Trouble reading XP reinstallation CD and diskettes

[E]

I'm attempting to reinstall XP on a Dell desktop computer with the Dell oem
reinstallation CD but when I try to boot from the CD i get a blinking "_"
followed by a normal start up of the system. I have changed the load
priorities in the BIOS menu to no avail. I also created the 6 XP SP1
diskettes but when I try to run from the diskette the same thing occurs.
According to Dell I should be able to simply run the CD at start up but
something is stopping the pc from accessing the CD files. I know the CD and
floppy drive are working because I'm able to use them both when I'm logged in
to XP and can read the Dell CD when I'm on the desktop. Does anyone know
what could be wrong?

 

[Sandy J]

When I had the same problem we discovered that Dell neglected to mention
that CD's only boot automatically from the top drive in your tower (in mine
it's the DVD drive). I hope this helps.
Sandy

I'm attempting to reinstall XP on a Dell desktop computer with the Dell oem
reinstallation CD but when I try to boot from the CD i get a blinking "_"
followed by a normal start up of the system. I have changed the load
priorities in the BIOS menu to no avail. I also created the 6 XP SP1
diskettes but when I try to run from the diskette the same thing occurs.
According to Dell I should be able to simply run the CD at start up but
something is stopping the pc from accessing the CD files. I know the CD and
floppy drive are working because I'm able to use them both when I'm logged
in
to XP and can read the Dell CD when I'm on the desktop. Does anyone know
what could be wrong?

 

[E]

Yeah I tried that also but I get the same result. I can hear the cpu trying
to access the information but the CD still will not load.