Computer won't reboot to CD drive

[cgm707]

I have an Acer TravelMate laptop and Windows XP (SP3). I want to reinstall Windows.

I went into the BIOS and changed it to boot to the CD-Rom first. That didn't work, it rebooted normally. Then I changed it to boot to the CD-R drive or something like that, and that didn't work. Tried to reinstall using the Windows XP installation disk, but it says my Windows on the PC is newer and it won't install.

Tried F8 to get to the other boot screen (obviously, I'm not a techie, I don't know all the lingo , tried Command Prompt, and format c:. Was told that drive is in use, and I couldn't unlock it.

I'd like to find out how to format my drive (if that is necessary first) and completely reinstall Windows XP.

Thanks!

Chip

[w1che]

Follow these steps... http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operat...stxpclean1.htm

It looks like you're not hitting a key to boot from CD..

[cgm707]

I was able to successfully reformat my Acer laptop. I also installed Windows XP Service Pack 3. However, I can't get the computer to recognize my wireless modem.

There are 2 other computers in my home with wireless connection. I thought installed SP 3 would fix the problem on my machine.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me detailed directions on how to setup my wireless connection. The modem is a Belkin. I did look at the user's manual, but if the answer is in there, it's beyond my understanding.

Any help is really appreciated, thanks.

[docshub]

I have a 2000 Gateway desktop that I wiped the hard drive. I'm trying to reinstall Windows XP from CD. Even though I changed the CD drive to the default startup drive in BIOS, the "insert disk into drive A" message appears.

[bikkie7]

go to BIOS then on Exit section select Optimal Settings then restart.

[docshub]

I don't have "Optimal Settings" as an option. I do have the following:
<Exit saving changes
<Exit discarding changes
<Load system defaults
<Load custom defaults
<Save custom defaults
<Discard changes

[One_of_a_Kind]

obviously , maybe ur CD-ROM Drive is not working properly ...

can u make a start-up disk ? it will help u a lot ,, just boot ur PC using it , i dont really remember those DOS commands to go through directories and so on ...

[docshub]

The CD Drive worked just fine before I scrubbed the hard drive. I don't have a boot disk...just a CD. I thought I could override the drive default in BIOS...and use the CD to boot from.

I did find a download from microsoft that would load the drivers for the CD Drive, however, it was too large to put on floppy.

Any other suggestions?