I have tried twice to install debian i386 on my laptop. Every time it works fine until it gets to the package installing portion, then it goes well until the very las file where it simply stops. It doesn't even show predicted time. I would really appreciate any help you can offer.

A bit more information please.
What exact version of the netinst are you using?
What type of installation are you doing? Graphical? Non-graphical? Expert? Simple?
Are the packages being installed from the CD or did you get to the part where they are installed from the net?
Have you tried burning another CD in case the 1st one is defective?
cheers,
jdk

Sorry I wasn't clear enough.

I'm using the debian-500-i386-DVD-1.iso. This is the cd that downloads from the internet. I have tried both graphical and non-graphical installations. Yes I have tried with a new cd and they both have presented the exact same problem.

There are other people with the same problem. They are posting on this very same forum (Debian). Check out the other threads (they have "811" in the title of the thread). As I suggested in one of them, when you get to the point in the installation where you check off what software you want (mail server, file server, etc.) uncheck everything and don't check anything and see if the installation proceeds normally. It shouldn't take long cause you won't have too many packages. If it does work you can always add stuff later.

As I said, you should check the other threads on the same subject in this forum going on right now.
cheers,
jdk