Windows won't boot from old HDD on new computer build

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Carlosbuilds

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Aug 4, 2017
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I put together a computer and slapped on and older hdd which has windows 7. Everything booted up correctly but windows won't start normally. I get two options, to do system repair or start windows normally. Either one doesn't work. I don't have any idea what to do.
 
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That is very par for the course for your situation.

When windows is installed it is installed for the hardware in the current PC.
If you then take that installation and shove it into a different computer it could do anything between being perfectly fine to being unstable, to not even boot; the greater the change between the computers the more likely it wont work (like different generations and intel<->amd).

What you need to do is a full windows reinstall.

Also you may have an issue with licensing. Unless you specifically paid extra for a Retail license of Win 7 (these don't just "come with a computer") then your current Win 7 license is tied to the motherboard of the old computer. You MIGHT be able to get Microsoft to activate it...
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boosted1g

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Jun 12, 2013
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That is very par for the course for your situation.

When windows is installed it is installed for the hardware in the current PC.
If you then take that installation and shove it into a different computer it could do anything between being perfectly fine to being unstable, to not even boot; the greater the change between the computers the more likely it wont work (like different generations and intel<->amd).

What you need to do is a full windows reinstall.

Also you may have an issue with licensing. Unless you specifically paid extra for a Retail license of Win 7 (these don't just "come with a computer") then your current Win 7 license is tied to the motherboard of the old computer. You MIGHT be able to get Microsoft to activate it, might not, its just a roll of the dice.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Mar 16, 2013
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This is very typical.

What to do? A full wipe and reinstall.
And then, with Win 7, you will probably run into licensing/activation issues.
 
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