[jeffB]

First, yes, I did backup before I tried the shenanigans that got me to this point.

Mac Pro, 10.5.2, 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon, 250GB HD1 500GB HD2

So by accident I found out you have to Enable Journaling for it to partition, turned it on, and partitioned 70GB on my 2nd HD for XP.
Computer reboots, I start to install Windows XP but it doesn't recognize the usb keyboard (i tried the old kind and the newer slim one) so I have to reboot again.
This time it recognizes the keyboard and I install XP on the [BOOTCAMP] partition.
Computer reboots: "Disk Error"

From reading today, I see that I should have formatted that partition.

My big big problem is this though: I can't figure out how to reinstall OS X.
Putting in either the grey OS X cd's or the Leopard DVD and rebooting still gives me "Disc Error" or "No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key." And computer won't recognize the keyboard, any key doesn't work.
From working with Win 2000/XP I would have poured some vodka, plugged in the floppy drive and reinstall the OS, but I have no idea how to do that with OS X.

I tried nailing myself to a cross, but once I nailed down my left hand I couldn't use it to nail my right hand down.

I tried searching, but all the advice says to try disk utility first, which I obviously can't get to. Anyone know how I can reinstall OS X from this point?

*Sorry if this is in the wrong section*

[jeffB]

I forgot to mention:

I'm pretty sure the only thing that's really messed up is the boot sector and the XP partition. I have a small hope that reformatting the windows partition like I was supposed to, and installing XP, will fix everything.
Going to try that first when I get home, but I'd really appreciate anything anyone can think of.

Thanks

[ibook_steve]

Hold down the option key at boot and reselect the OS X volume to get back into OS X. Or, to boot from a CD, hold the c key at boot.

Steve

[jeffB]

thanks steve,

i feel stupid and relieved that it's that simple.