How do I get my PC to boot from Windows XP rather than Ubuntu?

Q  I built your £150 PC and installed Linux Ubuntu 9.10. I want to install Windows XP alongside it, but when I insert the Windows XP Home Edition CD, Ubuntu launches before Windows does.

Is there some way that I can achieve this?
Peter Brunning

A  This is happening because the PC isn’t checking to see if it can start from an inserted CD before booting normally from the hard disk drive.

This is the useful behaviour for a PC that’s working normally, since it’s quicker to assume the user wants to launch the operating system straight from the hard disk, rather than waste time to see if there’s a CD or DVD it can boot from instead.

However, this setup needs to be changed when you want to install a new operating system.

On many modern PCs, it is usually possible to press a key to display a ‘boot menu’ just after it is first switched on – look for a message displaying the relevant key. This will allow you to select the CD or DVD drive as a one-off boot device.

Otherwise, it will be necessary to make a change in the PC’s Bios settings. Again, after powering up, look for a message that explains which key to press to access the Bios – usually F2 or Delete (Del) – and tap it immediately after the PC is switched on.

Then look in the Bios for an option such as Boot Order or Boot Priority and make the necessary adjustments to allow the PC to start from the CD or DVD drive, rather than the hard disk.

With the changes made, exit the Bios and save the tweaks – you will now be able to start from the inserted Windows XP CD. Once Windows is installed, return to the Bios settings again to restore the hard disk as the first boot device if you so choose.