interlude

hello all, i'll try to keep this brief. I am installing a new copy of windows 7 home premium on a new hard drive. the install proceeds as normal, windows screen installing files etc. then it does a reboot and loads again and then the screen goes black (with mouse cursor) right before the moment where i should see the windows screen and name my pc/set user name. I figured it might just be loading so i left the pc, but after around 30 minutes the pc goes into sleep mode. i can't shut it down so i turned it off at the wall and then back on, i then boot in safe mode and i see a screen displaying the message "setup is preparing your computer for first use" with a pop up box saying windows cannot complete the installation in safe mode and to continue i need to restart. I click ok and it restarts then i just end up back at square 1 with the black screen and cursor. i've run through the whole process twice now with no success. i've tried looking around the web, but can't find anyone else with similar problems. any ideas? cheers for any help, darren.