Help, please. stop: 0x0000008E, white screens at windows update, no disk presen

[txlajett]

I'd be grateful for any help I can get regarding this matter.
I cannot use windows update/downloads as I get a white screen.
I cannot use my McAfee because when I load it, it shows only a white screen.
I cannot reformat, as it tells me that there is no disk present.
Here is my system info:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
Windows XP Home Edition SP3 (Build 2600)
CPU Arch : 1 CPU - 2 Cores - 2 Threads
CPU PSN : AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+
CPU EXT : MMX(+), 3DNow!(+), SSE (1, 2, 3), x86-64, AMD-V
CPUID : F.3.3 / Extended : F.43
CPU Cache : L1 : 2 x 64 / 2 x 64 KB - L2 : 2 x 1024 KB
Core : Windsor (90 nm) / Stepping : JH-F3

Freq : 3013.98 MHz (200.93 * 15)
MB Brand : Biostar
MB Model : N61PB-M2S
NB : NVIDIA MCP61 rev A3
SB : NVIDIA MCP61 rev A2

GPU Type : NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
GPU Clocks : Core 513 MHz / RAM 792 MHz
DirectX Version : 9.0c

RAM : 2048 MB DDR2 Single Channel
RAM Speed : 376.7 MHz (Unknown) @ 5-5-5-15
Slot 1 : 2048MB (6400)
Slot 1 Manufacturer : G.Skill


PCI Devices
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Description RAM Memory Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)

Anyone have a solution?
Grateful for any useful information.

[Broni]

I cannot reformat, as it tells me that there is no disk present.

How exactly are you trying to do it?

[txlajett]

Since it won't let me just update or repair windows, I boot from cd and install with the windows xp cd.  it loads, and when it gets to the install or repair part, whatever i press (R or enter), it tells me that there is no disk detected (or no hard drive installed is what it told me after i took the entire thing apart and put it back together).  It will still turn on and I can get on line, I am using the pc to ask questions here, and I can still run most programs, but when ever i try to do anything with windows/ microsoft, be it log into hot mail, or messenger, or try to get downloads or uipdates at their sites, I get white screens that say done.

[Broni]

I boot from cd and install with the windows xp cd

Do you remove all partitions, create new one and format it first?

[txlajett]

I cannot even get that far.  This is what happens when I boot from cd.
I click boot from cd, the setup inspects hardware configuration,
windows setup loads files
windows setup starts windows
I have the option to press enter to set up windows xp, or to repair the installed windows xp
Which ever option I choose I get the same message:
Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed on your computer.
and I am advised to check the driver power, etc and if it's all connected to check the  disk related hardware configuration.

If I start the machine regularly, through the hard *censored*, the computer starts up and I am able to access the internet and run a game that I play over the web.
However, I cannot download anything from microsoft, cannot access my hotmail/login.  I am directed to a blank white page with the correct address but nothing on it.  Also, running yahoo messenger, I can send messages and apparently receive them, but the message screen is white, so I cannot read them.
I cannot access search on my machine and also cannot access user accounts, same issue, blank screens.  I cannot use my McAfee also, starting it gives me a blank screen.
This is driving me crazy. 

[JJ 3000]

Do you have a SATA hard drive?

How is the hard drive reported in BIOS?

[txlajett]

I do have a sata 500 GB, SATA/16MB cache
WD5000AAKS

I"m not sure how to find out how it reads on the BIOS

[JJ 3000]

Do you have a floppy drive?

[txlajett]

Yes, but I have never used it. 

My motherboard is biostar amd socket am2
my drive is WD5000AAKS, 500MB/16MB cache
I am also using an nvidia geforce8800 gts graphics card
I do not know how much more information I can give, but I am happy to answer any questions that get me closer to a solution.

[txlajett]

Also, in my device manager under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers I have
3 primary IDE channels
3 secondary IDE channels
3 standard dual channel PCI IDE controllers

under SCSI and RAID controllers are listed
Promise SATA console SCSI processor
Windows Promise SATA300 TX4/TX2/7799(tm) IDE controller

[JJ 3000]

You need to go to your computer manufacturers website and download the sata driver and put it on a floppy.
Very early on in the install you will see a message at the bottom of the screen that says to press F6 to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver. Press F6 there and insert the floppy.

[txlajett]

Thanks, I will do that. 

[Ironman]

If JJ 3000 suggestion doesn't help (but I'm pretty sure it will) it could be a HaxDoor virus:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/903251/en-us

[txlajett]

I was unable to dl the driver fromt he site, but I did get some of their diagnostic software and have since learned I have a defective hard drive.  I am in the process of having it replaced.
I thank you for your suggestions.