I am past distraction!!! I have a laptop that goes crazy every couple of months. It is an IBM 600E, very limited hard drive and very limited memory, and I have installed windows 2000, and replaced windows 98. Now, the stupid thing said that I was missing an active x file..actually Norton told me this, and that he couldn't fix it. I got my recovery disk out to "repair", the problem , but my computer took one look at it, and promptly said "No Operating System"..how very rude of it! I have a lot of important information on my computer and don't run the risk of losing it, and by reinstalling windows 2000, I will erase everything..actually, I will have to reinstall windows 98, because my computer won't recognize my windows 2000 disk. (My computer takes spells as to what it will recognize and what it won't!)
I was able to get to the DOS area, and obtained a "Mechanic Tool" (CD form) that guarantees that it can fix whatever problem. I just can't get the POS computer to recognize the CD rom. I am seriously considering throwing the whole darn thing off the Mississippi Bridge to see if it can swim!
thank you

Just to clarify:

The main problem now is that the computer does not recognise the CD Drive?

Here is a possible way to get your data:

Extracting data from a dead laptop with a laptop hard drive adapter

Hello Jephree,

Thank you so much, unfortunately, I don't have one, but will acquire. Now then, Will I be able to connect the hard drive using the adapter to my computer? One uses Windows XP and the laptop is 2000. I don't have a baby hard drive, I have one of the 3 1/2" dudes.

The Operating System should not matter as you will only be transfering data.

Just need the proper adapter & set the Laptop drive as slave to the Tower Master.

Then I suppose you can put the laptop back together & try a new install.

Although if you cant run from the CD Drive, that is another problem.

Is the CD drive seen in the IBM BIOS?

Does the laptop have a floppy drive?