Help: Install Vista with Dell Insprison 1720

Hi all

I really need your help.

I got Dell Insprison 1720 with XP Pro and now I want install Vista Ulimate 32 bit. I have reformatted the Partition that was the C: drive. I have it set to boot from the CD and it does so normally thru the first four steps and I get the green completed checkmarks 1. Copying Windows Files 2. Expanding Files 3. Installing features 4. Installing updates.

On the final step C ompleting Installation it takes forever, It goes for approx 2 hrs and then the screen goes black , however the computer has never froze up. I Can't reboot the system at all when this happens so I had to shut the computer off by holding the power button down and restarted the Laptop. If I try and boot windows normally at this point I get the Green scrollbar and it just keeps scrolling and never does anything else. What the heck am I doing wrong, I am on my third attempt at reinstalling Vista? Should I just let it keep doing its thing when the screen goes blank? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

The problem here is hardware:
Go into setup and disable all onboard devices except for modular bay (which is your dvd-drive) -save and exit. Now insert your vista disc and boot to disc again and complete the install. This time the vista install WILL complete instead of hanging and/or restarting at the 'completing installation' stage.

NB: You may also want to be rid of the dell oem hidden partition crap by entering the install process booting from the vista disc. When you get to the 'agree to terms' page hold SHIFT and press F10 to bring up the command prompt. Now enter as follows:
type: DISKPART then diskpart will load now type: LIST VOLUME
now select the appropriate volume by typing: SELECT VOLUME X (X being the hdd drive) now the volume should be selected now type: LIST PARTITION and you will see a couple one with a label of 'Hidden' Select the partitions one by one by typing: SELECT PARTITION X (X being the desired partition) and then by typing: DELETE PARTITION OVERRIDE. (OVERRIDE only needs to be typed on the 'hidden' partition, the other partitions do not need this command. Then your done and can continue to install vista your way!