Laptop doesnt detect cd-rom

[TubStain]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea of how to reinstall the OS on a laptop. I have an IBM thinkpad 770, but i dont think it allows boot from the CD-rom, coz it cant seem to read the CD-rom. I think its coz it doesnt have the drivers loaded. When i swap the cd-rom bay with a floppy, it does boot off the floppy. Buit then I cant load the OS, so I'm stuck.

any idea what I can do?

thanks
TG