hi guys, this is a great forum so thanks to those that started it! my hdd starting clicking a few weeks ago, and then when i turned on the computer it said something like the harddrive was about to crash and to backup my files.

i couldnt get into windows at all, not even in safe mode, and prior to this it was a ntoskrnl.exe problem that i couldnt sort out in time.

nonetheless i’ve ordered a new hdd (the 80gb toshiba in fact.. exciting! heh)

just wondering.. do i even need to track down a recovery disk? or can i just install the new hdd into the computer, and just install windows to it.. and then download the drivers after that…

am i missing something or is the recovery disk vital prior to installing windows? sorry im not very computer savy! appreciate any words of advice!

If you are talking about a TR and your current HDD is a Toshiba, and assuming you have ordered the correct 80Gb 1.8"Toshiba drive (connecter) it will drop straight in.

Windows followed by drivers will be OK but a recovery disc would simplify the process.

A recovery DVD will cost you about $10 + 7 shipping from Sony.  I would also recommend it as installing OEM Windows will require alot of subsequent driver hunting.

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/

You can install an OEM XP version without any problems. Your TR will work just fine. I recommend to slipstream the XP installation with SP2
before installing. That will even save you a couple hundred megabytes!

All the drivers needed can be downloaded on a single page of Sony support site!

It would be a good idea to download them from another computer and burn them on a CD. Depending on the way you are connecting to the internet you might face problems going online (fresh installation - no wifi drivers).