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Thread ID: 93293	2008-09-11 02:17:00	I have just bought an old Sony Vaio	Thomas01 (317)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
704335	2008-09-11 02:17:00	Great little laptop. Got it cheap but it had problems. The OS (XP) was in Chinese. There appears to be no sound card even though some music has been added. I have been supplied with a new disk by MS and it now runs in English. The HD is only 30g and was set up with three partitions. Bit daft I thought. There are loads of programs that I don't want - even including AUTOCAD. I would like to to reformat the hard drive with no partitions and keep it simple. But how do I do it?. And do I risk loosing essential drivers etc.? I have the new MS disk of course, All simple instructions will be much appreciated. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
704336	2008-09-11 02:57:00	What are the disks MS gave you?? Restore disks or an XP CD?? If a restore disk, then even if you do format it, it may recreate the partitions again But if its an XP CD, then reformat / do a clean install and delete the other partitions, then reinstall XP. Only thing is, you'll have to find the drivers online (On the sony site somewhere) If theyre not separate on the cd/s.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
704337	2008-09-11 03:36:00	Thanks Speedy - knew you would come to the party. Re format. OK but how do I do this?. I remember doing it in the days of DOS but blowed if I know how to do it now. It is a proper XP CD Tom	Thomas01 (317)
704338	2008-09-11 03:41:00	The XP cd is bootable. Go into the BIOS change the bootdisk to the cd, and save settings / reboot. Press a key when it tells you to follow what it says on screen. When you get to the setup screen, highlight the other partitions, and get setup to delete both. Then install on C Then follow what it says on screen I hope it came with a key, coz you'll need one	Speedy Gonzales (78)
704339	2008-09-11 10:29:00	And do I risk losing essential drivers etc.? Reformatting will delete everything. You'll need drivers to get your video/network/chipset/audio etc going, look here www.sony-asia.com you'll need to know your model number/s. The product key that Speedy's talking about (a 25 digit number) will be either on the laptop case (underside usually) or on your new OS disc. You could also try a repair install, instructions here www.michaelstevenstech.com (Instructions for clean install etc here also).	feersumendjinn (64)
704340	2008-09-11 21:36:00	We are getting there. Thanks for the help. Despite the fact that I didn't know (or have forgotten) how to access the BIOS I did manage to do a complete new installation of XP. I got rid of the partitions and all the programs etc. Now I just have a virgin computer with 54gb hard drive. Plenty for me. I even have my favourite MSWorks v4.5 up and running. There are some problems. No sound and apparently no modem and I have also found I have something called Bluetooth Wireless Lan. Dunno what it does (yes I know I SHOULD know), but it shows up 2 pretty little lights when I switch it on. Now I have to get the thing activated by MS - interesting as I have no internet connection with it. But I am patient. I am only going to do one thing at a time. In fact that is really sensible the way I have been lately. Getting old and slow. Once again thanks. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
704341	2008-09-11 21:41:00	You'll have to go to the sony site search for the model, then download the drivers Then install them	Speedy Gonzales (78)
704342	2008-09-12 01:59:00	Now I have to get the thing activated by MS - interesting as I have no internet connection with it. Tom Activation is pretty painless by phone. It will give you an 0800 number to call when you satrt the activation process and select to activate by phone.	Tukapa (62)
704343	2008-09-13 22:36:00	You'll have to go to the sony site search for the model, then download the drivers Then install them Agreed. But funny enough although I have owned umpteen computers, been messing with them for plus 12 years, lectured on them to beginners, etc etc, I have never before found myself in the position of having to get drivers. So it's new to me - and I was looking forward to a new experience. But no joy - I followed "feersumendjinn's" link (what a fabulous name!) Got on OK - I am pretty sure now that the model is VGN-TX17C and this seemed fine. But when I tried to get manuals or drivers ran into a brick wall. Manuals seem non existent and getting drivers led me in a wild goose chase for ages - I tried everything. But hours later after constantly going round and round and always getting back to the same page which told me that this was where I get the drivers - I gave up in disgust (with me mainly). Now I know thousands of people get drivers every day without problems. So where am I going wrong?. All help, assistance and rude comments welcome. Tom	Thomas01 (317)
704344	2008-09-13 23:12:00	Don't think it is you Thomas01, it's like going down the rabbit warren, who would have thought such a major manufacturer would have such bad product support and crappy web sites, anyway this is what I found: www.sony-asia.com and: www.sony-asia.com	zqwerty (97)
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