XP Install hang-up

[kengeo]

I have a T21 with XP Pro. When I first installed it, I upped the memory & the bios, its ran no probs for about 5 years, but lately it started 'hanging' so I decided to reinstall XP. During the install, which included formatting, everything went o.k. until it got to 'Installing devices' 29 minutes to finish' it showed a progress bar & the time decreased, but when it got to 25 mins. it hung & I had to switch off via the power button. I tried again with exactly the same outcome!! I then swopped the hard drive,
install hung at exactly the same point again. In desperation I used a different 'XP Installation disk' but that too hung at the same point-'25 mins to finish' Has any one come across this problem before & if so is there a remedy other than scrapping the T21? If there is an answer please let me know as I really
like my machine.

[RealBlackStuff]

Take out the miniPCI card (modem or Ethernet/modem combo) and disconnect any USB or other external devices.
Then try with just RAM, main battery, AC adapter, hard disk and CD/DVD drive.
Perhaps you could borrow another CD/DVD drive to verify?

[kengeo]

RealBlackStuff, you are a godsend, I followed your advice & removed the Lan/modem card,
put the 'Install disk' back in, fired up & 'lo & behold' it carried on installing from where it had
hung with no more problems. I suppose I will try Ebay for a replacement card. Many, many
thanks for solving my dilema.

[RealBlackStuff]

You're welcome.
Those miniPCI cards are usually the culprit, when something 'strange' happens in the T2x series.