[adink]

I have a 2001 Sony Vaio PCG-FXA 36 laptop with Windows XP. I think that a virus shut my laptop down. I tried to reformat it with the system recovery cds (which I've successfully done a number of times when I had really bad viruses), but all that happens is in the upper left-hand corner it says: "NO OPERATING SYSTEM DETECTED," or something to that effect (it might not have the word "DETECTED," but you get the idea). Please help me with this problem. I tried to load a copy of Windows ME, but I only keep getting the same message.

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it sounds like the computer is not reading the cd-rom first or at all

This could happen if you altered the boot order of the PC so that the harddrive was the first boot device.

Drop into BIOS and check to see that the CD-ROM is first.

[gerryf]

it sounds like the computer is not reading the cd-rom first or at all

This could happen if you altered the boot order of the PC so that the harddrive was the first boot device.

Drop into BIOS and check to see that the CD-ROM is first.

[adink]

I'm sorry, but I am obviously a newbie at this more-indepth stuff. How do I go into BIOS and change the system so that it will check the CD-ROM first?

[gerryf]

when you first start your computer, you should see a splash screen along with a "press XXX to enter setup"

That is what you want

Usually DEL, f1, f2, or f10, though there are other variations

[adink]

When I start the computer up all I see is: "No operating system," there aren't any options to do something at all.

[gerryf]

before that....do you see a screen with a big VAIO or SONY?

tap those keys above during that splash screen

[adink]

Yes, there is a screen that says Sony briefly before it says "No operating system." I tap DEL, f1, f2, or f10 while that screen is there if I understand right.