20 Most Recent Sony VAIO VGC-RB50 PC Desktop Questions & Answers

Official support has gone by the wayside for Windows XP. If you have a working internet connection on the computer you should be able to update most things with Windows Update. If you are having trouble getting a specific driver you can download it directly from the link below. If you are having trouble getting an internet connection on the machine, consider downloading the "Network Drivers" and move them to the computer using a USB Flash Drive. VAIO Desktop Computer

this is a fan problem. change your cabinet cooling fan.

Hi! I understand your situation. I have many people who had the same problem.
If you recover, your data will be lost. What you should do is to REPAIR your OS installation. By repairing you will not loose any of your files.
You have not specified your OS, but I will explain how to repair a Windows XP installation (assuming you have Windows XP). For this you need to have a Windows XP CD. (Service Pack 2 is recommended).
1. Make sure you can boot from the CD. Insert the Win XP CD in the drive and boot from the CD.
2. Press a key when it shows the message. 'Press any key to boot from CD'.
3. It will ask to press 'Enter' to install Windows, Press R to Repair etc.. Press Enter. (Do NOT press R).
4. Next you will have to accept the EULA (Press F8). Then it will search for existing installations. Next it will show the existing installation in a box below and give options to do a fresh installation (ESC key) or REPAIR THE EXISTING INSTALLATION (R key). Press 'R' here to repair the existing installation.
** If the computer does not show this screen, but go straight into installation, turn off the computer! **
5. The repair procedure will begin. It will look just like a fresh installation, but do not worry. It will only replace the original Windows XP files. Later you will need to enter the XP product key.
In less than half an hour you will have your computer back to normal again, with all your files intact.
I know what I am talking about so don't worry and follow these instructions. I have done this many times.
If you have any questions or doubts, feel free to ask me.
And thank you for using FixYa!

I suggest getting a new video card that matches the OS (operating system)
check the motherboard manufacturers site to see if you have updated mother board drivers. Most motherboard video card are set and not compatible with today's OS.

The computer should beep ONCE when starting-up.
More than one BEEP implies either that the video-card is not responding, or that it is not fully "seated" in its slot.

Try a different video-card in your desktop.

Hey there, If it's a desktop it's normally a standard size hard drive, however laptop size might also fit if you have that lying around somewhere (although if you were planning to buy a new one anyway i'd just go with standard size since it's cheaper and more efficient.
If you'd like to see what the inside of your case looks like, go ahead and open it. I can't exactly say how to since I don't have the type myself but usually you just need to screw off a few screws in the back and then you can open up your case.

I hope I was able to assist.

Hi,

Welcome to Fixya. If the red light is flashing it basically means that there is power. Do you hear the fan of the processor spinning but the monitor won't display anything? If YES, then we need to check if the problem is either the Video Card, Video cable or the RAM (Memory).

Check Video Card and Cable:

If you have an idependent graphic card can you try to swap the video cable if it is connected to the graphic card then trasfer it to the onboard card and vise versa to check if you will be able to see the display. You can also try to switch the monitor to check if the problem is LCD.

How to check RAM or Memory Module:

If you can open the side panel of the system and swap the memory module to a different port and see if it will work or if you have a spare memory module that is PC3200 or DDR 400 MHz try to replace the existing one to check if the cause is the memory.

If you try to power the system but the fan fan on the processor is not spinning. This indicates that the problem relies on either the motherboard or the power supply.

If you have questions please let me know. Thanks for using Fixya.

not easily. the card is soldered onto the board. if it is malfunctioning you can reflow the board yourself or get a professional to do it. if you strip the board, it should be around $100-150 for the reflow.

If you have the recovery disks, use these to make you computer like "new". "New" meaning the way it was when it was purchased - before updates, upgrades or any additional programs. It also means without your pictures/documents/music or email contacts.

For more specific instructions, go to:

http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=C1003796&sliceId=1&docTypeID=DT_KNOWLEDGEARTICLES_1_1&dialogID=211608156&stateId=1

Have you opened the computer up and checked the fans for dust. As you say, those are clasic overheating symptoms
Use a small brush and a vaccum cleaner, or a can of compressed air(air duster) to clean your pc's fans.

I have encountered that problem before. What I did is to remove the RAM and put it back again then I see the windows running. Just try it men, just be sure to unplug it first.

It located behind the back panel.You need to remove the back panel.

Go to this site and buy a sata hard drive and with the drive will be a disc that will allow you to copy everything to new drive you will have to slave the new drive before you copy but it will have instructions http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2795126&CatId=139

your windows have problem, now u put windows cd and reboot computer , chose boot from cd and run setup windows.