XP reformatting / Computer hardware question. Help?

Ok, I purchased 2 barebones socket 478 kits. They include motherboard(Mini ITX), case, and 300W PSU. After building the first one, I put in a bootable XP cd which I was going to install on a completely blank HardDrive. I formatted it first, then XP started installing, it gets part way through and then just randomly resets. Sometimes I get a NTLDR missing error message. I just reformat and try and install XP again if I get that message... So far I've tried 3 different Hard Drives and 3 different sets of memory. All produce the same problem. I've also elimnated the possibilty that the windows CD I'm using is currupt.

Another note, I tried to reformat with Dariks boot and nuke(bootable CD), no matter which hard drive I use it freezes at random points before 10 minutes. For example it will run for 2 minutes and 37 seconds and then just freeze completely.

What the heck is wrong?

Answers:
Couple things. First, a 300W Power supply is sure bare minimum if you ask me. Try this with minimum components connected. For example, if you have two CD-ROM drives only connect one that you require to install windows.

NTLDR missing is addressed here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/837783/e...

Not sure if you would have a hard drive smaller than required for one of these.

I am curious on how you say you eliminated the CD being corrupt being a problem.

If you have the ability to try it you may choose to try and format the drive in another computer, slaved in, and see if that changes your outcome. Also, if both barebones are the same then port all the pieces over to the second one and see if you have the same issue.

That's about all I can think of right now.
The CD must have scratches or dust on it.
pull out extra ram, swap out hdd, sounds like a hardware issue to me (yes its common to get doa hardware)
if neither of those help, go through your bios ensure nothing has been altered from default.
Motherboard or RAM, but check RAM first

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