Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.

When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.
do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".

Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.

Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair. If Repair is not one of the options, read this Warning!!

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.

Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet when asked, enable the XP firewall [ http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673 ] before connecting to the internet. You can activate after the firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click the connection you use, Properties, and there is a check box on the Advanced [ http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfirewall1.jpg ] page.

Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation. Please note that a Repair Install from the Original install XP CD will remove SP1/SP2 and service packs will need to be reapplied. Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E- 4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en An option I highly recommend is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with SP2. Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp