Fresh HD can't install OS

[JadedRapport]

I'll start from the beginning.  I bought a new computer...few weeks later the HD died.  The company sends me a new HD, which shows in BIOS, but I can't install anything on it.  The first set of recovery CDs they sent me were blank.  The new set isn't working either.  They now want me to send it in, but will charge me shipping.  I think this is totally stupid since I've had the computer less than a month.  So, I found an old copy of xp pro laying around.  I am trying to install that and this time the disk actually runs, but I get Boot ready then a blinking _.  Any suggestions?

[patio]

Whose HDD ? ?
Did you recieve a CD with it to prepare the drive for an OS install ? ?
If not travel to the drive manuf. site and DLoad the utilities and follow the info on creating a bootable CD to prep the drive.

[JadedRapport]

Its a Gateway fx 6800 with a western digital HD.  They did send recovery disks with the new HD they sent me.  They don't work.  I have a copy of windows XP Pro, but that won't run either.  Ultimate Boot CD does run so I know it isn't my cd rom.  What utilities should I be trying to download?

[patio]

WD's tools are called Data Lifeguard...available at their site.
Follow the instructions for creating a bootable CD.

[JadedRapport]

Thank you for your help.  I'm not sure of the exact HD that I have.  All the information I could find was SATA 750gb 7200rpm from western digital...sooo I downloaded the closest one I could find on that site.  When I run the CD I get the following:

**Error:  No CD-ROM drive found, please check power or cable
**Error:  IDE CD-Rom device driver NOT installed!!

A:\>echo off
NWCDEX.EXE Version 2.81 CD-ROM file handler
Copyright blah blah
Driver not found: 'generic'
A:\NWCDEX.EXE requires a Driver name to be specified.
Invalid drive Specified
Command or filename not recognized
(the above line 3 more times)
A:\>

I really appreciate all the help!

[patio]

Data LifeGuard DOS

Use the instructions this file is a bootable CD.
After burning it to CD put it in and re-boot the machine and follow the instructions for prepping the drive...

[JadedRapport]

Ok, I downloaded and burned the immage.  When booted from the cd I get the same error as I posted before.

[Geek-9pm]

Was this Gateway shipped with
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition with Service Pack 1,

You might not ever be able to install XP on it if they do not give you all the right drivers. The machine may have been built for 64 bit Vista only. Anyway, make them give you a good HDD with Vista for the machine loaded on it. You paid for a 64 bit system and you should not have to do the repair work.

Get after them before they go out of business. 

[JadedRapport]

Yes, it was.  It is still under warrantee, but they've been kinda jerking me around...called Better Business Bureau...and want me to pay to ship the computer to them.  I already had an XP cd so I thought I would install it, but I guess I have no choice except to send it in

[BC_Programmer]

my Toshiba Satellite L300(which was also built for Vista 64-bit only) didn't have any drivers on the Toshiba site but it works fine with no problems in XP. Just a matter of finding the right drivers from each respective hardware manufacturer.

[JadedRapport]

Not even the disks they sent me work and those are for vista.  With those it's like the CD-Rom won't even play them.

[patio]

Then it's best you return it for a working machine...
When you get the new one stop by and we can help you step by step setup a dual-boot setup with Vista and XP...