install problems - quick keystroke remedy?

[spencer]

I inherited one of my grandpa's computers, but Windows XP
wasn't ever activated (he'd dead now), so I can't get the
computer to work.

I bought my own new Windows XP disk and am trying to
install it when the computer boots up, but I can't get to
a window to start the instal process.

Is there any way to bypass the startup process and force
this computer to look at the CD-ROM drive and begin setup
from the new Xp CD I am using?

 

[Norm]

Change the bios to boot from the cd and then follow the prompts.