I'm trying to install windows xp sp1 for ny brother-in-law but I keep getting a "Disc Read Error" message "Press Control, Alt and Delete to Restart your Computer". I've replaced the Hard drive with a spare I have but still get the same message after the first stage of the windows Install.... What am I dioing wrong ? or is indicative of something more serious than just a dead Hard drive

it probably means that your win install cd is unreadable by the cd/dvd drive. give the cd a whipe and/or replace the cd/dvd drive and/or get a new cd

Thanks ledcaveman.
I'm trying a different set up disc now so will come back to you If I get the same message

Both discs run through the install process, copies files to folders and then requires a reboot. On reboot it says Press any key to boot from Cd, ( if no key is pressed it says) A disc read error occurred, press Control, Alt and delete to restart

I've now tried 3 different XP discs and get he same message every time. Now I'm foxed please help me fix this!

Is it a SATA connector or an IDE/PATA Hard Drive?

Example of a SATA connector:


Example of an IDE/PATA connector:

It's an IDE drive not SATA. the system consists of :
P4 1.8Ghz
512 MB PC133 RAM (2x 256 MB sticks)
40GB Western Digital HDD ( although i've also tried an old 8GB Samsung drive)

The computer boots to CD to install windows runs through the first part of the install, and then has to restart. When it reboots I have the option to boot from cd ( set as 1st boot device)which starts the install process again. if I ignore the CD option the next screen reads "disc read error, press Ctrl,Alt and delete to restart computer".
This happens whichever Hard Drive I have connected.