I am on my second copy of Windows XP Update Home version,
both purchased at Best Buy on back-to-back days ( I
returned the first one for the one I have now because it
wasn't working). My cd drive just doesn't seem to be able
to read the cd. I sounds kruddy, like it tries to get
going but it just can't. Eventually, not very far into
the process, like when its checking computer
compatability, a blue screen comes up and says to re
insert cd with serial number xxxx or clean it off- can't
read.

THis makes no sense to me because immediately after trying
to install Windows XP I installed MS OFfice 2000 and SPSS
11.5 both without a hitch. I also burned two audio cd's
today and they turned out fine. I currently have Windows
ME with a 20xx48x CDROM, 319 MBRAM,m 800 mhz Celeron
Processor- what's the deal? Are these disks bunk?

You must boot from the Windows XP installation CD in order to format and
partition the hard drive, and subsequently install XP.

"Vicky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:340601c4a506$f8610070$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am on my second copy of Windows XP Update Home version,
> both purchased at Best Buy on back-to-back days ( I
> returned the first one for the one I have now because it
> wasn't working). My cd drive just doesn't seem to be able
> to read the cd. I sounds kruddy, like it tries to get
> going but it just can't. Eventually, not very far into
> the process, like when its checking computer
> compatability, a blue screen comes up and says to re
> insert cd with serial number xxxx or clean it off- can't
> read.
>
> THis makes no sense to me because immediately after trying
> to install Windows XP I installed MS OFfice 2000 and SPSS
> 11.5 both without a hitch. I also burned two audio cd's
> today and they turned out fine. I currently have Windows
> ME with a 20xx48x CDROM, 319 MBRAM,m 800 mhz Celeron
> Processor- what's the deal? Are these disks bunk?

Hi Vicky,

Lens may be dirty, the upgrade is very intensive and reading is quite
agressive. Try a CD lens cleaner disk. These are commonly available for a
few $$'s at most stores that sell disks.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Vicky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:340601c4a506$f8610070$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am on my second copy of Windows XP Update Home version,
> both purchased at Best Buy on back-to-back days ( I
> returned the first one for the one I have now because it
> wasn't working). My cd drive just doesn't seem to be able
> to read the cd. I sounds kruddy, like it tries to get
> going but it just can't. Eventually, not very far into
> the process, like when its checking computer
> compatability, a blue screen comes up and says to re
> insert cd with serial number xxxx or clean it off- can't
> read.
>
> THis makes no sense to me because immediately after trying
> to install Windows XP I installed MS OFfice 2000 and SPSS
> 11.5 both without a hitch. I also burned two audio cd's
> today and they turned out fine. I currently have Windows
> ME with a 20xx48x CDROM, 319 MBRAM,m 800 mhz Celeron
> Processor- what's the deal? Are these disks bunk?

The noises suggest that the cd is not seated properly in the tray. Check
the tray for some small object.

"Vicky" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:340601c4a506$f8610070$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am on my second copy of Windows XP Update Home version,
> both purchased at Best Buy on back-to-back days ( I
> returned the first one for the one I have now because it
> wasn't working). My cd drive just doesn't seem to be able
> to read the cd. I sounds kruddy, like it tries to get
> going but it just can't. Eventually, not very far into
> the process, like when its checking computer
> compatability, a blue screen comes up and says to re
> insert cd with serial number xxxx or clean it off- can't
> read.
>
> THis makes no sense to me because immediately after trying
> to install Windows XP I installed MS OFfice 2000 and SPSS
> 11.5 both without a hitch. I also burned two audio cd's
> today and they turned out fine. I currently have Windows
> ME with a 20xx48x CDROM, 319 MBRAM,m 800 mhz Celeron
> Processor- what's the deal? Are these disks bunk?