[SEL] O.T. Computer Help Needed

[Bill Dickerson]

Assuming the computer is new enough to be able to, it needs to be able to
boot from the CD.
Typically, the boot sequence is set in the BIOS settings to boot from the
hard drive (HD) first.
If that is the case, and it finds no OS on the HD, it will fail with an
operating system not found message.
You will need to press whatever key or key chord is needed to get into the
BIOS settings when the machine is first powered on.
Change the boot sequence to CD then either floppy or HD.

If it STILL won't boot from the CD, you will then need a bootable floppy
that also has CD drivers, a sort of "universal boot diskette".

Your recovery CD should be bootable, the XP CD will be for sure.
However, if you install THAT copy of XP on it and use THAT product number to
install that copy, you could have some issues when it goes to register
itself with Microsoft.......... Meaning they track who has used that number
on what computer.

(MY point being, be VERY careful about using some else's Microsoft product
CDs to install to your own computer)


Bill


-----Original Message-----
From: sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
[mailto:sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com] On Behalf Of
paulmaples at sbcglobal.net
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 8:22 PM
To: The SEL email discussion list
Subject: [SEL] O.T. Computer Help Needed


Ok I am going to make the assumption that if you opened this message you are

interested in it's content so I hope I don't get flamed.

I finally got tired of dealing with my old Sony Vaio PCG-FX370 laptop, sold 
some things and went and bought a new Sony Vaio PCG-K25 Laptop which I
really like.

As you know at 60 years old I am raising my two grandson, one is 15 and one 
is 10. They wanted me to try and fix the old laptop so they could use it for
school. I was told the Hard Drive was bad so I ordered a new hardrive and 
installed it. A guy sent me detailed instructions and pictures on how the
change out the hard drive which was fairly easy.

I put my Number #1 Recovery Disk in the CD Drive and turned the pc on 
expecting the Recovery CD's to re-load the operating system however what I
got was the Sony Logo and then after about 45 seconds I get a message 
"Operating System not Found"

Surmising that the Recovery Disk may be bad my daughter brought me over a 
new copy of Windows XP pro and I installed it in the CD drive and I still
get the same thing "Operating System not Found"

Do you folks have any idea what could be wrong and what I can do to fix it. 
Any help. advice, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul


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