text: can i use a bootdisk that's written on a cdrom to start my computer, with no os? i have a laptop that shows no operating system upon start-up. i was wondering if i can download a bootdisk, write it to cdrom, then use the cdrom to reformat my laptop by reconfiguring the boot order so that the cdrom boots first? complicated question. there are many different kinds of boot disks and boot cd's available on the internet.  if you have the know how, you can even make your own. the process of making a bootable cd from a floppy disk is not as straightforward as it might sound.  you have to use cd-burning software (roxio or nero are 2 examples) that support burning bootable cd's.  you then tell the program to use floppy boot emulation, and provide the bootable floppy disk, the software will read the disk, then copy it to to boot sector of the cd.  just copying the files doesn't work.  do you have the windows disk that came with the computer?  it is bootable and will allow you to re-install you os. this seems like the obvious answer since you'll need it anyway.  if you simply want to boot from a cd to browse hard drive contents, there are several options, but most involve expensive software.  norton ghost 9 is bootable and will allow you browse your hard drive. vcom system suite has a similar function as does winternals erd commander.