XP stops loading

Until 3 weeks ago I was using win98, I now have a new AMD system wit XP home. I have since had to re install XP deleting all files and seem to have to do it again. I had never seen this type of problem with win98. Both times xp starts loading and fails to complete loading. The new computer does not come with XP disks, only restore disks that erase everything. It seems that this happens after installing some windows updates.

This time the mouse stopped working after I installed a new firewire card. After rebooting, memory is recognized and loaded and windwos stops loading before the xp logo comes up. I get a black screen. Any ideas? I am surprised this is not more frequent, it's happened to me twice.

AMD XP3000 fic board XP HOME 1024 RAM

 

Update

I have been able to do a repair using the XP install disks of another PC, a Dell that came with disks. The new Emachines PC did not come with XP install disks, just restore disks that do not work for a repair. Emachines did not respond to my request for XP disks. The first time this loading problem happened, the repair using the Dell disks did not work.

I still would like to know how common is this problem. I am considering going back to win98 or jump to Linux.