Are you trying to load Linux on an empty hard disk or alongside another OS such as 9x? For booting Linux from CDROM drive, you need to ensure that the CDRom drive is recognizable by Linux during load time. If you are running Windows 9x,
1. Check that you have separate partition for Linux, if not you may consider making another partition for Linux. This may involve backing up the existing data, deleting existing partition information, and recreating 2 or more partitions. Manufacturers rescue disk would be useful.
2. RedHat Linux is widely used. It is also a free distribution of a version of Linux. The installation is usually easy with RedHat Linux. Download option is available, but they are huge files. Check http://www.redhat.com/apps/download/ .
3. Check out http://www.arcetri.astro.it/~lfini/LinuxLaptops/Toshiba.Portege7010/
may find it useful.