im working on my friend's laptop i want to install windows xp pro on it but the CD DRIVE is not working, everytime the cd start to run it stop, so i cannot boot to the XP cd. it is a dell inspiron 8000 with intel PENTIUM 3 processor 698mhz and 320 mb of RAM. i can not connect to the internet the laptop has a 1394 net adapter in it with windows xp sp2 already installed. my friend want to wipe out everything on it then to install xp pro back on the laptop.Will the drive read any other discs ?



EDIT: Are you are booting from the CD drive, when you try to install it, or just putting the disk in while the computer is already booted ?i tried 3 different cds in the drive they start spining and stop after ~10 sec. i tried to boot to the cd it failed and i tried to run the setup in the gui it also failed because the drive stop running.Obviously the cd drive is bad.how can i fix it?
i already tried a program called cd/dvd drive repair in attemp to fix it but its still not working. please let me know if there are other ways to fix it.You will need to replace it....Unfortunately, you cannot fix a hardware ISSUE with software.

You would have to, as Patio says, replace the CD drive in the laptop or purchase an external USB CD/DVD Drive.

You should also CONSIDER whether or not it's worth spending the money to fix.thanks a lot for your help guys.
i really don't think the laptop worth a fix, its more than 10 years old i think. im not going to waste my time trying to replace the cd drive. i am going to tell my friend that if he want to buy an external usb cd/dvd repair i would do the rest for him.