got a Sony Laptop, well this is a bit tricky, got Politics written all over it.
Ive got Ubuntu 13.04 installed on a brand new Sony laptop works extremely well in all parts but the backlight, but working on that. ( after reboot OS does not remember the level of backlight)
But like i said, everything else works more than good, well over to the problem:
Microsoft nowaday feels threatend by the better OS like Ubuntu (Linux), so in an attempt to stop us from choosing the OS we want, they have come up with something new, to stop us from installing Ubuntu alongside Windows, in the BIOS they have created a new way to boot up, so far only microsofts products are allowed in something they call UEFI, well even if the laptops are delivered with this option live, sinply go in to BIOS mode ((if you do not know what youre doing get proffessional help with this) might destroy your computer, so be safe)) change this from uefi to (legacy) might be different depending on manufacturer.
Disclaimer, all of this is on your own responcebility....
Be aware that some manufacturers might not recognice their warranty after you have fiddled whit the OS / BIOS So choose manufactor wisely
Now boot Ubuntu from USB and install it, take caution so that you dont erase your Windows partition, might come in handy in the futture....
You will now get a BOOTUP start menu, simply choose Ubuntu and its on. If you want to start Microsoft Windows, until this time you will have to change the BIOS Legacy back to UEFI and it works.... Will proberbly solve this glitsh in the future, but for now..