Windows XP Setup Restarts the Setup Program When Your Computer Restarts (826976)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to install Microsoft Windows XP from the Windows XP installation CD-ROM, and the Setup program restarts your computer, you are prompted to "press any key to boot from the CD". However if you press a key, the Setup program may start again from the beginning. This behavior repeats continually.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because your computer BIOS sends the message "press any key to boot from the CD" so you can decide whether to start your computer from a CD-ROM. If you have set the CD-ROM drive to be the first device that the BIOS uses to start an operating system, and a bootable CD-ROM is in your CD-ROM drive, you will be prompted to press any key if you want to start the computer with the operating system that is on the CD-ROM. If you do not press a key while the computer displays this prompt, the BIOS looks to the next bootable device to start the computer. For example, it may look for a hard disk or a 3 1/2 inch floppy disk. If the Windows XP installation CD-ROM is still in you CD-ROM drive when Setup restarts your computer, your computer BIOS detects the bootable CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive and sends the prompt. If you press any key, Windows XP Setup starts again.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, do not press a key when Windows XP Setup restarts your computer. The BIOS starts your computer from your hard disk, and Windows XP Setup continues.

Alternatively, remove the Windows XP CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive when Setup restarts your computer. The BIOS does not detect the bootable media in the CD-ROM drive and does not prompt you to press any key to start your computer from the CD. The BIOS starts your computer from your hard disk, and Windows XP Setup continues.