Urgent Lappy Prob: OS/Bios help needed

Right something went wrong when i formatted and installed a new OS (winXP Pro).

The laptop DVD Writer does not read discs all of a sudden, it opens but nothing is displayed. Whizzing can be heard and i am able to eject from 'my computer'

I want to reinstall the OS, all over again. But when i put the setup disc in, it does not read....i dunno why.

The just installed OS loads up but i dont want that OS now....as some things are missing due to the installing going all ape shape.


Anyone can suggest any method to quickly enable me to reinstall the OS??
BTW, i dont have floppy drive to connect the laptop to.


Many thanks

Try put in the OS disc (that you want to install), reboot, go into BIOS and change the boot priority so that your DVD Writer is on the top of the list and save changes. Then it should go into the windows installer and you can go on and install your new windows.

If the writer does not read the disc, you might have broke your dvd writer. Try put in different kind of discs, like DVD, CDROM, CD-R, DVD-R and see if it is possible one of the laser heads is broken.

OK, i have tried EVERYTHING to fix this prob.

I've tried to put another WinXP doner HD into the lappy, but i get a blue screen of death.

I've managed to install win98 onto the existing HD via another laptop. It loads and boots fine, but the optical drive can not be accessed....saying 'drvie not ready'.

It's really doing my head in!! I can't believe that the DVD drive is screwed cos i haven't done anything to it at all....nothing.