boot from CD-ROM?

[travenwatts]

this may sound like a stupid question, but how do you know if your computer supports booting from the CD-ROM to install an OS?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q310994&ID=310994

that link sparked my curiousity. particulary this part:

"Windows XP Setup boot disks are available only by download from Microsoft. The Setup boot disks are available so that you can run Setup on computers that do not support a bootable CD-ROM.

If your computer does support booting from a CD-ROM, or if network-based installation is available, Microsoft recommends that you use those installations methods instead."

also, how does "net-work based installation" work

[_Will_]

Most of the time you'll have the change the boot order in your bios to boot off your cd rom. By default its usually floppy, then HD, then cd etc. Just switch it temporarily to make cd first, then HD, then floppy. You'll want to change it back after you install otherwise everytime you have a cd in the tray it will check on bootup if it is bootable or not and it wastes time...

If you're bios doesn't have an option for it I believe there is a keystroke you can hold to boot off it, but it may vary system to system and I don't recall what it is at the moment...maybe someone can think of it...