Apple - M1 Mac clean install, getting stuck at "Create a computer account"

paraphrasing @Remiks' answer (thanks Remiks - your writeup got me unstuck!). Remiks reports:

Apple Support explained an easier fix that worked

(@abbaf33f notes that before you follow these steps, you should remove the computer from any iCloud accounts; I've not tested that recommendation; please comment you also find that step useful)

1. shut down your computer
2. hold the power button until the "options" icon shows
3. select the "options" icon
4. when next screen loads, select menu item to launch terminal
5. in terminal type "resetpassword" and hit enter
6. when a reset password box appears, select menu item to erase Mac (see note below)
7. in new pop up confirm option to erase Mac.
8. once erased, exit back to recover
9. reinstall the operating system
10. once installed, create the account.

Remiks' reported result matches mine: this fix works on the first try.

On the other hand, the official apple steps failed repeatedly for me, and two Apple Sr. Advisors warned me as they attempted to assist that the published instructions were unreliable (yep, they were also frustrated that the Apple-supplied steps failed try after try).

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Note about finding the menu item to erase Mac (thanks @brendan-duke for the edit!):

1. Click somewhere off to the side of the reset password box.
2. When menu appears at the top of the screen, select "Recovery Utilities" then "erase Mac".

Use the other machine, you indicate that you have, to restore the M1 MacBook Pro M1 fully.

You can find Apple's instructions on doing that here:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/apple-configurator-2/apdd5f3c75ad/mac

It consists of the following steps:

1. Install Apple Configurator 2 on your working Mac.

2. Connect the two Macs using a USB-C cable. On the non-working MacBook Pro it needs to go into the left-hand side port that is nearest the back of the Mac.

3. Run Apple Configurator 2

4. Put the non-working MacBook Pro in DFU mode by pressing the power button and holding it down and simultaneously pressing and holding the right shift key, the left option key and the left control key - all for 10 seconds.

5. After 10 seconds release all keys except the power button.

6. The MacBook Pro should now appear in Apple Configurator 2. Select it and click Actions > Restore.

After the restore process is finished, you can setup macOS as normally - including the user accounts and passwords.