BleepingComputer.com: problem reinstalling Windows XP Home system32 error

The configuration options are OFF or AUTO. I tried these three configs.

1)
SATA Primary: Hard Drive
SATA Secondary: OFF
Primary Master: OFF
Primary Slave: OFF
Secondary Master: IDE CD-ROM Device
Secondary Slave: IDE CD-ROM Device

This returns the same error message as mentioned earlier

2)
SATA Primary: Hard Drive
SATA Secondary: OFF
Primary Master: AUTO
Primary Slave: AUTO
Secondary Master: AUTO
Secondary Slave: AUTO

This returns with the message Primary drive 0 not found, Primary drive 1 not found. Strike F1 to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. I strike F1 and get the same message as at the beginning.

3)
SATA Primary: Hard Drive
SATA Secondary: OFF
Primary Master: AUTO
Primary Slave: AUTO
Secondary Master: OFF
Secondary Slave: OFF

This returns the same messages as 2).

Well, I'm sorry to say I'm stuck. Only thing I can think of is a defective drive, and that's a guess.

Another option?

I've got a docking station where I can move the hard drive from my desktop and connect to my laptop.

QTN: Could I run the reinstall CD from my laptop CD drive to the faulty hard drive? Or would this not solve desktop problem?

Yup, this is a rough one....

No, that won't work. The hd needs to be in the system that will be used.

And you really should be using sp3 by the way

Are you meaning sp3 = Service Pack 3? The reinstall disk only has service pack 2. I was hoping to reinstall then go and load service pack 3 from Microsoft.

I'm going take a break for awhile but will check later if you, or ANYONE has ANY other IDEAS?

thx.

Yeah, after installation go with sp3.