Need help with XP re-install on a compaq

[smartermoney]

here is my prob. I wanted to give computer to disabled family member so i wanted to do a clean re-install. Computer originally came with ME (EEEEWWWWW) but was upgraded to xp home very soon after thanks to a free upgrade. no probs since then.
went to do a clean install of XP pro full version that i have as i only have a upgrade of home and compaq does not send a copy of the operating system, you have to buy it as an extra. after succcessful windows install i get the following error
Couldn't open drive multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition (1)
NTLDR: Couldn't open drive multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition (1)
i tried to talk to compaq support but they told me to take it to a hp service center, some help.
SO i got a old drive out of another computer and installed xp again came with the same error even with a different HD
this is very confusing. I am not a techie so please be easy with the instructions.
Thanks
computer specs from setup bios
compaq presario 5102us
AMD athlon 1100/100
Primary drive -0 cd rom
primary drive -1 cd-r/rw
Secondary Drive -0 4103MB HD

 

[amdskip]

this thread will help you

You should just have the cdrom and hard drive hooked up. I would make the hard drive the master on the primary channel and the cdrom master on secondary channel. If this doesn't work, try doing what the thread link says.

 

[smartermoney]

cannot get the link to work.
goes to google??

 

[smartermoney]

amdskip
did as suggested and the system now states
Primary drive 0- cd rom
Secondary drive 0- 4103 MB HD
How do i get the HD to be primary?
unhooked every other drive and it still shows HD as secondary

 

[smartermoney]

Figuresd it out.
I had the motherboard replaced under warranty and the jack me hoff repair man put the primary cable on the cd rom and the secondary cable on the HD. Switched it and BANG. worked
Thanks