XP clean install will not proceed beyon License Agreement when hitting F-8

[Old Bear]

My problem with MSInstaller to this point has remained unsolvable so I decided to simply do a clean Install of XP.
Now I have a NEW problem!
Once I am in the License Agreement screen F-8 will not cause the program to proceed. The page up and page down keys work fine, the escape key takes me out of the program.  I attempted a second go at it with the same results. Repeated F-8 key strokes did nothing.
I am dangerously close to breaking out the old shotgun and doing this thing in.
Someone please help save my computer from a violent end!
Thanks
Old Bear

[patio]

If your keyboard is USB try it with a PS2 style keyboard.
Do NOT remove replace the keyboard while the power is on...

[FluffynTex]

Does the computer have a modem installed? Mine did that when I reformatted and installed windows and I had removed the 56k modem that was in there and that was the problem. Once I put that back in, it finished just fine.