Solved: Windows 8 install hangs on boot screen

Hi folks,

I am experimenting with upgrading my old PC to Windows 8, because I absolutely cannot afford to buy new, and I don't want to get caught out when Microsoft pull the plug on XP.

I have a copy of Windows 8 64 bit, which I want to try to get installed. My system has an Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 which (according to the Intel website) supports Windows 8. However when I try to install Windows 8, I can boot from the CD but it doesn't go any further than the splash screen with the blue Windows 8 logo. I don't get any other information as to what the problem is.

What I have tried:

1. I checked that "Execute Disable" was turned on in my BIOS.
2. I unplugged all USB devices except Keyboard and Mouse
3. I tried booting from a USB DVD drive.

None of the above worked. I can't do an upgrade install from within Windows XP because it is 32 bit.

Any suggestions as to where I go from here?

By the way I have included the log from the SysInfo utility in case it is useful:

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 11
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 3326 Mb
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6670, 1024 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 305234 MB, Free - 266087 MB; D: Total - 476937 MB, Free - 340152 MB;
Motherboard: Dell Inc., 0FM586
Antivirus: avast! Antivirus, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled