1.5Gb RAM and windows 2k freezes on inst

i just installed 1.5Gb RAM in my computer with windows 2k as the OS. i am trying to reinstall the OS, but it always hangs during the install. it will also hang during a dos format. any clues as to my problem. i think it is narrowed down to the hard drive or the fact that i have too much RAM for the enabled settings in win 2K.