the floppy disk? If so how?
3) How can I install windows to an empty formatted HDD without a working internal DVD, external DVD not recognizing at boot-up via USB, with only 4 floppy disks, an external USB floppy drive and USB stick?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you

 

sevenforums.com/tutorials/2432-usb-windows-7-installation-key-drive-create

 

Perhaps the dvd writer screwed up your internal dvd writer regional settings?

You might have probably press the wrong key when installing windows so it brought you to repair windows.

3. Also play around with your external dvd writer, it would be a bit odd that it stopped working. Check the bios settings that you have allow it to boot from external devices. My sony have this option on another page, even if i tell it to boot from external usb device. It won't do it until I enable "boot from external device" it on a different page.

2) yes you should be able to update the bios with floppy disk. Check the sony website when you download the new firmware. They normally include the instructions.

 

@UserofFZ21Z - Thanks for the link. But I am trying to install XP Pro. I did a search and found an article that showed how to create USB XP boot ( http://wiki.eeeuser.com/windowsxpusb).

Again, BIOS is unable to detect my USB stick. only boot options I see are
• Optical Drive
• Floppy Disk Drive -> Y-E DATA USB-FDU-(USB)
• Hard Disk Drive -> TOSHIBA MK8025GAS-(PM)
• Network

@BaNZ -

If the "regional settings" did get effected, how can I change back to default settings?

I looked at my BIOS settings. But I don't see any USB option for external DVD as I see for my USB external floppy drive. I don't see any next page. If possible, Can you explain the steps required to enable USB?

I downloaded the firmware from http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFS740W&upd_id=2349&os_id=7, but I don't see any instructions on how to use with floppy. Can you post links to articles on this subject?

thanks

 

See what the cost of replacing the internal DVD drive would be. What was the software that disabled it? (I would have tryed removing the software or doing a system restore befor formatting the disk)

 

Successfully installed XP!

Luckily, the other laptop I have is an old K series sony vaio laptop. I took the internal DVD drive of that laptop and connected to my laptop and successfully installed XP.

My current internal DVD drive which is not working on my laptop is working properly on the older K series laptop.

After installing XP, I tried my current internal DVD drive and its not working.

I have no idea whats happening.

Anyhow, thanks for all you help.

 

Glad you got it working.