I got some crazy virus that AVG wont remove so I resorted to buying a new windows CD to reinstall XP.
It wont start the installation from start up, so I tried to start the installation from the windows desktop. I put in the CD key etc, then it ask to restart.
When it restarts, it prompts, "Boot from windows XP" or "Boot from windows XP Setup".
I press the setup, and it takes me to a black screen with a blinking underscore at the top left (as if it were to boot from a CD) but then it just stays like that... The line blinking, blank screen.
I also tried doing a system restore to an earlier date but that's not working either. I click 'next' and nothing happens.

Any ideas?

What was the source of the original XP? Why did you need to buy a new version?

Was this a manufactured computer? e.g. Dell; HP; etc.

What happens when you boot the CD?

Got the disk at tiger direct outlet.
The computer I built, it was working fine for 'bout a year till I got this virus that I've been trying to get rid of for about two weeks.
The black screen with the blinking underscore is what I get when I try to boot from CD. Which is what's supposed to happen, but then it should be like "booting from disk" or something like that, but it doesn't. It just stays black with the blinking underscore.

Just curious how you installed XP a year ago and why you now needed a new CD? What happened to the last one?

The blinking underscore indicates the BIOS can find nothing to boot.

Is the BIOS set to boot the CD prior to the hard drive?

If so and the issue persists you can start with the 6 floppy boot disks from MS:

How to obtain Windows XP Setup disks for a floppy boot installation

Another option is to wipe the drive first.

Active@ Kill Disk Hard Drive Eraser. Low Level Format.

Um, I got my computer parts from random places and one of them sold me a single use XP disk. The cover was the glossy orange/peach ish foil with the XP logo and what not, so it look reputable.
I don't have a floppy drive, so I'm going to try to kill disk thing I guess.
Cause yeah, it's set to disk drive priority boot. Well, removable>CD Drive>HD

Have you tried working on your virus in our malware forum? Those guys are good and should be able to help you. You shouldn't have to reinstall just to fix a virus problem. Please don't work on it here though.

The security / spyware section of D-A-L works a little differently to the rest of the site. We currently only allow Head Security staff to reply to others threads to ensure a high level of support and quality is mantained with the daily issues which require a certain level of knowledge in this area.

All registered members can still post their own threads and reply to their own threads however.