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[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by rob.sparrow

Find a copy of a windows disc (legally of course) such as an oem disc from a retailer or borrow available disc from a friend who has one that its the same as your os ( ie vista, 7 etc ) and do a clean install. Especially windows 7 as it is the most secure and fully functioning.

If you can't, uninstall everything from the laptop from the manufacturer like dell/sony etc.

InWindows 7 especially, windows update will find and instal any graphics, sound wireless card etc. if you have an earlier windows, go to the manufacturer website and get the basic drivers and nothing else.

You Will find the os much quicker. Then once you have installed your own programs make a backup disc and voila. Clean quick and with a backup in case

Thanks; I'm one step ahead of you. Since I bought the computer refurbished, it didn't come with its own Windows disc or any applicable booklets. I probably could have restored everything from the recovery drive, but I didn't want to wipe the drive. This was a good chance to upgrade to Windows 7 anyway (Vista has proven quite bothersome ). So I got it all up and running last night; drivers worked beautifully like you said. I just need to reinstall all my software.

I just hope Sony or some other company doesn't dump more junk on my PC now that it works again.