Windows 7 Install, crashes at login screen (after "install")

Hi Guys

Installing Windows 7 Ultimate 64 onto an old PC of mine and have hit a problem never experienced before;

The install process goes as expected but just after ending my username (and PC name) and get to the login screen I get a strange error. Excuse me for not making a note of the error but it related to the Group policy login service being unable to start and it would do something related to a "Universal.... service" I think the abbreviation would have been UUS or UUUS? Currently doing the install again so if it happens a second time ill make a note and edit the post.

The HD is a reconditioned one I have bought so my suspicions are with it however and cdkdsk didnt turn up any errors. I am doing the install onto an old PATA drive now just to check it out though.

So the error message is Ok to a degree but after the error the PC shuts down and after the BIOS stuff I just have a black screen with a flashing underscore "_". Almost as if the Windows install cannot boot. Done all standard stuff checked the boot priority, tried manual boot and it failed. I booted into Ubuntu Live and it worked OK so I know the BIOS is OK.

I assume that at the user creation stage Windows is running from my HD and not the disc? Or is it all disc until a final reboot? Ive not checked the RAM (yet) but since its not even booting after the error it seems more like a Windows related thing?

Any suggestions?

Rob

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. (If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install.) Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.