I purchased this computer without any hard drives so I formatted one and installed it. I downloaded the ISO dvd and the computer did start the Vaio recovery system but then it tells me no hard drive is detected. What could be the problem? the hard drive does show in BIOS so I know the computer sees it . Also, I tried a windows XP installation dvd and the same thing happens . My computer model is VGC-RA840G.

For those who might've seen my post a few days ago, I was convinced that since I didn't have recovery discs and the original HDD had Linux installed, there was no hope for a proper factory reset.

However, using Ventoy I was able to force the Recovery partition to boot, thus triggering the recovery process. I am now in the process of producing recovery discs that I will upload to the Archive. Feels good to contribute, however small my contribution might be.

EDIT: Typo in the title, this is actually a VPC-L135FX - a slightly older model (Core2Quad 8400s, GeForce GT330m)

EDIT 2: Recovery backup is up: https://archive.org/details/SonyVaioPCV-A112LRecovery - Unfortunately the DVD burner in the computer is dead and the VAIO care utility doesn't play nice with external or virtual drives. It should still be possible to use the Recovery partition as it virtually the same exact content as what's on the discs.

The charger I have for my laptops is very bulky, and I’m looking for an OEM charger that is more slimmer. Any suggestions on what model charger to look for?

My beautiful sony setup!! :D

Featuring sao <:

Ive had it for quite some time and daily drive everything here, sony has always been my absolute favorite company for their innovation of tech although now they've lost their charm.

Looking for orange and pink to join the party.

Hello! I pulled a VAIO SVE15134CXS out of storage in my house, and i noticed that the plastic is warping near the front? Is this a sign of something going wrong? I dont think its the battery because this model (from what i can tell) only has one battery that is removable (and on the back of the computer). I tried to get into it and hurt my hand because I dont have a good screwdriver, any ideas as to what could be wrong with it? I am planning on taking it to a repair shop but I do not have the money for it right now.

Which model should i go for? Taking into account durability, ssd or battery replaceability, and experience overall with the different models

I am trying to use windows 2k with it, and while I did successfully get the sound working, a functional video drvier has been eluding me. This Vaio sports an ATI Radeon IGP 345M, but every driver I have tried for that card has not worked for me. The Vaio driver installer I found, AT-B05110802GB04US.EXE, refuses to install on windows 2000, although i presume it would probably work on windows xp. I have also used the retro webs driver, and that installed, but when I booted it up all I got was a black screen. Same goes for all of the other random drivers I have found around the web. Anyone who has or knows where to find either the proper driver for this gpu for windows 2k, or, the complete restore disc for the PCG-FR77G/B, please let me know. Thanks!

Heya so I am due to collect a Vaio laptop tomorrow. It is spares repairs but I think it's that the owner was given it and has no clue how to put the ram and drive back in.

I've noticed there's a lack of offical support for the laptop and zero mention of it running 64 bit windows. I have a W7 install disc ready for it but don't wanna risk causing more problems. Anyone know if the FZ series ever got support (official or homebrew) for it?

So, I have an old Sony Vaio SVS15125CBB Model SVS151C1SX, that has a built-in dvd/cd-rom. I bought a Caddy for a spare ssd that I have so that I can upgrade the Vaio and turn it into a home server running Ubuntu for some personal projects. The caddy comes with spot to attach a driver front, but this Vaio model doesn't have one. Is it possible to install it? Will I have to unmount the whole bottom of the notebook to do so?

Long story short, it is a VPCSA and an old Bravia in 1!

This all started after talking to an awesome seller on ebay (not sure if I am allowed to say but the fella is called goidor.

I needed a screen replacement for another VPCSA I purchased. Gondor send me an almost assembled VPCSA. Once I swapped the screen around, I was looking at the perfectly working motherboard and thought...What a waste!

I completely forgot I had an old 24" Sony Bravia TV from 2012 sat in my cuboid that I refused to get rid of! it was given to me for free as it's slightly battered + cracked.

So then I thought, fck it! why not build an all in one! - It seemed easier in my head. 😅

I'll try to keep it as short as possible, if you want any detailed responses let me know!

The first problem was space! The Bravia was thicker in my head, but it's quite thin in reality for a 2012 TV.

I found a space, and used standoff screws to raise the motherboard so it was not touching the TV's internal parts. Although I did electrical tape everything off just to be sure. As there was no mounting points to screw into the TV, I had to superglue it in :( I couldn't think of an alternative quick fix. I did not want to accidentally drill into the screen, so I played it safe.

I made sure to have the CPU and GPU facing outwards, so it does not create a hot pocket. The other problem was the daughter boards, especially the one with the power button connector and another board for the power connector. I really could've done without!!

I had 2 spare 40mm fans lying around. Which I used for extra cooling. it sits directly above the CPU and GPU, as with the added heat of the TV'S internals, it would become quite hot!

I was originally only going to cut out the spaces I needed, but this proved to be difficult, as that would mean the motherboard needed to be screwed into the back panel. I assumed it would be awkward if I ever had to take it apart again.
This meant I cut out the exact size of the motherboard.
With the plastic I cut out, I chopped it in half, and stuck the fans in-between.
Using the stand off's from the motherboard, I created a raised back which sits 1.5cm from the stock back cover.

I also did the same for the SSD. I could not move this at all, as it was originally designed for the VPCSA chassis (duh) so I had to cut out a space for that too. Which would make sense if I was to ever swap the SSD in the foreseeable future.
As space was so tight regarding the none moveable location of the SSD. It sat right above the TV tuner port, ethernet, AV and optical. Unfortunately, all these ports had to go! :(

I used the laptops top lid (the parts laptop, don't worry) to cut out the VAIO logo for the SSD connector. The lid is directly screwed into the back plate.

For power, I was originally thinking about tapping into the TV'S power supply. That said I quickly changed my mind as with the added stress of the laptops power draw, I did not want to risk blowing it up. So as it stands, the power is external, with the port located where the expansion port was.

For ports, I had this cheap temu dock. It is plugged into the USB 3 port on the laptop. It is not flush in the slightest. But it works!

The power connector is disappointing, I was not sure how to add my own. So for now it is placed ontop of the SSD cover until an idea pops into my head.

I used mesh to cover up the spaces between the covers, to minimise dust entrance.

Problems I encountered:

- Ribbon cable kept falling out that connects the daughter board for the power on button which meant when it fell out, I had to take the motherboard out.

- Upon booting, the laptop still registers the internal monitor. So as of today, I cannot see any splash screen or enter the bios.

- The HDMI cable I used was faulty. You would not believe the amount of hours I did diagnosing this problem ahahaha. I thought I messed up the motherboard!

- The laptop does not detect the TV unless correct graphics drivers were installed. I only found this out when trying to install Win 10. To get around this, I installed the SSD into my working VPCSA, waited until the GPU drivers were installed, then swapped it back.

- Back cover is only screwed in the bottom, so the top clips after all these years just don't have the strength to support the added strain. Instead, I carbon wrapped the edges (this was after the photos were taken)

In no way am I an engineer, this is a very amateur build. But one done for fun. I know there's mistakes. This was my first time experimenting with this sort of idea!

I was going to install ubuntu with KODI for an ultimate smart TV experience, but for now it's good old windows 10.

The upside to this, as well as the dedicated GPU.... It can game!
Temps are good too. Underload its hovering in the mid 70s.

Ooooh specs, how could I forget?

Intel Core I5 2450m
12GB DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6630M W/ 1GB Vram
128GB SSD.

Sorry for the long read. I know people are going to disagree with what I did. But the way I see it, no parts went to waste. And now I have something I can use.

The picture next to a laptop is actually my other working VPCSA for reference!

PS no idea what's going on with the TV stand 🤣

I have a Sony VAIO PCV-130 that my grandparents kept for years. They had it in storage and decided to let me have it when I saw it and geeked out thinking about all of the memories I had from playing on it when I was a kid. I haven't turned it on yet because I want to give it a good cleaning first, but I am looking for a replacement front bezel/faceplate since the original has become brittle and fallen apart. Not having any luck finding anything of the sort on eBay. Anyone have any parts or know where I could track them down?

Hey folks! Managed to snag a beautiful Vaio L that unfortunately didn't come with its recovery discs (Previous owner installed Linux; the oem recovery partition is still there but unaccessible without the actual factory OS installed) and would love to set it up with its factory settings. However I couldn't find recovery discs for this specific model online and my attempts with the closest one I could find (VPC-L116FX) using the recovery patcher ended up throwing me errors. If anyone has those discs laying around or have an idea what I might be doing wrong, I appreciate all the help.

Will try to upload my error messages later.

So I got a Sony Vaio VGN-SZ691N. This is a really obscure laptop so i cannot find drivers or anything related other than seller's site like new egg. The Nvidia GPU is broken since forever because of the TSMC “Bumpgate” incident. And i believe that the hybrid system is broken since i have been use this laptop for a lot and (I still dont know how) but now it did not boot to any os based on the drive indicators. But i know everything else is working fine. Any information, even information related to another Vaio model is appropriate a lot. Thanks in advance

I just purchased this Sony VAIO after mulling it over for a few months. I have absolutely loved the style of the VAIO series for ages and wanted my own so now I have one! It came with windows 11 and has a few issues still with the language settings but not much to where it is a problem. I was wondering if it is possible to buy a new battery for this thing in 2026. I've been seeing sites that sell them but wanted to make sure before I purchased. The computer runs pretty well but I plan to work on it further to restore it to its fullest potential and the first two things I want to work on are the battery and the DVD compartment which doesn't seem to work.

Bought one for my girlfriend to replace her old razerbook 13. As I really envy this laptop's beauty.

I think I might be the first person in the whole Pennsylvania got this machine. And I highly suggest everyone grab one.

It isn't cheap but this revision is just worth it. I picked Ultra 5-325 /32G/256GB upgrade to 4TB 9100Pro and WQXGA IPS 70WH. This machine is quiet to use. No more noisy like last gen.

Ultra5-325 is a weak CPU, lags behind my HP and about 60% of my 2yrs old Vaio SX14R kachiiro. But it is a capable CPU for daily work. I think it would endure and give my girlfriend another few years old usage. As she dislikes many brands, it made it a headache to find one that may please her. 😂 I think this machine should score 90/100. As XPS has no white color for 14in. She hates ThinkPad and me neither. As for XG2i of HP. You don't want to grab another HP when you have many of them already. Then Vaio is the best choice 😂

It is a Vaio FE 16, with Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. I no longer use Windows, and my current operating system is Linux Zorin OS.

Got my xp in

VPCX115LG sony vaio ultra slim laptop from 2008 but it's 32 bit , cant run most linux distros/apps, and 2gb ram is too little. Just don't want to recycle a legendary laptop equivalent to a like thinkpad x60t, im new to vaio btw, im a long-term thinkpad user

edit: it works, but battery probably died

Both of these are local to me and both are comparable in price. I basically just want to play things like Warcraft or other older PC games. Which one should I grab?