Reinstalling windows 7, factory reset not possible

So I recently ed up my win 7 by unpowering my notebook during a system restore. Long story short, I've been trying to reinstall windows and it's proving to be more difficult than intended.

I first tried a USB install. I downloaded a Win 7 pro 64bit iso and used dameon tools to put the files on a USB drive so I could boot to them. At first glance it seemed to work pretty well, but whenever I try to start the installation it hangs at the setting up install screen. Also when I try the repair windows options I get the same treatment. The 4gb USB is quality and works well, and the iso was download from a reliable source. I'm thinking it may be my HDD?

I briefly tried to burn the iso onto a DVD with my external drive but no dice, it actually failed to even boot the installation. I remember having issues with my external drive last time I used it though so the outcome was expected.

I'm considering buying a new USB stick before laying down the 200+ for a new HDD, although I run my envy in that preinstalled HP os that can be activated. I think it's called HP preboot or something along those lines, it runs well but obviously I am severely restricted as to what I can do.

If anyone can shine some light on this I'd be more than grateful, and yes I tried installing from the USB in both the esata & other USB ports :|

 

Are you attempting to NOT reformat the HDD inside the notebook and lose your programs/data?

Its probaably something important thats messed up in your install if you are just trying to REPAIR vs reinstall and it's not working.

To reinstall Windows with a clean installation: (Loses any data on the OS partition)
Boot into the USB Win7 installer, then format the partition which you do before installing Windows again (Under customize or something and then you need to select the partition and format), then reinstall Windows unless you cant lose your Windows install/data for obvious reasons.

 

I dont really care about the data on it, I kind of wanted a clean install & only tried repair because the regular install didn't seem to work.

I tried it again with what you said in mind but it hangs at the "setup is starting" screen. When I boot to USB windows successfully loads files, then I select Install on the win7 splash screen. Then I go to another screen with the options install now, what you need to know before installing windows, & an option to repair. After I select install now is when I get to the screen that hangs.

You probably know how windows 7 works but I just wanted to be specific in what I am doing and what is going wrong. Since windows seems to load the files just fine I don't think the installation method is the issue, but I've never really had trouble installing windows so I'm unsure :| I also don't want to invest in a HDD and find out the situation is no better. It's difficult trying to pinpoint the problem when there is not many routes I can take -_-

Thank you for the response though, I'd like to find out what I'm doing wrong