So the BIOS sees the hard drive?

Providing a lot more detail would help us help.

Including verbatim error messages etc.

If it is a format issue run Kill Disk first:

http://www.killdisk.com/

Yes, after I switched the power cable, they showed up in the bios.

When I start the windows setup in order to format the drive and re-install windows, the drives are now detected fine. At first, when I then chose to delete the partition with windows on it and install a new copy, it would say that the partition couldn't be deleted for some reason. Now though, that part worked ok and setup was able to format the drive.

I haven't even touched my computer since the last time I tried to install windows and it didn't work, so I have no idea what could have made it work.

Then I got a Fatal Error about half way through the install after the system reboots saying:
"An error has occurred that prevents setup from continuing.
One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.
Incorrect function.
Press ok to view the setup log file."

After clicking ok, the log file shows:
"Error:
SXS.DLL: Syntax error in manifest or policy file 'E:\I386\asms\10\MSFT\WINDOWS\GDIPLUS.MAN' on line 4.

Error: Installation Failed: E:\I386\asms. Error Message: Incorrect Function.

Fatal Error: One of the components that Windows needs to continue setup could not be installed.
Incorrect function."

Then all I could do was click ok to close setup and restart my computer.

After restarting the install hangs with 39 minutes until completion.

Why is there a drive E: ?

XP should be installing to C:

Your DVD/CD should be D:

Remove all other drives.

The error indicates:

"The file 'Asms' on Windows XP Professional CD-ROM is needed" error message when you install Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311755

This issue may occur if the Setup program cannot communicate with the CD-ROM drive.

All issues like this are due to hardware.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&n...+setup+hang+39

Are you installing the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt?

Again if the problem persists use Kill Disk first.


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