Frustrating Laptop Problem!!

Kaizer Sosa

Hi everyone, as the title suggests I'm really hacked off at the moment. I just bought a shiny new Sony Vaio. When I got home and set it up, I got that message that the computer had been shut down incorrectly, blah blah blah, press enter to proceed. I did this and everything seemed fine until I went to shut the Pc down after it first use.

Naturally it runs vista and I clicked on the start icon but there is no shut down option. In fact the only option I have is lock. Now the salesman obviously knew this before I left the shop as he had clearly just pressed the power button, hence the warning message when I first started it up. I rang Harvey Normans, where I bought it and they said to bring it back in but if there is a simpler method to restore the shut down option, I would happily take advice and it would save me going back.

Apologies about the rant and I hope that the post is in some way comprehensible... I hope someone can help!!

Abelloid

Does ctrl+alt+delete give you more options?

Overheal

It hasnt even been 90 hours yet, let alone 90 days. **** that. go get your money back, get something else.

Kaizer Sosa

Yeah but the only option is to switch user. My model was a display model so I wonder is that something to do with it.

Overheal

eww. display model: bad. fresh! new styrofoam smell!

USER X

Id say the "Display Model" is the issue here... Usually places like Harvey Normans or PC World have the display models on lock-down because guys who like to think they are smart come in and start changing settings and interfering with the network setup. Im taking it that your IT literacy level is User as opposed to enthusiast? Really its best to reload the Operating system (OS) using the disks provided. Some of the newer HP systems have a nifty feature which allows you to reset the machine to the Factory Default which puts it back to the way it was when it left the factory... I dont know if Sony's have this/a similar option.

If your not happy to reload the OS (Its pretty easy) and you dont want to pay an IT professional to reload it as any costs would reduce the saving you got by purchasing a display model then I would suggest you return it. You could also ask HN to reload the OS but I suspect they would hold on to the machine for a week or two and do a botch job of reloading the OS.

Hope this helps,
User X

Kaizer Sosa

Yeah, your definitely not dealing with an IT whizz here. There actually is an option to restore to factory settings so I think I will just do that. I don't know will I lose some software but it's probably worth it. Cheers for the advice dude!!

mp22

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/quick-tip-create-shutdown-restart-lock-icons-in-windows-vista/
this might help

Alanstrainor

As has been said, you can try to reload the OS to factory settings, or you could bring it back.
Did you get a discount because it was a display model?

Spocker

With the Sony laptops there is software installed to help you make the restore discs, you'll need a couple of blank DVD's (they don't have a hidden partition like the HP or Toshiba machines)

mukki

Have i missed something here

when i read the op i got the impression that he just doesn't know how to find the shut down option on vista

i.e. pause the mouse on the arrow beside the padlock.

Kaizer Sosa

No I use vista at work so I'm aware of how to shut down a vista-fied PC but it's just the shut down function isn't available.

Ps. I did get a discount for buying the display model

floydmoon1

Just do a full recovery.
Tap F10 When you turn on the computer and you will enter the recovery partition.
Then select full recovery option.

Alanstrainor

Kaizer Sosa wrote: »

No I use vista at work so I'm aware of how to shut down a vista-fied PC but it's just the shut down function isn't available.

Ps. I did get a discount for buying the display model

Bring it back, feck that like. Yes it's fixable, but why go through the trouble. Bring it back, get a brand spanking new machine.

Sephiroth_dude

Bring it back for the love of god.when you saw them giving you the dislay laptop you should have ran a mile.

kleefarr

Sephiroth_dude wrote: »

Bring it back for the love of god.when you saw them giving you the dislay laptop you should have ran a mile.

Or asked for a fair sized discount.

AlmightyCushion

Spocker wrote: »

With the Sony laptops there is software installed to help you make the restore discs, you'll need a couple of blank DVD's (they don't have a hidden partition like the HP or Toshiba machines)

Sonys do have a recovery partition. I've restored many a sony without discs using just the built in recovery patition. OP, Harvey Norman should have remastered it before they sold it to you. If only to save themselves the hassle of having to deal with the complaints they'd get when issues like the one you are having arise. Bring it back into them and ask them to remaster it. They should do it.

Sephiroth_dude

kleefarr wrote: »

Or asked for a fair sized discount.

Indeed,although I think he already mentioned he got a discount on it.I personally still would'nt have brought a display model.