can you install windows 8.1 on a refurbished hard drive?

[dnlcarver]

So I am trying to install windows 8.1 on a computer I built. It installs and then when it restarts it comes up with a sad face and some message that goes by to fast to read. This is the second hard drive I have tried and the same thing happened. Both of them are refurbished hard drives. Please help.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

It's best to use new components , for a PC.

 

[dnlcarver]

It's best to use new components , for a PC.

Do you think it could be that its a refurbished hard drive.

 

[4745454b]

Sad face? I've never seen one when installing windows. The drive should be fine. (assuming they really refurb'd it.)

 

[dnlcarver]

Sad face? I've never seen one when installing windows. The drive should be fine. (assuming they really refurb'd it.)

Do have a clue what it might be making it fail on start up.

 

[4745454b]

IDE vs AHCI comes to mind. Bad/illegal copy of windows?

 

[dnlcarver]

IDE vs AHCI comes to mind. Bad/illegal copy of windows?

I have checked with Microsoft and they said it is a good copy but might be bad. So they told me to download it form their web site to a USB and I did and it still won't work.