Error loading OS

I've tried everything several times. I even paid for a support call. So far, nothing. They did offer to debug remotely, but I can't do that this evening. Maybe someone here has seen this issue and knows the work-around.

System: Dell Dimension 2400 with a replacement flat panel monitor. OS is Windows XP SP3. I added a PCI SATA controller w/S.I. 3512 BIOS v. 4.3.83 and an Hitachi Deskstar SATA 2TB HD3200.

Using Acronis True Image Home 2010. Backed up C: to C: with new drive powered up, but signal cable disconnected. Then I connected the new drive signal cable and restored the backup partition to an expanded partition on the new drive F: (1.8TB.) Next I restored the MBR/track 0 to the new drive. So we know the new drive works fine so long as it's not the boot drive.

Disconnected the old drive and booted the system. "Error loading OS."

With the old drive still disconnected, I booted from the backup CD and tried to "Boot Windows." Same "Error loading OS." By the way, the backup CD appears to use the wrong driver for the monitor; if I select "Acronis TIH" it will load, but the screen becomes practically illegible.

I've tried a lot of other things, but can't remember them all. About the only thing I haven't tried is replacing the SATA controller. The approach I described is the one recommended in the book.

Anyone seen this problem - and found a solution?