Widows crashes at win98 logo page

When I boot it gets as far as the win98 logo display then crashes and reboots into safe mode.
This is a new install and I have never got past the `setting up hardware' part when the system rebooted.
I can get into safe mode and I have tried a systematic step by step which goes all the way I select `start win' without drivers and it immediately re-boots when the win98 logo apprears on the screen. next reboot it either goes into safe mode ot the win98 logo screen comes up and it freezes there.
Please can some one help I have been working on this all night and most the small hours ughhhhhh

 

Remove all hardware cards except for the video card. Format and install windows again. The very first thing to install is the motherboard drivers. Then do the video, when all is running then add in the other hardware.