Making Startup Floppies
Windows XP Setup can be launched from floppy disks but not by default. Unlike Windows 2000, the Setup CD-ROM does not contain the utility program needed to create setup floppy disks. You can download the utility, makeboot.exe, from the Microsoft Web site at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q310994.
After you've downloaded the appropriate file for your version and language of Windows XP, simply double-click it to begin the diskette creation process. You will need to have six 3 1/2 inch empty, formatted floppy disks ready. You might want to label the first disk Windows XP Setup Boot Disk and the remaining disks Windows XP Setup Disk #2 through #6.
Once you have created your Windows XP Setup disks, you can use them to perform a clean installation of Windows XP only; you cannot use them for performing upgrade installations. The setup disks will load the drivers required to allow you to gain access to your non-bootable CD-ROM so that you can commence the installation of Windows XP.