another install loop problem

I am trying to install windows 7 64bit on my compaq presario a900 laptop.
It originally had vista home basic running.
I removed the hard drive, plugged it into another computer where I made the whole drive 'unallocated space'. I've then formatted it as NTFS.
so, basically we are looking at a completely clean hard drive.
I return the hard drive to my laptop.
I then boot from DVD and start the windows installation process.
the screen tells me 'windows is loading files.'
I then get the windows animated logo come floating in.
the logo 'pulses' for a while (as is normal), then the screen goes black with a white mouse pointer.
At this point the whole system reboots and the process starts again.
Endless loop!

I've just tried installing Windows 8 as well.
Same loop.
I get to this install stage where the balls are looping and then the system restarts.
The next stage should be where it asks about keyboard, language, country etc and then which hard drive you want to install to.
Doesn't happen. Just reboots into the loop again.


also set the bios back to default.
I did forget to mention that in the past I have had win7 64bit running on it, I just wanted to go for a completely clean install.


win7 32bit doing exactly the same.

run a hard drive test and a ram test in bios. All clear.

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. If an EFI BIOS, enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module, set DVD drive first to boot, HD second. Then set SATA controller to AHCI. Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into 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 to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY SIZE=102400 (for 100gb partition, adjust as desired)
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 marking it Active which overcomes certain install failures.

hey there. thanks for your reply.
I've done as you said with the bios and saved changes.
On reboot, when it says 'loading files', i tried shift+f10 there, no cmd box.
Tried shift+f10 when you are on the screen with the animated logo and the text that says 'starting windows', no cmd box.
In the one or two seconds before the system reboots where it is a black screen with mouse pointer, I again tried shift+f10, no cmd box comes up.

I'm afraid I can give no more details, as this is as far as I can get.

Damn annoying.

Do you have an EFI BIOS, judging by the settings you saw?

If not where did you get the Win7 installer? Try another for your licensed version from the Clean Reisntall tutorial, burned to DVD or written to flash stick. Try both methods if necessary.

You can access the installer Command line from System Recovery Options