hello,

I am trying to re-install XP to a Dell machine. Everything goes well until a certain point.

The installation proceeds as usual. first the files and drivers are copied from the CD to the computer. then the computer reboots to continue with the windows installation. but when it comes to a certain point (34 minutes left) it always gets stuck there, and nothing happens even if I wait for days.

I am sure there is nothing wrong with the CD's, because I tried 3 different CD's that I used before. It gives the same problem both with XP home edition and XP professional.

What might be the problem?

regards,

Most times i do a windows installation and it gets stuck somewhere it has too doo with the following:
1 - there is some unstable hardware that does not work correctly during installation (or windows does not know how too use it during the installation)
Remove all except really needed hardware
2 - problems with installation medium (you said it is not)

Each "minute" of the installation has little to do with time; the minutes are checkpoint markers that allow Microsoft's tech support guys to pinpoint which part of the installation is failing.

So for 34 mins, look here - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828267

As jurrien says, and quoting from the KB article

Hope this helps,

-c