Unexpected restart and no start

I got a Sony Viao with Vista 64x on it, came with the laptop. I had the latop for 2 years now, and this is the first time I am having a major problem.

Yesterday it restarted by itself. When I turn it on, Viao screen comes up and after the screen goes black and white underscore line is flashing. Sort of Ms-dos looking for input.

Windows Recovery Tools are working and all diagnostic tests came back clean. I did chkdsk /f and /r through Recovery Disk - no luck. I did a system restore - did not work. BIOS resetting did not produce any results.

What are my options, thanks

Welcome
I ams sorry that you are having problem, perhaps this will help

If you create a recovery DVD, you may be able to boot to recovery options
Create Recovery DVD.
Hard Disc Controller must be set to IDE in BIOS and Bios must be set to boot from the CD Boot Priority - Change

The Vista recovery disk is used to boot Vista when it won't boot - to run Startup Repair, System Restore, access a Command Line, Recover using a Vista Backup Image, etc.
System Recovery Options. Choose an option tht will not cause you to lose your stuff.

If Vista will not start now, boot the Recovery CD to run Startup Repair which automates System Restore as well as numerous other tests including System File Checker which can repair system files which are not corrupted beyond repair.

If Vista still will not start, try booting into Safe Mode to run sfc /scannow to repair System files.
Special Thanks Given to Seven Forums.




Below is a bulletin distributed by MS to explain the start up procedure when Windows will not boot.

• Startup Repair. Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that can fix certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting. Startup Repair is located on the System Recovery Options menu, which is on the Windows Vista installation disc. If your computer has preinstalled recovery options, it might also be stored on your computer's hard disk. For more information, see Startup Repair: frequently asked questions and What are the system recovery options in Windows Vista? If your computer does not include Startup Repair, your computer manufacturer might have customized or replaced the tool. Check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.
• Change restart settings in safe mode. If your computer is stuck in a loop where Windows fails, attempts to restart, and then fails again repeatedly, restart your computer in safe mode and select the Disable automatic restart on system failure checkbox. For more information, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
• Reinstall. If no other options have solved the problem, and you are sure that your computer's hardware is functioning normally, you might need to reinstall Windows. A custom (clean) installation of Windows will permanently delete all of the files on your computer and reinstall Windows, so only use this option if all other recovery options have been unsuccessful. After the installation, you will need to reinstall your programs and restore your files from backup copies. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows**.

Thanks for your suggestions. In my first post, I already mentioned that Recovery disk did not provide any fixes. Although, I will try sfc /scannow command later. Start-up repair did not help either.

What happens if I press 'Install Now' when I boot the Recovery Cd? Will it do a clean install over my files and original OS? Will I need to input the OS serial number?

Any thing that appears on the recovery partition does not require a key number. In the event that you ever did need one its on your computer. It has 25 numbers/letters, each 5 separated by a dasho.
You can save your stuff using Ubuntu
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
If you can save your stuff, we know its not a hardware problem, too.
If you cant load Ubuntu its hardware and nothing in the recovery partition will help.
Once your stuff is saved you can install and your stuff will be backed up.
If it were my computer, I would back up and then do anfactory install, by pressing f10 contiually during boot. This will make your computer just like it was the day you bought it. You must reinstall software, and use your back up for files etc.
You may have to reinstall the SPs

I will try the LiveCD method and Install the vista using the Recovery Disk.

I will keep you updated.