I know this has been previously posted but I am unable to understand the answers or know if they apply to me. Here is what happened. I lost a file somehow so i wanted to resotre my computer to an earlier date. I went to the wrong restore - it was going to go back to the factory restore so I shut it down. (yeah dumb move - i know but I was hoping for a chance to still find the file) So then i was able to get into the settings once but wasnt sure what to do so i just shut it down. now i am getting the error message 'error loading operating system'. I CANNOT get in safe mode ( that was my first thought and i tried many times ). Can you help?? (i see alot of messages about bios - i really dont understand what that is, means or does) I have another computer available - is it possible to connect them and boot mine up using the other ones o.s.? This is not my computer so I dont want to mess with taking anything apart - if possible. p.s. this is windows xp Please help!!! Thanks, Laura

"This is not my computer so I dont want to mess with taking anything apart - if possible". Little late to worry about messing up the machine. Entering the BIOS or clearing the CMOS isn't going to help you. I'm not sure what the procedure is with a Sony so I'm not going to try advising how, but I think you need to perform some type of repair. Describe what DOES happen when you atempt to boot up.

It sounds like the drive has already been (at least) partially reformatted. You'll need a lot more than just one file now.

Did you use a CD/DVD to do this "restore"??? This is what you should have used. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/... If you used a cd then you might try a live cd to see if you can access any files and save them. Might wish to take to a local shop. I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.