if he have a bad spot/bad sector on the hdd, the format before the installation would stall. But apparently it wasn't stall, does the format was a quick format or a full format ?
Old hardware can be taken as consideration, but apparently at this board can be said there's no more old hardware. There's firewire, e-sata etc. Could be because of this new hardware making troubles on installation because XP 64bit doesn't find any drivers for them.
I'm thinking on disabling hardwares such USB, Firewire, Onboard Audio and any other hardware which are not "needed" on the installation from BIOS if any settings for them are exist. If any other add-on card, remove them also.