C#

public enum DriveType : int
    {
    Unknown = 0,
    NoRoot = 1,
    Removable = 2,
    Localdisk = 3,
    Network = 4,
    CD = 5,
    RAMDrive = 6
    }

...

DriveType dt = (DriveType) Enum.Parse(typeof(DriveType), "RAMDrive");

MyEnum value = (MyEnum)Enum.Parse(typeof(MyEnum), str);

T TryParseEnum<T>(string s, T defaultValue){
 try { return (T)Enum.Parse(typeof(T), s); }
 catch(Exception) { return defaultValue; }
}

enum Fruit { Quince, Gooseberry, Damson }

public void InitialiseControls() {
  FruitComboBox.DataSource = Enum.GetValues(typeof(Fruit));
}

private void EatFruitBtn_Click(object sender, EventArgs e) {
  Fruit yummy = (Fruit)FruitComboBox.SelectedItem;
}