Format & Re-Install

[Guest]

Hi,

I would like to format my computer and re-install Windows XP Home, but when
I put the boot CD in my drive it simply loads Windows normally. In my BIOS,
the CD-RW/DVD Drive is set to 1st boot.

When in Windows itself, every CD I put in is read as an audio CD.

I've NEVER had this problem before and it just started suddenly.

Can anyone help?

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Try a CD lens cleaner disk yet?

Also, I would try removing the HDD from the list of boot items completely,
leaving no choice but the CD drive (if your BIOS allows for this, not all
do).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[LittleMoo]

Do you see a message while trying to boot your CD that says: "Press any key
to boot from CD..." or something similar?

If you do then you need to do what it says - when you see that message press
any key on the keyboard.

If you do not see such a message then it might be "hidden" during boot.
After you turn the computer on try pressing either the spacebar, F10, or the
escape key to see if it will "unhide" this message.

-Dan

 

[P. Johnson]

I would like to format my computer and re-install Windows XP Home, but
when I put the boot CD in my drive it simply loads Windows normally. In
my BIOS, the CD-RW/DVD Drive is set to 1st boot.

When in Windows itself, every CD I put in is read as an audio CD.

Is your CDROM firmly connected inside? Disks sometimes do weird things if
they're not plugged all the way in.

 

[AJR]

If Windows "loads Windows normally" why do you want to reformat and
reinstall Windows? Reformatting/Reinstall is drastic and should only be
considered if a "serious" problem cannot not be resolved otherwise. A cd
reading as audio CD is not a problem requiring drastic action.

Also if you reformat it is likely you will require a "full" version of Xp -
upgrade version would not work since it checks for a previous version
installed.