And I only see that BSOD when I disable automatic restart. The stop code is 0x000000ED (0x86403130,0xc000009c,0x00000000,0x00000000). I get the blue screen (momentarily) on all of the other F8 options.

When I boot using the Vista disk I get the msg 'Windows is loading files...', then I get what looks like the bottom part of the XP splash screen - the little bar with the green dots moving from left to right (was that part of the Vista start, as well?), then eventually the screen goes black..... and stays that way. Although after about 30 seconds the mouse pointer does show up - and its moveable. And the keyboard lights up properly on Caps Lock and Num Lock. But nothing else.

I did try booting off an old XP disk, and it did take me to a place where I could delete the partition.

Should I try that, and then try the Vista disk again, or should I just go ahead and install XP (although I would have that pesky product key to deal with)?

I somehow feel that if I could only get to a C: prompt I could do a fixboot

and I'm not talking about a good answer. ANY response at all would have been appreciated.

My original post, titled Vista will not boot - Unmountable Boot Volume - Won't Boot from Disk Either seemed like it would be the kind of posting that would have elicited some response - Can't boot normally, in safe mode, or last good configuration. AND, can't boot from a genuine Microsoft Vista Home Basic disk.

But nothing.....

So I inserted an old HP Windows XP OS CD into the machine, and booted to the recovery center, where I selected to install XP. I formatted the drive, and then ejected the disk. I then put the Vista disk in, and booted from it.

Presto, it worked. This time it actually took me to the Vista Repair / Install page.

I deleted the partition, entered the product key and re installed Vista.

It is now working beautifully.

Thanks for your help.