recovery problems with my cr31s

[easycaro]

I have finally received a windows vista recovery dvd, and it is the right one for my model (ive checked over and over again), but the recovery center keeps telling me "Cannot use this recovery disc for this computer. Confirm model type" and after clicking ok it tells me "Error: MakeIniFromMcode, Error:89"

Ive even checked with sony, they told me that they sent me the right recovery discs...
At the moment no OS is installed, I wiped the harddisk clean.

Any ideas how to solve this problem without having to send the notebook back to sony?

[Blencogo]

Hi easycaro,

Have you tried resetting the BIOS defaults before booting from the recovery disc?

1. Turn on your VAIO.
2. When you see the Sony logo, press F2 several times. (If the Sony logo is disabled, press F2 several times right after booting.)
3. You will get the PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility window.
4. Press F9 to get default values and then press ENTER to confirm.
5. Press F10 to save changes and exit and then press ENTER to confirm.
6. Restart the Vaio with the Recovery System Disc inserted.

[easycaro]

Hey Blencogo!

No... it's not working it still wont accept the recovery discs.
Is there any other way to install vista, without using the vaio recovery center, e.g. using the command prompt window?

[Blencogo]

If you have wiped the hard disc clean, then the Recovery Discs are your only option and I don't now any way of installing from them without using the Vaio Recovery Center Software.

If you cannot install from the discs then one of the following is true: -

1. The Discs are faulty or not designed for your model and need to be replaced.
2. The BIOS has become corrupted and had lost the Vaio identifier and model information. The Vaio will have to be returned to Sony to reflash the BIOS or replace the CMOS chip.

You are sure you have completely wiped the Recovery Partition from the hard drive? Have you tried tapping F10 at boot-up when you see the first Vaio screen?

[easycaro]

Not working...

I'll just send it back to sony and let them fix the problem. Thx anyway

[cristian1]

have you sorted out the problem?
i have the same thing with a sony vaio vgn-fz31z...the laptop is not recognised by de recovery dvd, and i tried everything...

[easycaro]

Yes I did... well, Sony did it, I sent them my notebook.

They told me that the problem was the recovery partition. I somehow damaged it when installing winxp, so they had to repair it - don't ask me how they did it

[cristian1]

i understand....well, i don't have any more the hidden partition, because it was useless from the beginning, i couldn't use it at all, after vista crashed in the middle of an update.
i have erased the hard drive with their utility from the recovery dvd, and still no succes.
maybe it's because my partitions are ntfs? i deleted them also, and still no luck, or maybe it was not formatted in the wright manner...
i was very happy for the quick recieval of the recovery dvd's, and couldn't wait any longer to use them, but now....

[easycaro]

Well if your notebook's still under warranty, I suggest sending it to sony.

If not... hopefully someone else can help

[uzaver]

I have the same problem with my Sony vaio VGN-FW11M. If you find a solution to our problem, please let me know. Did anyone contact a Sony help center?
Thanks.