XP stop error

I got a stop error on my XP machine. Stop error is the 218 corrupt hive file and the fix is to go into the Recovery Console, which is where my problem starts. Heh heh heh - as if the stop error wasn't enough. The XP install doesn't recognize my hard disk. I don't remember having this problem on the initial install. I'm using the XP Pro, which was upgraded from W2k. My system specs are as follows:

abit asus mb (dual cpu slot 270) with one 500 MHz Celeron
Sound Blaster 64 MB sound card (no issues with it)
nVidia xstacy 128 MB vid card (no issues with it)
Mad dog CD Burner 24/24/26 (no issues)
'generic' CD Burner 8/4/2 (burner part no longer works but its nice to listen to a CD while playing IWD2 )

I ususally use a Wacom tablet, but have put in a trackball (I hate mice) for the duration of this 'issue'. Up to this point, I have had no issues with any peripherals or software installs. It would be highly detrimental to have to format the hard drive, my backup solution died some time ago and I've been unable to purchase another. Money is tight, so replacing parts is not an option (first one I'd replace would be my Jaz drive so I could have a back up!).

Any ideas?

Have you tried booting from the last known good configuration? If you tap on the F8 key while starting you should get a boot menu with some additional startup choices.

I tried the Last Known Good and Safe mode, but the stop error prevents the OS from loading. In all cases I get the stop error. My problem is that the XP install doesn't recognize my hard drive. If I can get the install to recognize the hard drive, I can go into the Recovery Console and fix the corrupted hive file in the registry to recover from the Stop error. I hope I explained it better.

check ur hardware and cable settings, also if u have a freind with xp back up ur files on his computer if u cant get in ur documents cause it says its blocked tell me ill tell u how to unblock

what type of partition ur hard drive has???