Problems with reinstallling OS! - Computer Support Forums

tomreigate · 22-02-2010, 03:03 AM

Hi,

My computer recently stopped working, constant freezing etc. I decided to try a fresh install however somewhere in the process something went wrong.

I have managed to launch system recovery options and am now on the screen asking to loads drivers for my hard disks. It also shows i have no operating systems installed, which would make sense as in my haste to get everything sorted i completed wiped the drive (through Vaio options on start up)

I have an original Vista disk, however when i boot the computer up i get black screen with dialogue "operating system not found, press any key to continue" even though the Vista disk is in the drive.

The only details i have is the make and model of my laptop:

Sony Vaio - Model: VGNFW11E

Sorry to be so vague, I'm just hoping this is a hard drive driver issue (if there is such a thing?)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**RandyL** · 22-02-2010, 05:21 AM

Not sure of some things here.

If you used F10 to get to the recovery options you could have chosen two options.
Restore C: Drive
Restore Complete System

If you used the first option try F10 again.

If you chose the second option then you wiped the recovery partition that you could have used to reinstall Windows. You had the option to make recovery disks on yours. If you did make them now would be the time to use them.

"operating system not found" is because there isn't one anymore. It's probably trying to boot from the hard drive and not the disk. Change the boot order in the BIOS to CD/DVD drive 1st boot device. At startup pressing or tapping the F2 or F3 should get you into the BIOS (setup).

You say you have an original Vista disk. First of all Vista needs more than one DVD as the OS is massive. Is this the set of recovery disks you made from your VAIO? If these disks are from another computer or if it's full retail that's already been used on a different computer you're going to have a problem with that.

Sony VAIO VGN-FW11E Troubleshooting and Recovery Guide (PDF)

tomreigate · 22-02-2010, 01:10 PM

Right,

I have already tried going down the route of changing boot priorities, and set them to optical drive, external drive then internal hard disk. I have also tried putting the Vista files i have on a flash drive and booting from that to no avail.

I have a set of 3 recovery disks, although when i have tried to do a full restore through the viao options i get an "error 86" as soon as i click start.

If i went out today and bought brand new version of windows, would it completly sort the problem?

**Jelly Bean** · 22-02-2010, 07:24 PM

I note your external drive is connected.

Could you dissconnect any external hardware that is not required for booting the computer.

Items like printer,scanner,external drives,webcam etc.

Then load defaults in BIOS set first boot to CD/DVD rom pop in disk and start again.

Does that work?

Another possibility is your disk contains service pack 1 and the computer contains service pack 2,is this possible?

22-02-2010, 03:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
tomreigate Status: Free PC Help New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Operating System: Windows Vista - Home Premium PC Experience: Some Experience	Problems with reinstallling OS! Hi, My computer recently stopped working, constant freezing etc. I decided to try a fresh install however somewhere in the process something went wrong. I have managed to launch system recovery options and am now on the screen asking to loads drivers for my hard disks. It also shows i have no operating systems installed, which would make sense as in my haste to get everything sorted i completed wiped the drive (through Vaio options on start up) I have an original Vista disk, however when i boot the computer up i get black screen with dialogue "operating system not found, press any key to continue" even though the Vista disk is in the drive. The only details i have is the make and model of my laptop: Sony Vaio - Model: VGNFW11E Sorry to be so vague, I'm just hoping this is a hard drive driver issue (if there is such a thing?) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

22-02-2010, 05:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
RandyL Status: Administrator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA, Nebraska Posts: 3,183 Operating System: Vista-Home Premium SP2-Windows 7 PC Experience: Very Experienced	Not sure of some things here. If you used F10 to get to the recovery options you could have chosen two options. Restore C: Drive Restore Complete System If you used the first option try F10 again. If you chose the second option then you wiped the recovery partition that you could have used to reinstall Windows. You had the option to make recovery disks on yours. If you did make them now would be the time to use them. "operating system not found" is because there isn't one anymore. It's probably trying to boot from the hard drive and not the disk. Change the boot order in the BIOS to CD/DVD drive 1st boot device. At startup pressing or tapping the F2 or F3 should get you into the BIOS (setup). You say you have an original Vista disk. First of all Vista needs more than one DVD as the OS is massive. Is this the set of recovery disks you made from your VAIO? If these disks are from another computer or if it's full retail that's already been used on a different computer you're going to have a problem with that. Sony VAIO VGN-FW11E Troubleshooting and Recovery Guide (PDF) __________________ We are all members helping other members. Please return here where you may be able to help someone else. After all, no one knows everything and you may have the answer that someone needs. Get help with computer problems. Join Free PC Help here Donations are welcome. Read Here

22-02-2010, 07:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jelly Bean Status: Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Swansea Posts: 1,376 Operating System: Windows Vista - Ultimate PC Experience: I Try My Best.	I note your external drive is connected. Could you dissconnect any external hardware that is not required for booting the computer. Items like printer,scanner,external drives,webcam etc. Then load defaults in BIOS set first boot to CD/DVD rom pop in disk and start again. Does that work? Another possibility is your disk contains service pack 1 and the computer contains service pack 2,is this possible? __________________ Rwy'n ceisio fy ngorau......................

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22-02-2010, 01:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
tomreigate Status: Free PC Help New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2 Operating System: Windows Vista - Home Premium PC Experience: Some Experience	Right, I have already tried going down the route of changing boot priorities, and set them to optical drive, external drive then internal hard disk. I have also tried putting the Vista files i have on a flash drive and booting from that to no avail. I have a set of 3 recovery disks, although when i have tried to do a full restore through the viao options i get an "error 86" as soon as i click start. If i went out today and bought brand new version of windows, would it completly sort the problem?