Would it help if I download and make a bootable XP Home CD? It seems to be my best bet right now but I've never done it before.

I followed soitgoes's suggestion and tried online chat with MS support. It seems I was always the 3rd or 4th in line but the CSR never got to me. Even when it showed 2 (or 6 or 11)-minute wait, my chat session was always idle. Refresh didn't help either. They do have free email support but it will take at least one business day and today is Sunday. Why do I run into this in non-business day/hours? Sigh.

I haven't made too much progress the last couple of hours, having Google as the teacher. I got the 6-disk files but am very confused with how to make a bootable CD. Using WinImage, I was able to exact the 6-floppy files and saved them as 6 images (.ima). This tutor site explained how to convert floppy disks into CDs but I have 6 images (1.44 mb each). How is it possible to "inject" (or combine) all 6 into one image? In WinImage, the image format max out at 2.88 mb. I managed to inject one disk image into another. So I know how to cut it down to 3X 2.88 mb images. How can I make it bigger? I must be missing something. I think I need to burn 1 final image to a bootable ISO CD, right?

Any different way to create the ISO CD? I was able to exact all files from 6 floppy disks into one folder. What should I do to burn those 220+ files into a bootable XP CD?

One more thing, do I have to download UBCD (Ultimate Boot CD) or can I use my IBM RecordNow to make a data disk from the image? Of course I will need to learn how to successfully make the image first. If our techie FTers can either explain or teach me the steps in a plain and simple way, I should (hopefully) be able to accomplish it.

Do I need any other programs to create this bootable CD? Maybe I've been reading the wrong websites/blogs?

If you think I am not that hopeless and are willing to show me the tricks, please either PM or email me with details. Or just post in thread, if the tricks are good for public viewing.

Thanks in advance!

ps. Mom now knows her computer isn't functional and I am working on it. I better fix it fast. The sooner, the better.