No matter what Linux distro I try to install.. at some point of the installation.. it always hangs.. would this be a hard drive probleM?

I'm installing from live CD. As I know Live CD never install file to H.D. I think you can check with the CD ROM / CD

I had a problem installing Mint from a Live CD and it turned out to be the hard drive. It had been used in raid and Mint wouldn't install. I replaced the drive and EVERY thing worked as it should. I am assuming that after you load the live CD that there is an install tab on the desk top that you click on to get it to install. My guess is that there is a problem with the hard drive.are you sure you have a good install disc? I prefer to use a TORRENT, as the iso is much less likely to be BAD having been confirmed more extensively than a straight down load....

you might try to reformat the HDD in live mode, install Gparted with the package manager [synaptic] & reformat to ext4, if you are trying to use one of the current distros [version of linux]