Laptop O/S problem, I'm totally lost.......

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by OU812Ono, Jun 20, 2006.

  1. OU812Ono

    OU812Ono Regular member

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    Alright everyone..... I got a Vaio Pcg-fx140 from a friend that said it wasn't working. I reinstalled winMe and it gave me an error saying the HDD was bad and I should backup/replace it. So I got a new one, installed it and installed WinMe. I realize NOTHING I have software wise works with it. So I upgrade to Win2k. I didn't do it actually a buddy did, but that's not important.

    After it was installed I have to choose from 3 Win 2000 o/s during boot up. After one loads the picture only displays in the center of the screen, like I chose 50% view with a media player, black border all around. The resolution stinks, anyways. On another forum I asked what I should do. The general answer was format and re-install the O/S. I did that last night. Wiped the HDD, installed Win2k and when I went to boot it gives me the same error as when I first got it "Hdd erros, backup immediatly....." But it boots into windows......


    I'm pretty sure my last problem with the resolution and wahtnot was drivers....Now I don't know what to do. Please any help would be greatly appreciated. I start my summer-b semester in a week so I'd like to get this thing going.

    Thanks in advance, and I guess this is what I get for not coming here first....
     
  2. DoubleDwn

    DoubleDwn Regular member

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    When you resintalled, did you wipe the drive clean, or install over the old installation?

    Its pretty common for the boot screen to be small on a laptop, but once the OS is at the desktop/logon screen, it should be full-screen. I would check the "dual monitor" setting in the display settngs. (dual monitors becuase of the VGA port on the back) Make sure everything is in order there first.

    What is telling you the drive is bad? The Windows installation, or the BIOS? Is it a new drive? If so, return it and get a new one just to be safe.

    ~Rich
     
  3. ireland

    ireland Active member

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    what is needed from the original me cd install disk do ye have it if not go to the web site of the manufacture of the laptop and get them,then try me...

    » Driver - Audio
    » Driver - Chipset
    » Driver - Graphics
    » Driver - Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices
    » Driver - Modem
    » Driver - Network
     
  4. OU812Ono

    OU812Ono Regular member

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    It is the Desktop screen that is small. After it boots and everything loads. I have start menu, I can load my wireless card and firefox and get online......That's why I fiure it's the drivers, but here's my other problem.

    I cant find a video driver that supports Win2k. Ive gone to the manufactures website and installed them, at the end of the install screen it says they are not compatable, even though the website lists them as.

    Now I'm worried about why I have this backup-data warning.

    I used an erase program to clear the Hdd, only thing is it stuck on 98% for several hours. I ctrl-alt-del and it restarted, ran the install disc. The partition was gone "orig had 43gb fat32, and 2?gb ntfs with the boot set to that".

    Do I re-wipe the drive, I mean is there a better method?

    I'm so lost, thanks for all the help guys. I'm trying to do this in between finishing a photo-portfolio due for my final tomm. Haha, on top of studying for my logic final as well.
     
  5. DoubleDwn

    DoubleDwn Regular member

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    You have a floppy drive? Download a win98 boot floppy (bootdisk.com) and boot without CD-ROM support. Fdisk the c drive and remove ALL partitions. Create a single DOS partition, reboot with the floppy again without CD-Rom support. Format the C: drive. Then try to re-install the OS.

    Try switching the output for the dislpay (function key and F5 I think). Cycle through it a few times, and see if the screen resets. If not, play with the drivers, resolution and refresh rates.

    ~Rich
     
  6. ianski7

    ianski7 Guest

    Hi, did you try this driver?............http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=PCGFX140&upd_id=714&os_id=6

    Download the manufacturers drive diagnostic utility and see if there is truly a problem with the drive.
     
  7. DoubleDwn

    DoubleDwn Regular member

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    Never mind....

    ~Rich
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2006
  8. OU812Ono

    OU812Ono Regular member

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    Thanks guys, I'll look into those things more. Only problem is I have no floppy drive. I'm in class now but can't wait to get home and try.....
     
  9. OU812Ono

    OU812Ono Regular member

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    Alright got home and installed the the wireless drivers. I downloaded the supposed drivers for the conversion and no luck. I got back on and am currently downloading ALL 223mb's worth of drivers. I let you know how things go....
     

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