[Animal]

If a clean install had been performed then you wouldn't have had the bootloader showing Win 98SE. I can't really comment on why, but it didn't. Here's the steps that I like to take whenever doing a clean install.

1. Back up all files
2. Disconnect all HD's from the system, except the one you want to load the OS on. Unplugging the power and IDE cables is the way to go.
3. If you are running FAT16 or FAT32 then boot from floppy drive, run FDISK and remove all partitions. Reboot. Create a new partition and then reboot again. Do a full format of NTFS and install XP.
4. If running NTFS, then boot from the XP CD, delete the partition and then reboot. Create a new partition and reboot again. Do a full format using NTFS and install XP as normal.
5. Immediately after install activate Windows Firewall.
6. Update to SP1
7. Install latest motherboard drivers
8. Install latest hotfixes for XP, and then remaining drivers.
9. Install a good software firewall and a good AV program with latest virus definitions.
10. Only activate XP when you are sure the machine is running perfectly.

This procedure has worked for me countless times with a variety of different hardware when installing XP.

I'm not saying this is a panacea, but I've never had any problems when installing XP.