alwrmc

Consider providing some information concerning the machine you are trying to install Vista on. What devices it has etc. I'll assume that the machine was working fine with Windows XP and that you are attempting to do a clean install of Vista using a legitimate copy. It would be best to reformat and do a clean install. Sorry if that comes across as suspicious, just trying to cover the basics. Leave the memory intact but disconnect any external devices....printers, scanners, external HDs, external USB hubs etc. I also find that modems and sound cards seem to be the cause of a lot of installation problems with machines I have worked on or built. I usually remove any addon modem or sound card when I do a reformat/clean install. If the machine is going to be used on broadband connections only, then I leave the modem out altogether. If the modem and/or soundcard is "built-in" then of course they cannot be removed. The add on modem, sound card can be installed when the OS installation and updates are completed along with the remaining external devices.