"I was wondering can you access the files after the install has failed (maybe second partition with workable OS) so that you pull me out few log files, I'll tell you which if you answer positively? " Hi, I couldnt get the pm to work, sorry. Yes, I can try that except for the fact that after a failed vista install, my XP os (on a seperate partition) is unavailable. (maybe ntldr is on the vista side?) If you can work a way round this I'll give it a go. Thanks, Spot