Okay, My SONY Vaio computer just took a dump and I think I helped to make it worse. Apparently Sony has a backup image of the reinstall software on a second partition on the hard drive. Well, I tried to reinstall Windows using a Dell re-install CD because it was all I had at the time and I figured it was better than doing nothing.

I know that I need to get a new hard drive to get the computer back up and running. My question is: do I need to buy a new retail version of Windows XP, or can I just get a disc from a friend and use the Product Key on the bottom of my computer. Or, can I even use the Dell reinstall CD from my old Inpsiron? Sony says they don't have the reinstall discs for purchase, so I am SOL from Sony.

Anyone else have much experience with this. The good news, I just received my new Dell XPS laptop. I would like to get the Sony back up and running though, because my wife's computer is really on the fritz.

Thanks!

 

You can use a friends disc or the Dell disc but use the product key code on the bottom of you laptop. You may have to call Microsoft to activate Windows if you get the Your Windows will expire in 30 day message. Its really easy to do. They will give you a 800 number. Just tell the rep that you had to replace your harddrive and that this is your first time installing windows on it.

 

The Dell disc will install, but it cannot be activated without calling Microsoft and pleading your case - and there's no guarantee that they will buy into that. The key code on the Sony won't work with the Dell load. Don't try to install a different version - if the key code on the Sony is for XP Home, that's all you can install and possibly get activation.

You will also need all the drivers - if Sony doesn't have them on their site, you are really fighting a losing battle.

 

try calling sony and see if the will send you a reinstall disk, I know dell will

 

Sony will not send the reinstall disk. I have tried that already.

New question. If I buy a new hard drive, can I buy an upgrade version of Windows Vista, or would I have to buy the full retail version of that? The upgrade is only 89 dollars or so.

 

ive heard of a version called vista black could look into that

 

The upgrade version can be used to do a clean install. Instructions:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp

Just so you know, the "black" version is illegal as hell - big time piracy.

Make sure you can get Vista drivers from Sony for that model - you probably can't. Sony is one of the biggest pains in the @$$ out there about not supporting a computer with anything else but the OS it came with, and not providing any kind of backup media. Their preloads are also choked with garbage software all running at startup.

 

The Dell install disc will work. Give them a call and tell them your hard drive crashed and you had to get a new hard drive, trust me

 

Thanks for the advice. The Dell install disc wouldn't work with the previous hard drive (which I am pretty sure was crashed anyway), but it worked great with the new hard drive that I ordered from Newegg.

Pretty nice to have a virtually brand new computer with twice the hard drive space for only about $70 or so.

So, now I've got a brand new Dell XPS and my wife gets a "brand new" Sony Vaio laptop.

Thanks again!