Member Avatar for akrur

Hi, I am having a problem with my SONY VAIO VGNFZ240E could anyone please help me with this? I tried to recover my unit by making 2 recovery dvds but the process failed at 89% with error code:320/330 follwed by error code:-1 and when I tried do the same from built in partition by pressing F10 it fails again with error message 41 returned to the image follwed by error code:-1. Now, this has left my system unstable and windows won't load. I have scanned the hard drive with hirens boot cd and also checked my memory with memtest86 everything is working fine. Could anyone suggest me what could be the reason? Also if I want to format the pc and reinstall the OS how do I go about it as the manufacturers did not provide me with any vista or xp cds. Many thanks, Akrur

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Treize123

Dani AI

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Short, practical plan for the thread (data-first, then repair).

Sony’s VAIO recovery docs map the codes discussed earlier to hardware/recovery-media problems and recommend simple pre-checks (reset BIOS to defaults, remove extra USB devices, run hardware diagnostics) before assuming a software-only fault. (sony.com)

  1. Preserve your files now. Boot the machine from a Linux “live” USB and copy important folders to an external drive; this avoids any further writes to the internal disk. If the drive shows read errors while copying, image it instead of repeatedly trying file copies — use GNU ddrescue to make a best-effort image to another disk, then work from that image. Example rescue command (run on a separate system or from a live USB): 
sudo ddrescue -r3 /dev/sda /mnt/external/vaio-image.img /mnt/external/vaio-rescue.log

(see Ubuntu live-USB how‑to and ddrescue docs). ()

  1. Run driven-level diagnostics. Check the drive’s S.M.A.R.T. attributes with smartctl (smartmontools) and run the HDD maker’s bootable test (SeaTools, WD Data Lifeguard, etc.). If SMART shows reallocated/pending sectors or the manufacturer tool fails, plan to replace the drive — repeated recovery failures commonly track back to a failing disk. (smartmontools.com)

  2. Software/repair steps (only after backup): reset BIOS to defaults, remove extra devices, then boot Windows Repair / install media and run Startup Repair; from the command prompt run:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
chkdsk C: /r

Microsoft documents the bootrec workflow for repairing BCD/boot issues. (learn.microsoft.com)

  1. If the recovery partition or recovery discs are corrupt: you can replace the drive and restore from a saved image, use recovery media if available, or reinstall Windows from matching installation media. Note Sony’s policy: for many models that shipped before Windows 7 they cannot supply original recovery discs, so plan accordingly (retail media, OEM recovery from the vendor, or a replacement drive plus a clean install). (sony.com)

Tiebacks: ’s data-first approach was right — do not proceed with destructive steps until files are safe. ’s suggestion to reinstall/upgrade is valid, but confirm edition and licensing before wiping the disk. Checklist: backup → SMART/manufacturer tests → image if failing → attempt software repair → replace drive / reinstall.

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Member Avatar for Xlphos

If your laptop is still in warranty they should give you some CD/DVD's for free as it isn't your fault the recovery partition is corrupt and creating the disk failed.

Have you altered any partitions on the disk and have you tried making the disks again?

Member Avatar for akrur

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. No my laptop is not under warranty so , sony would charge me for sure. Also last time my dvd drive broke, sony charged me 289.00pounds to get it fixed, which is a rip off. So, I don't want to ask them for any help this time. If I can fix it myself with your valuable help would be really good. I have not done any changes yet to my partition and I also dont have a vista or xp cd to load the OS. Please advise. Thanks again. Akrur

Member Avatar for Xlphos

You may need to buy a new OS.

I would highly recommend getting Windows 7 while you still can!

install it for now until you can find a new OS or solve your problem.

- I recommend installing it on new partition using custom install, you can get you data back that way.

Member Avatar for akrur

You may need to buy a new OS.

I would highly recommend getting Windows 7 while you still can!

install it for now until you can find a new OS or solve your problem.

- I recommend installing it on new partition using custom install, you can get you data back that way.

Many thanks for your advice.

Member Avatar for jay rope

son dropped computer. tried to restore from computer. says returned 41 while restoring an image. how to fix? no restore disc for computer

Member Avatar for Treize123

Plz someone help. I have a sony vaio and has stopoed loading and every time i go to repair it. it dosent load and when it does it just searches for promblems and other else it stays like that for hours. i have even tryed to start it in all the safe mode and doesnt load it just takes me back to the start. i dont have the recovery C.ds

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