U can also get a free OS from Ubuntu.com its what I put on my preloved laptop & in many ways I like it better but some Windows programs aren't compatible - there are always alternatives though
If the bios has a password on it, the bios will not recognise the hard drive until the password is entered. if you cant remember it your screwed, the passwords are stored in the eprom chip and their is no way to get around it. If there is no password you can go into the bios and turn the hard drive seek back on and your off and running as long as everything is ok.
cd drive yes charger and yes good battery life. i just cant get the hard drive to be reconized so it dont boot up. if you can figure it out then you should bid on it