HP TouchSmart 320-1130a strange error cant install, wont run linux live, but will boot ERD commander

Question

this PC came to me as a "look and see" with a stranger error.
symptoms:
HP boot splash screen bios (post) OK
it starts to load windows then loops. (resets)
what i tried: (and the strange symtoms)
ran all the HP inbuilt diags, mem, cpu, hdd, pc board, all passed, OK
it WILL happily boot via YUMI hirens boots cd (ERD) commander  XP mode  and can see all drives etc, can copy data from HDD to external usb or another portable drive.
what it wont do:
WONT boot a live USB/DVD linux via YUMI, starts to load (5 seconds worth then loops)
WONT do clean win7 install, starts to load (5 seconds then loops)
PC is not running hot, cpu only just warm.
RAM modules pass with memcheck, (2 checkers ran)
Help, any ideas???
(I can pretty well try anything that people suggest tech-wise with PC`s)
no go in safe mode, (just loops)
i put a freshly formatted 80GB sata drive in. set windows 7 setup in process, got just past the first white loading windows bar, then froze, and looped/resets
with this same 80GB hard drive in, I CAN boot hirens +ERD commander  all works as expected.
CANT boot any live linux usb/cd`s. loads a few seconds of a live cd/usb then loops.
what i find odd is the fact that erd commander (XP) WILL boot and i can do as i like in the GUI , copy stuff from/to the hard drive.
this proves CPU,HDD,RAM is ok (i think??? must be something wrong?)
HDDD has been proven ok in another machine, scandisk,checkdisk, even spinrite.
RAM has been proven via memcheck, memtest86, and another ram checker.
dvd drive WILL boot hirens and erd commander.
*someone told me could be the graphics part of the CPU that is partly dead?*
any ideas?
Cheers,
Richard

Answer 1

Hello @rgormley1968,
Welcome to the HP Forums, I hope you enjoy your experience! To help you get the most out of the HP Forums I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.
I have read your post on how you cannot install or run multiple operating systems on your computer, and I would be happy to assist you in this matter!
Since your desktop is not able to perform a clean installation of Windows 7 and loops before you can perform any functions, please call our technical support at 800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region, please click the link below to get the support number for your region.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/contact-hp/ww-phone-assist.html
I hope this helps!
Regards
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
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