Problem booting up laptop running Vista when overseas

[Steven Teh]

I am using Sony Vaio SZ48 purchased in Singapore and it is running Vista
Business. I have never encounter any problem booting up the laptop in
Singapore. But when I use my laptop in New Zealand, quite frequently it will
not boot up and need to use the power button to shut down and reboot. And
for no reason, it will boot up after may 5 to 6 tries using the power button
on the laptop. But sometimes it just will not boot up even after trying half
a day or more. At first, I thought there was something wrong with my Sony
laptop, but then again, whenever I am back in Singapore, I never once fail to
boot up the laptop.

Well, I then bought a Toshiba Satellite A200 in New Zealand and it is
running Vista Home Premium. No problem in New Zealand. But again, the same
problem happens when I try to boot up my Toshiba laptop in Gold Coast,
Australia. Exactly the same experience that I had with my Sony laptop.

So, I suspect it might have something to do with Vista. I am hoping that
the expert in this community can help shed some light on this issue.

Thank you.

 

[Edward Chow [WL Butterfly]]

This is very unusual, as there is nothing in Vista (or any Microsoft
software that you have) that should stop your laptop from booting overseas.

Is there something that is happening while you are traveling that could
impair the function of your laptop?

NZ and Aust use the same power spec and plugs so I don't think that is
damaging your system.

Be more specific- what do you mean by "not booting"? No BIOS screen, no
Windows bootscreen (the progress bar), no login screen?

 

[Steven Teh]

Hi Edward,

Thanks for the prompt response.

I did get the bios screen and it will just stop when you see the microsoft
corporation and the waiting bar with the background in black. Occasionally,
it did boot up to normal windows but would hang the moment I click on any
applications.

I still have both laptops with me and I am currently in New Zealand. My
Toshiba now perform flawlessly where as my Sony is still intermittent.

After using the power button to shut and restart, I was prompted to startup
repair which I have tried everything possible including restoring the system
to an earlier date, etc. Nothing works.

 

[Paul Randall]

I am using Sony Vaio SZ48 purchased in Singapore and it is running
Vista
Business. I have never encounter any problem booting up the laptop
in
Singapore. But when I use my laptop in New Zealand, quite
frequently it will
not boot up and need to use the power button to shut down and
reboot. And
for no reason, it will boot up after may 5 to 6 tries using the
power button
on the laptop. But sometimes it just will not boot up even after
trying half
a day or more. At first, I thought there was something wrong with
my Sony
laptop, but then again, whenever I am back in Singapore, I never
once fail to
boot up the laptop.

Well, I then bought a Toshiba Satellite A200 in New Zealand and it
is
running Vista Home Premium. No problem in New Zealand. But again,
the same
problem happens when I try to boot up my Toshiba laptop in Gold
Coast,
Australia. Exactly the same experience that I had with my Sony
laptop.

So, I suspect it might have something to do with Vista. I am hoping
that
the expert in this community can help shed some light on this issue.

Have you tried booting both laptops with Knopix or the Ultimate Boot
Disc, or Windows PE at all these locations? Have you tried it with
wireless turned off?

-Paul Randall

 

[Steven Teh]

Hi Paul,

I have tried turning off the wireless and they still would not boot.

The problem does not happen all the time but quite frequently. For
instance, for my Sony, I have not unplugged my Sony for about 2 weeks and it
is running fine (still in NZ) from home. It would misbehave if I unplug it
and use it between home and office.

Toshiba, has no problem at all between home and office in NZ.

Really puzzled by these!

Thank you.