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To install an OS from CD or CD image in a VmWare VM, you boot that VM, then either go into the BIOS that gets displayed (I think you need to press F2) and then change the boot order, or press F12 when it shows up, and there you can directly say to boot from CD.
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in My computer, right click on the CD drive, and look at the autoplay Tab.<br />
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I hope this helps !
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1. VMware normally disabled AutoPlay in your VMs to avoid it starting to autoplay in all of your guest OSes and eating all your resources when you change cdrom.<br />
2. Autoboot from CD is only enabled during the first boot when creating a VM. To boot from a CD after that you will either need to select to boot from CD in the boot menu (hit Esc during POST to come to the boot menu), or you can change the boot device order in the virtual BIOS (as mentioned by rindi).<br />
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If POST is too quick for you, please see here: <a href="http://vmfaq.com/entry/40/" rel="ugc">http://vmfaq.com/entry/40/</a><br />
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Lars<br />

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I am using the Microsoft Virtual Machine - not VMWare. &nbsp;Is VMWare also free? &nbsp;(&lt;- Anyobdy know?)<br />
I think I will try the ISO path. &nbsp;I think Virtual Machine can be given an ISO image.
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Yes, vmware server is free and a lot better than the m$ stuff. I'd never use anything m$ if there is something else around. Also, vmware server runs as host on other platforms than m$'s virtual pc, so you are much more flexible there.
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Server? &nbsp;I have a PC running XP Pro and I want to run XP Home in a Virtual Machine. &nbsp;Is Server what I want for that? &nbsp;thanks.
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The software is called vmware server, it runs on all platforms. They also have vmware workstation which isn't free. Yes, you want vmware server.
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It has not escaped my attention that the solution provided DID solve my need but did not figure out how to retore the auto-boot capability of my DVD drive. &nbsp;If someone feels I've awarded these points unfairly, please let me know and I will respond. &nbsp;Thank you. &nbsp;(My drive still doesn't auto-boot but using the ISO solution eliminates the need for auto-boot. &nbsp;It is an effective work-around for me). &nbsp;david
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A long time ago, I turned off Auto-boot on my CD/DVD drive. &nbsp;I can't remember why or HOW. &nbsp;It's been happily off for some time.<br />
It turns out I MUST have it back on now - because I need Virtual Machine, which needs AutoBoot to install it's Operating System.<br />
<br />
I can't turn Auto-Boot on.<br />
I've tried Tweak-UI, &nbsp;I looked in the BIOS, I['ve looked at right-click Properties.<br />
Just can't turn it on.<br />
BTW: The CD in question is a Windows XP Home CD. &nbsp;<br />
The computer is a Dell INspiron 8600 (which I may hurl out the Window before you read this)
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A long time ago, I turned off Auto-boot on my CD/DVD drive.  I can't remember why or HOW.  It's been happily off for some time.
It turns out I MUST have it back on now - because I need Virtual Machine, which needs AutoBoot to install it's Operating System.

I can't turn Auto-Boot on.
I've tried Tweak-UI,  I looked in the BIOS, I['ve looked at right-click Properties.
Just can't turn it on.
BTW: The CD in question is a Windows XP Home CD.  
The computer is a Dell INspiron 8600 (which I may hurl out the Window before you read this)

Auto-boot doesn't work - on NEC CD/DVD - XP Pro - I've tried Tweak-UI - still doesn't work

Storage devices include any device used for storing and retrieving digital information. Hard disk drives (HDDs) use one or more rigid ("hard") rapidly rotating disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. Data is accessed in a random-access manner, meaning that individual blocks of data can be stored or retrieved in any order and not only sequentially. The primary competing technology for secondary storage is flash memory in the form of solid-state drives (SSDs), but HDDs remain the dominant medium for secondary storage due to advantages in price per bit and per-device recording capacity. CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable) is a digital optical disc storage format that allows information to be stored outside the mechanical HDD.

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VMware, a software company founded in 1998,  was one of the first commercially successful companies to offer x86 virtualization. The storage company EMC purchased VMware in 1994. Dell Technologies acquired EMC in 2016. VMware’s parent company is now Dell Technologies.

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VMware

The Microsoft Legacy Operating System topic includes legacy versions of Microsoft operating systems prior to Windows 2000: All versions of MS-DOS and other versions developed for specific manufacturers and Windows 3/3.1, Windows 95 and Windows 98, plus any other Windows-related versions, and Windows Mobile.