So what am I doing wrong? And I know I am,I forgot how to do this years ago.
After a quick format you only removed some diskinfo in the disk content table. With a full format all files are removed. For an installation there is no different.
XP boot disks you can find here : support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
Did your PC boot from CD or not? If it boot from CD you don't need no boot disks.
The boot discs from MS is an alternative when you can't get the CD-boot to work.
I can't get it to boot from the CD I have,I changed the bios and moved the CD drive to the top,but no luck.If I try to boot with just the CD I get the invalid disc message and have to boot from the ME boot floppy which puts me in a command prompt window.Can I type a command to run the CD and if so,what.
I have 2 other CD's I can try when I get home ,but none of them are factory.