OK, lets start with the basics.
Sony Vaio PCG-FRV35
CD-ROM
NO Floppy

Initially I recieved a hard drive error and that a crash/failure was iminent. I ordered the same Hitachi hard drive that it came with, brand new. (Amazon)
I physically installed the new hard drive, entered the BIOS setup, configured the boot sequence to boot from the optical (CD-ROM).

When I turn on the computer, with a bootable XP SP1 disk, and I get the curser of death for about 30 seconds and then , "NO OPERATING SYSTEM"

I have tryed multiple bootable CD's to see if the disk is corrupt. I also configred, and re-configured the setup in multiple ways including returning it to factory setup. I do not have ANY of the original recover CD's and/or paper work. I did call sony and attempted tech support, but I think I would get more out of banging my head abainst a brick wall.

I am in dire need of assistance, I usually am able to install a fresh copy of windows without any problems but I usually have a floopy to run off a 98se BOOT DISK. Please advise the correct course of action.