[james10021]

I want to format my hard drive and reinstall a clean version of Windows XP Home. However, for whatever reason, my Windows CD won't boot. To make things worse, my floppy drive is out of commission, so I can't use that right now (I just haven't replaced it because I never ever use it). The Windows CD can be read in Windows, the system just can't boot from it. I've booted from this drive before (last time was in November), so I know I can do it. I'm just puzzled why the CD won't boot if it can be read in Windows. Do I need to get a new CD drive?

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If you put an Audio CD or software CD ROM do they load

If you insert the XP CD does it load it's welcome message with the options, one of which is install XP

If you boot the PC then press the DEL key right after the beep to enter set up, is the boot priority set to CD ROM Drive, if it is and it still does not boot from XP, try tapping the enter key while the PC is booting

[Retired Tech]

If you put an Audio CD or software CD ROM do they load

If you insert the XP CD does it load it's welcome message with the options, one of which is install XP

If you boot the PC then press the DEL key right after the beep to enter set up, is the boot priority set to CD ROM Drive, if it is and it still does not boot from XP, try tapping the enter key while the PC is booting

[cybermaniac99]

hey,
i have been throug the same prb! from wht i found out the prb is with either the VIA chipset or the MAxtor HDD, the xp cd did boot when i unplugged my hdd! - let me know if u have any of those mentioned above. + have u tried to install linux? on the system?

1st try unplugging ur HDD and booting from ur XP CD!

in any case if u dont want any data thats currently on ur system... then i recomend u use DM (thats the name if i rem correctly) u can get it from Maxtors website, create a bootable CD with it and format ur HDD fully! this will most prbly run ur XP CD - not a 100% solution tho!

i will let u know if any thing that comes to my mind!