Presario S4210NX Harddrive stops then software malfuntion.

Hi Guys I have problems with my hard drive and other misc issues related to after Charter ISP install.
Tried most of the Day to resolve my problems with searches and troubleshooting wizards. Just about had enough of this system :cry

Here is the Short and Sweet list of events as I recall....
1. System operating fairly normal with ATT ISP behind a gateway with no firewall.
2. Switch to Charter ISP and hooked up to internet with no firewall (unknown at time- only adding info for completeness-maybe no virus infection) Did a quick scan with no threat found. I have experience with viruses on this PC in the past so I am no Noob.
3. Browsed various sites to see how fast it was then system froze up (did it before just powerdown and restart).
4. Struggled to get the E: drive to operate normally: Checked power and data cables which are connected and working I think. (there was some funky power on power off after wiggle power connector to drive) Later, drive started making a clicking noise. Could not access the drive after a while. Solved the problem by removing drive. This is one backup drive by the way. Not that critical as I have copies.
5. Now HP software poped up saying basically it could not find required software and it needed to install for operation etc... I had this happen on another system due to a hard drive removal I think. (I will turn on other PC later to see its error). Contacted HP online chat to solve this issue and they said I had a system problem. rolleyes after about an hour online talking.
6. Like I said I tried search funtion but found very little information on this subject. If anyone can teach me to conduct a proper search with proper search providers, I will be grateful.
System Specs : Basically its a Compaq presario S4210NX with a Pentium 4 at 2.4 Ghz with 1 Gig of RAM - 400 MHz FSB
Chipset: 845GL Video:Geforce FX 5200 PCI Power Supply: stock 200 watts NIC: Linksys LNE100TXv5
Thanks For all your help....Matt8911

 

I also want to add there are problems with fan headers not funtioning for extra fans. Maybe I am expecting too much from a 200 watt PS??
(added FYI).
Thanks

 

Update to post on sat sept 25 2010:
Did more internet research and determined that the problem is either one of the following:
1. Hardware incomapatability leading to failure of drive (drive is too big for BIOS)
2. Hardware failure on new device (hard drive) defective drive.
3. Hardware failure due to improper installation or setup.
4. Power surge from Power Supply leading to failure? Bad PS?
Tried Hard drive in other PCs (3) only show in the BIOS of the PC that is not setup with an OS (in the BIOS).
Have waited long for a reply so I will attempt to format with a program such as killdisk and if that fails then RMA the drive.
Thanks all anyway......