Problem :

How can I use my System Recovery CD on a VAIO without the
original CD-ROM drive?

Solution :

When using a 3rd party CD-ROM drive, you will need to take
special steps to ensure the operation of the Sony System Recovery
CD. Loss of the use of this CD will mean you can no longer do
System Restores or reinstall Windows. This could prove to be a
serious inconvenience, even preventing you from using your
computer.

You cannot assume that the Recovery process will work just
because the CD-ROM drive works in Windows. When using a 3rd party
CD-ROM drive, you may be able to use it in Windows, and even boot
to the CD in DOS, but the absence of the correct DOS (real-mode)
CD-ROM driver on the CD will prevent the software used in the
System Recovery process from working.

The best way to ensure that you will be able to use the System
Recovery CD after changing CD-ROM drives is to use a special
bootable floppy disk that will permit your computer to access the
features of the System Recovery CD. This floppy disk can be
obtained from VAIOLINK support, but requires some work by you. It
means you have to ask your vendor for your CD-ROM's real-mode
(DOS) driver. Editing this floppy disk is not difficult, but
requires an understanding of DOS. We're unable to supply all
possible CD-ROM drivers, so you will have to copy the correct
driver and edit the system files using the following
instructions:

PROCEDURE OUTLINE:

A: If you downloaded the file from our webside, follow the next two steps, otherwise proceed with step B.: 

1. Create a system floppy disk (bootable under DOS). 
   - Double Click "My Computer", right click "3 Floppy (A:)", click "Format...". 
   - Select Format type "Full" and Other options "Copy system files" - click "Start". 

2. Extract the self extracting file on the floppy disk. 

B: The procedure described below basically does two things:
 
1. Copies the real-mode CD-ROM driver provided by the manufacturer
   to the floppy disk.

2. Edits CONFIG.SYS on the floppy to change the real-mode CD-ROM
   device driver from the one provided by Sony to the new driver.

Once configured this way, the computer is booted with the
floppy drive. Then insert the System Recovery CD into the CD-ROM
drive. Proceed normally with the Recovery process.