network card not detected vista run only vistadvd

CPU P3-Tualatin 1.1GB, SOYO MB, 1GB mem, 200GB + 160GB HD
The hardware check pointed only that the epson stylus printer did not have valid drivers. During the installation the system booted out of XP during file expansion (28%) and then lost internet (no valid network card drivers). I switched to USB but then there was no drivers for the Scientific Atlanta (Cisco) modem.
1. The installation went on but the system cannot boot without the DVD as the boot is still in install mode.
How to get it to boot from the HD ?
The XP drivers for the netcard, the modem and the printer work fine and a Vista upgrade provided a newer driver for the network card.
2. a vista health check keeps sending warning that one of the HD (WD 160GB) is failing and prompts me to do a backup. That does not seem true.
How to shut down these false positives, or repair the health check ?
Otherwise no other problems so far.