Stupid Computer

[iwantacosworth]

I need to reinstall my Operating System on my laptop but since I got it from my brother in law I didnt get any discs.

 

I thought it was a Dell laptop so i bought this from Ebay

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

Then found out he got it from Sony. Can i still use this as I have the product key etc on my laptop or is it no good since its from Sony as opposed to Dell? If its no good would any copy of Windows Vista Home be able to be activated using my Product Key?

 

Excuse my basic ignorance of O/s and computers in general etc.

 

Thanks in advance

 

G

[PeeWee]

Firstly it made me chuckle when you thought a Sony laptop was a Dell but announce the computer is stupid.

Im not 100% sure but you might find this disc works fine but will simply put the Dell branding into the Operating system (no biggie).

[smithyandco]

Dell disc will be no good... It's a HDD image on a disc(or at least some of them are).

It's only useful per series of Dells also(although you might get lucky!)...

 

Any full Vista disc will be fine... even a copy/borrowing someone elses as long as you own a full licence (ie: the licence sticker on the laptop).

Edited May 12, 2010 by smithyandco

[Gadge]

Its likely the backup partition is still there, you usually access them by holding Ctrl + f11 while booting up the system if the option is enabled in the bios.

[caled]

I think the recovery partition for Sony laptops is mapped to F10

 

Try it, anyway, reboot the laptop and hold down F10 from the start. It is likely that the vista image is installed on a hidden partition, and F10 will load up the sony recovery software which can then copy the windows installation back across to the rest of the hard drive, restoring your laptop to how it came from the factory.

 

Make sure you back up any personal stuff like music, photos etc as these will be deleted otherwise

[scottg17]

What version of vista, Home basic? Home premium? 64 or 32 bit?

[wwwd]

You should be able to identify the manufacturer of the laptop, along with the specific model number by just looking at it.

 

That would be a massive help.

 

I'm baffled how someone could confuse a Sony with a Dell though. Usually there's manufacturers logos all over the laptop.

[caled]

You should be able to identify the manufacturer of the laptop, along with the specific model number by just looking at it.

 

That would be a massive help.

 

I'm baffled how someone could confuse a Sony with a Dell though. Usually there's manufacturers logos all over the laptop.

 

Indeed. Doesnt bode well for wiping and reinstalling vista, eh?

[ScORTED]

that disc you bought will work fine I get paid to do this sort of crap on a daily basis and I'm 99.9% sure that will work fine

[wwwd]

You should be able to identify the manufacturer of the laptop, along with the specific model number by just looking at it.

 

That would be a massive help.

 

I'm baffled how someone could confuse a Sony with a Dell though. Usually there's manufacturers logos all over the laptop.

 

Indeed. Doesnt bode well for wiping and reinstalling vista, eh?

I'm surprised it even gets switched on successfully.

[iwantacosworth]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen and the always friendly sarcasm! Will give the above a go and see how I get on.

 

Cheers

 

G

[wwwd]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen and the always friendly sarcasm! Will give the above a go and see how I get on.

 

Cheers

 

G

You're welcome.

 

So what is the make and model of the laptop?

[iwantacosworth]

Its a ( Sony:) ) Vaio Model : PCG 7V1M and on the back it says VAIO VGN FE41S running (or not lol) Windows Vista Home Premium.(32bit)

 

Not had the chance to try the Dell disk yet.

Edited May 18, 2010 by iwantacosworth

[wwwd]

Try here:

 

Clicky

[iwantacosworth]

Thanks very much for the link - trying it now!