Hi,

How can I install a OS if my CD ROM is not functioning.

HI,
What OS do you want to install?
If your computer has a floppy drive, then some of the much older windows' versions had floppy disks for installations.
If you want to install XP, 2000, then my suggestion is to get a new cd-rom.

CDROM drives are cheap, around $30 USD or less for a used drive, that's your best bet. All other options are more trouble than they are worth.

Take old hard drive to friend and make it a slave drive and format and install using his system then buy a DVD-RW for $30 at a computer show or at www.pricewatch.com