installing ME os on reformated CPU with no install CD

[grybeard]

Have a 5 year old Sony Viao laptop that had ME on it. I had to reformat it and now I need to reinstall OS but I only have recovery discs. Easydesksoftware.com has lots of info on how to do it but so much info is confusing for me. Where can get a install CD for ME (cheap) and is it hard to do? Could I install XP home instead of ME with out big problems?

I have boot disc that gives me a C: prompt but I can't get past that with the recovery discs for some reason. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

[pip22]

To re-install from the recovery discs you probably have to place disk 1 in the cd-drive, restart the PC and force it to boot from the CD by pressing a certain key as soon as the PC starts.

Every time you start your laptop, you should see a message at the bottom of the screen telling you which key to press for booting from CD
With my Toshiba laptop I have to press the 'C' key to make it boot from the recovery disk, otherwise it boots from the hard disk and starts normally.

Another possibility which have I have come across, if a floppy boot disk is supplied as well, you must boot from the floppy but with the first recovery CD already in the drive so the floppy disk program can find it to start the install process.