"Bruce & Marg" wrote in message
...
Thanks all. I think the problem is in the cd itself. I will attempt to
get
another and try again.

If you mean the physical CD-ROM - you can try any other bootable CD for this
purpose, or download an ISO of a bootable CD, such as a Ubuntu CD, burn the
ISO, and then boot. Or you can try the CD-ROM on another system.

If you mean the CD-ROM *drive*, unless the system is a laptop, you can
replace the drive for about $30 or less. Get a DVD burner drive that's teh
same type (IDE or SATA, meaning wide or narrow data cables). If it's an IDE
drive, it will have jumpers; take out the old drive, set the jumpers (and
screws) on the new drive exactly the same, put the new drive in. No
drivers will be needed, though there may be other software that comes with
the DVD burner.

HTH
-pk



"Patrick Keenan" wrote in message
...
"Bruce & Marg" wrote in message
...
I am attempting to do a repair installation of xp pro. It has been
preloaded on my pc by IBM. In order to do this task I must reboot from
an
xp pro disk, which I just happen to have. I have changed the BIOS
sequence
to boot from a cd. However, it totally bypasses the cd and Windows
opens.
I get no message to press any key. Any suggestions?

Sounds like you don't have the BIOS set properly, or it isn't a bootable
CD.
Test by disconnecting the hard disk (of course, power off first).

In the case of an OEM preinstall, you must use another OEM install CD, and
then you need to cross your fingers.

If the CD you have is a retail or upgrade CD you will not be able to use
the
CD as the key types will not match.

Before you attempt the reinstall, it's quite a good idea to back up your
data. You can easily do this by attaching the drive to another XP system
that has enough space, and copying the data over.

HTH
-pk