My laptop's Hard drive crashed

Update: I may be able to borrow a copy of windows XP from my brother and install windows (on to the hard drive in its USB form) then put the hard drive back into the laptop, but I am not sure if this will work (maybe if I put it back into the laptop before all the hardware is configured) After the install, hopefully I will be able to install the recovery disk over that. Does this sound like it will work?

I think you are going to have a tough time with that one.

I'd recommend you upgrade to XP or replace the defective CD-ROM if you are intent on sticking with Windows 98.

The recovery disk is for windows xp, but it does say loading windows 98 when it first starts reading the cd rom.... then it says it can't find the drivers.

Well your are up against it aren't you. What is happening here is that you need to make a boot disk that has USB support and run it from a Floppy if you have one in the NB. If you don't you'll have to shell out for a CD ROM drive to replace the dead one in the NB as that is the only way you'll be able to boot and load the system.

I very much doubt that you'll be able to load XP from the external CD ROM as there are no USB drivers included and you'll need a Floppy to load them as you enter the install procedure by pressing the F6 Key to load the USB drivers or whatever type of drivers that are used for your external DVD Drive.

What you can not do is to use the HDD in another computer unless it is identical as there will be different drivers installed for the M'Board and the like so it will not work when fitted to your NB you'll just get the generic Error Message "No Boot Disk Found insert Disk & press any Key to proceed.

About the only way around your current problem is to format up the drive on another computer and copy the Windows Setup files to it directly without a folder and allow the computer to boot from the HDD to enter the setup procedure but even this may not work as the computer will most likely see the HDD as the Recovery CD every time that it needs to restart. Of course if you have a floppy you can use a Boot Disk and using DOS commands change drives & files/Folders to start the setup procedure if you do have a Floppy just use the other computer to copy the entire Recovery Disk to a Folder that you have created on the Formatted Drive and then when you get the A: prompt type C: the CD {name of Folder you have created} and then press enter and then type setup and enter again that should start the setup procedure and when the computer needs to reboot will not treat the recovery files as a CD to start reading from. This will only work with Win 98 or earlier as you can not use DOS commands to start a XP install.

Col

You need to replace internal CD Drive that failed with another internal optical drive. USB ain't gonna work with restore CDs that rely on generic CD ROM drivers (probably Oak drivers).

Check around, you should be able to get a replacement drive reasonably. If you need help with finding one, post back.

Dalton

right on! willcomp. if i may say so.
fixing the internal cd is the answer for making your toshiba come back to useful life.
can you bite the bullet and max out the ram while you are at it?
you are going to have the thing open anyhow for the hard disk. i buy most refurb laptop parts at www.impactcomputers.com but others will have better ideas about that.
but you have the right idea about booting with external drive. you have checked sony website for win98 drivers and howto's with no joy?
i applaud you for what you accomplished. you are totally on the right track with your reasoning but as others here point out, it would be a labor of pure stubborness. (which means you are well on the way to being tech person...)
i would channel stubborness into laptop repair. it is excellent adventure...

While your BIOS may support Booting from USB devices Windows doesn't! You'll be able to get through the initial format and write files but on the reboot you'll not have a source drive to load from.

If you can get a replacement Slim Line CD Drive then you'll find it easier otherwise you're going to have to format up the HDD on another computer and then copy the installation files to a folder that you make on the drive to get it to load.
About the Slimline drive at New Egg make sure it is the same model as what you currently have in your NB as the connections may very well be different between different models. That is one of the problems with Notebooks as even in the same model different parts are fitted as the product run goes on and different parts become available to replace the older parts that where originally used.

Col

This question was closed by the author

Copying the recovery disk did not work. When I did that and booted my laptop, a bunch of 99s filled the screen. I guess I am SOL. Thanks guys, and thanks toshiba...

Well, i had to bite the bullet and buy a new cd drive. Everything works fine now. Thanks guys!

After 3 years of faithful service, my laptop crashed, strangely just after the warranty expired. Anyway, my laptop would come up okay to the password screen. After entering a password and hitting enter, all I got was NO CD/NET is displayed. You can however try: 1) Unplug AC power source, and the battery. Hold down the Power button for 45 seconds, and hook up AC power only and try it.
2)If unsuccessful, remove battery and hook up AC power source ONLY! Hold down the number 0 key and power up the computer with the power button. Remain holding the number 0 key until your laptop lets you know it will begin a hard format on your harddrive to get up and running.
This action (2) if followed through all the prompts)always use what it recommends, will result in your laptop being in as purchased condition. **Nobody will tell you, however, there is a hidden partition on your harddrive that allows this procedure to happen.
Good Luck==Semper Fi!