Superman said:
When I use the XP OS CD to reinstall XP do I need to go into F12
and set CD drive as the boot device?
Given that there is the definite reality that your computer is different
than most others in the world (although it is likely the same as a few
others in __hardware__ *if* it is a name-brand like IBM, HP, Packard Bell,
Dell, etc...) - I have to ASSUME that when you say "go into F12" <-- that
refers to some message you get when you first turn on the computer about
entering your System BIOS, System Setup or some other similarly worded
on-screen instruction?
If you wish to install Windows XP onto a computer and you are utilizing a
true Windows XP installation CD and not some restoration method provided by
the OEM who put together your computer - then you should go into the System
Setup/System BIOS and ensure that it is set to boot off the CD/DVD/Optical
device first and save those settings when you exit - having the proper
Windows XP installation CD in the drive in question as you do so. Watch for
the "Press any key to boot from CD..." message and do so promptly upon
reading it.
Have you backed up everything you need?