This Acer AST 160 I'm working on crashed...

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data. Issue: Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data.
Cause: This issue can be caused by any of the below reasons.

1. Corrupt boot files on the computer.
2. Settings for hard disk drive are not correct.
3. Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue.
4. Boot devices not set properly.
5. BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly.
6. Connections loose or disconnected.
7. Bad Hard disk drive or other bad hardware.

Solution: Corrupt boot files on the computer
If the computer has no bootable files on the drive it is attempting to boot from it is possible that the computer may halt at " verifying dmi pool data..."
To resolve this issue:

• Boot from a bootable floppy diskette. Ensure that this diskette was made on the same Microsoft Windows operating system that is installed on your computer.
• Once at the A:> prompt type "sys c:" and press enter. This should report the message "File system transferred." Once transferred remove the diskette and reboot the computer.

If the computer continues to not boot attempt to re-create the master boot record by booting from the bootable floppy diskette again. Once at the A:> prompt type "fdisk /mbr" and press enter. This should return you to the prompt without giving you any message. Once at the prompt remove the diskette and reboot the computer.
Additional information about the "fdisk /mbr" command can be found on document CH000175.
Note: The above information only applies to Microsoft Windows users. If you are running a Linux / Unix variant or other operating system such as OS/2 and the computer is freezing at this DMI message ensure that Linux / Unix has been properly installed first and/or your boot manger is not corrupt.
Settings for hard disk drive are not correct
The computer freezing at "Verifying dmi pool data..." may be caused when the hard disk drive settings within CMOS are not set properly. Enter CMOS and verify that the hard disk drive settings are set properly and/or that it is set to Auto Detect. Additional information about entering CMOS setup is found on document CH000192.
Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue
Verify no floppy diskette or CD is in the computer. In some cases the computer may be trying to boot from either of these drives causing issues with the boot sequence.
Boot devices not set properly
The computer stopping at " verifying dmi pool data..." can be caused when the boot devices on your computer are not set properly in CMOS. First, verify that no CD or diskette is in your computer. If a CD or diskette is in the computer attempt to remove this first to determine if it was attempting to boot from it.
If No CD or diskette is in the computer and your computer still halts at the DMI message enter CMOS setup (steps found on document CH000192) and verify that the boot options are set properly. We commonly recommend that the floppy be set the first boot device, hard drive as the second boot device and the CD-ROM as the third boot device.
BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly
If none of the above recommendations have resolved your issue

Reinstall XP on the computer in which the hdd wil be permanently mounted. Sounds like a corrupted HAL due to being installed on different hardware.

Hi ... Set your boot order with hard drive first and see if that help

Also as its a HDD issue... you must unplug your SATA cable and fix it properly .. properly use different sata cable...
because only after verifying DMI POOL it gets OS info
Right now its not able to Detect you HARDDISK

try reinstalling the windows xp pro on your acer ast 160, but first refresh the connectors. if problems persist, there might be problems with your connectors, try replacing them.

ACER IS A TRASH DO NOT BUY NOTHING FROM THESE COMPANIES ,PLEASE BUY USA OR EUROPE PRODUCTS , I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS