Will computer boot W/O cd-rom installed?

After reinstalling Windows XP, during which process I set bios to boot from CD first, I then removed the CD-ROM, (long story why I did), it now will not start. After pushing the power button, it runs for 2 seconds and then dies. Could the missing CD-ROM be why it will not boot. Wouldn't Windows just look for the nest device to boot from?

 

Did you reset the bio to boot from hdd? Not necessary depends I think on the bios settings.
Also what type of computer is ? The spec would help.

 

I changed the boot order in the BIOS to boot from the CD_ROM before reinstalling Windows XP. Now the computer won't boot. Do I have to have a CD-ROM, which is currently removed, put back in before the machine will boot or is something else preventing it from booting up. It's a 4 year old system with an ASUS A7V8X mobo, Athlon 2.2Ghz CPU.

To clarify, It was working after reinstalling Windows but then I had to take the CD-ROM out because it was defective and then the problem started. I am probably going to replace with a DVD writer but don't want to spend the money on one if something else is wrong.

Oh yeah, I never reset the bios to make the hdd the 1st boot device but its still listed as a boot device.

 

I've leave others for more detailed troubleshooting.

Not having a CDRom should not make any difference. Did it boot ok after the reinstall without the XP CD in the CDrom? Just making sure the install went ok.

I'd check my connections to make sure I didn't loosen anything while removing the CDROM.

When you say dies, do the fans still run--any power lights on the front of the case?

Edit: Nevermind, I just saw your other post.

 

Thanks for all the help...resetting the CMOS fixed everything