CD DRIVE Won't boot XP or 98 CD - Linux works

Hello, is there such a thing as a Dedicated Linux Machine? My friend has an older Intel P3 Machine that I am trying to install Windows (either XP or 98) via the CD Drive. When I boot with the XP or 98 CD in the CD Drive it takes a quick peek at the CD and then boots off of the HD. However, when I have a Linux CD it Looks at it and starts booting off of the Linux CD instead of the HD. Of course I have set the BIOS to boot off of CD then HD. Could there be another switch in the BIOS that won't allow a Windows Install? All I know is that it is a Intel P4 Machine. Nothing in the BIOS Setup says anything about Linux or Windows? I know the XP and 98 CDs are Factory CDs and have installed them several times on various machines. The Linux CD is one that I burned myself and have used many times as well. What am I missing? What would make a CD Drive do that?