Hi,
This issue can occur if the hard drive is damaged. Cold you answer the following points?
1. Does any other operating system exist on the computer?
2. Did you set the hard drive as Primary or Slave? If it is Slave, please make it Primary and then reinstall Windows Vista.
3. Can the computer install Windows XP?
4. Did you unplug unnecessary devices to test this issue?
5. Does the issue continue if after you have formatted the drive first and then carried out a clean install Windows Vista?
6. Can you try installing Windows Vista on another hard drive?
If possible, I suggest you put this hard drive in other working computer and check it, if that computer is based-on Windows XP.
How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265/EN-US/
If the work computer uses Windows Vista then use the link below:
System Maintenance with Windows Vista
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2112754,00.asp
Please Note: Since the web site is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.
If this issue is caused by a damaged hard drive, I recommend you get a replacement.