New install-- I can't start windows without the CD! Please HELP

[BeyondGomer]

I have been trying to get my new computer to run, but am having problems. I am ONLY able to boot and run a normal windows session IF I boot from the CD. If I do not have the Windows CD in, I get boot failures (as if there is nothing to boot from on the HDD..that non system disk error/boot failure message right after Verifying DMI pool).

1) Everything is installed (once I get into windows with the CD, the C:\ drive looks all properly installed. I can get on the internet etc without problems)
2) I have tried with default bios settings
3) If I disable all boot sources except the HDD, I get the same problem ..the computer can't boot without the CD

INFO:
Windows XP Pro
Asus a7n8x
HDD Western Digital 120gb JBRTL (the $58 after rebate special at Fry's)
XP2600 barton
1gb Corsair memory
Radeon 9600 SE

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!!

 

[pdn]

If you don't have a dual boot system try what is listed below.
Try formatting your master boot record (mbr).
1. Get you a win 98 bootdisk (yes this will work for XP also). If you don't have or can't find one you can get one HERE.
2. Set you bios to boot from the floopy drive.
3. Boot the pc from a cold start with the boot disk in the drive.
4. At the a: prompt type in without the quotes "fdisk /mbr" This removes the current mbr and lets the system start clean with a new mbr. This will not change you installation of XP.

If the above doesn't work then you can also use the repair option from the Win XP CD
1. Set your bios to boot from the CD drive let the disk start the setup screen.
2. Choose the repair option.
3. Then follow the instructions.

 

[uncleX]

I suppose replacing the mbr will do no harm, so BeyondGomer might as well do that. It is hard to see why it would help though. Without a functioning mbr, the computer should not boot into Windows regardless of the CD being in the CD drive. If fixing the mbr does work, then whatever is doing the boot sequence must be skipping the mbr when the CD is inserted, which is something I did not know.

I assume BeyondGomer is just letting the CD boot up and then NOT pressing the key to have the XP installer run, after which the boot sequence goes to the HD. That's what happens when I have the XP CD inserted.

Make sure the HD is on a cable by itself, and it is IDE 1, and jumpered for master, no slave.

Maybe the HD is not quite ready when the BIOS attempts to boot the HD? If you have another HD, see if it works normally.