can’t format xp ntfs over w2k ntfs

I removed Win2000 server off a pc, then tried to install XP Pro using NTFS. Scandisk couldn’t handle it, so I removed the partition, tried again, no, did a base win98 fat32 format, tried again to go to ntfs, no..
Did an Fdisk / remove, then recreated a partition, tried again.. still no luck.
What’s the difference? How do I get an NTFS format on this machine? I really don’t want Fat32.