Creating Recovery Media

To create Recovery Media

• You can use DVDs, Blu-ray Disc, or a USB flash drive as Recovery Media.

• On the model without a built-in optical disc drive:
  Use a USB flash drive.

• On the model with a built-in optical disc drive:
  It is recommended that you use DVD-R media, because data can be accidently deleted from a USB flash drive. You can also use BD-R/DVD+R/DVD+R DL/DVD-R DL/DVD+RW/DVD-RW/BD-RE/BD-R DL/BD-RE DL media; however, the type of media your VAIO computer supports and the number of discs you need vary depending on the model you purchased. You will be notified of such information during the creation process.

• USB ports that are compliant with the USB 3.0 standard do not support recovery with a USB flash drive that is compliant with the USB 3.0 standard. On models without the USB ports that are compliant with only the USB 2.0 standard, be sure to create Recovery Media using the USB flash drive that is not compliant with the USB 3.0 standard.

1. Connect your VAIO computer to the Internet, download and install the latest updates using VAIO Update.

2. If you create Recovery Media (optical discs) on the model without a built-in optical disc drive, connect an external optical disc drive (not supplied) to your VAIO computer. [Details]

3. Click (Start), All Programs, and VAIO Care.

• If you are currently logged onto your VAIO computer as a standard user, you may be prompted to enter an administrator name and a password.

4. Click Advanced Tools, Restore and recovery, and Create Recovery Media.

5. Read the on-screen instructions carefully, and then click Next.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

• It may take some time to display the current status of the procedure.

• Do not eject or disconnect the media while creating Recovery Media, as doing so may result in a failure of the process.

• Keep the Recovery Media in a secure place.

Notes on creating Recovery Media

• Recovery Media is specific to your VAIO computer on which it was created.

• Create Recovery Media immediately after your VAIO computer is ready for use. In the following cases, you may not be able to recover the computer from the recovery area and Recovery Media will be necessary:

• You have modified the recovery area with software designed for data modification.

• You have installed an operating system different from the preinstalled operating system on the computer.

• You have formatted your built-in storage device without using VAIO Care Rescue.

• Do not touch or soil the surface of the discs. Fingerprints or dust on the surface may cause read/write errors.

• Depending on the model you purchased, you may not be able to create Recovery Media using optical discs except DVD-R due to disk space shortage.

• Refer to the help file included with VAIO Care beforehand when you use a USB flash drive as Recovery Media.