My brothers laptop, model PCG-9H4L, is having some problems. It won't boot into windows xp. It gets to the please wait screen and then it automatically restarts. I was then going to reinstall windows, so I threw in the windows xp cd and it just sits there reading it after the boot for a while, and then nothing happens and it then goes back to the windows screen. I turned off the option to automatically restart if a problem occurs and then it comes up with this blue screen saying boot error and it has been shut down to avoid farther damage. I don't know if the dvd rom even works on there. It appears it doesn't, but it does try to read the disc after I boot up the laptop. I am not too familiar with laptops, but I am really good with fixing computers. I am guessing that this isn't going to have any ide channels, so I can't try a different cdrom. What are my other options? We tried to make a windows xp boot disc from floppies and it won't even boot with them. I am guessing he got a virus or something. Anyone got any help for me? Thanks -Duga
Insert the Windows recovery disc and press F2 or Del(depending on the computer). This will take you to the BIOS. Look for Boot Options or similar. Set #1 choice to disc, as it is now set on HD. Then, save the changes and exit BIOS. It will then boot from the disc(hopefully) when it gives you the option to repair by pressing R, do so. Try repairing before reinstalling. Not sure how that will help but, let me know.
Its set to load from the optical first, then floppy, and finally the hd, but when I put the cd in, it reads it for a while, and then it never loads and continues to try and load windows. I am not even sure if the cd rom works on there or the floppy drive. I don't know what else to do. Any other options I have? I don't have a floppy on my computer, so I can't really load anything from a floppy. I was hoping I wouldn't have to reinstall. I am guessing a virus is to blame. Thanks for the help. -Duga
Well, if the CD-ROM doesn't work there isn't much you can do. What screen do you see while it trys to load the recovery disc? See any text? What's it say?
All I see is a blinking cursor, while its trying to read the disc. Then is just comes to the screen where you can select to load windows normally or in safe mode, because it wasn't shut down properly. How much would a new dvd rom cost? Can you even buy them for a laptop? It looks like it's built right into the laptop.
Yes, you could purchase and install a new one for your laptop. Just be sure it will work with a Vaio. Cost would range from $50-$250. You could also use an external CD-ROM/DVD-ROM if you do not know how to install one, which would be about the same price. Search NewEgg or TigerDirect Both sites have very good electronic prices. Another option you have is formatting the HD and reinstalling everything. Although, I'm not sure if the data can be saved without running a program through Windows. I'm not a big guru about formatting, so search Google for information about saving a HD without Windows. Or, you could search or start a new thread in "Other PC Hardware" pertaining to your problem. There are alot of techies there that may be of assistance. Let me know how things work out for you. I'll help where I can.
