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Article ID : 00068878 / Last Modified : 26/09/2019Print

How to troubleshoot VAIO Recovery Center problems

    difficulty rating Difficulty rating:
    Easy    		 time needed Time needed:
    10 minutes activity


    Note: For details on how to recover your computer, consult the supplied guide to "Troubleshooting and Recovering your VAIO system" or check the online documentation available on the VAIO Support website.


    You are unable to perform a system recovery

    You receive the error message “Cannot use this recovery disc for this computer” or “This program cannot be used for this computer”

    1. Try a system recovery from the recovery discs and also from the factory-preconfigured hard disk recovery partition ( Windows 7, Vista, XP , Windows 8). If this error happens with built-in recovery option, go to step 4 below.
    2. If recovery option is not possible (e.g. if you have deleted the hard disk recovery partition), please go step 4 below.
    3. Ensure that you are using the correct recovery discs for your model . If you do not have the correct recovery discs for your model but the HDD recovery partition is still operational, please perform an F10 recovery and create new recovery discs.
    4. If you have tried all the steps above but you are still unable to perform a recovery from either the recovery discs or factory-preconfigured hard disk recovery partition, please contact VAIO Customer Support.

    You receive errors '305' (e.g.: '305:69'), '323' (e.g.: '323:52') or '403'

    1. Run the system recovery from the recovery discs and also from the factory-preconfigured hard disk recovery partition, if possible.
    2. Try both the "C recovery" as well as the "Complete recovery" options of the VAIO Recovery Center Wizard.
    3. If the issue persists, run the “VAIO Hardware Diagnostics” option available within the VAIO Recovery Center Wizard and execute the HDD test to check your hard disk for errors..
    4. If the HDD test gives an error, please contact VAIO Customer Support.
    5. If the HDD test passes but you still unable to perform the system recovery, please contact VAIO Customer Support.

    You are unable to recover your computer because you deleted the original harddisk recovery partition (for e.g. during the installation of a non-preinstalled operation system) without first creating your recovery discs

    Please contact VAIO support to purchase recovery discs for your computer.

    You receive an error message when you try to re-install the VAIO supplied programs or drivers

    You receive the error message “This program cannot be used on this computer”

    1. If this error happens while you attempt to reinstall the VAIO programs and drivers from your HDD recovery partition (that is; when you are not using a recovery disc), then go to step 3.
    2. If the error happens when using a recovery disc, please ensure that you are using the correct recovery disc for your VAIO model.
    3. Please contact VAIO Customer Support if the problem persists.

    You receive the error 505 (e.g. 505:26) in VAIO Recovery Center

    1. This error can happen if you try to install a program that is still present on your computer. To resolve this problem, try first uninstalling the program in question via the Vista Control Panel’s Programs and Features before attempting to reinstall it.
    2. If the issue persists, back up your personal data and try a system recovery which will reinstall the originally preinstalled programs.

    You receive the error “You must be logged on as system administrator to continue”

    Log off and log back on with an administrator-type account, and then try again to run VAIO Recovery Center.

    You receive the error “AC adapter is not connected”

    To avoid power interruption during the process, please connect an AC adapter to your computer.


    You are unable to create the recovery discs for your VAIO

    The process hangs or you receive an error during disc burning

    1. Make sure you install the latest updates for your model.
    2. If the problem persists, back up your data and perform a system recovery using factory-preconfigured hard disk recovery partition, and then try to burn your recovery discs on a clean recovered VAIO system before you install any 3rd-party software or update.
    3. Please contact VAIO Customer Support if the problem remains unsolved.