XP won't install, can't format drive

[longtrinh]

I've tried to install fresh version of Win XP pro or Home. However, as
XP formats to 100%, before formatting is complete, I get the error
saying it cannot format the drive due to "drive damage." At first I
thought it was because I had a dead Hard Drive. So I then used a spare
drive I had on hand, but again got the same error. I then went out and
got a brand new one, but again, got the same error. I now don't
believe the hard drives are dead, but something else is wrong. I've
tries using another XP pro disc I had, and got the same error. Any
ideas? Anyone aware of this problem and know how to get around it?

 

[Maincat]

I've tried to install fresh version of Win XP pro or Home. However, as
XP formats to 100%, before formatting is complete, I get the error
saying it cannot format the drive due to "drive damage." At first I
thought it was because I had a dead Hard Drive. So I then used a spare
drive I had on hand, but again got the same error. I then went out and
got a brand new one, but again, got the same error. I now don't
believe the hard drives are dead, but something else is wrong. I've
tries using another XP pro disc I had, and got the same error. Any
ideas? Anyone aware of this problem and know how to get around it?

Ideas:
Is the drive connected correctly? Assuming it's an IDE drive, is the ribbon
cable in good condition?
Is the drive seen in the BIOS?

 

[Joe Grover]

What size are the hard drives? How old is the copy of XP?

The original release of XP did not support drives larger than 137GB. In
order to access drives of this size you would need a copy of XP with at
least Service Pack 1 integrated.