EXT2-fs: ide0(3,4): couldn't mount because of unsupported optional features

It appears to be finding the disk, because it seems to be reading the partition table. The error about No primary hard disk is misleading -- it probably refers to the fact that the partition couldn't be mounted.

As to why the partition couldn't be mounted, I don't know. This is starting to look like some serious corruption.

Can you post the entire boot log from Hyperterminal? Use the Transfer/Capture Text option. This option asks for a text file to save the incoming log as. Once you've given it a name, plug in the player.

Then post it here as an attachment (you might need to ZIP it first).