Problems installing the OS on an already used hard drive

[cjyarb]

I am trying to install a used hard drive on a newer PC that I modified but did not build from scratch. The used hard drive still contains the OS and files that I used on another PC and I am trying to format it and install a new operating system. I am not concerned with losing those files. When I power up the PC, it tries to boot with the old OS already on the hard drive and I cannot get either the CD or DVD drive to run the installation disk for the new XP OS. The drives will spin but the install disk will not boot. What do I do next?

[kosova]

when uer comp boots/starts click either DEL or maybe F1,F6 w/e button that u need to press to go into uer BIOS it will usually say PREss something to enter SETUP..do so then go to hardware configuration and use the +/- to set uer CD drive into the topest as in topest priority..do Save and exit..now u have just made it that when uer comp boots when the cd drive spins it will boot from the XP cd. Then u will enter into the set-up..u can do a format there and lose all info or do a repair install..w/e u want..hope this helpt

[blue60007]

Boot order is what your looking for. Change the first boot item to your cd/dvd rom (look for the model/serial number, like NEC xxxxxxxxxxxx). Set the hard drive as second. Once your done installing XP, go back and swap the boot order back to the way it was. I assume you currently have windows 2000 or older?