WinXP installation freeze

Buddy of mine is trying to format his computer and every installation he tries it freezes/stops moving at "34 minutes remaining" on the Windows install. He tried multiple WinXP cds but it does the same thing every time. I told him it sounded like he had a bum hard drive. You guys have any other thoughts?

tweek anything in the system BIOS, overclocking? Try reseting to default settings maybe.

Well he managed to figure it out. He tried unplugging his (apparently really shitty) wireless mouse while it was "frozen" and it started working again.

:shrug:

I don't even know what the fuck. Thanks anyhow.