computer problem

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

It would be interesting to know though, whether your windows install cd gives you the option to try to fix the os.

hopefully

[xoxoxoBruce]

All mine do, they're all from Dell.

[Pete Zicato]

The question is whether the installer will 1) See the hard drive 2) Recognize that there is a previous install on it. If both those things are true, then it might be useful.

If, as mb ponders, it is a controller issue, then the windows install disk would be no use at all.

MB - are the hard drive controllers built into the motherboard on laptops?

[tw]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

MB - are the hard drive controllers built into the motherboard on laptops?

Hard drive controllers disappeared when MFM disk drives were replaced with IDE drives. When the ISA bus was replaced with a PCI bus.

Each disk drive is a computer. Between the motherboard computer (PCI bus) and disk drive computer is a transceiver, bidirectonal data gate, or an interface between two asynchronous buses. The motherboard CPU literally sends and receives messages from the disk drive computer.

One of the disk drives must be a master. Something must control / arbitrate the IDE or SATA bus. That is the master drive. On IDE busses, that master drive always has an address of 80h. Therefore the motherboard CPU can send commands to both disk drives. Both drives can be doing tasks. But only one drive responds when it is ready.

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

It would be interesting to know though, whether your windows install cd gives you the option to try to fix the os.

The Recovery Console is (is supposed to exist) on the Windows install CD. It does not exist on a computer manufacturer's fast restore CD that only wipes the disk drive completely clean and loads only a new OS image. That OS image is Windows after the computer manufacturer has reconfigured it unique to their machine.

Some manufacturers wanted you to burn a windows install CD when you got the machine. Too many users do not or forget to burn that CD. If you did not did not burn that windows install CD, then no Recovery Console exists on a CD. Windows install software is both on the provided or burned CD, and often on a separate partition on the hard drive. Only better systems provide the Windows install CD.

Only the best computer manufacturers also provide comprehensive hardware diagnostics on a CD, on another partition on the hard drive, and on their web site. Had Sony provided same, then most of yesterdays labors would have been completely unnecessary. From what I could see, Sony does not provide that comprehensive hardware diagnostic that Sony and all other computer manufacturer have, could, and should provide for free.

A benchmark for better computer systems. If that manufacture does not provide comprehensive hardware diagnostics, then done buy the machine. This thread demonstrates how complex problems become without it. Hard drive integrity (including SATA or IDE bidriectional interface) could have been established in minutes is Sony provided the comprehensive hardware diagnostic.

[jinx]

I wonder where that is... I'll look for it.

[tw]

Originally Posted by jinx

1. check
2. check
3. no - only thing there is the dvd drive

That says software cannot see the disk drive. Explains why Windows cannot load from the disk drive. Only implies a disk hardware failure. Your previous BIOS tests implied drive hardware was working.

If diagnostics (ie test from the disk drive manufacturer) report the drive hardware defective, then only way to obtain data is to replace electronics on the drive OR a data recovery service OR attempt same with the disk attached to another computer interface.

If diagnostics report disk hardware as good, programs on PTDD, other disk recovery software (ie SpinRite from Gibson Research) or Recovery Console (the windows install cd) probably can restore the disk or recovery data.

[mbpark]

First question I have is: How new is this Vaio? It may have a newer SATA controller that Windows/UBCD may not recognize.

Do you have a USB to SATA drive interface? You may want to get one, plug the drive into it, and use UBCD to see if it can see the drive.

[jinx]

Not new, sept 08

I assume I don't but I'll ask jim...

[mbpark]

The purpose of that test is to see if there's a problem with the onboard SATA controller on the motheboard.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by tw

classicman is now in the Technology forum posting more cheap shots and nothing useful or helpful in computer problem. He is doing exactly what Limbaugh and Beck have told him to do. Make things so nasty that the better informed will be hurt, take insult, and not challenge incessant posting and threats from extremists.

Nastiness in the Cellar comes from those who are doing exactly what Limbaugh and Beck encourage them to do. It works because so many remain silent as, for example, classicman attempts to turn another thread nasty.

I made a joke - much like Jim would do, except since Jim is the one with the issue he could not. There was nothing nasty about it.

[jinx]

I can't find the box of disks that came with laptops.... I think the squirrel sold them or something. Jim will find it when he gets home.

Sorry to be incompetent mb, but I appreciate your help.

[mbpark]

The USB to SATA interface is a piece of hardware. It costs like $20 online, and it lets you connect hard drives over USB so you can see if they work, or if it is a problem with the motherboard.

DVD drives usually run off of a different controller. Therefore, the DVD drive working and the hard drive not working can be indicative of a bad controller.

[jinx]

Oh! Yeah, I think Jim and zippy were discussing this option last night. We don't have one unless Jim bought one today.

He works in a different state, I haven't really talked to him yet today...

[lumberjim]

I can't find the stuff that came with these two computers. and I don't have one of those SATA things.

a note.....

when in the BIOS screen, the Hard drive shows up, but it's grey and not selectable.



i can't find the discs, but zippy found this: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu...NFW140EH&LOC=3

is what I need on there, assuming that's our computer?

[mbpark]

Yes they are, that means if the HD works, you have to either find someone really good at soldering individual chips at a near-microscopic level, or replace the motherboard.