topic Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start in PCs & Accessories

PCV-LX2 fails to start

dcbright — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 21:49:45 GMT

When I switched on my SONY PCV-LX2 today I was presented with the following message:

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

It then said put in the WinXP CD and press 'r' to repair.

But the product recovery CD-ROM supplied with the PC does not have this option. What should I do as I do not want to do a complete recovery and lose the data on my C drive.

Thanks

David Seabright

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

robpaxton — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 22:22:41 GMT

I think you can use the XP setup floppy disks from Microsoft to run the recovery console. They are at XP Home and XP Pro

Then follow the instructions at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

I've never tried it though so can't be sure it'll work - I'm lucky enough to have a couple of full install disks.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

dcbright — Mon, 06 Sep 2004 12:59:25 GMT

Thanks for your reply but it won't work. Have already tried it with the XP Pro installation disk!!! If you notice on the Microsoft site it says:

'Warning Do not use the procedure that is described in this article if your computer has an OEM-installed operating system. The system hive on OEM installations creates passwords ........'

However, Microsoft does not go on to say what to do if you do have an OEM installation!!

Cheers

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Mon, 06 Sep 2004 13:56:28 GMT

So when you put your recovery CD in there's no option to boot into the XP Recovery Console?

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

dcbright — Mon, 06 Sep 2004 16:48:37 GMT

No!! You can only do a total restore that re-partitions the C drive.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

dcbright — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 12:47:34 GMT

Just had a reply from Sony's e-support saying that a recovery is the only option - which re-formats the disk!!:smileysad:

Lucky I have back-ups - it's just the hassle of spending the next few days re-installing everything when I have better things to do!!!

Thanks to all that have viewed and responded to this message.

If anyone does have a solution I would love to hear as I probably won't re-install until the weekend.:smileycry:

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

TygerTyger — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:08:08 GMT

Sonys method of installation doesn't usually leave many options for doing it your own way so I suspect it really is the only way. Congratulations on getting e-support, in all the time I've been here you are the first person I've seen get it to work.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:10:25 GMT

God that sucks.
They should have the recovery console for advanced users.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

TygerTyger — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:13:24 GMT

They should also make it easier/possible to have XP Pro/something else without asking at the forum and praying it works.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:15:15 GMT

They should also make it easier/possible to have XP Pro/something else without asking at the forum and praying it works.

Something like a step up disk would be perfect.

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

William — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 14:32:03 GMT

I had a sort of similar experience trying to install an extra network protocols - It didn't seem to be on the recovery disks.

Finally stuck an XP disk in and Windows XP found it straight away.

Not much help if you haven't got an XP disk:smileycry:

William

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

jameshopkinx — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:28:00 GMT

i had this exact error a few weeks ago, oddly enough my machine was about a week over the 1 year waranty! same as you i'd not done anything the last time i used the machine and shut it down as normal.

none of the normal microsoft soloutions worked cos of sony's jigged around version of xp. oh and the included recovery disk is faulty (one of the problems of buying one of the 1st of a new model!) so i'm waiting for a new one from vaio link which has taken over a week. oh and of course i'm going to lose everything since my last backup and have to re install every program, nice!

i guess its one of the hazards of windows but its a pain in the bum, still a very sexy machine though...

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 15:50:50 GMT

What a pain!

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

dcbright — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 19:49:23 GMT

I'm trying to think what could be the cause as there was a period of three weeks between switching the PC off and then restarting (I was on holiday!).

The last programme installed was Microsoft's Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition with ASP.NET 2 (www.asp.net). It was a beast to download and install but everything went okay and I'm sure the PC was re-booted successfully, many times, after instalation. I've checked the MS forum site and nobody has complained of a similar problem.

Lets hope the restore this weekend using the Sony disk goes okay and I don't discover that I also have a duff CD!!

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Tue, 07 Sep 2004 20:02:17 GMT

Numerous factors can lead a PC not to work, I doubt ASP.NET is involved this time (although I hate ASP.net with a passion)

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

jameshopkinx — Wed, 08 Sep 2004 08:48:53 GMT

well i think the programs used the time before it died were director, photoshop and championship manager so there's nothing remotely out of the ordinary there, just one of those things. still waiting for my new recovery disk, apparently they take 3-4 day to dispatch, great!

Re: PCV-LX2 fails to start

kee-lo_ — Wed, 08 Sep 2004 13:19:09 GMT

Good luck