I am trying to install Mandriva and after I hit enter it freezes. This occurs at the point I select language and it attempts to auto install drivers for my raid controller. I have a Raptor 150gb hard drive with 2 partitions for dual booting. The first partitions has xp home. I have alloted 10 gb partition for linux and it is formated using FAT32. The point at which it stops is when "Installing driver for hard drive controller nVidia corporation|CK804 serial ATA Controller." There have not been any options to format the partition, however.

Thanks

PC hardware:
A8N-SLI Deluxe Mobo
2GB Corsari Ram pc3200
AMB 64 3400+
Audigy 2 ZS Pro
Hauppauge 150
MSI 6800

Is this mandy 2006? You may be be better of with mandy 2005.
I have see a few problems recemtly a bit like yours

But first
Are you using a 64-bit mandy?
Also try bootprompt kernel parameters
acpi=off noapic nolapic (very little reasons for this considering your post, still worth trying)
Maybe try to format the fat32 as ext3 with a live cd (e.g. knoppix)
Maybe set bios sata into legacy mode just for the install