Old HD with new motherboard

[ryc22]

My Compaq crashed after power outage. I bought a new motherboard/processor/memory but would like to use the old Hard disk and other components to save some money. After I connect everything but I am unable to recover the HD (Vista - I intend to upgrade to Windows 8 before it crashed). I got the message "Windows cannot repair this computer automatically".

What should I do?

Thanks

RC

 

[o1die]

You will have to format and start over. You currently have a compaq factory installation of windows, which only works on compaq boards. Windows searches for a small bios string everytime you boot up; non compaq boards won't load your operating system. Search craigslist or anandtech for an unopened copy of windows 7; you should find one for around $70.