Unable to install Operating System

Okay, this is a continuation of a post under another subject line. I did
this to limit "subject creep"...

I'm trying to install a fresh copy of XP Pro. After the format, it goes
through the installation of Windows, and gets to the, "Remove any disks in
drive A:", and reboot.

It goes through the boot up process, gets to the "Press any key to boot from
CD..." part. So, since I want it to boot from the HD, I leave it alone, and
it always fails with:
"A disk read error occurred"
"Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

What I've done:
Tested the memory w/standalone test - passed
Tested the HD w/standalone DFT - passed
Upgraded the BIOS to latest from Dell - XP2 (A09+1)
Replace the HD with a new, fresh off the shelf item
Purchased a new, shrink-wrapped XP Pro full installation package
Replaced the CD reader
Completely cleared the disk to all blank (RAW) and reformatted w/NTFS

This same result began on an otherwise perfectly functioning system, while I
was trying to clean up my disk, deleting things, housekeeping and so on. I
thought I'd blown some aspect of my XP installation, so I thought I'd do a
recovery. But everything I do gets the same result.

This isn't the first OS I've installed, so unless I just got stupid
overnight (always a possibility) I can't believe that I've left something
out.

That means that I'm flat outta ideas. Any help out there? Does anybody
have an inkling of something simple that I must have neglected to consider
that's causing this kind of problem?

Regards all,
DustyB
Dell Dimension 8100 at XP2 BIOS (flashed, was A06), 1/2 a 'G' of RAM, empty
80GB disk, XP Pro SP2 installation CD

NB: While you're at it, can someone send me the name & address of the
character at Microsoft, that PURPOSE designed a MICROSOFT keyboard so that
it would come up BY DEFAULT in a function key mode THAT'S COMPLETELY USELESS
at start-up? I want to invite all of the dogs in Redmond to take a crap on
his lawn!


.

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