I think an explanation of the boot process might help you troubleshoot. Here's how it works.
- Computer powers on
- CPU bootstraps your BIOS
- BIOS POSTs and discovers bootable devices
- BIOS bootstraps to the first drive selected in BIOS boot order (typically an optical drive). If this drive fails, it moves to the next, best bootable device.
- BIOS bootstraps your XP Install CD's boot sector.
- XP CD's boot sector loads a boot loader which detects valid MBRs (Master boot record) on other physical drives
- If a valid MBR is found other than the XP CD itself, the boot loader prompts you to "Press any key to boot from CD". If you do nothing, after a few seconds the XP CD will pass the boot process onto your primary, bootable drive.
- If no valid MBRs are found, the boot loader does not prompt you to 'Press any k ey to boot from CD' and begins the installation automatically.
When you first attempt to install XP, after the first time it restarts, it has written a new MBR on the drive you chose to install Windows on. So after the restart, your XP CD should
always detect this new MBR and prompt you to "Press any key to boot from CD". If you press any key, the installation process will begin all over again from the beginning. However, if you choose to wait, it will continue the setup from where you left last.
As I understand it, you don't get the "Press any key" prompt. It goes directly to the XP install. This suggests your MBR is missing or damaged which may in turn be the result of a failing or misconfigured hard drive or bad data cable.
However, you also mentioned it hangs on boot for 5-10 minutes. Why would this happen? Well, I have a few guesses. My first guess is to triple check your jumper settings on the optical drive. Ensure it is set to Master and on its own channel and cable. If it isn't by itself, then make it that way for troubleshooting purposes. While you're in there, check your hard drive jumper settings. Make sure it is set to Single Master / Master (Not to be confused with Master with slave) and on its own cable. Again, if it isn't on its own cable, put it on its own for troubleshooting. Bad CD media could always cause this too, but I
highly doubt the XP install would complete the file copy process.