HELP!! 'Missing Operating System'

[JohnB]

I started the recovery CD and followed the instructions, a critical error occured and I pressed retry, retry then abort.
Now my PCV-LX2 boots, but stops after the irq table with the message 'Missing opersting System', it will not even boot to the recovery (or any other bootable) CD-ROM !!

PLease help

[robpaxton]

Culled from the www.vaio-link.com site:

Start or restart your VAIO.
When you see the Sony logo, press F2 repeatedly to enter the BIOS.
Once in the BIOS, insert the first recovery CD in the CD-ROM drive.
Press F9 to restore the default values (F5 on VAIO desktops).
When asked to confirm, press ENTER.
Press F10 to save the configuration and exit the BIOS.
When asked to confirm, press ENTER again.
The VAIO restarts and boots on the recovery CD.
Remove all partitions from the hard disk drive:

Wait for the Recovery CD screen to appear.
Hold down the CTRL key and press C once.
If asked if you want to Terminate batch job, type Y.
At the promt type zero and press ENTER.
You are asked to confirm your choice - Type Y and press ENTER.
Type Y again to confirm that you are really sure and press ENTER.
All the partitions on your hard disk have been deleted.
Hold down the power button until your VAIO is completely shut down.
Then press once the power button to start your VAIO.
Start the recovery process:

The Sony logo should appear on the screen and the Recovery CD screen is displayed.
Press S to select Standard.
A message explains that the hard drive is not partitioned - Press a key to continue.
Your hard drive is being partitioned - When the process is finished, your VAIO reboots automatically.
When you get back the Recovery screen, press S to select Standard again.
Press Y for Yes to continue.
Finally press G for Go to start the recovery process.
During the recovery, you may be asked to insert the next recovery CD(s) and press a key, please do so.
When the procedure is finished, your VAIO reboots.
Follow the on-screen instructions to configure Windows according to your needs.

If the above procedure doesn't work then you must have a faulty disk or faulty computer. Your next step is to phone Vaio Link.

[JohnB]

Thanks Rob, but i tried that. The first time i never followed the CTRL+C thing, as i never knew, I just booted disk1 of the recovery cd's and followed the on screen prompts, untill it generated a critical error.
Now it will only get as far as the PCI Device listing then I get 'Missing O/S' and it locks up

Thanks for your efforts, i think I need to contact Sony
Jb

[robpaxton]

Have you definately set the BIOS to it's defaults - the missing O/S message normally only turns up if a non bootable disk is used. If you have already reset the BIOS then try using a lens cleaner on your drive and also try cleaning the disk.

[kee-lo_]

Try the recovery process again to see if it works this time.

(ah posting finally works for me again).

[JohnB]

Hi Guy's
Sorted now, it turns out the CD-ROM developed a fault during the restore process, just after it had formatted the hard drive, hence the 'Missing Operating System' msg on a reboot.
And as the CD-ROM drive was faulty it would not recognize the bootable CD.
I ripped the front off a spare cd drive and replaced the faulty one, and (with the aid of a cocktail stick ) and have managed to restore my system.

The only problem now is the eject mechanism is slightly out of alignment with the drive, but I'm assuming any Sony drive should be ok.

Thanks for all your help, it's reassuring to know that you guy's are out there, and are willing to spend your time helping people like me.
Cheers
Jb :smileygrin:

[kee-lo_]

Hey JB

What a novel way to repair a CD drive :!: Glad it's working for you now.

Also thanks for the comments, we pride ourselves on helping you guys out.

[robpaxton]

Cocktail stick

Sounds like one of my repair jobs

[kee-lo_]

Better than picking at your teeth like some people do with them