xp doesn't install

[xeonzx86]

a few weeks back my pc had XP(SP2) running. then it started freezing whenever i used to click on shutdown button...anyways somehow i formatted that partition......and loaded win98se........now whenever i try to install XP over 98......it hangs at "prepairing to install" win......wat could be the problem??

my config
p4@1.7G
256mb SDRAM...
onboard s3 prosavage
40GB hdd

 

[tjaisv]

can u format the drive erasing 98 before u install XP?

 

[blindtothagame]

boot from a:\ disks and format hdd