HELP!!! Operating System not found

I have a Sony VAIO AIO Desktop which came with Windows Vista preloaded. I recently went to backup my files to a WD external hard drive which apparently was corrupt. I received a message for some time that windows was having troubles recovering from sleep mode and the computer would then restart stating operating system not found. When it restarts it makes multiple clicking sounds then I get a black screen with this message. After numerous times of restarting eventually it would start up. Now I have not been able to get past this screen and I have restarted over 100 times.. any help would be very much appreciated. Also, if there is a way I can make sure I do not lose my files as I was unable to complete the back up.

 

Box clean? Fan running? Try reseating the RAM sticks. Any beeps on startup? can you access BIOS? For Sony, it is either F2 or F3 on startup, you'll have to try both.
What do you mean the external hard drive was corrupt? What happened in the backup?

 

Yes I am able to access BIOS, tried resetting to defaults, doesnt help. There are a few beeps and sounds like fan is running. In the BIOS screen listed under hard drive it says- NONE. As far as the corrupt hard drive, when I connected the Western Digital external hard drive it said it was a corrupt drive / some files on drive are corrupt and wouldnt continue the back up. It seems ever since that happened is when this started. But I was able to get in after a few start ups previously, now nothing.

 

How many beeps? Sounds foolish but there is a beep code for each make of computer. And in the BIOS, what is your motherboard make?

 

There are 2 beeps when I hit F2. It goes through a process of sounding like its starting up, then makes theses clicking noises and fan stops. Where do I find the motherboard info?

 

k, I think I figured it out ...would it be the Intel(R) Core (TM) 2 CPU T5600 1.83 GHz

The computer model is Sony VAIO VGC LS 25 E

 

It's probably this;
The computer has memory problems. If the video card is working, you'll see an error message on the monitor. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. Reseat the memory (Simms) and reboot. If this doesn't fix it, the memory chips may be bad. Some older motherboards may require the memory to be in the first and second banks versus the third and forth banks. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If you still get two beeps, then have the memory tested by your local dealer. If the memory is good, then the motherboard might be defective.

Unfortunately, in a good % of cases, it's the MOBO. If you have more that one card, try removing one, then the other, witht boots in between. In any case, remove then clip back in.

Unplug the computer, wait 5 minutes, push the start button a few times. Remove the side, with one hand on the box, release the clips, remove the card. Inspect for obvious flaws, push back in, observing the positioning slot, make sure clips are fully closed. Hope it works.:wave:wave