I have a old laptop TOSHIBA 5005-S504. Here are some details about it:
1.The CD/DVD rom is not wokring...it just wont read CD's or DVD's so I can't boot from it.
2.I use to be able to use external CD/DVD but now the USB's are gone.
3.There is no floppy on the computer (just the USB external, which i can't use)

OK, this computer was like this for a while but it was good enough for my kids. Now, somehting happen and we could not start it up. I post me problem all over the internet but NOTHING. I can take the HDD out and put some files on it like the INSTALLATION FILES of WIN XP or 98 or...but didn't work. Please, can anybody help what do load on the HDD so I can boot the computer somehow and install the OS. I don't care what kind...anything. XP, 98, 3.11, LINUX...somthing....thank you

Peter

Ohh...my bad...I see the STICKY...i gotta look at it. Sorry guys

The easiest install will prolly be Dos.
You might be able to getaway with Win98/Me.
Steps:
1) FDISK The Drive, create 2 partitions. 2nd Partition enough to hold the installation Disks/CD.
2) Format the 2nd partition with /S option (Copy the system files)
3) Copy the installation disks/cd into a folder.

Now u may need a Boot Manager to be able to select which partition to boot from after the OS is installed on the 1st Partition.

There is some free partition managers out there, but ya may just want to get a copy of ultimate boot cd, and add it to the 2nd partition. this may require editing. but it comes with some nice tools.

Good luck with this