o.k if this is the worng section then please move it.
the system is a dell demition 4700
but im trying to install windows on my sisters dell pc, but each time i try to install windows it gets to "set up is inspecting your hardware" after i hit any key to boot from the cd, after that the screen goes blank and the system hangs, not it does this with two windows cds (my genuin windows cd and my dell laptop cd) i can boot a linux live cd and the hard drive and system does pass all the system test

mmm, Id say try some memory tests ?

in my experience memory is the most common cause of problems like this..... a system might run perfectly fine once windows is installed.... just would let you install it

Reformat the drive using an alternative rescue disk and start the install from scratch. Its happened to me and a neighbour so that should cure it.

I cant be arsked to move this thread anyway

Open it up and reseat everything, especially the memory dimms, and youll likely "cure" it".

Quote from: SeriousReformat the drive using an alternative rescue disk and start the install from scratch. Its happened to me and a neighbour so that should cure it.

yep that solved it
thanks

XP seems to corrupt one or more of the files, although its very rare, and then wont replace the things and when you try to reinstall it ends up stuck on itself. Reformatting removes all of the problems so you can then do a clean install.

Good to hear the solution worked