While trying to downgrade my laptop from Vista to XP (Vista is still, even with SP1, just not ready) using the ‘XP recovery disc’ that Sony gave me, I kept getting an error upon trying to boot into the DVD. The following is a transcript of what must have been quite an ordeal for the tech support guys to wrap their narrow little minds around.

Almost forgot to mention that there were five to ten minute pauses between responses. These people couldn’t have been able to type any faster than 5wpm or something. Or maybe they were spending too much time with the troubleshooting manual. Either way, you could see my patience disappear pretty quickly.

eSupport Chat Transcript

Problem: Get error message, ‘CDBOOT: Couldn’t find BOOTMGR’ when trying to boot from included XP recovery disc.

Christopher_ > Hi Dane. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I am Christopher. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.
Christopher_ > Thanks for waiting, Dane. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you're experiencing as the Boot Manager is missing. I'll be glad to assist you with this.
Dane > I don't know if it's a hardware issue, or the disc itself
Christopher_ > Dane, we'll diagnosis the issue and resolve it in this chat session.
Dane > I'm able to access the disc once I've loaded an operating system, but seeing that I want to install XP from the recovery disc, that doesn't help me much
Christopher_ > I'd like to ask a few questions so that we can determine the cause.
Dane > Go for it.
Christopher_ > Have you changed the pre installed Operating System?
Dane > That's what I'm attempting
Christopher_ > In that case, I would like to forward a link to a page where you can view the steps to resolve the issue.
Dane > I've been to the page that tells me to insert the XP disc that came with the computer, and reboot.
Dane > Problem is, I get that error when I reboot with the disc that came with the computer.
Christopher_ > Thanks for the additional information.
Christopher_ > Dane, in computing, booting (booting up) is a bootstrapping process that starts Operating Systems when the user turns on a Computer System.
Christopher_ > A boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the computer performs when it is switched on. The bootloader ( Boot Mnagaer) typically loads the main Operating System for the Computer.
Christopher_ > http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/autoresponsev4.asp?id=567386
Dane > I understand this concept. However the boot manager seems to be failing when it's attempting to load from the XP disc.
Dane > I have no problems with other discs loading, as the Vista recovery discs work just fine.
Christopher_ > Yes, Dane. This is the reason, I've provided the above troubleshooting steps so that it will install the Boot Manger for the Notebook.
Christopher_ > Are you able to view the page?
Dane > I'm not talking about the Vista bootmanager.
Dane > I'm talking about the boot manager that is on the CD.
Christopher_ > Dane, Boot Manager is not Operating System specific.
Christopher_ > Please refer to the above definition for the Boot Manager.
Dane > Okay, look. I should be able to load the disc without a harddrive.
Dane > So how is repairing it going to do me any good?
Christopher_ > The main function of the Boot Manager is to initiate the setup wizard for the installation of the Windows Operating System.
Christopher_ > Dane, the repairing will install the Boot Manager for the Computer.
Dane > No. The Boot manager loads the operating system.
Christopher_ > After this, please perform a 'Complete System Recovery'.
Dane > Look, I have a degree in CS, and I'm a Software developer. I've installed XP on dozens of computers.
Dane > Is there someone else I can speak with about this?
Christopher_ > This will remove all the files which make the Computer to work only under the OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of the Operating System.
Christopher_ > Please wait while I escalate this chat to a Tier 2 Analyst.
Christopher_ > Please wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst
Rudo_ > Hi Dane. I’m Rudo. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.
Rudo_ > Thanks for waiting, Dane. I'm sorry for the inconvenience you are experiencing as the Computer is generating an error message. I'll be glad to assist you with this.
Rudo_ > Did you try performing a System Recovery using the VAIO Recovery Center shipped in the Computer?
Dane > As I asked the previous guy: Please explain to me why I need to repair the operating system on my hard drive in order to install XP from a DVD?
Dane > The XP disc should load its own operating system (the installer) from the disc that was provided to me with the laptop, which shouldn't have anything to do with the hard drive.
Dane > or the previously installed operating system (Vista)
Rudo_ > Dane, the error may appear if the system files are corrupted.
Dane > Yes, if the system files on the CD are corrupted, that may be so.
Dane > Repairing the already installed operating system won't fix that.
Rudo_ > Dane, the error message may be received if the boot files on the hard drive are corrupted.
Dane > They are not corrupt as I can boot into Vista just fine.
Dane > Besides, when booting from a CD or DVD, you will *NOT* be using ANY files from the hard drive.
Dane > Otherwise, how on earth could you install XP or any other operating system on a computer that doesn't already have an operating system?
Rudo_ > Are you trying to install a retail version of the XP Operating System?
Dane > No. I'm trying to install XP from the 'Recovery DVD' that was included with my laptop.
Rudo_ > Did you receive a downgrade DVD with the Computer?
Dane > Yes, that's the disc I'm speaking of.
Rudo_ > Okay, Dane.
Rudo_ > Did you try resetting the BIOS, the installing the XP Operating System?
Dane > Resetting the BIOS?
Rudo_ > Resetting the BIOS will reset the Hardware configuration to setup default values and data in the Computer will not be lost.
Dane > I've just reset the BIOS to default values, and continue to get the same error.
Rudo_ > Dane, as you are getting the error message while using the downgrade discs shipped with the Computer, I suggest that you contact our Telephone Support team to check for the available options.
Rudo_ > They should be able to assist you.
Dane > Do you have the phone number handy?
Rudo_ > I would like to forward a link to a page where you can view the information to contact our Telephone Support team.
Rudo_ > When you receive the link please click on it to open the page and let me know if you are able to view it.
Rudo_ > http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-contacts.pl?mdl=VGNSZ791NX
Rudo_ > Are you able to view the page?
Dane > Had to type it in manually. Yes, I can view it.
Dane > Thank you for your help.
Rudo_ > Please contact the telephone # mentioned on the page for further assistance.
Rudo_ > You're welcome.
Rudo_ > Have a wonderful day ahead.
Rudo_ > Thank you for contacting Sony online support today.
Rudo_ > Analyst has closed chat and left the room