[compu_dude]

I started in OS Forum, but now I think it might be a hardware issue. I tried adding an SATA HD to my system. During the install, while it was copying my files from my other HD, I quit the installation (very stupid). After that, XP would not boot, my XP install did not show up in XP Repair--I was stuck.

I removed the SATA drive, no change.

I tried unplugging the HD from IDE 3 and moving it to IDE 1 on my mobo. The HD now showed up in BIOS and XP Repair, so I ran XP repair successfully. Now, however, the drive is labeled F:, so I can't update XP (I am in SP1--ugh) or use my software, so I still need HELP.

To try to get my drive called C: again, I unplugged my (now working) HD and plugged it into IDE 3 (the original slot). It does not show up in BIOS there and Repair shows there is no disk present (my original problem). I moved it back to IDE 1, ran repair again, but it is still called F:.

Looking in the manual for my mobo (Soyo Dragon 2 V 1.0), I have four IDE channels (supports 8 drives) and support for 4 SATA drives (12 devices total).

IDE 1, 2 are controlled by the ICH5R chip (southbridge), as are SATA 1, 2.

IDE 3,4 are controlled by the ALi M5281 Serial/Parallel ATA RAID chip, as are SATA 3,4.

My original setup was two DVD drives in IDE 2 and my HD in IDE 3. The SATA HD I was trying to add, I plugged into SATA 3 (same controller chip as my now damaged HD). When I quit the SATA HD setup, I am wondering if I damaged the ALi M5281 chip. Could it be the mobo?

I also tried moving it to IDE 4 last night (same controller chip) and it does not show up in BIOS or Repair, I so I think it is the chip, but I am no expert. Could it be the BIOS? Should I flash the BIOS, or is that not the problem?

I managed to backup my data from my original drive, so my primary concern now is getting my system working again. I still have the SATA HD (which I hope is not damaged). Should I install that?

Thanks for reading this, I really appreciate this site!!