It sounds like either the card was removed from the laptop while a file was being read , and it corrupted it , or, if the laptop is a Vista or W 7 machine , a click was accidentally made allowing the laptop to try to format the card for extended RAM.
A good practice is to use the little switch on camera cards to make it read only if you are going to try to read it on someone elses computer .. and always use the "safe remove" when taking the card out of a pc. I hope you are able to recover at least some of your pix . The one you posted gives a hint of some very nice shots.

There are a number of file recovery programs online. Finding a free one may take some searching. I know people who have done it with success. Your local camera store would likely help as well. Your not the first :biggrin:

Cardrecovery 3.5

Google is your friend. Good luck.