Have you looked in the BIOS?

I think F2 is the BIOS (Setup) option. Take a look there first for the drive.
If the drive works in another machine and not yours, you have a serious hardware problem. Make sure the HD is properly...

I don't see how resetting the BIOS would help, but it would be a good idea to look in the BIOS to see if the drive is recognized.
If it's not listed, it may have failed. Can you hear any sounds from...

Overheating or power supply.
Check the diagnostic light or get your PS checked.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ws650/en/ug/advanced.htm
Your remark about "annoying people" seems...

Maybe an hallucination?
Prayer?
Maybe you're right about the odd days.

If it has an operating system it has a partition.
Do you want more partitions? Why?

What you did was reboot, which is often all it takes to eliminate a rogue process or program that's fouling up the works.
It's also well known that Windows PCs work better on even-numbered days. :)

Sparkax and I are telling you the same thing, but Chaky isn't paying attention, so ignore him.

Try method 1 here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297185

What is the error message? Just the words, as the numbers don't often help.

Is there anything at all in Event viewer? Your hardware may not report thermal events.
It won't do any harm to open it up and clean it out, as heat is the most common cause of this kind of behavior....

If the machine is restarting on its own, you have a hardware problem, maybe heat related.
Open the case, clean out the dust and re-seat everything you can reach, then try again.

Just leave it unchecked and ignore the warning, which is standard.

Typically, this would be a problem with overheating, bad memory or some other hardware failure.
Does your fan work? Try re-seating the memory or the hard drive.
Unplug any peripherals you may have...

What do the diagnostic lights say?
I'd bet you have a good chance of fixing this by opening the case and re-seating all the components (Especially the video card).

Have you tried Safe Mode?
You might have some luck with a repair install, or recovery console:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
As a last resort, you may have a recovery...

HP includes XP in the FAQ for this machine, so you're probably OK.
Last time I looked, the XP upgrade was $89.00 (If you can find it) and RAM is cheap nowadays-get at least 512 MB.

Lots of potential problems here.
This device will help you with the files:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2583340&CatId=3770

I don't see what else you can do. This sounds like a major hardware failure-motherboard, disk controller or something.

Have you tried booting with an OS disk or your recovery disks?

Go to Dell and enter your service number to get the specs on your HD.
I like Tiger Direct for hardware purchases.


By the way, do you have any suggestions as to where I might get a replacement...

Not a good sign.
Re-seat everything, especially the video card, cross fingers, reboot.
Check the monitor cable.

Try re-seating the memory. Might as well re-seat everything and do a little cleaning while you're in there.

This usually means a dead HD.
Try a boot disk and see if the HD is detected.

This is unlikely to be a software problem.
sparkax is on the right track.

You'd probably get an error message if it was the HD.
The fan problem needs to be solved, as they are probably causing the no boot situation.

Check the diagnostic light on the back:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/4600/sm/advtrbl.htm#1084976

There's no such thing as "Repair Console". Recovery console might help, but a repair Install might be better:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

You need to edit the boot.ini file:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022
Follow the directions ccarefully.

www.crucial.com

Remove the power cord.
Hold the start button in for 15-20 seconds.
Plug it back in and try to start it.

Is the charger working? Some have a light, some just get warm. new battery doesn't mean a good battery, but it probably is.
This sounds like a charging/power supply issue.
What's the exact make...

Can you hear the fans come on? Check around the vents for dust/dirt.
How do you know the battery is good?
Try safe mode.

Look in Event Viewer/System/application for possible clues.

If you have the diagnostics CD, try running it:
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6400/en/om/trouble.htm#wp1062918
Load the XP install CD and see if the HD is detected. Run the...

Disk 0 is the first Hard disk.
If I understand you right, you need a USB/IDE/ adapter.
Attach it to the Laptop USB port, then copy the appropriate files.

Have you installed the ethernet drivers?
Look in Device manager to see if any drivers are missing.

Try a different keyboard, or keyboard type, i.e. USB/PS2.

Good advice, but this is a simple job that any moderately talented person can do quickly and well at home.
If you hadn't cleaned it, you'd eventually get some overheating problems, which could cause...

Are you saying it won't boot from a CD?
Can you get into the BIOS? (Setup)
Are there any error messages?