Computer won't boot from XP CD?

[JTH]

Hi, I need to re-install Win XP home on my older system.

I went into BIOS and set the CD-ROM as the first boot device, as always, as I need to cleanly re-install the OS. It just skips past booting from it though as if there's no CD there! I have tested the CD in another machine and it boots fine. I have replaced the CD-ROM drive and HDD in case they were causing problems but that didn't do it. I then tried booting from another installation CD and it did boot from that!

What's really wierd is that I booted the exact CD from that system a few months back with no probs! I've no idea what could have changed. Anyone have any ideas? (Or indeed of how I can get XP on my system - I'm O/S less at the mo, I'm writing this from a web cafe lol!)

System is a Gateway P3 1ghz, 128mb RAM, 20gb WD HDD. Thanks in advance!

[raftero]

as i understand it if you have the activation code for your legit. xp and you are only using it on 1 computer you can install with another xp cd and activate with your code, but check with someone else before trying. looks like you have covered all the things i could think of.

[bailey]

during the first few seconds you should get a message to click any key to boot from the cd, you might try that

[JTH]

Nope, it just skips right through it.

I'm thinking of investing in new RAM. I seem to recall that when the CD did boot the last time I had an extra stick of RAM in it. That's the only thing I can think of. And I seem to recall an XP not booting due to incompatible RAM before.

[rjfvillarosa]

I had the exact same problem just a few days ago after fitting a new mobo to one of my machines that had been running my XP pro for a year. I knew it had to work, because it had been already. I wanted to do a full format and reinstall with the new mobo.
After getting what you are experiencing, I changed every boot deivce to "boot from CD" in the bios set up and it flew in no problems. After the set up I just restored the bios settings to how I wanted them. During installation after the restarts it asked me if I wanted to boot from CD or HD and I just selected HD and in it went and it's now running brilliantly.