I own a sony vaio vgn-fz31e. http://www.icecat.biz/en/p/Sony/VGN-FZ31E/VAIO%20VGN-FZ31E.htm (tech specs) Recently it started to malfunction as it had overheating problems and generally laptop crashed. I sent it for repair to Sony. Sony replaced the motherboard and updated the bios and I got it back. Vista couldn't work and crashed all the time no matter the reassurance from the technicians that everything was tested and worked properly (lol?). I sent it back and they denied fixing it saying that I have a malfunctioning hard drive unless I paid them 430 euros !!! So here is the real issue. Any kind of windows just can't be installed in this laptop. I have tried several Vista versions to install but all the time the laptop crashed during the installation and I got a bsod with the message driver_power_state_failure. So after 5 at least serious attempts I didn't manage to install anything. I also tried a Windows 7 version. Installation completed smoothly but then the computer crashed all the time with bsod though I managed to work with the 7 environment for a while. I also tried to install xp but they need a special version with sata drivers included. I found such and I installed it - but still the environment was too much unstable and crashed. So the findings that I have from this thing is that : 1. Windows Vista = bsod + driver_power_state_failure 2. Windows 7 = readings from the dump files from minidump folder : Unable to load image \SystemRoot\system32\ntkrnlpa.exe, Win32 error 0n2 *** WARNING: Unable to verify timestamp for ntkrnlpa.exe *** ERROR: Module load completed but symbols could not be loaded for ntkrnlpa.exe Windows 7 Kernel Version 7600 MP (2 procs) Free x86 compatible Product: WinNt, suite: TerminalServer SingleUserTS Built by: *************** Machine Name: Kernel base = 0x8280c000 PsLoadedModuleList = 0x82954810 Debug session time: Wed Oct 7 00:09:11.000 2009 (GMT+3) System Uptime: 0 days 0:01:19.045 I have also performed varius tests including mem test, hard drive test and all were passed succesfully. Also Ubuntu 9.04 works fine on this laptop !!! Does anyone have any idea how to fix that problem? PS : I personally put the blame on Sony for insufficient knowledge,lack of skills, irresponsible attitude and denial of acknowledging and repairing their own mistakes. If you don't want to get through such things avoid Sony products. Plus they asked for 430 euros to replace a 200gb hard drive (which is properly functioning...)
that's sad.. they call those laptops starbucks and I call them overpriced I bet it got dropped during shipping if it is hardware failure- sounds like it.. you can check out the harddrive using seatools for dos or the ultimate boot cd.. burn and run off cd http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html
thing that makes me think it's hardware is all the different installs you've tried.. you try installing off a usb stick to eliminate the dvd drive
