installig OS without recovery CD-set after HDD replacement

[darmi]

Hello to all,
Is this possible to install OS without recovery CD-set after HDD replacement?
I have pcg fx405, it has BIOS, but no OS. As it is old I don't know were I put recovery cd set (I found only the 1. cd )
I tried really everything, xp, w98, linux, boot cd, floppy: no result.
Vaio e-support told they can send new set for 100 EUR.
That is too much for a set of cd, for such an old pc.
Is there any way to install any OS on this laptop? Or can I download files and burn a recovery dvd for myself?
I would use it only for browsing net when I'm out of home. Don't need new laptop for this.
Thanks for your help in advance
regards
Darmi

[Blencogo]

Hi Darmi and welcome to Club Vaio.

You should be able to install XP if you have a legal XP installation disc and product key. You will need to download the Original Drivers and Utilities from here: -

PCG-FX405 Original Downloads

You need to enter the BIOS and set it to boot from the CD Drive first.

If it does not boot from a XP Installation disc then the CD drive may be faulty and as you cannot boot from an external USB drive, you will have to make the decision if it is worth the cost of replacing the cd drive.

[darmi]

Hi Blencogo,
Thank you for the welcome.
Original xp I have, original drivers I downloaded, boot seting done.
But I do not know how to install drivers, as there is no OS.
If I start up with Win98 boot floppy, there is DOS, -that I do not really knoww how to use. With command 'dir' I can list content of cd, but I could not manage to boot from cd drive.
I would appreciate if you could write me down step by step how to install original drivers, and how to start xp or linux installation.
Another solution: remove HDD, set into an external case, connect to my pc, do the installation, pur back to vaio. Is this possible? What do you think?
What is the easiest.
Blencogo.
Thanks again your help
Awaiting your feedback!
Darmi

[Blencogo]

Hi Darmi,

Sorry to have taken so long to reply - it has been a busy day for me.

Basically you will need a legal copy of XP with a genuine Product Key to activate the system:

1. Download the Drivers and Utilities and right-click on the downloaded files and choose "Extract All". Choose to extract the files to a directory on a new CD and burn them to a CD.
2. Install XP by booting from the installation CD and following the on screen instructions.
3. When XP is installed and you get to the desktop, navigate to the folders on the CD and install all the drivers and utilities.
4. Look for any updated drivers or utilities on the download site for your model here:

Updates for the FX405

Sony only provide XP Drivers and Utilities for your model.

The full step by step installation instructions for XP are available from Sony here: -

http://esupport.sony.com/EN/osmig/xpclean.html

Good Luck.

[darmi]

Hi Blencogo,
I thank you for your answare.
The fact is that no CD starts except recovery cd.
I was thinking to boot from usb drive (if possible: usb key, or external hdd).
I guess cd drive works fine, because recovery cd can start, the problem is that I have only the 1. cd from 3 cd set.
I am affraid bulletpoint no 2 won't work as I already tried to install xp and i could not manage.
Any other idea
thnx