Sony Vaio BIOS corrupted

you need to download the BIOS from online and you can run them
go to sony vaio website and search for the BIOS to flash for your laptop model.
Note: * Make sure you should not lose power during the time of reflashing.

I wish it would be that simple.  The BIOS is currently corrupted.  So the update exe file utility from Sony does not revognize my systems' model and exits.  

I think you can download BIOS from http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNFJ250P&SelectOS=7

Yes I can..  And then what?

Just posted a note in your other thread, but I'll respond here as well r.e. the BIOS flash.

Without a good ID string, it's unlikely Sony's flashing utility will let you flash the BIOS.

There's not much you can do to correct this without a CMOS flashing utility that doesn't depend on the machine ID ... and even if you had one you'd have to know the correct ID string.

You either need to have the laptop serviced by Sony;  or you may be able to simply reinstall XP and find the drivers you need via a generic driver search rather than trying to download from Sony's site, which apparently restricts downloads if the machine ID doesn't match what's expected.

I think you should run cpuz...check whether its able to detect the model number.

ftp://ftp.cpuid.com/cpu-z/cpu-z_1.57-32bits-en.zip

Also i am not 100% sure but the problem of bios might be caused due to clone intel mobo.



Ded9

Well, I know the model number..but the update utility from Sony cannot see it..

This is just to test to check whether a third party software is able to get bios info. Just a test. Try it.


Ded9

It shows different CPU/RAM and other HW parameters..

Can u post the screenshot


Ded9

here you go..
cpuid.jpg

Its showing the right cpu...its laptop right ..so you will see intel mobile processor.


Ded9

Yes correct.

Pl post the motherboard screenshot


Ded9

i mean in cpuz -click motherboard tab- post the screenshot.


Ded9

Sure.  Here you go.
cpuid-mobo.jpg

i think there is nothing wrong with the bios...becuase this software can get all the bios info via operating system.

I think the bios is good. ...still check the date and time in the bios..i hope its right.

Bios is good and not corrupted .


Ded9

A corrupted bios will never let u install any operating system.

i am sure that the bios is good.


Ded9

THe BIOS is good but a 'little' corrputed.  On the general tab of the BIOS the model and make says reserve.  and the UUID is  ffff-fff-fff--ffff.
So when I trying to install the utils from sony they check against the model and say sorry wrong model..

is this utility designed for xp or vista.


Ded9

oh... dont know.  I installed the link that you posted for me..

i think i did not post any link for updating bios.


Ded9

Oh you asking for the BIOS update.. THe BIOS update is only available for XP on Sony support site.  

Did u set the exe file to compatibility mode- and then run the utility...also did u repair this computer for any hardware issues.


Ded9

From what I understand this computer was in the shop a while back for hard drive replacement..

Yes I tried extractiong the exe from sony and ran another setup.exe in XP compat mode with admin provileges..

It just didn't do anything.  DId not show me any error message either..

If the computer was sent back to sony for any hardware issues then they might have changed something. ...lets wait for some other suggestions.


Ded9

Sure.. thank you for your help BTW.

I wonder if that could be some rare virus that damaged BIOS hardware?  If there any, can there be a cure on how to remove it?  From the client's word's.  It was taked to the service because a virus damaged hardware.  So they replaced a hard drive...

There is nothing called as bios virus...but there are chances that someone might have flashed the bios incorrectly.

So you were right...you need to find a way to flash the bios. There are different ways to flash a bios.

You can even boot from a disc and flash the bios...but not sure how its done.  I hope u have selected this from the sony website...Sony® Programmable I/O Control Device Driver Utility driver..to update bios.




Ded9

Yes, I am thinking to find a BIOS update and create a bootable CD.  Not sure how will it work though.

You  can boot from windows 7 disc -go to command prompt and then run the bios update utility that is available in the sony website.


Ded9

Got the link
Sony® DW-Q58A-VN Firmware Update
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFJ250P&upd_id=2349&os_id=7

Boot from windows 7 disc go to command prompt and then run this exe file.

Also check this article
http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-boot-cd.htm



Ded9

Wait i think this is the right link please ignore my previous post.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFJ250P&upd_id=2256&os_id=7

Download PHBSYS-00966319-US.EXE

Will convert from R0090X6  to R0140X6 version. You can launch cpuz to check the version after flashing the bios.

Also the best way to do it is boot from command prompt not windows 7 disc. Pure dos prompt.
how to flash bios from pure dos mode check these links
http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-boot-cd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPKx8a96fwI

Can check this website to get the dos software.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Also you said you were unable to flash the bios  because its not able to detect the model number. I have made things simpler for you just download this file

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=48CHXKF7

You will get an option to flash bios via gui but its your choice whether to do it or not. All files are included in this rar file. Most important file is the Rom file.

If you are using the gui then click browse and select the right ROM file . Then click Flash bios.


Make sure there is no power fluctuation while performing this task. Make sure you have a enough battery power while performing this step.



Ded9

Wait i think this is the right link please ignore my previous post.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=VGNFJ250P&upd_id=2256&os_id=7

Download PHBSYS-00966319-US.EXE

Will convert from R0090X6  to R0140X6 version. You can launch cpuz to check the version after flashing the bios.

Also the best way to do it is boot from command prompt not windows 7 disc. Pure dos prompt.
how to flash bios from pure dos mode check these links
http://www.biosflash.com/e/bios-boot-cd.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPKx8a96fwI

Can check this website to get the dos software.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Also you said you were unable to flash the bios  because its not able to detect the model number. I have made things simpler for you just download this file

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=48CHXKF7

You will get an option to flash bios via gui but its your choice whether to do it or not. All files are included in this rar file. Most important file is the Rom file.




Make sure there is no power fluctuation while performing this task. Make sure you have a enough battery power while performing this step.



**
Just one more thing..use this latest winplash...it has an option to backup bios before flashing.

copy the contents of the rar file and latest winplash in one folder. Browse and select the right ROM file . Then click Flash bios.




Ded9

Sorry did not includ the link

http://download.esupport.com/files/Winphlash1656.exe

Winplash latest version.



Ded9

When I go to the megaupload I get:
"The file you are trying to access is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

I extracted the file.  BUt... there is not .rom file there..

i can see the rom file...you have to download winphlash and megaupload file.

Anyways i have combined the files and uploaded on hotfile website...so now just download this single rar file and run winphlash.

Make sure you backup the bios before flashing using the winphlash utility.

http://hotfile.com/dl/116807814/1e68df8/SONY_Vaio_VGN-FJ250P.rar.html



Ded9

No luck.  I attached the error message.
winflerror.jpg

Yes I have selected that ROM file.  I will check on how can I boot and flash the BIOS.  Thanks!

I had to let it go here too..  Thanks so much for your help. Again!