"boot from cd" problems (WinXP)

[DilLy]

(WinXP)
im trying to repartition my entire drive, but every time i tell the computer to boot from the cd, it actually boots from the cd.
What i mean is, it loads windows from the cd.

I want it to start the CD partition tools and all that, so that i may delete the current windows partition.

how do i get it to start the cd tools without loading windows?

thanks

[edit]
alternatively, is there a shortcut key at the bootup sequence i can push to get to a command prompt?
This way i can access my cd drive from there and force it to run itself.

[bigandy]

Are you sure that you set the CDROM as the first boot device in the BIOS?

[racerbrownn]

it would also help to know if you are using an oem recovery disc or the actual win xp new system install disc or a xp upgrade disc from m$ as things do vary.