Problem Installing OS on New HDD

[Ravenholm]

I have an old Dell Dimension 8250 that takes ATA-100 hdd's. I bought a new 80GB one off of Newegg and it says it's fine when I diagnose it, but I can't for the life of me get an OS on there. I'm pretty experienced with installing them and it's usually not that hard but In this case, I just can't do it. If I turn off the drive in settings than the Ubuntu disc will run the install thing, but of course it can't install it on nothing. When I turn it on and try, I just get some errors. I can't get xp to work either. It formats the drive, install the files, and autorestarts but it just keeps doing the same thing over and over. It should be going to the next step after rebooting. I just don't know what to do and I really need to get this server up and running because I told my site I would a while ago and I still haven't.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Dell Dimension 8250.  Is this a known working computer?
     a.  When was the last time computer was operational and/or stable?
     b.  What operating system and service pack level was it running?
     c.  How much system RAM (memory) does it have?
     d.  Are you using the 80-wire (40-pin) IDE cable for the hard drive?  Eighteen inches or less in length?
     e.  Give us some configuration information regarding the IDE devices (and how each is jumpered:  cable_select, single, master, slave):
          (1)  Primary IDE channel
                (a)  Master device (using middle or end connector)?
                (b)  Slave device   (using middle or end connector)?
          (2)  Secondary IDE channel
                (a)  Master device (using middle or end connector)?
                (b)  Slave device   (using middle or end connector)?
      f.  Does motherboard also support SATA devices?  If yes, how is system BIOS set for IDE/SATA compatibility modes?

2. Hard Drive.
     a.  So which 80 GB hard drive did you get?
          (1)  Make and model number (look on hard drive case)
          (2)  IDE supporting ATA-100 or higher?
     b.  How or what did you use to "diagnose" it?
     c.  Does system BIOS detect and correctly identify hard drive (model number, size)?

3.  System RAM.  Boot standalone memory diagnostic program to verify system RAM OK.  Let it run for a couple of hours.  If no errors, freezes, or spontaneous reboots; it should give you some confidence in the basic functioning of the computer.  Both of the following websites provide "free" downloads to create the desired bootable media.  See www.memtest.org or www.memtest86.com.

4.  Operating System(s).
     a.  Which operating system are you trying to install?
     b.  Which installation media do you have and how is it labeled (Retail, OEM, Volume License)?
     c.  What service pack level or version is the installation media?
     d.  Where did you get the installation media?

5.  One trick is to simplify the hardware configuration for the initial installation; then add the additional hardware and let the fully installed operating system deal with it.  Basically disconnect all drives (change jumpers), peripherals, and expansion cards not needed for a basic installation.

6.  Errors.  Would these be "state secrets" or something you can share with the rest of us?

[Ravenholm]

1.
a. About 6 months ago, but that's just because I've put off buying an ew HDD since I borke a pin off the old one.

b. Windows XP Pro. Service Pack 3

c.512MB

d. -skip-

e. -skip

f. No.


2.

a. This one.

b. there was an option to diagnose it after pushing F12 on the bootscreen.

c. -skip-


3.-skip-


4.
a. I've trued Ubuntu 9.10, Windows Xp, and Ubuntu 9.10 Serer Edition

b. they're all burnt so idk

c. Xp is service pack 3, I believe. Not sure

d. Ubuntu.com and Isohunt. From what I know, it's legal since I have a legal Serial number on the the side sticker, but I lost the Cd.


6- skip-

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I'll get to the things I skipped in not too long.