If the hdd already had an Os installed, it wouldhave to have the same motherboard manufacturer as the previous PC otherwise it would possibly just BSoD for being different chipset configuration.
When you build your own PC, you must always power on prior to attaching the cables and connectors to a hdd, to check for any problems. There is no damage to the CPU or anything, it would be bad or faulty hardware that wmight cause problems, though.
Set to boot from install Cd and away you go.