I have a formatted hard drive and i'm wanting to install WinXp, but im having problems getting the install CD to run. Since its formatted do i need to use a WinXP boot CD and copy the cd-rom drivers back on to it for it to load the CD? When you start your computer, it should display a BUTTON to press to get to the "setup" or bios. make sure the boot order places highest priority on the cdrom drive.

ANOTHER concern would be the type of xp install disc as a quick restore disc won't work.The Bios was set as: Cd-Rom, A: Drive, Hard Drive. But the last time i tried it, it tried to access it but then said 'invalid system disk' and wouldn't let me do anything else. another thing. check that the cd is clean (no dirt or something on the side of the disk that your computer drive should be reading .......). Just a thought that came to mind ... The CD's still in good shape and i've used it before, but since i'm trying to install it on a blank HD its GIVING me *censored*! I've got a disk to let me boot to ms-dos but when i try to change over the Cd drive which should be X if im not mistaken it says invalid drive letter. Could it be cause theres no cd rom driver?A disk to let you boot to MS-DOS, is that a floppy disk?

If you do have a floppy disk drive, maybe you want to see the FOLLOWING links.

1. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=55820edb-5039-4955-bcb7-4fed408ea73f&displaylang=en
2. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=E8FE6868-6E4F-471C-B455-BD5AFEE126D8&displaylang=en

Both are supposed to allow you to make new installations of the operating system on computers without bootable cd drives. (On above link, I believe one is for Home edition of XP, other is for Professional edition of XP, get whatever matches your official XP CD you have)

Hopefully this may work for you Hey i wanted to say thanks. I think thats exactly what i was looking for but the bad thing is i dont have 6 floppy's!! Arrrgh this is gonna kill me.no problem. But I think floppy disks are actually pretty cheap, at least on EBAY it is.