Member Avatar for StlBluesFan

My Sony Vaio vpcf136fm is stuck at the black Vaio screen. I think this happened as the result of a failed BIOS or Windows update. I came home from work and the machine was stuck. I've tried recovering Windows via a Windows 7 64 disk, tried pulling RAM and rebooting, pulling the CMOS battery. With the Win7 disk, I was able to get to the Windows Recovery loader, but cannot get the keyboard to respond.

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Brief expert summary and what the thread so far misses: replaced the hard drive (so ’s HDD-suspect was reasonable), but the persistent black VAIO splash after that points to POST/firmware (BIOS/EC) or peripheral/keyboard-acceptance problems rather than the drive alone. Many Sony models provide a VAIOCare Rescue / BIOS entry via the ASSIST button (or F2 at the VAIO logo) which should be tried before attempting any BIOS flash. (sony.com)

Safe, low-risk diagnostics to try next: do a full power drain (AC off, remove main battery if possible, hold power button ~30 seconds to discharge residual power), then re-power with AC only. Reseat the RAM (test with one stick in each slot), remove optical/USB devices and the HDD, and try ASSIST/F2 again — some boards behave differently with no storage attached. If comfortable with disassembly, the model service manual (MBX-238 for VPCF136FM) shows CMOS/board access points for a proper CMOS battery reseat. (manuals.plus)

Why the USB keyboard didn’t work (and how to work around it): many VAIO BIOSes offer a “USB KB/Mouse Legacy Emulation” option that controls whether USB keyboards are active before the OS loads. Use a simple wired USB keyboard (prefer a USB 2.0 port, not a wireless unifying dongle), plug it in before powering on, then use ASSIST or F2 to enter BIOS. If BIOS is reachable, load defaults (F9 on VAIO) and enable USB legacy support before saving. (manualzilla.com)

If a BIOS update partially failed: flashing can recover some machines but also permanently brick others. Use only Sony’s official recovery/BIOS files and follow their documented steps or a Sony service center — do not use generic flash tools. Also note ’s point about boot mode: when/if the installer is reached, Windows 7 x64 vs. UEFI/CSM and disk partition style (MBR vs GPT) affect whether install media will boot. (sony-asia.com)

Recommended ordered checklist (concise)

  1. Power-drain: remove AC + battery, hold power 30s, reconnect AC only.
  2. Disconnect HDD/optical/USB, try ASSIST (or press F2 at VAIO logo).
  3. Try a basic wired USB keyboard in a USB2 port (connected before power-on).
  4. Reseat RAM (single-stick tests) and CMOS battery (leave out 2–5 minutes).
  5. If BIOS accessible: F9 → Load Default Values, save and reboot.
  6. If BIOS is corrupted and none of the above helps: escalate to Sony support/service and use official BIOS recovery only. (sony.com)

Notes and cautions: flashing firmware is last-resort and carries real risk. The steps above prioritize non-destructive diagnostics and follow Sony/industry guidance.

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Member Avatar for Rik_

It's most likely that your hard drive has failed or is faulty. I have replaced quite a few hard drives on Sony Vaio's.
The area where the hard drive is is rather poorly designed. There is no ventilation in that area of the laptop and the hard drive gets very hot and fails.

Member Avatar for StlBluesFan

It's most likely that your hard drive has failed or is faulty. I have replaced quite a few hard drives on Sony Vaio's.
The area where the hard drive is is rather poorly designed. There is no ventilation in that area of the laptop and the hard drive gets very hot and fails.

I thought of that. I pulled the HD and replaced it with a new one. I was unable to get the Windows 7 disk to load. In fact, I can't get past the black VAIO screen. I'm pretty certain now that I have a BIOS problem, but can't a new one loaded.

Member Avatar for Rik_

Try booting from the windows install cd with a usb keyboard attached and see if you have any luck.

Member Avatar for StlBluesFan

Try booting from the windows install cd with a usb keyboard attached and see if you have any luck.

I tried that also. The USB keyboard didn't respond. From the research I've done, it looks like the BIOS default is a PS2 keyboard. You need to change the BIOS to allow a USB keyboard.

Member Avatar for Rik_

That's just typical of Sony. I doubt it even has a PS2 socket.

Looks like flashing the bios is the only option you have left. But be warned, a failed bios update can render a machine completely useless. Mind you, that wouldn't make a great difference at this point.

Member Avatar for RTFMID10T

have you set to default in bios? I can't think of it right off the top of my head but what format does the hard drive boot in bios? vista and 7 use a newer method and if its not correct you'll have your result. sounds like that's what it is and i'll have to reboot my computer and log back in to tell you more details.

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