OEM installed Windows XP Home Edition/problem reinstalling

[Dick]

I purchased a Sony Viao less than a year ago. My computer
crashed and when I reformatted my hard drive, I did not
have the Windows XP issued with the computer, becaus none
came with it.

I tried installing an XP system that came with my
daughter's Toshiba Laptop and it would not take.

I then resorted to to installing the Windows ME operating
system that came with my second computer and it installed.

But I have all types of problems and need the original EOM
Windows XP Home Edition that came with the system. I e-
mailed Sony at their web site and they referred me back to
Microsoft for help as it was not in their area. I have
not been ablel to get ahold of Miscrosoft for help and
their web site keeps referring me to on online support
group.

What should I do next for any type of help?

Dick

An e-mail to Sony came bae

[Jim Macklin]

When you used the CD that came with other OEM computers you
voided your warranty. That's why Sony told you to call MS.
Your support on a OEM operating system is from the
manufacturer (Sony) and not MS. There are drivers for all
(most) types of hardware on a Microsoft retail or standard
OEM CD. But when a company such as Sony, HP/Compaq or
other, creates a OEM XP CD they often remove drivers that do
not apply to their motherboards and other hardware. Why
have NVIDIA drivers if you only have ATI for example. Also,
the OEM CD looks for a BIOS that says it is the same OEM,
which is why your Toshiba OEM would not install on your
Sony.
Bottom line, you screwed yourself and will probably need to
pay either for a retail CD or pay Sony to fix your computer.
There was a restore file hidden on the hard drive, but you
may have damaged that, don't know. Call Sony and ask about
restoring from the hidden file. It might work.



"Dick" > wrote in message
...
| I purchased a Sony Viao less than a year ago. My computer
| crashed and when I reformatted my hard drive, I did not
| have the Windows XP issued with the computer, becaus none
| came with it.
|
| I tried installing an XP system that came with my
| daughter's Toshiba Laptop and it would not take.
|
| I then resorted to to installing the Windows ME operating
| system that came with my second computer and it installed.
|
| But I have all types of problems and need the original EOM
| Windows XP Home Edition that came with the system. I e-
| mailed Sony at their web site and they referred me back to
| Microsoft for help as it was not in their area. I have
| not been ablel to get ahold of Miscrosoft for help and
| their web site keeps referring me to on online support
| group.
|
| What should I do next for any type of help?
|
| Dick
|
| An e-mail to Sony came bae

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Dick;
Microsoft can only help with ME.
But since ME is also installed on another computer, the installation
is illegal on the Sony and Microsoft will not help there.

You need to contact Sony or check the manual to find out how a Restore
is accomplished on your computer.
If you have a hidden partition for Restoration purposes, you may have
damaged the Restore partition by installing Windows ME.
If that is the case, hopefully you can buy the Restore CD from Sony,
because the other option is to buy Windows XP at about $200.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> I purchased a Sony Viao less than a year ago. My computer
> crashed and when I reformatted my hard drive, I did not
> have the Windows XP issued with the computer, becaus none
> came with it.
>
> I tried installing an XP system that came with my
> daughter's Toshiba Laptop and it would not take.
>
> I then resorted to to installing the Windows ME operating
> system that came with my second computer and it installed.
>
> But I have all types of problems and need the original EOM
> Windows XP Home Edition that came with the system. I e-
> mailed Sony at their web site and they referred me back to
> Microsoft for help as it was not in their area. I have
> not been ablel to get ahold of Miscrosoft for help and
> their web site keeps referring me to on online support
> group.
>
> What should I do next for any type of help?
>
> Dick
>
> An e-mail to Sony came bae

[Yves Leclerc]

You should have gotten on "Recovery CD" with your Viao. If you did not,
phone back Sony and ask for one. There may be charges for such a CD, but I
can not some how much??

Yves

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> I purchased a Sony Viao less than a year ago. My computer
> crashed and when I reformatted my hard drive, I did not
> have the Windows XP issued with the computer, becaus none
> came with it.
>
> I tried installing an XP system that came with my
> daughter's Toshiba Laptop and it would not take.
>
> I then resorted to to installing the Windows ME operating
> system that came with my second computer and it installed.
>
> But I have all types of problems and need the original EOM
> Windows XP Home Edition that came with the system. I e-
> mailed Sony at their web site and they referred me back to
> Microsoft for help as it was not in their area. I have
> not been ablel to get ahold of Miscrosoft for help and
> their web site keeps referring me to on online support
> group.
>
> What should I do next for any type of help?
>
> Dick
>
> An e-mail to Sony came bae