recovery disks / re-installing software bundle model GRT916Z

[sfedida]

Hi -

I have a vaio GRT916Z thats almost 3 years old. A very nice fast machine but I had a disk

problem and had to reformat the drive and reinstall the OS etc. I used the "VAIO Recovery and

Documentation" disk.

That went fine, but on restart the machine says I need to re-install the bundled applications and

to insert the recovery disk. I do this, but nothing happens.

Looking at the FAQs under this model it seems to imply there should be two CDROMs - a

second disc called "Vaio Applications and Documentation Disc". I have had the machine since

new and it only came with one disk -although the packaging was open when it
arrived 😞

So, does anyone know if I have the right number of recovery disks - 1 or 2 ?

If 2, is it possible to buy replacement recovery disks ?

Lastly, in this incomplete state I have tried to re-install MS-Office, but the installer won't

launch. Does this mean the computer is not usable until the recovery process of the software

bundle is complete or is there something else going on ?

I have been bouncing round this problem for a few days now, and as usual with these things

now is just the time I desparately need to have the machine working.

Grateful for any advice on this !

Simon

[stevensun]

Hi -

I have a vaio GRT916Z thats almost 3 years old.  A very nice fast machine but I had a disk 

problem and had to reformat the drive and reinstall the OS etc.  I used the "VAIO Recovery and 

Documentation" disk.

That went fine, but on restart the machine says I need to re-install the bundled applications and 

to insert the recovery disk.  I do this, but nothing happens.  

Looking at the FAQs under this model it seems to imply there should be two CDROMs - a 

second disc called "Vaio Applications and Documentation Disc".  I have had the machine since 

new and it only came with one disk  -although the packaging was open when it 
arrived 😞

So, does anyone know if I have the right number of recovery disks - 1 or 2 ?

If 2, is it possible to buy replacement recovery disks ?

Lastly, in this incomplete state I have tried to re-install MS-Office, but the installer won't 

launch.  Does this mean the computer is not usable until the recovery process of the software 

bundle is complete or is there something else going on ?

I have been bouncing round this problem for a few days now, and as usual with these things 

now is just the time I desparately need to have the machine working.

Grateful for any advice on this !

Simon

Hi Simon,

Did you try to use the "e-suport"? If not, you can creat a new case of your problem in

the "e-suport", and that team will reply a good advice in few days.

Good luck.

Steven

[JimmyCC]

Does the message come up when you start windows? If so i can get rid of the message.

[Thalamus.]

Hi sfedida,

Welcome to Club Vaio..

You should be able to purchase a set of recovery discs from Vaio-Link ..

[kee-lo_]

Sounds like you have a disk missing

[sfedida]

Hi Simon,

Did you try to use the "e-suport"? If not, you can creat a new case of your problem in 

the "e-suport", and that team will reply a good advice in few days.

Good luck.

Steven

Thanks for the advice - I posted a case (number 2359824) on 25 February. Not a peep back so far !

Simon

[sfedida]

Does the message come up when you start windows? If so i can get rid of the message.

Yes - I would like to get the apps re-intalled, but if I can't the message will have to go. How do you do it ?

thanks

Simon

[kee-lo_]

The best method of contact is phone

[sfedida]

The best method of contact is phone

Well that was good advice. Bought replacement recovery disks which came in about a week.

Recovery went fine - there is only *1* DVD disk. OS and Bundled apps loaded fine, but still could not re-install MS Office. Installer refused to launch. Evenutually penny dropped and bought a dvd drive lens cleaner (duh) and MS Office installed, original recovery disk now completely readable etc etc. So do try the obvious things first!

Only problem now is the problem that kicked all this off in the first place - a hard drive fault. That is still present and machine eventually refuses to boot even off a clean system - reports unreadable sectors that chkdsk can't fix. So I am looking at a hard disk repair I think.

Any views on this - a Sony service or third party ?

Simon

[kee-lo_]

Ouch sorry about that Simon. Shame I can't see your PC then I might have saved you time / money...

I would have that done by a reputable computer store, as it'll be a lot cheaper.