Backing Up Your Data when You cannot Start Windows

To rescue your data

1. Press the ASSIST button while your VAIO computer is off.

2. Select Recover or maintain your system.

3. Select Troubleshoot and Recovery and maintenance.

• If the display language selection window appears, select your desired language, then OK.

4. Select Tools and Rescue Data.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

• Alternatively, you can start VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system with Recovery Media. [Details]

• It is recommended that you select an external hard disk drive as a location to save rescued files if you select Custom rescue.

Notes on using VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system

• Handle rescued files with care to protect from unauthorized access.

• Disable the Windows hard disk drive encryption feature before using VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system to back up and restore your data.
  However, rescued files which are not encrypted on the built-in storage device can be easily accessed by unauthorized users using Recovery Media and this app. Therefore, after using the app, be sure to set the power-on or hard disk password, enable the Windows hard disk drive encryption feature, and keep the Recovery Media in a secure place to protect rescued files from unauthorized access.

• To restore copyright protected data, such as music files organized by digital media playback apps, use a backup tool specified by the app you used to import such data. Sony does not guarantee the playback compatibility of data which is not restored with the specified backup tool.

• VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system does not support backup of a file whose name including the path is over 260 characters.

• Using VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system does not guarantee backup of all the data on your built-in storage device.
  Sony assumes no liabilities for any loss of your data arising out of the backup process.

• Use the power cord or the AC adapter to power your VAIO computer while using VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system.

• Your VAIO computer automatically restarts 72 hours after VAIO Care (Rescue Mode) : Recover or maintain your system starts. If 72 hours have passed during the backup process, the process will be stopped and the computer will restart. There is no way to resume the process.

• Rescued files may be divided into two or more files and saved in a specified location or renamed, depending on the location you select. Use VAIO Data Restore Tool to restore the rescued files. [Details]

• If an external hard disk drive or optical disc drive does not support the USB connection, you need to install a driver.