computer won't start

[misstexgal]

I borrowed a cd.....i put it in the cd drive, the light turns green, nothing happens.  What do I do?

[JXY]

I tried to use a XP Office Pro disc that I got from a friend, but it does not recognize this and returns right back to this screen.

looks like you might have to change the boot order from your BIOS. keep pressing F12 whilst booting.

or was it F10?......one of the F keys.

[misstexgal]

ok, i kept hitting f12 and this is what came up Startup Device Menu
1. removable devices
2. hard drive
3. cd-rom drive
4. network

[Broni]

Yeah, you have to change it. Swap 2, and 3.

[JXY]

your computer should boot from the xp cd now.

repair install, keep us posted. 

[Broni]

Manual: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[misstexgal]

i tried to switch #2 and #3 and when i clicked on enter it went back to the original error screen.  If i clicked on another key, nothing happened.  what now?

[JXY]

that's strange....

try changing one and three.

[misstexgal]

I able to change this in a different menu. 

I put Windows XP in CD Rom drive, rebooted and tried to repair from the console and it still didn't work.

What do I try next?

[JXY]

do a repair install. instead of trying to re-install single files.

also, what do you mean by it didn't work? what did you try and failed to do?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Don't use the Recovery Console!!! 

Look here:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Edit: Jason, I am sleeping

[programming_pat]

also be aware that this can take several hours.... much the same as a normal "clean" install

[misstexgal]

I want to thank all you guys for helping me as much as you did.  I just wiped to whole computer clean and started from scratch.  I just thought that that would be easier.

Thanks again!!

[JXY]

....ok. if that suits you. what about your important data? 

[misstexgal]

I lost everything