Reistalling orinal Windows XP

I have transferred all the stuff I want from my "old" (5 yrs) MDG machine to
my new Dell Dimension E581. Took a while but all is good. I now want to
clear everything completely out of the MDG so I can sell it or give it away
or use it as a spare. Over the years the operating system has been much
updated, of course, so when I try and use the Windows disc supplied by the
oem I am told it cannot do the install because the operating system is newer
than that on the disc. I am also warned that data and programs will be lost
if I go ahead and install anyway (which is exactly what I want to happen!).
To install anyway I must boot from the CD. I haven't figured out how to do
this and would appreciate advice please. I'm sure it is simple but I seem
to be too dumb.
Thanks.
--
AlanC37

Sorry. I have continued fiddling and found out how to get to Safe Start
which was not as described in the documents. The old computer is (I hope)
reformatting as I write.
Alan C

"AlanC37" <acombellack@nspmsympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:eeik%23TJQHHA.4992@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have transferred all the stuff I want from my "old" (5 yrs) MDG machine
>to my new Dell Dimension E581. Took a while but all is good. I now want
>to clear everything completely out of the MDG so I can sell it or give it
>away or use it as a spare. Over the years the operating system has been
>much updated, of course, so when I try and use the Windows disc supplied by
>the oem I am told it cannot do the install because the operating system is
>newer than that on the disc. I am also warned that data and programs will
>be lost if I go ahead and install anyway (which is exactly what I want to
>happen!). To install anyway I must boot from the CD. I haven't figured out
>how to do this and would appreciate advice please. I'm sure it is simple
>but I seem to be too dumb.
> Thanks.
> --
> AlanC37
>