Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails

JonathanAndrews · 10-27-2009, 04:48 AM

My Thinkpad r50e is a "spare" computer but could prove useful if I can make it work again.

I had been successfully running Vista on the machine for some time (though the DVD drive was unreliable) but decided to revert to XP and formatted the hard drive.

However, the DVD drive simply wouldn't load the XP disk and I'm a bit stuck.

It's seems that it is possible to create a startup disk from a USB stick but rather complicated.

Maybe I could somehow link it up with a lan connection to my other computers?

Or could I somehow use the DVD drives of my other computers?

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

Dogg · 10-29-2009, 02:02 PM

The easiest method would be to simply replace the DVD drive, especially if you plan on actually using the laptop. Aside from that, you would need to figure out the USB method. As you don't have an OS to boot from or a CD drive, I don't believe you will get the LAN method to work.

**Tyree** · 10-30-2009, 08:53 AM

Is the XP disc an original or copy? Will the XP disc work in another PC?

JonathanAndrews · 10-31-2009, 01:58 AM

Thanks for the advice.The CD is a new one and it dies work, I think, I just need to buy a new drive; there isn't a sensible alternative.

**Tyree** · 10-31-2009, 09:24 AM

Have you tried the disc on another PC to be certain it works?

10-27-2009, 04:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
JonathanAndrews Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails My Thinkpad r50e is a "spare" computer but could prove useful if I can make it work again. I had been successfully running Vista on the machine for some time (though the DVD drive was unreliable) but decided to revert to XP and formatted the hard drive. However, the DVD drive simply wouldn't load the XP disk and I'm a bit stuck. It's seems that it is possible to create a startup disk from a USB stick but rather complicated. Maybe I could somehow link it up with a lan connection to my other computers? Or could I somehow use the DVD drives of my other computers? Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks

10-29-2009, 02:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,965 OS: XP sp3	Re: Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails The easiest method would be to simply replace the DVD drive, especially if you plan on actually using the laptop. Aside from that, you would need to figure out the USB method. As you don't have an OS to boot from or a CD drive, I don't believe you will get the LAN method to work. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-30-2009, 08:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails Is the XP disc an original or copy? Will the XP disc work in another PC? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-31-2009, 01:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
JonathanAndrews Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails Thanks for the advice.The CD is a new one and it dies work, I think, I just need to buy a new drive; there isn't a sensible alternative.

10-31-2009, 09:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Formatted hard drive, now CD Rom fails Have you tried the disc on another PC to be certain it works? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.