[Disk not detected] can't install 10.4

What happens when you boot the machine with the LiveCD - to just try Ubuntu instead of installing it straight away? If your hard drive is listed in `Places' when you boot off the Live CD, you could go to System -> Administration -> GParted and wipe off XP from there and make new partitions. If the disk is not listed even there, maybe it has something to do with how Ubuntu sees your drive. In that case, I would suggest trying to boot with another LiveCD - say, Arch Linux, and then see if you can wipe off your disk from there. They have a very good wiki, so it should be straightforward to do so if you follow it.

If both of these options do not work, I am at a loss at the moment.

Do you have:
   1) RAID configuration
   2) Mix of SATA (disk) and PATA (CD-ROM)
As proposed manzdagratiano, check with System -> Administration -> GParted.
Are you installing 10.04 or 10.04.1 ?

its version 10.04. i've tried changing the bios on my hd to raid, also another on called ahcdi or something like that, cant remember, but it said that was for use with linux and i enabled it, that also didnt let it recognize. as for PATA, i dont know where to find that, and gparted only sees when my external is plugged. i followed some tutorials and tried even booting and installing from a usb, but will only see that.

Hello, what's the status of your bug ?
If a answer solved your problem, could use button "Solved my problem" near the answer.
If you solved you problem by yourself, could you provide this solution for following users and mark question solved.
Else, I will have some time this week to have a look.

i still ahvent been able to get ubuntu to load and work, so i am back to win 7, though its not activated so itll only work for a little bit til i have to reinstall again, most of the software i have wont work on ubuntu, though ive heard of using xp inside ubunutu. someone directed me towards a thread that they thought would also help, however i didnt quite fully understand it. i guess it has something to do with the installer and my drive being a sata and me needing a grub2 loader or something like that and i have no idea what i am suppose to do with any of that. if you could point me in the right direction or maybe even help me with a walkthrough with the expierence you ahve would be great..

1) most of the software i have wont work on Ubuntu

You have numerous solutions (but any solution works for all software).
a) Some Windows software can be replaced by Ubuntu ones with same functionalities
b) You can use dual boot for 3D games (continuing to use Windows)
c) You can install Wine, which emulates Window's libraries. It works well for most offices software, and some game. There is a list of supported software
d) You can install a virtual machine, e.g. Virtual Box (there are also Kvm and VMware), and install Ubuntu inside. It works for all software which don't use 3D, i.e. games.

2) disk not detected

I will have a look later, so I only post a comment to leave question open.

Please could you try again with soon released Maverick 10.10. You will have latest version of kernel and Grub.
When you will try again, could you verify before you have any RAID mechanism active in your BIOS. If you have some doubt, take a picture (with a camera) and send me a message. I will return you back my e-mail address, so you will be able to send me the picture file.
If you can run Windows, I see today any explanation except RAID issue.
If you need help, post again.