
I started over with the iso disk, and followed the on-screen prompts until I was asked to select the install location.

I followed this guy's advice: and created a Windows 8 (though it may actually be 8.1) iso disk. I expected this to be a straight forward affair this time, but I was hit with the following message during the Recovery process: "Windows could not restore your computer using the factory image".

I think I may have inadvertently damaged the last new Hard Drive as it started throwing up a lot of 'disk fail' errors. I'm attempting a fresh Windows 8 install on completely brand new SATA hard drive, purchased yesterday and with the official Recovery Disks that were sent to me by HP.
