My Laptop won't boot from xp cd

[PilotMatt]

I am trying to install windows xp 64bit pro on my laptop, but I can't seem to get it to boot from the cd.
I checked the bios and tried another bootable cd to no avail
Also, I didn't think that a floppy drive was necessary when I bought the thing.
Anything else that i should try?
Thanks,
PilotMatt

[Orpheus]

I'm not insulting your intelligence when I say that my first step would be to double-check the BIOS for a second setting that affects boot order (etc.). I've been caught by oddball settings a few times when working on friends' computers.

[PilotMatt]

actually, I checked it 4 times (although i did check it again just to make sure)
thanks

[MrMoo]

Do you have a boot screen that is blocking the POST? You might need to press a button to have it boot from cd.

Does the cd spin up when it's booting? If it isn't, thats a good sign the the bios isn't telling the computer to boot from cd first.

[stabn]

is this a retail copy or one you just picked up somewhere/burned yourself?