Laptop won't work - Blank black screen- Sony Vaio.

lonestarfan

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Have you called SONY Support?

Finally yes!
Should've rung them 2 days ago but u live & learn! Sorry - and thanks to everyone trying to help.
They are 99% sure it's windows corruption & needs reinstalling.
I'm phoning them back this aft wen I can take the time off to do it so I'll update u in the morning on whether it's resolved.
The laptop has 2 yrs warranty apparently. Also the helpline is free. I'm astonished at that as I'm obviously not up to date with whats offered these days. the first time I bought desktop & laptop a few years ago lol I had to pay for helpline (Dell, Toshiba).
Thanks to Nifty who encouraged me to buy this laptop last year as I didn't know anyone did 2 yrs warranty. Others will no doubt correct\ inform me.
Thanks everyone. I'll report back tomorrow.

lonestarfan

grumpycrab wrote: »

Damn tricky debugging over the internet. Did you take battery out as suggested above? Try again (I know groan)
1. unplug power, remove battery, press power button for 20secs
2. plug all in again and press startup
It sounds like it starts up? Wait a couple of minutes (to ensure its started up)
3. Assuming it goes straight to desktop/start screen (IE no password) type Windows key+L (to lock screen). It should make a ding-dong noise?
Type Enter (assuming no password) and it should make another noise (unlocks).
4. plug in external monitor
press Fn+F7 and Enter (I'm not sure about Enter)
press Fn+F7,F7 (that's F7 twice while holding Fn)
press Fn+F7,F7,F7 (that's F7 thrice while holding Fn)
We're just trying to get the VAIO to put something on the external display.

You have been asked if you got into the BIOS but I guess you have not seen ANYTHING on the screen since the problem occurred.

Worst case is warranty (under 2 years) repair. The problem then is:- do you have any data on the laptop that needs saving BEFORE repair because the repair will undoubtedly wipe the disk. (accessing the data to do this should be straight forward).

Thanks for all your time and effort you've put into this.
A few lessons learned - make the restore discs when purchasing laptop and save stuff. !! But to be fair we always save stuff on stick & disc so don't think I'll lose anything significant.
Hope to have a positive update in the morning. Thanks again.

lonestarfan

Sony weren't able to fix it over the Phone. They're going to collect it and fix it within 7 days. OMG 7 days without a laptop lol����. Thanks everyone ��

NiftyDigits

lonestarfan wrote: »

Finally yes!
Should've rung them 2 days ago but u live & learn! Sorry - and thanks to everyone trying to help.
They are 99% sure it's windows corruption & needs reinstalling.
I'm phoning them back this aft wen I can take the time off to do it so I'll update u in the morning on whether it's resolved.
The laptop has 2 yrs warranty apparently. Also the helpline is free. I'm astonished at that as I'm obviously not up to date with whats offered these days. the first time I bought desktop & laptop a few years ago lol I had to pay for helpline (Dell, Toshiba).
Thanks to Nifty who encouraged me to buy this laptop last year as I didn't know anyone did 2 yrs warranty. Others will no doubt correct\ inform me.
Thanks everyone. I'll report back tomorrow.

Two years is unusual. That is because you are supposed to have bought a premium product. You just got it at a good price.
I remember finding that deal. It's a very nice laptop.

lonestarfan

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Two years is unusual. That is because you are supposed to have bought a premium product. You just got it at a good price.
I remember finding that deal. It's a very nice laptop.

It's my nephew who's using it for uni as you may recall and he was so pleased with it as it's also got full HD screen as well. It's been no trouble for a year but yes you found it for us at a good price and I do feel we've got a very good quality and am pleased with how they've supported me today. Irritated with myself that I didn't do the most obvious thing first and ring them as you suggested! Thnx though.