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If this is just a temporary setup until you get a new HD, then forget installing XP on that old HD (3Gb?) - it's not big enough. Just install Win98SE in the meantime.
The Win98SE should boot off the CD and allow you to partition and format. So, assuming you have set the Boot sequence right in the BIOS, I would suspect the CD-Rom drive.
Try another CD-Rom drive.
You could also double-check you have downloaded a Win98 Bootdisk. after changing the Boot sequence to "A" first, that should get you to the A\> prompt to partition and format. However, not much good if you still can't access the CD-Rom drive to install Windows.
Not knowing what is on the old HD, I would advise downloading the Lifeguard Tools from Western Digital and Zero Wiping (Low Level Format) the HD. That will clean the drive entirely before you partition, format, and install Windows.
You never know what nasties might be lurking on the HD.
HTH
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