PC Locks up when trying to read Win XP disk in Startup.

I reformat my hard drive at least once every 4 months so I know how to partition and format my hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows XP. However, this time it's driving me nuts.

I stick my Windows XP CD in the drive, restart and boot with the CD like I do every reformat. It says "checking your hardware configuration" or something to that effect then it goes to the blue Windows XP setup Screen and locks up. Everytime. I even downloaded the 6-disk Win XP boot up disks and those do the same thing.

Also, my floppy light stays on while it's locked up and it wont do anything. I even tried replacing the CD-Rom and Floppy drive... same thing happens.

What do you think is wrong?

I had this happen to me with Windows 98 SE. It turned out the RAM went bad on me. Download memtest86 and see if the RAM is really the problem.