1. Download the BIR0211D1B.EXE file to a temporary or download directory (please note this directory for reference).
2. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and double-click the BIR0211D1B.EXE file to begin the installation.
3. At the "BIOS R0211D1 For Windows 2000 and Me" box, click Next. Several setup boxes will briefly appear as the files are extracted and the computer model is identified. As these processes complete, the boxes will close automatically.
4. At the "Information" box, insert either the prepared 3½ Windows 95/98 bootable floppy disk or a blank formatted floppy disk into the drive (A:).
5. Click OK to begin copying the BIOS installation files onto the floppy disk.
6. At the "BIOS Upgrade for Microsoft® Windows 2000 and Me" screen, you will need to take different steps to complete the installation based upon the type of floppy disk used.
   • If you used a bootable floppy disk that contains Windows 95/98 bootable system files, continue with step 9 to complete the installation of the BIOS.
   • If you used a blank formatted disk that did not contain Windows 95/98 bootable system files, skip the remaining steps in this section and follow the steps in the Alternate Installation Method section to complete the installation of the BIOS.
7. At the "BIOS Upgrade for Microsoft® Windows 2000 and Me" screen, select "Yes, I want to restart my computer now" and then click Finish. Be sure to leave the bootable floppy disk with the BIOS files in the floppy drive. As the computer restarts, it will boot from the floppy disk instead of the hard drive. The PhoenixPhlash Utility will launch. Please wait as the installation of the BIOS will take one to two minutes to complete. Once the installation is complete, the computer will automatically turn off.
8. Eject the bootable BIOS installation disk from the drive.
9. Turn on the computer.

After the computer restarts, the installation of the BIOS is complete.

Alternate Installation Method

If you were not able to prepare a bootable floppy disk with Windows 95/98 system files, please follow these steps to complete the BIOS installation.

9. Insert the Sony System Recovery CD #1 into the external CDROM / CDRW / DVDROM drive.
10. Eject the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
11. At the "BIOS Upgrade for Microsoft® Windows 2000 and Me" screen, click Finish. The computer will boot from the System Recovery CD.
12. At the black "Sony VAIO" screen, press the CTRL key and hold it down until a Microsoft Windows Startup Menu appears.
13. At the "Microsoft Windows Startup Menu" screen, press the DOWN ARROW to highlight the "Safe mode command prompt only" option.
14. Press ENTER to exit to a command prompt.
15. Reinsert the floppy disk into the floppy disk drive.
16. At the A:> prompt, type B: and press ENTER.
17. Eject the Sony System Recovery CD #1 from the external CDROM / CDRW / DVDROM drive.
18. At the B:> prompt, type PHLASH3 R0211D1.ROM and press ENTER. The PhoenixPhlash BIOS Flash Utility will launch and start the BIOS installation. Please wait as the installation of the BIOS will take one to two minutes to complete. Once the installation is complete, the computer will shut off.
19. Eject the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
20. Wait five to ten seconds and then turn on the computer.

After the computer restarts, the installation of the BIOS is complete.

This utility installs the computer system BIOS.

• Before installing this update, be sure the computer is running from AC power. If the installation of the BIOS is interrupted by power loss, the computer may not operate correctly or at all!
• Before installing this update, you will need to prepare a 3½ bootable floppy disk to receive the installation files. For additional assistance, please see Creating a Bootable Floppy Disk.
  NOTE: If you do not have access to a Windows 98 or 95 boot disk, you will need a blank formatted disk and these additional items to complete the installation of this BIOS revision:
  • The original Sony System Recovery CD #1.
  • The Sony VAIO external PC Card CDROM, CDRW, or DVDROM drive connected to the computer.
• For Windows 2000 Upgrade systems only: Before installing Windows 2000 Professional or this update, please be sure to read Installing the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Operating System. Most of Sony's Windows 2000 software updates require you to install Windows 2000 Professional in C:WINNT. If Windows 2000 is not installed in this location, these updates will not install correctly.
• For Windows 2000 systems only: During the installation of this update, be sure that you are logged in as the Administrator or as a user with Administrator rights.
• To ensure that no other program interferes with the installation, save all work and close all other programs. The Taskbar should be clear of applications before proceeding.
• It is highly recommended to print out these instructions as a reference during the installation process.