Need Help with CPU please!

[RolloTomasi82]

Hey guys...I'm a newbie anandtech forumer, so be easy on me.
Anyhow, I went around the forum sections and figured this was the closest to my question. I'm recently built my first computer and it actually worked! First time, worked like a charm and installed with my friend's Windows XP OS home edition. I was using it for a couple days without any problems. However, my numbnutz little bro tried a crack for an XP password and now my computer is jacked up. When I start it now, all it would do is load up until the Windows XP emblem and then automatically reboot. I can't even get into the computer at safe mode or safe mode with command prompt.
After that debacle, I returned a couple parts in hopes of salvaging the mess my bro made. I exchanged the hard drive for a new (same western digital) one and the CPU (an athlon 2600+) for a new one.
Now the computer won't even get to the XP emblem. It stops at the "Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter SETUP" page. And it freezes at this point. I can't press F1 or DEL.
Can anyone help me out?

Here are the specs:
120GB (Western Digital)
512MB RAM 3700 Kingmax
Athlon 2600+
128MB Nvidia

 

[WobbleWobble]

I have a feeling your hard drive jumpers aren't set right.

As for the Windows XP problem, you can do a repair by booting off the XP CD.

 

[RolloTomasi82]

I will check on the hard drive cables.
Back to the OS question. Since I got a totally new CPU and hard drive, I'm basically starting from scratch now, right? Just want to make sure on this.

 

[WobbleWobble]

No, changing the CPU alone wouldn't make a difference. If you cloned the hard drive, everything should be the way it was. If you are installing Windows on your new HDD, then yes it's starting from scratch.

 

[RolloTomasi82]

What do you mean by cloning the hard drive. And I want to install Windows on my new HDD, but I can't access anything outside of the "Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter SETUP" screen.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Forget I mentioned the cloning part, you're not that far yet.

Press Del to enter the setup up. Make sure that the drive is set to Auto.

Do you want to reinstall Windows? Do you want to try and repair your old Windows? If you want to repair, clone your HD by downloading a tool from WD's site and then run Window's installation and choose the repair option.