ok I got it to boot using the UBCD so we'll see what happens. Thanks to everyone and I'll let you know.

UPDATE: I let the UBCD run for a couple of hours and it said there where NO errors. I then tried the Windows XP install again and it did the same thing (went to a black screen during install and froze up). What should I try next I have researched this online and ya'll are the only ones that seem to be able to help me, and I thank you for it. So where do I go from here?

Ok, I was reluctant to do this but it might be worth trying.

When xp is just starting up it will say 'Press F6 if you have to install a third-party SCSI or RAID drivers' Hit F7 and it will force the setup in to standard HAL mode.

One thing I will say though as this bypasses ACPI keep feeling around the notebook to make sure it is not running any hotter than usual etc, if it is, switch it off.

If this doesn't work I have a few other suggestions that will hopefully :-P

I did it but guess what it didn't work. It still went black in the same spot again.

Ok, I'm kind of at a loss as to what to suggest here other than trying to integrate the drivers into the setup CD to see if it is a video driver issue but windows should just give a generic VGA driver in that case, one last thing before that I will try is making sure the hard drive is OK, if this all comes back fine I'll have a word with the other techs to see if they can suggest anything I can talk you through integrating the drivers, if not I'm kinda leaning towards a larger hardware problem.

On the UBCD under hard drive diagnostic tools there is something called Seatools, try running that on a long test and see what happens.

Thanks

-Lebowski

Will do and I'll let you know..........Thanks

Am I wrong that the Windows CD could be defective or damaged?