Damn thing wont work

Ok Ive finally gatherd all my hardware (after about a 2 month delay) and have put it all together.

When I first powered it up, I put the Windows XP disc in and it started to load windows as normal. It got half way and then decided that i didnt have a HDD (although I had checked the conections and the HDD LED is blinking). The BIOS recognises the SATA DVD drive and the SATA HDD.

Now when I try to install windows, the POST screen stops at 'verifying DMI'. Sometimes it says update complete, and then hangs again with a flashing underscore.

I've tried clearing the CMOS, doesnt help.

Sometimes it claims that the CPU doesnt work properly. Its temp is 32C.
Ive cheack the heatsink is positioned properly, although the TIM doesnt look like its spead properly on the CPU, its just a circle that doesnt cover the edges, but the CPU is not overheating.

Could it be that I need to install the latest BIOS for C2D compatability?

Could one the RAM sticks be bad (they are OCZ PC26400 platinum XTC edtion)

My MB is the Abit AW9D max, CPU is the E4300, HDD is a WD caviar 400GB (if that helps), the graphic card seems to be working fine (7600GT), the psu is the Corsair hx 620w (more than enough juice and it works fine with my old pc).

might be SATA drivers. I would also run memtest86+. Are the Drives on the right ports and IDE set to right position on channel?

always wanted to say this: RTFM