Windows XP Professional install from CD

Welcome to Microsoft's Windows XP Professional (Fresh/Clean) Install guide for earlier versions released without a pre-installed service pack or with service pack 1.This guide is step by step and should be used when installing onto a new/blank hard drive (Or a hard drive that has never had an operating system).
This is a clean install of windows and should be trouble free of errors and problems as long as your system fits the minimum specs as laid down by Microsoft.

Special Notes:

This version of Windows XP Professional does not support large hard drives, and if you are using one that is bigger than 137 GB then you will not be able to access any of the space above that number during install. You could consider slipstreaming the service pack onto your disk. See here
Windows should see the hard drive during setup, if not then use this guide: INSERT GUIDE

Your Windows XP Professional CD
Windows XP COA, or serial number.
Your computer Plugged into Mains Power
A Computer, with the usual accessories (Mouse, monitor, keyboard etc)
CD-ROM/DVD Drive.
To start this Windows install. First check that the first boot device in your system BIOS is set to the CD-ROM Drive.
( To find out how to access the BIOS please refer to your motherboard manual or the manufacturer of your Computer. (The system bios can usually be entered on boot, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F8, F10 or DEL key. Make sure you save the settings before exiting))
If you are unsure or don't want to enter the BIOS then just test the computer by putting the CD-ROM in the drive and reboot your computer. This is the recommended way to install windows.

Special Notes:

Also if you have difficulty getting Windows to boot of the CD then check out CD-Rom Support Guide, Change CD-Rom in Bios and Boot Disks to get bootable floppy disks to install Windows from.
If you get this error message "Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer" then use the following link to guide you through that problem. - Click here for hard Disk cannot be found guide

Click here to begin the install emulation

If you are unsure or don't want to enter the BIOS then just test the computer by putting the CD-ROM in the drive and reboot your computer. This is the recommended way to install windows.