VAIO Problem - Any help appreciated.

Chasser · 8 May 2008 at 17:17

Sony Vaio (PCG-FR495EP). After working fine for ages, switched on today to find it showing the Sony splash screen then going no further. I can't even access the BIOS (trying F2 as it boots). I've tested the drive (in a USB caddy) and the RAM seems ok (laptop beeps when I remove it, assuming it's ok as laptop starts up).

Any help would be appreciated.

beermonster · 8 May 2008 at 23:26

sometimes if theres a fault with an IDE device it can cause it to hang at post, what happens when you start it up with the HD removed?

Chasser · 9 May 2008 at 09:21

beermonster said:
sometimes if theres a fault with an IDE device it can cause it to hang at post, what happens when you start it up with the HD removed?

With or without the drive, same problem. Drive is good (tested seperately). Was initially thinking the IDE controller had gone, however the lack of access to the BIOS is the most worrying.

jifster · 11 May 2008 at 20:51

I have a Vaio with a fried bios and it sits on that screen too. I'm not saying this is the problem with yours though. I broke mine while flashing the bios with extended memory installed. Apparently there is a bug with the Vaio FX series where you need to take out all extra memory before flashing or it will crash. Oh well, £180 down the drain and another technological paper weight to store. :rolleyes:

Good luck with finding a fix. Have you tried the Sony Vaio site as there is a forum there where I did get some useful help.

Chasser · 12 May 2008 at 12:56

Not tried to flash the BIOS, could the BIOS somehow have got corrupted?

I'll try the Vaio site to see if the forums offer any guidance.

Shadows1990 · 13 May 2008 at 19:19

Try removing the battery, and the power adapter from the laptop. Then hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds. This 'should' in theory reset the Laptop's BIOS.

It may or may not save you. If not, carefully remove any devices that may be causing it to 'hang'. For example, I have seen faulty RAM and Hard Drives hang the laptop as well as Faulty Wireless cards, and even a faulty USB Host Controller.

Chasser · 14 May 2008 at 00:22

Tried everything. Still can't get it to boot or access the BIOS. Every combination of components in and out. Without any memory installed it beeps at me, is this a sign the BIOS is ok? Still the same though, powers up, case fan starts, VAIO/Intel inside splash screen shows, then fan stops and screen goes blank. Same with external monitor, just splash screen then zip.

Ah well, probably lob it on the bay.