topic Re: Getting Started in PCs & Accessories

Getting Started

samwardill — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:58:39 GMT

I bought my Vaio today. I connected it as described in the instructions. I switched it on as described and I see the Vaio logo then the Win XP start up screen. When the boot process has completed the screen goes blank and I can't get it to do anything. I have looked at the troubleshooting and I can't see any solution.

Re: Getting Started

Blencogo — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 23:07:50 GMT

Hi samwardill and welcome to Club VAIO.

Not a brilliant start with your new Vaio!

Could be lots of things! If you bought your Vaio from a retail shop like PC World, you should return it for a repair or replacement.

If you would have to ship it back for repair, then it may be worth checking that your memory module(s) are seated properly as this is a likely cause.

If you can't find the instructions for removing/installing memory modules, you can reply with your Vaio model number and I can point you in the right direction!

Re: Getting Started

BartK — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 06:08:56 GMT

What Vaio?
What screen?
How connected?
Tried with another screen already?
...
Please provide more info before thinking something is wrong with the PC immediatelly. All Vaio's pass several quality checks before they are shipped. During shipping stuff still can go wrong, I agree, but still...

Re: Getting Started

jumpsuit — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 09:03:30 GMT

Hi Samwardill welcome to the forum!

Brat K:
Blencogo has already suggested he reply with his model no.

As for what screen, connection etc read your own sig....

"Imagination is more important than knowledge"

Use some.

Re: Getting Started

William — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:40:31 GMT

Hi Samwardill welcome to the forum!

Brat K: 
Blencogo has already suggested he reply with his model no.

As for what screen, connection etc read your own sig....

"Imagination is more important  than knowledge"

Use some.

The display obviously works because you can see the XP logo

I would run the recovery disks but I don't suppose they were supplied and the recovery files lie peacefully slumbering on the HDD.

Re: Getting Started

kee-lo_ — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:48:45 GMT

Well I'm going to put a positive spin on this, as everyone's running to the PC World or their retailers!

Put in your recovery DVD1 and start your VAIO, press F10 when it says VAIO, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Hopefully this is just a case of a badly installed OS

Re: Getting Started

Blencogo — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:24:09 GMT

I suppose the real point here is should you have to do any of this with a Vaio bought today and that doesn't work out of the box?

Re: Getting Started

kee-lo_ — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:58:14 GMT

I suppose the real point here is should you have to do any of this with a Vaio bought today and that doesn't work out of the box?

I agree, but in this day and age the less agro we have the better

Re: Getting Started

samwardill — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 08:14:27 GMT

As someone pointed out. It doesn't come with a recovery disk. Sony support on the phone were no use. They promised an engineer would call back and he hasn't. I think it is going back to John Lewis.

Just for interest. I can now get it to start by frigging around with F8 and choosing VGA mode. This is not a simple procedure and I seem to have to do it each time I switch the machine on. Even using this frig I can't watch TV as Media Player does not work with the VGA drivers!!!

Re: Getting Started

kee-lo_ — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:27:46 GMT

Yeah have a word with John Lewis, maybe they'll put preasure on Sony

Re: Getting Started

Thalamus. — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 14:04:49 GMT


Just for interest. I can now get it to start by frigging around with F8 and choosing VGA mode.

Hi samwardill,

Have you tried pressing F10 instead of F8 on booting up, this should start the recovery process...:smileyconfused:

Re: Getting Started

Blencogo — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 22:01:35 GMT

Just for interest. I can now get it to start by frigging around with F8 and choosing VGA mode.

Sounds like your display settings are incorrect for your screen or the DVI output is faulty.

Open in VGA mode, click on Start>Control Panel and double click on Display and select Settings.

Check you have the Sony Notebook display selected. Set the screen resolution to 1280 X 800 (or whatever your screen resolution is - you haven't told us which model you have) and set for Highest (32 bit) colour.

Reboot and see if it works. If not have the Vaio checked as there could be a graphics card fault.