xp install problems

I am trying to install XP Pro onto 2 different computers and getting the same error message on both: “ntkrnlmp.exe could not be found”
“error code is 4”

Cpu 1: dell 4550, P4 2.4 512 mb ram, XP Home

Cpu 2: Emachines, celeron 750Mhz, 256 MB ram, Win Me

things ive tried:
1)ive tried doing upgrade and clean install
2)tried formatting and doing clean reinstall of me then upgrade to xp
3)tried doing format and using xp primer (allow xp setup on clean HDD) disks on clean HDD
4)Tried 4 different copies of XP 3 pro and one home on cpu2

it stops and gives error after first restart after copying data to hdd

ps know disks work, used one on my laptop just fine