Oh Thank you so much Jephree! I'm so glad there is hope! I am trying the seagate download again and then I'll try the repair install of xp and then off to bed, so I'll check back with you tomorrow.
Thanks again!

Hi Jephree,
I downloaded the seagate diagnostic and ran it on my computer. I was unable to run the full scan due to "freezing", but I did run the others on the list. Here is the diagnosis: PASSED - my computer, 40 GB ST HD, FAT 32 (2.9 GB)
FAILED - NTFS (37 GB), BIOS Drive 0x81 SN:N/A
I did the xp repair install again and have been using my computer for about 35 min. now. I'm thinking it might be better if I reformat and do a clean install or buy that new hard drive, what do you think?
Thanks!
TC

Do you only have the one hard drive? 40GB?

If so I am seeing 2 partitions:

1. FAT 32 (2.9 GB)

2. NTFS (37 GB)

When you install XP is it onto the FAT 32 or the NTFS?
Does it give you an option when you install?

Go into Disk Management:
Start/Run/ diskmgmt.msc
Is there one drive with two partitions?
Which partition is C:?
FAT 32 or NTFS?

I am still unsure of what type of XP CD you have.

An OEM CD may not be capable of doing a full install.

Is there any information on the disk or elsewhere as to the manufacturer & or the disk itself?

Yes, it is only the one 40 GB hard drive. I guess it is partitioned, I don't know. XP did not give that option. My computer is back to freezing again. I'll try the disk managment and see. The XP disk just says Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Includes service pack 2 - Version 2002. And in small letters it says -2004 by Microsoft corporation.

It does say for distribution with a new pc, but does not say what brand.

okay.... 2 partitions. C: is NTFS with 58% free and status is healthy. FAT 32 is 27% free and status shows healthy.

That disk sounds like it is ok ... assuming that you have the product key.

You say you have tried a Repair Install ... Have you tried a Clean Install?

Is there anything on that drive that you wish to keep?

If not try a Clean Install: A good guide here for both actually:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/index.html

I would recommend a Clean Install choosing one partition with NTFS.

Outside of this it may be a dying hard drive

Yes, I have the COA product key. I haven't tried a clean install and I've never reformatted a hard drive before. I have made copies of things to keep, so that's not a problem. Thanks for the link and all your help. I'll give it a try!

XP will do all the work ... you have no reformatting to do per se.

Just follow the prompts & awnser.

I suggest just 1 partition of NTFS. That will do the formatting.

The rest will follow.

that sounds good, but what about my drivers? Since my computer only came with ME restore disk, I bet they're all on there. Will XP automatically detect them?