I boot using the standard Win 98 boot disk (with CD ROM support). If I try to install Win 98, just after it starts to install (but before I get to the bit where I ebter a serial number) it freezes with a small black rectangle appearing in the middle of the screen. The same happens if I try with Win 95, except I get to the agreement screen, click 'Yes I agree' and then it crashes back to DOS and says "A20 HARDWARE ERROR - CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT" I have uninstalled and reinstalled Win 98 loads of times so whats going on ?? HELP !!! Andy

Try this (long shot) FDISK you hard drive using fdisk /mbr and then fdsik like normal...Format the drive like noraml with the /s switch (fromat c: /s) then try it. Also would there be any chance that your boot floppy is infected with a virus.. Do you have another PC that you can scanthe floppy with.. If none of the above work then I believe your mobo/CPU is toast.... Please repost when you find the solution...

I think this help you don't look about win3.0 The Microsoft Windows version 3.0 Setup program may hang on disk #2 when you install Windows under Microsoft MS-DOS version 5.0 on an AST Premium 80386 machine when the message "A20 Hardware Error" is displayed on the screen. If this error occurs, check the CONFIG.SYS file for the line "DOS=high." If it exists, change it to "DOS=low", and remove any third-party device drivers such as ASTEMM.SYS. Reboot the machine to have the change take effect. Begin the Windows Setup program again.

TopGun Thanks for the ideas, I will give 'em a try. I have tried to do it with a different hard drive and get the exact same thing. So I have narrowed it down to either the Win 95 and Win 98 CD's being screwed (unlikely) or the floppy boot being shot (more likely). Any other ideas/solutions welcomed ! I will repost as and when I sort it out though. Thanks again

The a20 error has to do with memmory. In your systems bios there is a line to turn it on or off. I had the same problem on a 486 pc. If you have not got the problem fixed drop me an e-mail and I will try to point you in the direction.

Try loading HIMEM.SYS with the option "/A20CONTROL:OFF".

I got the same problem but not while installing windows.this appears just after booting.More,my computer stops all the time without any reasons,i don't know if it has a relation??? Thx for help.