Did you install XP after linux or linux after XP?

This is important because linuxes won't be recognized by the XP bootloader.

If you installed linux later, then it recognises XP as well as everything else(as long as you installed the boatloader as well). Unless you messed up the installation somehow.

What error does it give when you try to load up, for eg say Ubuntu(since its the most user friendly one).

It's just standalone xp.

I just wanted to boot with live cd and do the cloning. Not installing linux or anything.

Oh ok, I see.

If you want to remove all this hassle then you can actually install ubuntu in XP itself, you can try it out if you want.

If you don't want to do it, then make sure your primary boot device is your disc drive in the BIOS settings. And try again.