unable to reinstall Win from CD ROM

I have changed the CMOS listing boot from CD but the computer boots into Windows every time bypassing the CD. I need to re-install windows XP Pro.
My IPS was unknowingly unplugged for a period of time and in the process of trying to uninstall/reinstall programs now I cannot install my Eudora e-mail or Office. The "Search" goes nowhere and all my restore points are invalid.

I'd be happy to start over, reformat the disk and reinstall if only I could prevent windows from starting up and I could boot from my CD.

Thanks,

Laughing Elf (not laughing now!!)

 

You mean that you set the startup to cd rom first - if so, that is correct

 

When it starts up, you have to press enter pretty quickly, sometimes, when it says start from cd rom, aas it will skip on if you miss it.

 

Also, I find it is best to change the hard drive to last, if you have a floppy drive, and it gives you more chance to see the option screen

 

What you might have done is to forget to press F10, to save to Cmos, and Exit, before leaving the bios screen - we all do that sometimes.

 

If you forgot to save before exiting the bios, the cmos will not give you the option to boot to cd.

 

.... a little bit more clearly.... what they're saying above is: be sure you have saved your BIOS settings. Sometimes we make changes and forget to save them. Most BIOS's allow you to save changes by pressing F10 to save and exit. Be sure you select "Y" to save save the changes. Also, be sure to set the CD drive first, the floppy drive (if you have one) second, and the hard drive third. If you boot with the XP CD in the drive, you should see "Press any key to boot from CD..." and you'll have about 6 or 7 seconds to press any key. If your XP CD won't boot (for whatever reason) you can use a set of XP boot floppies (if you have a floppy drive, and you'll still need the CD) to initiate the Windows XP Pro install process. If you need the floppies, post and I'll supply the link....... let us know what happens!!!

hd2k

 

Also, in case it turns out that you didn't save your CMOS settings, read the question about whether you want to save settings and exit VERY carefully - the way some computers ask you the question, you just about need an English Professor to interpret it and tell you if you should answer yes or no - perhaps you misunderstood the question.