How to Install Windows XP From a DOS Prompt

1. Check your BIOS to be sure your computer will boot from a CD. Enter the BIOS setup by pressing the 'Delete' or 'F12' key, or as directed at the startup screen, immediately after booting. Set the first boot device to 'CDROM' or 'DVDROM' instead of 'hard drive' if it isn't already.
2.
Insert the Windows XP installation CD into your CD or DVD drive and restart the computer. When prompted, choose to start from the MS-DOS command prompt with CD support. The MS-DOS command prompt will appear in a moment.
3. Start SMARTDRIVE by typing 'SMARTDRV' at the DOS prompt and pressing enter. You don't have to run SMARTDRIVE, but copying the files will be much quicker if you do. The computer will display the DOS prompt again.
4. Enter 'CD I386' at the DOS prompt to change to the directory where the setup program starts.
5. Enter 'WINNT' at the prompt to start Windows XP setup. The installation program will copy files to your computer and then display a message requesting to reboot.
6. Press the 'Enter' key to reboot. The setup program will start again and check that your hard drive format is compatible with Windows XP. If not, it will guide you through partitioning and formatting the drive and then ask you to reboot once more.
7. Press 'Enter' to reboot. The computer will restart in Windows XP mode and automatically start the Windows Setup Wizard to detect your hardware and finish the installation.