While installing XP the pc shuts down. I will get to 99% done and then just power itself off. Any ideas why?

Is this the first time that you have tried to install XP on this computer?

Are you doing a Clean Install off of a Microsoft retail disk or an OEM (computer manufacturer) disk?

What is the make and model of the computer? Are you sure that it is capable of running XP?

When you say 99% done: do you mean copying files? Does it reboot before failing? A normal install will reboot once if not twice during installation. Could it be that it goes to reboot and then fails to boot? Or does the computer literally lose power?

This is an e-machines pc which used to run XP and the XP restore disk is for the specific machine. Once it is restoring the files it will reach 99% completion and then power off. It does not try to reboot but simply turns all power off from the PC.

Why were you reinstalling in the first place? What was the original problem?

This would apparently point to some hardware failure perhaps the CPU overheating.

Have you opened the case and cleaned it out? Check the fans. Try the install again with the case open. See if you can feel any noticeable heat up in the area of the CPU.