topic Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!? in PCs & Accessories

VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

alok — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 19:08:57 GMT

I received my Sony Notebook VGN-B1VP and was expecting to see it equpped with a 40GB hard drive, but when i checked, there were two hard drives, and one was a 13.9GB, and the other 16.3GB This only totals to 30.2GB and not 40. Please coukd somebody advise me as to whether this piece only has the wrong hard drive, or if there is a mass of misprints regarding the memory.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 19:19:09 GMT

The remaining space is used as a recovery partition IIRC

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

magnumopus — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 20:53:13 GMT

I had the same thing with my K315M I bought last week. Not a lot of space left for much at all. No doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong on your model but here what you need to do. First off create the recovery DVD's. Place the system recovery DVD into the drive and reboot it. You will find after a short while there's an option to combine all the space into a single partition which also get's rid of the hidden recovery partition as well. select this and follow the instructions, might take a while but what you'll be left with is a single C: drive with all of the supplied software on it and if you need to restore it you have the DVD's. It seems a little scary but it does work, I'm living proof. LOL

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

alok — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 18:08:33 GMT

thanks for that, but i still cannot understand as to why 10GB is used just for a partition! However in regards to the last reply, i cannot burn DVDs as this doesnt have a DVD burner, so does antone has any other solutions please.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

magnumopus — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 18:24:15 GMT

I assume it has a CD burner? Is there a program supplied to make back up CD's? On mine i had the choice of using 2 x DVD's or 9 CDR's. It's possible that it may not have this facility and you have to rely on the backup partition to restore your machine... which is fine until the hard drive bites the dust. Never did like that method hence I made sure when i bought this one that it either came with or you could create your own recovery discs.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

alok — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 18:40:50 GMT

when i create the discs, which recovery dis do i put it out of the 9 i create? i will give this a try, and hope it works.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 18:53:09 GMT

Good luck

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

magnumopus — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:01:35 GMT

when i create the discs, which recovery dis do i put it out of the 9 i create? i will give this a try, and hope it works.

I hope you labeled the discs or this could be fun.

Normally the first one, system recovery.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

robpaxton — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:05:22 GMT

When you create the disks - create a couple of sets. There is nothing worse than trying to use a set of recovery disks then discovering that one disk is faulty.

Store them in cases in a dark drawer somewhere.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:36:06 GMT

Make AT LEAST 3 sets, specially the price Sony charges

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

TygerTyger — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:48:39 GMT

3 x 9 CD's? Screw that, I wouldn't give Sony the satisfaction of ripping you off so badly. What I would do if your computer is new(ish) is create the set then try a recovery straight away to test them. If they work then as Rob says stick them in a drawer somewhere and don't touch them.

All this crap is making my blood pressure rise again. And I still after all this time don't understand why some computers come with it done and some don't, it doesn't seem to be done by price. My computer wasn't the cheapest but certainly not in the top price range, and it came with no recovery partition. Instead a premade recovery DVD from which I can install individual programs if I need (But only after the computer is up and running, it's still all or nothing on the recovery itself).

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:51:37 GMT

Personally I would make my own Norton Ghost backup, no need for Sony cr&p.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

TygerTyger — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:53:22 GMT

You shouldn't have to buy Norton Ghost because Sony are incompetent. Taking up a full quarter of a brand new hard drive with the recovery disk really is a steaming load of horse wossnames.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:55:18 GMT

I got Ghost free with something - can't remember what it was.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

robpaxton — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 17:57:59 GMT

Taking up a full quarter of a brand new hard drive with the recovery disk really is a steaming load of horse wossnames.

The above is very true and encompasses my views on the matter precisely

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 18:10:00 GMT

I agree totally, it's sacralidge

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

Woody27 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:41:42 GMT

TT, Rob, Kee-Lo,

TOTALLY agree!

What are Sony thinking of, they are starting to take the p**s!

You'd expect this type of cheap skate behaviour of the likes of the now defunct Tiny Computers!

Sony !!... ...notice the DEFUNCT bit!

CW

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

kee-lo_ — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 19:43:50 GMT

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

magnumopus — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:25:50 GMT

Daft as it is, it all comes down to price and licensing costs. I don't have exact figures but the way Sony have done it is the cheapest method possible.

However, considering in just the few days I've been here this is a subject that's cropped up several times already. Maybe something Sony should consider changing if they ever read these forums. For a manufacturer of Sony's size and reputation it really does give a bad impression.

Re: VGN-B1VP not 40GB!?

Woody27 — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 21:37:02 GMT

Daft as it is, it all comes down to price and licensing costs. I don't have exact figures but the way Sony have done it is the cheapest method possible.

Problem is that VAIOs are not cheap!

That's why I would'nt expect this of Sony, the software and recovery disk support is one of the many reasons that I bought my VAIO!

It certainly was'nt the price!

Could have got some cheap crap (without recovery disks) for half the price I payed for my VAIOs!

If they lowered the price.... ...well, maybe that would be a differnt story! :smileygrin:

Actually, I still think this new practice of not supplying recovery disks would be pretty shoddy... ...even if the VAIO prices were lowered!

CW