topic Re: vaio hanging after startup in PCs & Accessories

vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 14:26:47 GMT

I have recently experienced a problem with my PCG-8L3M NOTEBOOK. It was giving great service then started to close itself down without warning. Then it got to the point where It would require a couple of re-starts and it would be fine. Now it starts then hangs. I have done what I can in terms of checking memory, cleaning fan, reformating HD etc but still this persists.
Anyone any ideas or is this an expensive problem?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

jammold — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 14:34:48 GMT

Probably best to get Sony involved on this one, the contact information can be found here.

Re: vaio hanging after startup

kee-lo_ — Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:57:10 GMT

Have you changed hard disk too?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 08:03:32 GMT

Have you changed hard disk too?

Why do you say that? is that a first step procedure then? expensive if its not the hard drive error.

Re: vaio hanging after startup

Woody27 — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 09:19:08 GMT

That's a strange model, is it European?

To help you we need more information:

What Processor Does it have?
Windows edition?
Memory?
How does it hang... ...in windows... ...does'nt even get that far?
How old is it?

CW

Re: vaio hanging after startup

kee-lo_ — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 15:34:38 GMT

Have you changed hard disk too?

Why do you say that? is that a first step procedure then? expensive if its not the hard drive error.

Nope trying to get a better picture of what's been done at your end.

Re: vaio hanging after startup

jammold — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 15:38:44 GMT

This is a REALLY long shot, but try reseating your RAM chips. The service hatch and how to remove/install the chips can be found on Sony's VAIO-Link Knowledge Base FAQ, follow the FAQ to see the model-specific information and above all be careful!

Also try cleaning your system fans.

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 13:56:35 GMT

well the model number on the front is PCG-GRZ615M
It's about 14 months old
P4 WITH XP HOME 512 MEM

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 13:58:53 GMT

Did that and ran on one slot then moved chips around so had every possible config of mem in slots. still does it. bought new hd, added it, installed os, still does it

Re: vaio hanging after startup

kee-lo_ — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 15:51:57 GMT

How about with just one ?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 15:40:08 GMT

did that as well. i have reinstalled the set-up disks a few times now. This process is fine, no problems, then when it's all done and loads XP, get a message telling me the boot.ini is missing yet it still boots into XP then runs for a while. Took it to a repair shop and could not even get the fault to occur. Is it possible it could be some BIOS virus? Is the BIOS flashable on the vaio?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

kee-lo_ — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 15:46:58 GMT

Is the BIOS flashable on the vaio?

Yes it is.
But before you flash make sure to take out any ADDITIONAL memory as you can destroy the BIOS

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:02:31 GMT

I have had the notebook to a computer shop and asked them to flash the bios to see if that would work. Thy have told me that they cannot get windows to start for long enough to flash the bios. Is the bios flashed while windows is running? or are they just having me on here?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

kee-lo_ — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 14:21:59 GMT

Can they not do it in ODOS?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

Woody27 — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 15:02:54 GMT

Yes, they should be able to flash the BIOS in DOS!

Remember, if they flash the BIOS get them to remove the additional RAM beforehand, otherwise the process can hang and permanently damadge your computer (the BIOS update will not be expecting the additional memory to address and gets confused)!

Keep us informed of progress!

CW

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 14:37:18 GMT

i think these people have been having me on. I don't think they have actually done anything. Where do i find the bios software update for the vaio? Is there a website? what else should I know before attempting to do this myself?

Re: vaio hanging after startup

Woody27 — Wed, 24 Nov 2004 14:44:44 GMT

If there is a BIOS update for your model you will find it on the VAIO LINK website!

CW

Re: vaio hanging after startup

bluemore — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 18:13:30 GMT

I have taken the notebook to 3 professionals. all of them said its the mother board. Cost of repair? forget it they said, not worth it, too expensive. So anyways, I'm on my travels in the far east and have a stop over in bangkok. I have the notebook with me so decide to visit a local bazar for computer components. In this bazae is a young boy mending notebooks. what the hell I thought, so asked him to have a look. Straight away he said cpu! I said no way, that would have been picked up by the pros. I show you he said in broken english. Within 25 minutes, viao back to life and working fine. Cost? 93 quid all in.
14 yr old Tai boy vs the pros! no competition