Windows Vista to windows 7

Windows 7 installer is on a DVD, not CD. Set accordingly: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstr.../bootcddvd.htm

Make sure your IDE HD registers correctly in BIOS setup.

For the cleanest install, use Custom>Drive Options to delete all partitions, create New one(s) as you wish, then format before installing WIn7 to first partition.

Suggest you don't have old HD plugged in during install as it will establish a dual boot with SYstem MBR on old HD. You can plug it back in later to copy over files, giving it a letter in Disk Mgmt if it doesn't show up.

Clean Install Windows 7

Another option is to save a Win7 backup image of the failing HD externally, then reimage it to the new HD using booted DVD Repair console>Recover using an Image.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Correction: I have a IDE DVD drive and a SATA HDD... how do i boot from my IDE DVD drive?

Unplug the failing SATA HD until you finish your WIn7 install.

Set DVD drive first to boot in BIOS setup, then new HD.

Boot from Win7 DVD and install to the new HD using Custom>Drive Options to delete, create New and format.

My problem is now getting the DVD drive to work. i set it to boot from DVD drive frist and then to HDD... im guessing my problem is as you guys said. IDE HD registers... thats my problem. i cannot find the option to do that

You cannot find the option to do what exactly?

What happens when you try to boot the DVD?

I went to a friends house and used his external USB DVD drive, Got windows on the HDD... my problem now is getting the DVD drive to work on the computer. It's a SATA DVD drive and i feel that the settings in the BIOS is what the problem is. Again, My harddrive on the computer is IDE and that is set as master.

BIOS

I have tried the other slots...