Formatting system hard drive troubles

[christopherprevails]

I have two hard drives. C: with Windows XP Home on it, and D: with my music. I wanted to completely erase C:, and reinstall Windows (the same copy I have currently installed) without touching D:. I chose to go through the process from the autorun menu when I popped the CD in. Later, I realized that the option I chose only erased C:\WINDOWS, but left everything else (my Program Files, etc...).

I tried to go back and do it again, but it wouldn't let me erase C: because there were files on it needed to complete setup. Logically, I figured I needed to boot from the CD, rather than do it from the autorun menu that pops up when I throw the CD in. Now when I restart, it tells me to press any key to boot from the CD but nothing happens, and it boots up like normal. I had this problem before with a pirated copy of Windows, which is when I purchased my current, and legit, copy of XP Home, and it worked.

I'm pretty well-versed in the basics of Windows, but I am stumped right now. I want to completely erase C: and reinstall Windows XP (same copy that is currently installed). Am I screwed unless I get it to boot from the CD? What are my options if that doesn't work? Why wouldn't it work?

I'd appreciate any help I can get.

 

[JonnyBlaze]

you either have to download the xp boot disks or get the cd to boot. do you have the correct boot order set in the bios?

 

[unmerited]

Are you using a USB keyboard? If you are you may need to enable USB legacy devices in BIOS.



unmerited