ok i got alot of reasours (other old computers) so i can try everything

I am installing windows xp pro. i put the disk into cdrom drive start computer up and wait for press any key to boot from cd message. first it don't come up . TURN comp off turn on this time it find cd but it took for fricken ever like a good 2 minutes loads most file then i get and error saying cannot find a certain file.

first does it sound like a cd drive cd or bios setting that is causeing my problem?

if you need more info i will give you it asap.
then i tryed letting it boot up to windows xp home

do it that way it gave disk error or something can't remember now i go to finish installing xp pro and it gives me a message saying please insert disk labeled xp professional sp2Check the CD first for greasy smudges and fingerprints and clean if necessary.brand new not a spec of dust or single scratchDid this machine have any issues prior to the attempted XPPro install ? ?
Post alot more info on the machine in question and what happened prior...If the CD is good then it SOUNDS like the CD player is having trouble doing the reading. Do you have a spare CD player you can try in its place?well with windows xp home it didn't want to burn a few disks but i think that was it i trying a different ide cable now repluged everything in 233mhz processor 192mb ram 4mb graphics just a crappy sever computer is what i gonna use it for. and right now i trying it in a different machine. should i use a lens cleaning cd or disk i have ONE on order it is and older cd drive so that might be it
If the cable doesn't solve it then the CD player is the next thing to lookat.

I have resurected a COUPLE of players that didn't burn or read properly with a CD cleaning disc in the past.

With the low price of CD-rewriters these days though i tend to replace them.well the cable didn't work and the different computer didn't work so i guess it's toast ... i'll try cd lens cleaner before i toss it might as well save a few bucks...