[perfect stranger]

But any other ideas in the meantime are appreciated. I have run a few Linux bootable discs that I like but I still don't have much of a clue as to how to install them on my harddrive. Any Freeper help?

[Swordmaker]

1: Clean the install disks to make sure it is not a read problem.

2: Reformat the HD and check it for bad sectors and map them out.

[JoeSixPack1]

1: Clean the install disks to make sure it is not a read problem.

Take the CD or DVD and wash it with soap and water. Let dry or hair dryer it dry. Your upper memory is obviously fine if xp gets as far as you say.

2. Try custom installing with some features turned off. (Install those features after it's up and running.)

[SamAdams76]

Try a new hard drive. But have you ever considered just getting a Mac?

[Gone_Postal]

I have had the same promlem before....if formating the hard drive doesn't work...try another hard drive...

[csvset]

Check out this link.

I'm curious to see if it works.

Langa Letter: XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option

[Two-Shoes]

But any other ideas in the meantime are appreciated. I have run a few Linux bootable discs that I like but I still don't have much of a clue as to how to install them on my harddrive. Any Freeper help?

You might try a Ubuntu Linux distro. The Ubuntu website has a lot of links you might find helpful, even for installing other Linux distros.

I have Ubuntu 6.06 installed on an 8-year old PC. It runs like a champ.

--Two-Shoes

[relee]

Boot a linux live CD, if you have one, to ensure the hardware (except the hard drive) is OK.