No, same capacity and same type, similar brand name. It was cheaper than I expected, because I bought it from an office supply store, but should be good quality. I was afraid it might not be one that Sony approves, or maybe they only allow their own drives to be used, but the one that came out was not marked as a Sony so that should not be the case. Maybe it is faulty, and my next step is to take it back for an exchange, if I can find the receipt.
I tried loading a copy of Windows 98, as well as a copy of XP, neither of which would load because they both said the drive was faulty, or at least that they could not read it.
The discs came directly from Sony and just received so they are up to date.
I guess the obvious answer is that the drive is faulty in some way...