switched HDD from one PC to another now wont boot

Hey,

I just switched my old HDD to my Gateway computer and I'm getting BSOD when starting up Windows. I know it has something to do with the drivers and Windows 7 from the HDD being in a new Computer, but how do I reformat without losing some of my old files like music and such?

I tried repairing the system, but it didn't work. I do have a Windows 7 CD, is it possible that I can wipe out the old Windows from my HDD using killdisk and install windows 7 again?

Hello Psyrical and welcome to Seven Forums.

When Windows is first installed onto a machine, the installation process configures Windows to the specific hardware in that machine. It selects and installs the drivers appropriate to the specific network card, sound card, hard disk interface, CD-ROM drive, etc that are installed in that machine. It even selects drivers and configures settings for things like chipsets, CPUs and other low-level components.

If the machine you take the hard disk from is identical to the new machine, then there's a chance of having everything work. But then you might have to deal with Windows activation. When Windows is first installed on a machine you have to enter a unique 25-digit Product Key as part of the activation process. The general rule of thumb is the Product Key can only be used on one machine at a time. The big exception is if the Product Key came from what is called an OEM installation disk rather than a commercially purchased installation disk. If your old hard drive has an OEM Product Key attached to it, that Key is forever assigned and attached to the old computer. There are no transfer rights.

Since the old hard drive is not able to boot in the Gateway I think I would put the old drive in an enclosure and treat it like an external hard drive. When it's plugged into the computer it should be recognized (maybe as Drive D: or some other letter.) If it's recognized you can then copy out your files.

You say you have a Windows 7 disk. Is it a full install disk, upgrade disk, or OEM disk? Did a 25-digit Product Key also come with the disk? Did you ever use the Product Key?