hard drive not found; XP can't reinstall

[rkiefe1]

My computer is fubbed.

trying to reinstall windows XP from boot CD drive
then on recovery i try to format my drive and it can't be found
I've switched cables running to the hard drive and nothing
I've brought my hard drive to a friend's computer to save important stuff and it worked fine

and everytime I try to install windows on the hard drive, it gives me a screen saying "setupdd.exe" can't be found ; you know, the big blue error screen, "the computer decided to shut down the operation to save itself" only to leave me bitter and broken

any suggestions? help?

Pentium III 800
motherboard: not sure
2 - 128 MB PC 100/133 chips
30 G Hard Drive (brand?)
GeForce II 32 Mb MX 200 VCard
CD Burner
DVD Drive
Iomega Zip 100 Drive
400 W dual fan power supply

brought originally from UBid
all crammed into a HP8755c Pavilion

any help appreciated


Thanks

[Cricket]

Hi rkiefe1,

Could be bad RAM.

Try removing 1 stick of RAM and boot into Safe Mode. If your memory is okay, you'll get into Safe Mode. If there's something wrong with the memory, you'll get an error message and you'll know the stick is bad.

When you find a good stick of RAM, try to run format and re-install Windows.

Also, I'd remove the CD-RW, Iomega Zip Drive, sound and modem or NIC before you try to re-install Windows.

Cricket