Reinstalled windows 7 and get gray screen

My ASUS U52 laptop was having issues, so I reinstalled windows from the recovery CDs. (I have done this before with them). When everything was finished, it tried to start by saying ASUS, loading files, starting windows, then a gray screen shows up, and a dos screen that pops up, then goes away, and all I have is a gray screen.
I tried to start in safe mode, I get the safe mode wording at the four corners of the screen, but that's it.
Tried to start with other options, but nothing...
Will add, the cursor works on the screen.
Any ideas I can try?
Thanks

I just got my OS reinstalled. nothing wrong happens to me by now. if any, i will turn back to this thread for help.

Did you do the Clean Reinstall with the disk provided in tutorial, or get the Factory Recovery disks to install? Please let us know what worked so it will help others.

gregrocker said:

Factory preinstalled Win7 is an inferior install, which is why most tech enthusiasts will not use it but instead choose to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything needed to get a perfect install is in the link.

If you prefer the factory bloatware, try wiping the HD first using Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command, but you'll need the booted installer to run the command so you might as well do the reinstall and have a much better install.

Excuse my lack of experience, but the download is over 3 gigs, and a CD won't hold it. Is there a way to make it burn to several CDs? The laptop I am on won't give me the option to burn this to multiple disks.
As usual, I am probably missing the obvious.
This is what I am trying to download, under the English tab. Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) I presume I am downloading the correct item.

It also says some ISOs aren't bootable but contain single installation files that can install Windows 7 from an existing Windows installation, my installation no longer exists, so my download will need to be a bootable version.

You can't use CD's, you have to use a DVD or a flash drive.

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-58997.iso, under the English tab is the one you want.

derekimo said:

You can't use CD's, you have to use a DVD or a flash drive.

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-58997.iso, under the English tab is the one you want.

Thanks, I tried using a flash drive, but the other computer would not select it to boot from. I have DVDs, but am on my way to work, so will try this when I get home.
Thanks

Knife Collector said:

derekimo said:

You can't use CD's, you have to use a DVD or a flash drive.

Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1 U (media refresh) X17-58997.iso, under the English tab is the one you want.

Thanks, I tried using a flash drive, but the other computer would not select it to boot from. I have DVDs, but am on my way to work, so will try this when I get home.
Thanks

You're welcome.

Downloaded and tried to burn and got "Selected Disc Image File Isn't Valid". I checked online and it made me think this might be a bad download, so deleted and downloading again.

Sounds like it was a bad download. What are you using to burn it?