Window 7 installation failure, 'Windows could not retrieve information about the discs on this...

I've tried to install with a disc, from a usb all that jazz, everytime I go through 'Windows activated setup is copying temporary files...' then 'Window activated setup is starting...' then I get the same error 'Windows could not retrieve information about the discs on the computer.

I've backed up all my data so I'm good to do a clean installation, I've tried booting from the disc(does nothing, boots normally) and booting from the usb(I get to sit around forever staring at a flashing cursor, apparently going nowhere)

I'm running XP Pro service pack 2, I've met all the requirements for 7.

I've unplugged and disable all unnecessary drives and what not(floppy drive, second disc drive, etc)

I've flicked through half a million pages talking about how to resolve this problem on Vista and XP, none of which helped at all, a few advised enabling the 'Virtual Disk' service, brilliant I apparently don't even have that.

Someone please save my computer from a very short flight off the top of a very tall building.

I'm not a computer tech or anything, I'd like to think I'm pretty clued in but for conveniences sake could any advise be extremely detailed in step-by-step form, just to save me from having to make a 'How do you get to that?' post and someone having to reply to it.

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