Ubuntu to XP Pro no go

Hello, first off, I tried to install windows vista on a dell desktop but the graphics card would not handle it so cleaned the hd and tried to reinstall windows xp but no go. Then, because I needed my computre I installed ubuntu and really liked it except important programs that I use will only work with Windows.
So, now I'm back to trying to install windows xp. My computer recognizes an xp book disk that I made but that does not seem to help. the computer refuses to acknowledge the windows xp install disk. I've tried several workarounds to no avail.
The only sign of life is that darn grub file with a error 17...
What can I do?