not booting from cdrom, xp takes over

[lamplighter]

I currently have Windows XP installed but would like to do a format and fresh install. However, when I get to the part where it says "Press any key to boot from CDROM . . . . ." (right above that it says "Boot Record . . OK"), I press a key but then XP boots normally. I tried older versions of Windows to make sure it wasn't the CD. I disabled other boot devices in BIOS, leaving only CDROM. It seems that it goes to 5 periods each time, even though I press a key at about the second dot, and my keyboard works before (pressing DEL for BIOS) and after (in Windows).

Thanks for any advice!

 

[lamplighter]

I put in a CD-RW drive from my other computer because I could boot from the CD from it, so that means its not the CD or the drive. That means it is either the motherboard, or the OS? Could it be the IDE cable? The drives show up in Windows and they work fine, so I wouldn't think so. What does the blue end mean on an IDE cable?

How else should I format (preferably not from a floppy disk, but I can if I have to)? If I format, which I need to do anyways, then maybe XP won't be able to "take over" from booting from the CD.

If that doesn't work, I have another K7S5A board and I guess I'll have to try that one

 

[lamplighter2]

It was my keyboard!!! I can't believe that, it worked before (DEL at BIOS) and after (in Windows). It is a IBM USB keyboard, and I tried a regular ol' keyboard and I'm formatting now.