IBM NetVista wont accept OS 98 OR XPpro

A friend obtained used NetVista unit for US Forrest Service. It came from IBM w/2000pro installed(Authent. Sticker on case).HDD has been wiped by them(of coarse). Attempting to install 98 or XP results in freezing after recognizing and installing Monitor. Is it possible that bios has something in it (hidden) about being server oriented ? Have ran Fdisk and formated to fat16 and /or fat32 still no progress. No cards in slots. Vid and Audio on mobo.