I've been searching all over the web for a solution to this.

I'm installing Windows XP Pro on a computer that is currently running Vista. I know Vista is better, but I need XP Pro to log into the server. The installation gets to the 34 minute countdown and freezes up.

I've tried unplugging everything but the keyboard and monitor. I've tried deleting usbport.inf, which was showing as an error in setupapi.log, does anyone have any other suggestions?

OK what exactly have you tried?

In cases like this I would make sure that you use the most basic of perif's i.e. keyboard/mouse, so time to dig out the old ps2 ones.
Also make sure you follow the FULL format route to ensure everything has been wiped.
Have you tried different install media ?
Can't think of anythig else, please let us know what you have tried.

I think I figured out the problem. From what I've been reading, HP systems designed to run on Windows Vista (Which this system is) has hardware that XP can't assign drivers to (Thus why it keeps locking up in at the driver installation point.

I've got a consultant coming by who is going to piece together drivers from older HP machines. Thanks for the advice, though. :D