ME install freezes at setting up hardware

Just bought a new Dell XPS 400. Trying to configure a dual boot system. I made two partitions and am attempting to install ME on the active partition (C. The ME install gets down to about 12 minutes remaining and freezes at "setting up hardware". How do I get past this? Could it have something to do with mouse and keyboard are USB? It's like it needs drivers, but how do I go about getting ME to complete the installation.

THANKS in ADVANCE

 

first...why, oh why, would you install ME on anything!??

second...disconnect the mouse and keyboard and see if it'll complete the install.

 

First - I am performing work for a Geologist who has a special program that was designed to work only under ME........trust me I know ME is just awful, just doing what I'm told

Second - thanks I"ll try unplugging the keyboard and mouse suggestion, hopefully it works unless anyone has any other ideas

 

if you can get it installed, XP has a compatiblity mode. you right-click the .exe of the program --> properties --> compatiblity. there's a check box that says Run this program in compatibility mode for: and you choose Win98/WinME from the drop down.

 

I unplugged everything but the monitor. Still froze in the same place: "Setting up hardware" 13 minutes remaining. Any other suggestions, I've spent all day on this little bugger....

 

any scratches on the disk?

 

Keep trying....I read somewhere that it might not like some internal devices so I took out the NIC and parallel port card and am attempting reinstallation now.....