VGN FZ18L

[roblittl0]

I had to replace hdd as it failed, I have installed a new one, but when I use the recovery dvd i created prior to it failing it returns bootmgr error crtl + alt + delete to reastart cant find os 

Any help appreciated

[Blencogo]

The Recovery Discs are usually a 2 DVD set.  Have you got 2 Discs?

Are you sure you are using Disc 1 which is the bootable one of the two.

[roblittl0]

I have 3 discs ...disc 1 and 2  recovery discs 3 application recovery  

[Blencogo]

Do you see the Vaio Logo splash screen during startup?

Is the BIOS set to boot from the Optical Disc before the HDD?

Is the new HDD recognised in the BIOS?

To access the BIOS press F2 repeatedly during startup.

The only other thing you can try is to copy Disc 1 on another PC and try the copy.

[roblittl0]

yes yes and yes i have managed to load vista to laptop using a an oem copy ....but would rather use recovery discs if possible ...i have tried to rebuild bootmgr using this link to no avail ...oh well just go with oem version until i remedy....:smileywink:

Thanks

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistasetup/thread/ebc73c97-ccb4-4589-8707-5b05...

[Blencogo]

Ah ...................

The Sony Recovery Discs install the Windows partition as 'Partition 2' because they reinstall the Hidden Recovery Partition as 'Partition 1'.

I guess your OEM Windows installation has been installed in Partition 1 and the Recovery Discs are looking for Partition 2 which probably doesn't exist.