harddrive problem

here's my problem, any info or help would be appreciated.

i run 2 pc's, there was a power outtage, since then my other computer would not start up. it would go to the 'start windows in safe mode' screen. no matter what i chose it would continually restart again. going back to the same screen.

i tried repairing it, and reinstalling windows with the xp disc but it didn't see the harddrive.
i was told the harddrive was probably shot, so i bought a new one.

xp disc doesn't seem to see this one either. i was told to reset bios, so i popped out the (cmos?) battery on the mobo. xp disc still doen't see it.

i've gone into the bios settings and messed around, i can see the new harddrive there, but i don't know how to get it set up with an operating system.

help?

 

at this screen, mine says there is no disk in this drive.

how do i get it to see the harddrive?

 

ok new problem....i've been working on this with an xp media center disc. (that's what i was running before)

i tried the vista disc from my dell, vista installed fine. wtf?!
unfortunately it registers as an illegal copy.

so i tried my xp home edition disc, that one doesn't see the harddrive either.

help please?

 

More M$ trickery they want you to buy another vista. The dell disk says illegal copy because it's not in the dell, probably.
That aside, I had some problems similar to yours.XP did as yours, then just boot to black screen. Installed Vista Ultima,that worked fine, then could also boot the xp, for awhile.Then I wiped the whole drive and installed win2000.Works great now.
I use partition magic a lot, and it even gives error messages at times on disks fried by power outage or other.
Old disk, lay it aside, and make sure the pins are set right for that new disk..
When you are in cmos, where does that drive show up? Is it at the primary or first disk position? In cmos, what is boot disk set to? Newer bios will leave the boot setting to an old drive at times.
Now, get partition magic, and make a set of bootdisks.Boot to PM. Erase all partitions and create new one.Format and set active.Set active is important. Then get a copy of win2000 or xp pro, and install.Once going,you can play around with your old drive.