New laptop, use old hard drive?!

First of all, thanks to everyone that wrote on this thread, it really means alot to be cared upon.

Secondly, I wanted to be clear that indeed my Clean Install we using the retail version of Windows 7. My laptop's OS was Windows 7 Home Premium, but I upgraded to Ultimate when I bought my SSD.

Third, I do not think I was clear, but the new laptop will basically be identical as it will be an Warranty Replacement. If the replacement also has Windows 7, then everything will be golden? Swapping hard drives will work flawlessly?

PS: Since the technician noted on the comments that my DVD drive is not functioning, below it has "MB Issue". I asked for further clarification and they told me that the controller for the DVD is not working on the MB...

I thought it was b/c I can't access the BIOS menu...Like whenever I turn on the laptop, I see the screen and press F2 or DEL or ENTER or every other key, and it brings up the Windows Boot Options...That has to do with the MB right? It's not some settings or Driver related? Cause I installed all of those from the Clean Install.

Thanks again!
Means so much!

Your technician should have tried resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if the DVD will boot, but if not you can try that now: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Was the DVD drive booting for the reinstall? How is performance otherwise?

Did you buy an Ultimate Anytime Upgrade key to upgrade the Home Premium which came with the PC, or do you have Full or Upgrade retail Win7 Ultimate?

In order to use the image of the previous PC's Win7 Ultimate on a new PC it will need to be a retail Win7 key. To qualify to move an Upgrade key to the new PC it needs to have a lesser version of Win7, any Vista or XP on it. Otherwise it would need to be a full retail version if it were, for example, a Win8 PC since that would not be considered (by MS) an Upgrade to go from Win8 to Win7.

As to supposed "misinformation" about a prospective factory OEM key being used to reactivate on an entirely new PC: While some OEM's get around the loss of license when mobo is changed by replacing the exact same mobo, this activation workaround would not apply to a completely new PC even if its hardware was an exact match - which is in doubt since OP was referring originally to activating Win7 factory OEM in an entirely new Win8 machine.

Keep in mind if you buy a Win7 PC with the same version preinstalled, then you can move your current Win7 HD or it's image to the new PC using the new license by inserting the new Product Key at Control Panel>System. This will free up your retail license to be used elsewhere, unless you need the few extra expensive features in Ultimate on the new PC, in which case you can easily move retail Ultimate by deleting it on the old PC and reactivating it on the new one.

Again if there is any variance in the hardware causing moved Win7 to BSOD or stall at boot animation, you can either SysPrep the Win7 in the old machine before moving it or its image, or do a P2P Adjust of the OS to the new hardware by booting Paragon Adaptive Restore CD freeware.

I tried entering the BIOS, but with all of the buttons that should enter BIOS, it brings me to the Windows Boot Manager instead.

I am just afraid that with the new warranty replacement laptop, the same thing would persist.

I am wondering if the BIOS has to do with the MB or with the drivers and settings I had control over? I just don't want it to be something I caused, rather a faulty MB or something like it was indicated on my repair overview sheet.

I asked you if the DVD drive worked for the reinstall?

See if you have the latest BIOS version from the Sony Downloads page, which may resolve the issue.

Did the tech test the DVD drive to see if it needs repair or replacement, or do something else to determine it is a mobo fault?

Put a known-bootable CD or DVD in the drive and attempt to trigger it with Sony (F2) Boot Menu key.

gregrocker said:

I asked you if the DVD drive worked for the reinstall?

See if you have the latest BIOS version from the Sony Downloads page, which may resolve the issue.

Did the tech test the DVD drive to see if it needs repair or replacement, or do something else to determine it is a mobo fault?

Put a known-bootable CD or DVD in the drive and attempt to trigger it with Sony (F2) Boot Menu key.

Yes, I have the latest BIOS version.

I think the tech said the "ODD is not working", and beneath it says "MB issue".

What I am wondering if why I can't access the BIOS menu when I first turn on my laptop?

Is the BIOS part of the motherboard or from the settings and Drivers that I have control over? Cause I am thinking if I get the replacement laptop, the same issue might persist if the BIOS is related to the Drivers and other various settings.

The BIOS is not affected by drivers, only the latest BIOS version.

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if you can access menu. What key are you tapping? Are you tapping vigorously enough? I show F2 key for Sony but it may be different so look on first screen.

gregrocker said:

The BIOS is not affected by drivers, only the latest BIOS version.

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults to see if you can access menu. What key are you tapping? Are you tapping vigorously enough? I show F2 key for Sony but it may be different so look on first screen.

Oh ok, right then, I have the latest BIOS version.

And I know I am tapping the correct key and I am tapping vigorously enough. A few months back, I could not access BIOS. Then after I installed Sony Care, I can access BIOS again with F2.

Now after the repair, I can no longer access the BIOS...

I'll just wait for the replacement laptop then...I am sure I can access the BIOS then?