Operating System Not Found

[BeatleBuff]

Help!

My Vaio laptop VGN-FE21b suddenly will not boot up. Following the VAIO opening screen I get a mesage "Operating System Not Found". I have tried the recovery disc but I get a message "can't perform recovery as hard disc cannot be found". Microsoft website suggests a faulty hard drive or a problem with the bios. Before I get a new hard drive fitted, is there any way I can check out the bios settings?

Grateful for any help

BeatleBuff.

[Blencogo]

Hi BeatleBuff,

Close down your Vaio and restart.
When you see the first Vaio logo screen, tap F2 repeatedly.
This will take you into the BIOS

Check through the BIOS screens and see if the hard drive is recognised by the BIOS.

If it is not recognised then a new hard drive will be needed.

If it is recognised, then it is worth trying to boot using a borrowed XP Pro installation disc and entering the Recovery Console where you can run repairs on the Master Boot Record and Boot.ini by running: -

FIXMBR
FIXBOOT
CHKDSK

[BeatleBuff]

Blencogo.

I have done exactly as you say and the main BIOS screen says "Hard Disc Drive: None". So it looks like a new hard drive is required. Thanks very much for your help.

BeatleBuff

[Blencogo]

Hi BeatleBuff,

As a last resort it may be an idea to remove the hard drive cover and 'wiggle' the hard drive. I know it sounds silly but you may have a bad connection between the drive and the interface.

Turn your Vaio upside down on a towel or the like.
Remove the single screw from the HDD access door and remove it.
Push the drive to the left and see if this helps.

As I said - the last resort but it will also show you how to replace your drive!!