Thank you for you ideas and suggestions..

The hard disk is a seagate.

This is my first time installing the OS with this motherboard. Although, In the past have installed win3.x, win95, and win98 many times on many machines. Also this is my first time attempting to install a ntfs OS such as winXP that has come to any form of complications.

Yes, it has the 'clear cmos' jumper pin, next to the battery.

Thank you for the information on the debuging tool. I will read more about it when I have some time on my hands (I do not like the assembler like commands.)

The problem still exisits. I have tried various variations and twists of the suggestions but to no avail.

Motherboard is made by Soyo
KT400 Dragon Ultra (black ed.)
amd atholon xp 2600+
512 md pc2700 ddr 3333mHz
(mem issue noteded in knowledge base, but it 'should' work.)
[for the more information: http://www.soyousa/products/proddesc.php?185]

I will contintinue to attempt the installation of an OS next week (fri) when I return (away on business until that time)

Until then Ticonderoga