Loading Windows XP troubles

I'm re-formatting a hp HP530. I got it all the way through and it loaded windows without any problems. I connected to the internet to download an anti-virus and and connected my external hard drive to load the pictures and music and etc... I recieved a message that windows needed to re-start to operate the external hard drive program. When I restarted it it showed the HP BIOS screen and then it just went black. I went into the BIOS and I ran the HDD self-test options, the result is Read failure. Does this mean the internal hard drive failed on me? Please help!

Was the external drive unplugged or not when you restarted? Is the correct drive selected to boot from in the BIOS? Would the self test be pointed at the external drive? Or your drive may well be bust...

Try playing around in the BIOS with the external unplugged...