Sony VAIO Broken?

[bluecountry]

Hi,

I do not know if this topic belongs in hardware or here, so apologies.
I posted a few weeks ago, last month, on issues here http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=118454.0.

They were resolved, until today.
My PC fell on the floor accidentally, no biggie...because it did not power off.

Later on I was trying to use MS Excel, but it was giving me problems.
It kept freezing, shutting down, and getting a message claiming it was not working.
I then decided I should run scans.
Well I tried running superanti-spyware, but that would not open.
Then the same with MBAM.

Finally as the whole PC windows was running slow, I said enough, and tried to re-start.
It wouldn't.
I then unplugged it.
I tried to start it, but got a blank teal screen.
I unplugged again (this should not be a big deal as I have unplugged before...)
but now windows fails to launch.

I try, a blue screen with text briefly flashes, and then it tries to start before giving me 2 options:
It says windows has failed to start
1) Start windows normally
2) Click here to try and repair


When I click 1...it fails to launch.
When I click 2...I am in the "VAIO Recovery Center" with 4 more choices:

1) Windows System Restore
2) VAIO Hardware Diagnosis
3) Restore C: Drive
4) Restore Data

I clicked 2 and had the choice to run a quick test to see if there was hardware issues, I did, and none were reported.
I have the choice of doing a full hard disc verify and repair.
Should I do that?

I also tried exiting from the VAIO Recovery Center, and when I did, I got a blank teal screen with a message that there was no OS detected on C:drive and cannot boot windows.


Questions:
1) Uh WHAT happened?  PC ran fine yesterday...
2) What do I do?  Can I fix this and get it back to normal, is it unfixable, or does it need to be taken in to the shop?

Please note, I am posting from a different PC.

Thanks.

[Geek-9pm]

They were resolved, until today.
My PC fell on the floor accidentally, no biggie...because it did not power off.

 

[bluecountry]

Lil help?

[bluecountry]

Help?

[Geek-9pm]

When any computer is dropped, it is possible that some hardware has been damaged or weakened. The recovery system has limited diagnostic features.
After repeated failure to recovery the system, the procedure is to test components of the system by other methods. Direct substitution is often the quick way to isolate the problem. You will need to find somebody you trust to test components of your system. Start with the hard drive.

[rthompson80819]

My PC fell on the floor accidentally

That's never a good thing.  Laptops are not built to take that kind of abuse.  You can take it to a shop to have it checked out, but it sounds to me like you are about to buy a new laptop.

[bluecountry]

Geez...THAT could do it?
This didn't even cause the PC to shut down when I dropped it...all it did was get gradually slower, to the point of needing a re-start.

Which place is better to take it....bestbuy geek squad OR sun microsystems?

[rthompson80819]

I dropped a laptop once, only 3 or 4 feet but it destroyed the screen.  It all depends on how it lands.

[Geek-9pm]

I can not recommend any of the so-called repair chain franchises.
Instead, if it is just the had drive, you can replace it your self.
Google:
replace hard drive in laptop
(There are at least two or three you tube videos. Here is one.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTCu331Rsac
(Ignore the advertisement.)
Check around locally among your friends and relatives. Somebody you know will know somebody that this is honest.

Attempt to 'clone' the hard drive. Otherwise use the recovery discs to set up the new drive and then find a way to get the user data off the old drive. And external USB adapter should do then job.

[bluecountry]

This seems more complicated than what computerhope usually does, which is why I kinda feel comfy with somebody assisting me (which is tough when it is a hardware issue).
Why can't you recommend sunmicrocenter or bestbuy...are they ripoffs?

[Geek-9pm]

No, they are not rip offs. It is hard to make a fair judgment of all the repair services being offered. The cost or parts for a specific computer and the labor it takes to repair it acan be very costly. Let me explain.

Retails prices of personal computers have dropped a lot in the past ten years. But labor sots are either the same or higher. Even to the point of being above the retail price of the computer. The consumer electronics industry has become this way a number of years ago.

Best recommendation:  Try to get an estimate of what it wil cost. If the real cost of repair exceeds the cost of buying a used working model with about the same performance, you will have to decide if repair is better ntaht replacement. You may be able to locate a used computer in yuour ciry that is close to the model you up have.

That is really the best I can do.

Here is what I mean. Older computer with about the same performance as our can be purchased for under $130 online. One popular choice is the Dell OptiPlex GX520 . Very cheap.

Still, you may wish to pay more to get our machine back to its good working condition. You have to decide.

[bluecountry]

Took it to best buy.
They did not test it but just went off what I said.

They say:
-Need a new harddrive

They will charge $300 for parts, labor, and diagnosis.
Another $100 for data recovery.

A new harddrive is 70 bucks. 
My thing is, I want to know for sure it is ONLY the harddrive...and if so...can I replace and do the labor myself?

Do I just unscrew and screw in the new one?
Or do I need disks?

[Geek-9pm]

Do I just unscrew and screw in the new one?
Yes
Or do I need disks?
Yes

After you put in the new drive, try to boot from one of the recovery discs and follow the instructions.
If it was only the hard drive, you will have it fixed.

After you get the system up, you will want to try and get back some of your personal data from the old drive. You will need an external USB to drive adapter. If the drive is SATA, make sure the adapter can do SATA
Google search:
http://www.google.com/search?q=usb+to+ide+sata

The price they gave is within current practice for retail stores. To get a better price you have to find an individual who works in his home. But there is risk involved with that method. 

This is what I was trying to explain earlier. Current practice makes computer ownership more expensive that what you would wish. Repairs become near equal to the remaining value of the computer.

The decision to repair it yourself or to take it to Best Buy  has to be yours. My advice is free and has no warranty. And I am often wrong. Of he computers people have brought to me, about half I was able to fix. But I only do it as a hobby now. I believe you can replace the drive, but I do not know if that is the only problem. This is best I can do for you.

[CBMatt]

No, they are not rip offs.

I beg to differ.