It would not allow me to format the unformatted partition. I don't have a floppy for the laptop. I did consider a hard drive but if this won't boot from a CD now I don't want to have the same trouble with a blank HD. So, I opted for a whole new machine and I gave the laptop to the my kids. Some battles cost more in time than are worth it.

If I happen to run across a new HD or a floppy drive, I may consider going another round. But for now I'm back in buisness with a new HP with an Intel core 2 T5200 1.60 GHz and 2 gig if ram. Wide screen, bla, bla, bla..... It absolutley kills the compaq and for about the same amount I paid for the Compaq 3 years ago.

Thanks again for all the help!