When I try to install Vista Ultimate, it hangs in the last stage (Completing Installation..) which never completes.

As a test, I got a copy of the Vista Enterprise image we use to deploy at work, which I can't activate anyway without a domain controller. It installs fine.

I then tried doing an upgrade from Enterprise->Ultimate and it hangs again in the same place. Ultimate installs fine in a VM so I know its not bad media.

My hw config -
Q6600 - all default settings, no oc
Abit IP35 Pro
2GB Crucial memory PC6400
4x 500GB hdd's in AHCI

I've run memtest86 for 10hrs successfully. XP also installs ok. I'm at a loss for things to try at this point.

No one ?!


Another thing I've noticed is that the installer takes a long time to load - when I boot from dvd, after I see the 'windows is loading drivers' screen, I see the screen with the wallpaper for ~5min before the install screen comes up. Is that normal?

hard format of the drive (low level) try another machine make sure disc isn't bad ?