I have no disk recovery and want to install a new hard drive. When I romoved the top of the computer, I see no less than 5 different numbers for this computer. How do I know which number I need in order to order the correct disk recovery so I can install my new hard drive and operating system? I am currently getting Error Message 1782 - Disk Controller Failure

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/... It may not be a hard drive failure. Check this article out first before you buy a new one.

thank you for your quick response. I will try all of the above. Does the Error 1782 "Disk Controller Failure" give any additional clues? I just assumed the hard drive went bad since I had not messed with any of the cable connections. Unfortunately, I can't get the computer beyond the error message in order to re-load Windows XP onto my new hard disk.

http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Look... I don't know the model #, but here's the page fpr all your drivers. Do you have an xp cd?

Yes, I have an XP CD but on boot-up I only get the error messages and it does not read either of my CD drives. I was told I would need the rescue disks but don't have them.

The rescue disks have all the drivers on them for your system. You can order them from Compaq or you can format the new drive and install xp from the cd. To install from the cd, you need to watch the bios screen for a key to be pressed to enter the setup (the bios screen). If you can access the bios, you need to change the boot order to boot from the cdrom instead of the hdd or whatever it says now. Save the changes and exit. Insert the xp cd into the tray and when the bios screen comes up again, it will give the option to boot from cd. Press any key when you see that appear on the screen. You only have a few seconds. This should take you into the xp setup. Only hit that key once, the computer will reboot during xp installation, and you'll see that option again, but don't press any keys a second time. After xp is installed, you'll have to go to the link I posted to download and install all the drivers for your machine. Good Luck.

The EP series is fairly old. Likely it didn't originally come with XP so any rescue disk may not contain XP drivers. Besides, the XP disk may have all the necessary drivers. Unless someone has peeled it off, there should be small sticker on the side of the case with the relevent info. The drive controller error could be referring to your cdrom. You might try disconnecting its data cable and try booting up again. Do the same for the hard drive cable. Maybe you can isolate the bad hardware that way.