Hi farfulalex, Changing the SATA mode should fix the issue. During the system start-up, please keep tapping F2 key on the keyboard which will take you to the BIOS screen. Select the option Advanced and change the SATA mode to ATI (if it is in AHCI mode). In case ATI is selected, then change it to AHCI. Once done, I’d request you to reinitiate the Operating system reinstallation. Please let us know if this works. Thanks and RegardsHarish R#iworkfordell
My XPS 1640 died (hard drive corrupt).  I had to buy a new hard drive - 320GB SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive 8MB and installed it and then booted from the Dell Vista Ultimate 32 bit disc and tried to install the OS but it hung on the Completing Installation stage for 3 hours!   What do I do now?  Machine is out of warranty.
Install of Vista Ultimate 32bit hangs on new XPS hard drive