Lost my CD Drive?

This is 2 questions in one really. What caused the problem to be noticed is that I was removing the trial software for Norton Internet Security, I THOUGHT!! It totally removed all of it including the purchased copy on my computer.
So when I went to reinstall Norton with my CD I found out that My E:// drive is not recognized……..HOW DID I LOSE IT and HOW DO I RECOVER IT? PLEASE I NEED SOME HELP. I am working with a HP with Windows XP. I think I may have lost it when I was trying to create a network (internet connnection) place…..that is the only time I remember doing anything that required me to name a drive or anything. Thanks in advance.