Member Avatar for Omni

Hi

I’ve recently come into possession of a Sony Vaio VGN-N230E notebook computer (http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNN230E&LOC=3) and I’m having problems restoring it to factory preset.

I got it from a friend who forgot his password. Now I want to reformat it, but the obvious problems arise. I cant access the partition after logging into the OS by virtue of the fact that I don’t know it. And every time I attempt to access the recovery partition using F8 (I love how they keep changing it from F12 to F11 to now F8) the only way I can recover the system back to factory preset is if I have an administrator code.

This is the single most annoying thing I find about Vista because a while back I had to figure out a way to restore an Acer when I didn’t know the Administrator password either. And lo-behold I had to hold some nonsensical series of buttons down to access the recovery partition that didn’t require a password (It was like Alt + F11 or something)

Anybody have any ideas? I have no idea how to access the recovery partition on this unit to reset it, I have no recovery disks or spare copies of VISTA kicking around I can use, and there is absolutely no way I can get that password.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by zamreg

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Quick summary for : many Sony VAIOs (including the N-series) keep a hidden factory recovery partition and a VAIO Recovery Environment that can be launched from a powered‑off machine (ASSIST button on some models) or by pressing F10 repeatedly at boot. If Windows will start you can also run the VAIO Recovery/VAIO Recovery Wizard from All Programs to create recovery discs before wiping the drive. See Sony’s recovery guidance for details. (sony.com)

Practical steps to try now: fully shut down, remove peripherals, connect AC, then power on and press F10 (or press ASSIST if the machine has that button). If an Edit Boot Options or Windows Boot Manager appears choose the VAIO Recovery Environment and use Rescue Data first (to copy user files) or Restore C: Drive/Restore Complete System to return to factory state. If Windows boots, run the VAIO Recovery Wizard and create recovery media before doing anything destructive. (sony.com)

About the forgotten admin password: was right to suggest password‑reset tools. A mature, widely used option is the open‑source Offline NT Password & Registry Editor (bootable CD/USB) which can remove local account passwords so you can sign in and run VAIO’s recovery tools. Important warnings: this breaks access to any EFS‑encrypted files for that account and can cause data loss; only use such tools on machines you legitimately own or are authorised to service. Read the tool’s docs and EFS warning first. (pogostick.net)

If the recovery partition is missing or you prefer a clean reinstall, use a Windows installation DVD and the product key on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker (usually on the laptop bottom or in the battery bay) to reinstall. Sony’s support notes that recovery media for pre‑Windows‑7 VAIOs may not be resupplied and lists retail repair options; also remember Windows Vista is no longer supported, so consider installing a supported OS and download drivers from Sony’s support pages first. (support.microsoft.com)

Member Avatar for Omni

Anyone?

Member Avatar for zamreg

Hi

I’ve recently come into possession of a Sony Vaio VGN-N230E notebook computer (http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNN230E&LOC=3) and I’m having problems restoring it to factory preset.

I got it from a friend who forgot his password. Now I want to reformat it, but the obvious problems arise. I cant access the partition after logging into the OS by virtue of the fact that I don’t know it. And every time I attempt to access the recovery partition using F8 (I love how they keep changing it from F12 to F11 to now F8) the only way I can recover the system back to factory preset is if I have an administrator code.

This is the single most annoying thing I find about Vista because a while back I had to figure out a way to restore an Acer when I didn’t know the Administrator password either. And lo-behold I had to hold some nonsensical series of buttons down to access the recovery partition that didn’t require a password (It was like Alt + F11 or something)

Anybody have any ideas? I have no idea how to access the recovery partition on this unit to reset it, I have no recovery disks or spare copies of VISTA kicking around I can use, and there is absolutely no way I can get that password.

Hi Dear
u can reset the password using password reset software
its really simple to change the password
http://www.lostpassword.com/windows.htm
hope this will solve ur problem

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