Can't install OS

[Admiral Fear]

Just built a new computer for a friend, and it worked for a week, now this.
The computer started giving him the BSOD randomly, then consistently on startup, about 20 seconds after getting to the desktop. Disabling all startup programs worked for a day, but then it couldn't even boot into Windows. At this point he handed the computer to me to fix it. Figuring my friend did something stupid, I assumed a corrupt OS and just tried reinstalling Windows from scratch from the same disk. However, Windows would fail to install after the file extraction part. Tried installing Windows 7 (64 bit) and Ubuntu 14.04 as well. Same result. Sent that hard drive back under warranty and got a new one. (link to hard drive: http://goo.gl/94om7k) Even with HDD #2, Windows 7 SEEMS to install, but BSOD right as I try to boot into Windows. Same thing in safe mode, and it failed when loading the driver for the disk. I tried using the install disk's CHKDSK feature, and it said the HDD was fine. Tried with the same Windows 7 disk and a Windows 8.1 disk that was from Microsoft, not burned by me. I want to say they sent me a bad replacement, but that seems really unlikely.

Computer specs: 
AMD Athlon X4 845

ASUS A68HM-K

Seagate 1TB HDD; linked above

Crucial 8GB Single DDR3 1600

Antec 500W 80+ Bronze Power Supply

MSI GeForce GTX 950

[GalacticRuler]

Is it the same BSOD every time? It could be your mobo that's causing the problems.

[GalacticRuler]

Is it the same BSOD every time? It could be your mobo that's causing the problems.

[Admiral Fear]

Thanks for the quick reply.
When I try starting it up, it BSODs and restarts the computer in a split second. I can't tell for sure. I got ASUS just for the warranty, so that's a problem I can work with.

[GalacticRuler]

2 minutes ago, Admiral Fear said:

Thanks for the quick reply.
When I try starting it up, it BSODs and restarts the computer in a split second. I can't tell for sure. I got ASUS just for the warranty, so that's a problem I can work with.

Try changing your startup mode from AHCI to IDE. I've had 3 prebuilts all die on me and changing that solved the problem. Exact problem you're reporting.

[Admiral Fear]

Alright, I'll give that a shot and come back if it works.

[VictorianReaper]

3 minutes ago, Admiral Fear said:

Alright, I'll give that a shot and come back if it works.

Ive Had the worst experience but to each their own. what BSOD error do you get 

[Admiral Fear]

Alright, switched to IDE, but now it doesn't even see an OS on there at all. I think this is because the last install I tried was Win 8.1 and it just refused to install at all. Going to try Windows 7 again. I'll take my phone to the BSOD screen if it comes up again and look through frame by frame to find that error code if I must.

[Admiral Fear]

50 minutes ago, GalacticRuler said:

Try changing your startup mode from AHCI to IDE. I've had 3 prebuilts all die on me and changing that solved the problem. Exact problem you're reporting.

Holy sheet that worked. Don't know why and frankly don't care at this point. Thanks a ton!