I bought an old laptop (IBM Thinkpad T40 from around 1999/2000) on ebay just to use for the internet which was great until the hard drive died (nasty knocking noises!). I bought a 'brand new' replacement which should be fine but I don't really know what to do to install it. I don't have any discs (the laptop came with XP Pro and a valid sticker but no discs and no way to make backups, my desktop only has backup discs that will only work on a Packard Bell) but don't know if I can 'install' without an operating system. I have tried to boot using a Windows 98SE CD which does nothing but agian I don't know if it is possible to boot from that.

So - booting up you get a screen that reads

Hard drive not installed:
If operating system not found,
re-install Hard Drive.

...then

Intel (R) Boot Agent Version 3.0.03
Copyright (C) 1997-2000, Intel Corporation
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel PXE ROM
Operating system not found


which is exactly the same as when the faulty drive is connected. The new drive does whir and sounds OK and it is recognised in the BIOS screen (Toshiba MK4026GAX-(PM)) but I have no idea how to install it. Do I need a disc?! Obviously I will to install an operating system but I don't want to buy one if there's a chance it won't work and I have to buy a new laptop anyway...

If it is seen in the BIOS then it is installed.

Without an Operating System there is nothing on it. Nothing to boot.

You can make an ubuntu CD and install it if you just want to test it out.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Iv'e done what Jephree suggested since I have played and swapped hardrives and the linux systems are good troubleshooters when you can't buy or afford a windows xp o/s. I've burned Puppy, Slackware,Damn Small Linux, and these are all bootable O/S and will tell you that your new hardrive is working. I use Windows Repair CD by PC Professor (available on Ebay) to do a low level format when I want to erase the drive of all files and operating systems. Hope this helps.

Thanks again! Ubuntu did install and the HD is fine.... actually I really like the idea of leaving ubuntu on rather than Windows but how practical is it? Would I be able to set up a home network with my desktop running XP Home? Is Open Office MSOffice compatible at all?

One problem actually - the laptop has a Netgear wireless network card which I guess now needs installing - do I have to find some software to do this (or should it be plug and play like XP)? It doesn't seem to be recognised at all now.

Not being a Linux expert I won'ty be able to answer all your questions. I had to make a Cd with windows to load the driver for my Netgear Wireless card. Its an 802.11b, older one. As far as your other questions go to linux forum on this website and go to linux forums on linux sites and they will be better able to answer questions. I just learning Linux myself and am finding a lot of tweaking and time investigating is involved but in the end Linux is faster and Safer to run in my opinion. Alot of my gear is outa date but works just fine for my applications. Look at my Amrel thread and a Panasonic cf-48 thread and you'll see why I started experimenting with o/s. They are excellant troubleshooters and you can partition the hardrive to run both systems. You can switch back and forth using either o/s.G parted Clonzilla is one software program you can burn offereds at Major Geeks.Com. If you have a Floppy drive copy OSL 2000 Multi Boot Manager for managing more than 1 operating system. Also offered at Major Geeks and it is FREEWARE.