ok i have a compaq persario AKA:(pice of s--- toaster) that had windows 98.... i stuck in my windows XP pro disk installed doo doo doo. restarts for first time comes to another screen.... something about preparing to install restarts again do dooo doo says windows XP pro tries to intall OS and BOOM restarts and goes back to try install the OS PLZ SOME ONE HELP THIS IS GAY AND WHEN U PAY $300 FOR AN OS THAT DOESNT WORK IT MAKES U MAD! THXs

Power management options disabled in the BIOS have made Windows XP fail to install?
http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/Tips.htm
http://www.pcmech.com/bios.htm
http://www.pcmech.com/show/bios/22/
You may have turned off the power management options in the BIOS because they were problematic, or you were advised to because they are not necessary on a desktop PC, but Windows XP requires them to be enabled or it will lock up during the installation process. The system will keep locking up at the Windows Setup screen. Just the blue screen will show - there will be no error messages, or any other kind of feedback. So, if you are having an installation problem of this kind, change the BIOS settings for ACPI Aware OS to Yes, and Power Management to "Enabled".
Moreover, if you are having problems shutting down Windows XP, or if it suspends indefinitely without turning off, use the right mouse button to click your Desktop, select Properties, click the Screen Saver tab, click the Power button,

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If XP will not install .
Try using a different HAL, when set up says to press F6 for third party drivers, press F5 and choose Standard PC for the type of computer .

If the above HAL fails , more here .
http://www.billssite.com/clean.htm
http://www.networkcert.net/xp/install.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307848
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811267

Rob,

You're right on the cusp of hardware that XP will recognize. I know a 400 mhz i tried to put it on was to old but i did successfully install to a 700 mhz so i don't know if it'll recognize your or not? Hopefully it's just one of your cards that it doesn't like and not your motherboard. Try removing all cards but your video card and see if you get any further. If not your box is probably to old for XP. Good Luck! ;o)

ciao,
wired