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    no easy way to reformat a sony?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007.

  1. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    i reformatted my friend dell laptop a few times with ease... but then i saw some guys post about how to clean install vista?? was like 10 pages long...

    sony doesnt give a backup disc or anything? driver disc?
     
    Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007
    #1
  2. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    The 10 page doc was to show folks who have never tried a clean install before exactly what to do step by step. Sony provides a full restore partiton on the hard drive (like HP does) and the ability to create a drivers disk.

    But like an HP restore, you get all the bloatware back if you do a full restore. The document shows how to avoid all that extra junk and get a "lean and mean" install instead.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Aug 4, 2007
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  3. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    but i will be buying a seagate 7200 RPM drive... how would i install vista on that without a disc? :(
     
    Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007
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  4. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    There is a utility to create a two DVD set that is the equivalent of the hidden restore partition. You can use those to do a full restore on the new drive. But remember you will have all the extra junk that way. If you have access to a Vista DVD (full retail or even an UPGRADE dvd) you can use my document to do a clean install which will boot and run faster than a full recovery. Look at some of the threads here for a link on how to use the UPDATE version of the DVD if that is all you can get ahold of.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Aug 4, 2007
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  5. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    i have a windows XP disc... can I just install windows XP?

    i rather have XP anyways...

    but are there drivers for windows xp?
     
    Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007
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  6. badboy_77

    badboy_77 Notebook Enthusiast

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    did your computer come with xp or vista?

    for the sake of argument i'll assume xp. after you create your dvd restore discs (2 discs) all the drivers for your hardware/system will be on one of them.

    Instructions:

    install new HD
    insert windows install cd/dvd (windows xp home/pro/mce/vista which ever
    continue to setup. create partition/format/install

    your system should reboot 2 during the whole install process.

    after your system boots and posts to windows install your xp drivers (if that the version you installed. otherwise surf the net...
     
    badboy_77, Aug 4, 2007
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  7. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    it comes with vista. i want to buy a faster harddrive and then install windows xp on that harddrive.

    but where do i find xp drivers for the fz190?
     
    Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007
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  8. ScuderiaConchiglia

    ScuderiaConchiglia NBR Vaio Team Curmudgeon

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    There is no full set of XP drivers available. Dig around here a bit though, some folks are ATTEMPTING to track them all down from various sources.


    But it is a scavenger hunt.

    Gary
     
    ScuderiaConchiglia, Aug 4, 2007
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  9. Hartman

    Hartman Notebook Consultant

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    It is my opinion that some folks on this board make it WAY harder than it really is.
     
    Hartman, Aug 4, 2007
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  10. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    can you simplify it for me please
     
    Duke2007, Aug 4, 2007
    #10