Help with transporting an OS from a laptop to a desktop?

Hi, recently I repaired an desktop PC, I had installed a new motherboard and CPU to it. It's hardware works well now, but now i'm faced with another problem: the install an OS (or boot device?) onto it.
The ASUS motherboard menu shows up there pretty fine, and give some options.

Also, I recently had back-uped my laptop data onto another HDD and inserted that into the Desktop. Apparently when I went to click on it, it says something like "Windows 7 cannot start up" or something along those lines.

So overall, I want to know if there is a way to transport my Windows 7 Ultimate OS to my refurbished desktop? If now, would I have to buy a new Windows 7 OS?

Gator said:

Its possible to do that but I prefer starting over fresh. The only thing is, if you have an OEM license, you are stuck with the motherboard that came with it. In other words, you cant move it. If you bought a copy of windows or bought a non-OEM license, you will have better luck.

Ah, I heard that if you phone in microsoft that you can get an activation code. What are the chances of me getting it with home premium than with ultimate?

Gator said:

justabluejay said:

Gator said:

Its possible to do that but I prefer starting over fresh. The only thing is, if you have an OEM license, you are stuck with the motherboard that came with it. In other words, you cant move it. If you bought a copy of windows or bought a non-OEM license, you will have better luck.

Ah, I heard that if you phone in microsoft that you can get an activation code. What are the chances of me getting it with home premium than with ultimate?

It doesn't matter as long as you bought a non-OEM (retail section in the link below) key. If you bought this computer at Best buy or Tiger Direct etc.. you probably have an OEM license and you won't be able to move it to another computer. Essentially, you're married to the motherboard or you have to buy a new license.

Windows License Types Explained

Ugh, so you're saying I'd have to burn some money on those retail OS's just to get it to boot. up?

ThrashZone said:

Hi you might review these two tutorials,
Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer
Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap

Yeah I;m pretty it's OEM. I beleive it was bought from best-buy and Windows Home Premium was already pre-installed.

ThrashZone said:

Yea most are oem,
I doubt you'll be able to use the same activation key for ultimate but you can to re-install home premium,
You'll just need to call Microsoft and tell them your mother board died,
Either that or look on tigerdirect or similar for another oem disk they're still pretty reasonably priced,
I don't believe ultimate was ever very reasonably priced :/
Cheers.

Well thing is, I can't even get the thing to boot up. My old hdd doesn't let me boot up to the activation key. I might buy a newone though, ugh.'
Unless I can use someone's bootable disc?