Community

rob5497

Hi. Before I start, I'm sorry if this thread is already in existence, I've searched but can't find one

My VAIO PC (RX-401 - yeah I know it's old!) crashed the other day and ever since I've been trying to rebuild it. When I insert the Sony Product Recovery CD-ROM (Vol. 1) it gets to about 30% and then comes up with a message saying "Invalid image in use" or "Error reading stream" or words like that. I have installed from this CD before so it was perfectly OK, but I can't get past this error message. I do have another copy of Windows XP so it's not too bad and it eventually loaded this (although it burps and farts all the time now!) Of course, I can't install my Sonic Stage or anything because it doesn't recognise it as a Sony PC.

Can any of you guys help with this error message and a workaround at all? I'd be really totally utterly grateful if you can!

Rob.

kee-lo_

Rob,

Format it using the DOS command, then try the recovery CDs again.

rob5497

Hi, thanks for your post. I've already tried the OFORMAT C: command from the command prompt but still no good Would calling Sony and asking for some new media help?

kee-lo_

Has the media been damaged?
Also has the BIOS been updated?

rob5497

Has the media been damaged?  Not that I know of.
Also has the BIOS been updated?

How would I know?

rob5497

And very sorry, that was meant to say "How would I know if the BIOS has been updated?" rather than "How would I know?" I'm not normally lacking in manners, just a typo!

kee-lo_

No worries

If you haven't updated it yourself then it's going to be the original it came with from the factory.

have you done FDISK /MBR ?

rob5497

I haven't tried that command. I can't seem to enter DOS from the boot menu (I press F8 when booting-right?) Could you provide me with the steps I need to take to run this command? I'm really grateful for your help. Thanks.

Rob.

kee-lo_

Yes, you press F8 before the Windows logo shows up, then select DOS prompt

then when you see C:\>
you enter

FDISK /MBR

This will recreate the master boot record - don't worry it's safe to do.

Viruses have been known to corrupt the master boot record on purpose!

stevep-4

My RX405 had simlar problems afterabout 3 weeks.

I took it back to the dealer who passed it on to Sony for repair.

Trying to do system restore, it stopped after abour 30%, then 20% then it coughed and died from the beginning.

From memory, it seems the hard drive, memory, motherboard and power supply were replaced.

Quite possibly the actual problem was a buggered hard drive.