If you still have the original CPU, swap that in, install, and swap back. You might want to get a legit full retail copy of 9.2.2. as well.

Is the optical drive known good? ie will it boot an OS X CD?

The only other thing I can suggest is to install OS X first, making sure you format the drive with MacOS 9 drivers as well.

Offloading the Cube would be a bit of an over-reaction IMHO. Keep on plugging, you'll get it eventually.