[Jeff_937]

First off, I've been working on computers for several years now and I recently had issues with my system running slow with a version of XP that had been modified from the source I got it from. I am now trying to install Vista on that deleted/formatted HDD. I first went to install Vista and it said something along the lines that the system volume could not be found and stopped the install process. The next day I went to install Vista again, thinking that I would try a couple things differently, and after the Vista disk loaded the files it just stopped the entire install process all together. It didn't even let me enter the passcode before freezing up. I'm curious if it's more of a hardware issue and not the OS? I am also hearing a different than normal vibrating noise within the system. It's kinda hard to tell where the noise is coming from due to the fans running. The HDD are less than 2 years old and made by Seagate so I didn't think they were making the noise. The MB is barely over a year old and seems to be working properly. That leaves maybe the processor, Which is a Pentium D and about 5 years old and has been moved from several different MB's over the years. I also didn't know if the RAM could be going out either. It is made by Transcend, which is not the best MFG of RAM. If anybody can help please let me know of any solutions to my problem.

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I am also hearing a different than normal vibrating noise within the system

You can investigate it better, using a chopstick. Put one end to your ear and the other end to any component, you want to test, like a hard drive.
I'd test hard drive anyway.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287 (or http://www.bleepingc...opic28744.html)
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

[Broni]

I am also hearing a different than normal vibrating noise within the system

You can investigate it better, using a chopstick. Put one end to your ear and the other end to any component, you want to test, like a hard drive.
I'd test hard drive anyway.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287 (or http://www.bleepingc...opic28744.html)
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

[Jeff_937]

Will the diagnostics check work even though the hard drive is formatted with nothing on it?

[Broni]

Yes.