New PC Build, Windows 7 doesn't want to install

This is a new build I put together about a day ago (updated system specs) and I can't get Windows 7 Ultimate x64 to install. During the install, right after the first 'restart computer' prompt, it would restart and then just freeze at 'Starting Windows' with the shining windows logo.

I've tried a lot of different things and I've even gotten to the point where I take the disc out before it does the first restart and that seems to work and brings me all the way to the desktop, yet I can't get the Aero appearance (it's on the Win 7 starter-type theme). If I restart, I can't get back in, either it freezes at 'Starting Windows' again or goes straight to startup repair which tells me there is an issue with the hard drive. The hard drive is new, worst case scenario I could send it back, I received it yesterday, (newegg has a great 30-day RMA period). But I would prefer to fix the problem if possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

linnemeyerhere said:

ToiletNinja (great name),
With the cost of ssd's down to very reasonable levels for 128gbs, you could invest in a nice Samsung Pro or Crucial M4 and give that a go. Then you can sort out the WD black drive with free tools available from WD's site and if failing then RMA.

I don't have the funds right now to buy an SSD, or anything else for that matter. If you could point me to these free tools, I'd be very grateful.

Where did you get Win7? How is it burned to DVD or written to flash stick installer? How do you plan to activate it?

Is this a UEFI BIOS and if so did you follow the special steps for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums or UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

rReset BIOS to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI in BIOS setup.

Besides testing the HD with the DOS CD test Alan linked, try wiping the HD with Diskpart Clean Command from the installer's System Recovery Options Command Line, then define an Active partition for install using Step 2 in SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.

gregrocker said:

Is this a UEFI BIOS and if so did you follow the special steps for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

It might be a UEFI BIOS, I can see the letters 'UEFI' everywhere on the BIOS, don't know if its obviously UEFI or not, but I have tried installing windows that way, but I can't remember what the outcome was. Giving it another shot might help.

As for what Alan said, I could give that a try as well. I would be performing the 'Extended Test', right?

Oh, and I've checked the SATA controller, it is set to AHCI.

Another detail, this might help or not; I get a little warning in the bottom left; 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk (Show Details)'

If you have a UEFI BIOS and you want to install in UEFI mode then it takes the special steps in the tutorial, including booting UEFI DVD choice and deleting all partitions in case HD is currently in MBR format - tho you should be warned of that.

Some users who have considered the benefits of UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube
and are experiencing installation problems decide to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 to avoid the problems for now.

gregrocker said:

If you have a UEFI BIOS and you want to install in UEFI mode then it takes the special steps in the tutorial, including booting UEFI DVD choice and deleting all partitions in case HD is currently in MBR format - tho you should be warned of that.

Some users who have considered the benefits of UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube
and are experiencing installation problems decide to Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7 to avoid the problems for now.

I'll try bypassing the UEFI and report back with my results.

Update: I got to

FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"

and it gave me a

'DiskPart has encountered an error: The parameter is incorrect. See the System Event Log for more information.

DISKPART> JFJDJACDFJCMADFJECMIVMFJNDDDDDDD'

after getting 0 percent completed, then I came back and it was 15 percent completed, then this.

Did it successfully complete the Clean command first?

If so run it again, try just the format command. If it fails close the Command Box and click Install Now to see if you can begin the install since by completing Clean you've definitely cleared the formatting.

You can create and format your partitions using Drive options shown in Step 7 of Clean Install Windows 7 or just click Next and the installer will create and format for you to begin install.

If the fails test the HD with the tool Alan linked. Burn the DOS ISO download to CD using Windows Image Burner, boot it to run Extended Scan.