Recently installed Windows XP disappears if computer turned off

[Judy]

My parents bought a new computer but they had to install
Windows XP themselves. They apparently called in a long
string of "installation"(?) codes to Microsoft and
received back a long string of "confirmation" codes that
they entered and Windows XP was loaded.

But now when they turn their computer off and then turn
it back on, there is no operating system. To run the
computer, they have to boot up with the XP CD that they
received and everything works fine.

Can anyone provide any advice as to how to permanently
install Windows XP?

Thanks very much.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Judy,

They need to run fixboot from the Recovery Console:

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Alex Nichol]

But now when they turn their computer off and then turn
it back on, there is no operating system. To run the
computer, they have to boot up with the XP CD that they
received and everything works fine.

Can anyone provide any advice as to how to permanently
install Windows XP?

Is their BIOS still set to boot CD before Hard disk?