Laptop boots. BIOS is recognized. HDD, DVD, etc. are all recognized in the BIOS. Can't tell if size of HDD is recognized, but it doesn't look good. Tried ALL sorts of recovery options including low level format. Format could not even take place. Every time I try to fool with some recovery option laptop powers down and does not reboot. The HDD drives has started to make funny LOUD clicking noises as if the head arm is slapping up against the side of the drive. Obvbiously NOT a good sign. HDD has been replaced before on this machine for just such a reason. The only thing I haven't tried yet is ghosting the drive. First off I don't really know how to, but on the other hand I have looked into it, and it just doesn't seem like a viable option at this point. Recovery from trying to install Windows XP Home goes through loading setup files, then when it wants to go to the next step - starting windows - the laptop powers down. I've checked all options in the BIOS to try to prevent this, and nothing. Something wants to happen, but something keeps it from doing so. Any ideas? My resort now is to buy a new HDD and start from scratch.