Windows 7: new hard drive with window 7 installed

i recently bought a new hard drive with windows 7 home premium 32 bit installed. when i tried to install it in my pc it would not boot up, im assuming its because everything is new to it. i bought a windows 7 recovery disc but it has not helped. i did not get an install disc with the new hard drive. is there any hope for my problem? thanks, chris

I'm curious----where can you buy a hard disk with Windows already installed on it?

Sounds like you have been ripped off. Hard drives do not come preinstalled with windows. Time to get your money back.

Only hope you would have would be if you got the product key.

It's always best to do a fresh install on any migration of hardware, never try to replace large pieces, ie motherboard, and keep the same windows install, always reinstall fresh...

I'd try to get my money back, or if you got the product key, just download the win 7 disk and reinstall...

It dies because it lacks drivers from your system. But even if you fixed that, you could probably not activate it. Bottom line - get your money back.

When you clarify if you actually bought a HD with Windows 7 preinstalled, we can better help you.

There are ways to start Windows 7 on new hardware but as suggested you also need a way to activate it on different hardware.

So please explain what exactly you bought and if it includes Windows 7 how it is to be activated.

i bought the hard drive off ebay. it was listed as having a new windows 7 os that was never used. i didnt get an install disc or key. i have sent the ebay seller an email of what you guys are telling me. i also asked him for the install disc and key. the seller does not have any negative feedback so hopefully he will help me out. but he does have it listed as no returns.

He probably knew why. Let's hope you get the disc and the key. Then you would be in business. In the meantime I would try to read what is on the disk - maybe stick it into an external enclosure or into a desktop. If you discover any manufacturer name like HP, Dell, Gateway or whatever on it, then it is an OEM system with which you can really do nothing - and the seller will not have a disc or key.

it is possible that the seller is a nincompoop and did not even know that the disc is of no use to someone else.

right now i have it installed as a slave drive in my pc and i can see everything that is on the drive. where do i need to look to find that info?

I recently bought a hdd off ebay 320gb complete with Windows 7 installed. The seller had upgraded his laptop to a 500gb made no difference to me as I wiped it as soon as I received it, so the OPs hdd may also be legitimate