New computer old HDD

Hey everyone as the title reads, most parts are new except for the HDD. From what I've been told I would need to reinstall windows 7 I don't have the original copy as it didn't come with the computer when I first bought it. Would I have to purchase another copy of windows 7 ? And if I do what version would I buy. It's home premium 64bit. Thanks for any advice in advance or links if this has been posted already.

I have 8 gigs of DDR3 now there's 3 types of windows would I get the full edition? They offered upgrades and full versions of the software.

Buy the upgrade. In truth, it is a full install, but a better price.

See this tutorial.

That means that you can install 64-bit Home Premium version that you had. I think that if you have preserved the Product Key (in Laptops stuck on the bottom) of the original installation then you can download an ISO image of the same version from Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life and burn it on a DVD. Then install Windows 7 from the DVD that you have made and activate with the original Product Key that you have.

You might have to do it on the phone with Microsoft if on line activation does not work.

Thanks wanchoo that may actually work I found the key pasted under the old case thanks for all the answers and quick replies. Will type back if that worked.

Unfleshed said:

Thanks wanchoo that may actually work I found the key pasted under the old case thanks for all the answers and quick replies. Will type back if that worked.

The OEM license won't transfer from one machine to another; it is "married" to the machine on which it was installed.

If you replace the mobo with the same model then the OEM Product Key might work however normally a mobo change requires a new copy of Win7. We hear reports that MS makes some exceptions if you use the Phone Reactivation so that is worth a try after hooking up the HD to see if Win7 will boot or requires Reinstall: How To Activate Windows 7 by Phone Step-by-Step Guide.

If you must buy a new copy then I'd consider retail OEM if you have confidence in the new mobo.

If you have any retail copy of XP or Vista you qualify for Upgrade version which is comparably priced but can migrate for life. We can help you apply the Upgrade key to the current install if it will start, or without installing XP/Vista first using a workaround given in this tutorial: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

The OEM license may not transfer but what is being installed is a retail version. That is why after the matter has been explained in detail to Microsoft, they usually help out and activate. Only the OP should take care to download the ISO image of that version of Windows 7 that had existed on the old HDD earlier.

Never give up without trying. If Unfleshed follows the route that I have suggested then he may kindly let us know the outcome. Even in the very unlikely event of its not working nothing is lost. He can use the Product Key out of the retail version that he is going to purchase.

It may also start up on the new hardware. I'd try that first.

If not follow these steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7