Failed ssd install in x201

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, and please move it if it is. I bought a 256gb samsung 830 series ssd to put into my lenovo x201, because most people on the comment section of amazon and new egg said it would be easy. Well, it didn't work for me. This install comes with norton ghost 15, and after trying mightily to follow the directions specifically and carefully, when it boots up I get a blue screen saying in the bottom right corner that "this copy of windows is not genuine" So I have tried several fixes including getting into the bios out of desperation. At this point, I would be willing to pay an idiot fee of another hundred thirty dollars to buy another windows 7 disk and do a fresh install on the new ssd, but I don't want to keep throwing money into a black hole. Assuming I buy an entire new copy of windows 7, can I then install it to this ssd, reformatting it as I go, and wind up with this ssd working in my x201? Will this work? Or even better, is there something I might try that I have not yet tried that might work and save me the c-note? Sorry to bother, but what I thought was relatively easy has put me in over my head. Any help would be appreciated.

 

You don't need to spend a single penny to buy a "new" "copy" of Windows 7. By virtue of your ThinkPad X201 ownership, you are entitled to a Windows 7 installation: you have a COA, and the key is printed on a label in the battery bay (remove the battery and you'll see it).

Download an .ISO image of Windows 7 installation disc. You can either burn that image onto a DVD (external optical drive required) or use it to create a bootable USB flash drive. In addition, you can either save the existing C:\SWTOOLS folder to another USB flash drive, or download the drivers from Lenovo support site.

Look around on this forum for detailed instructions. The Hearst Guide is highly recommended.

Yes.

Alternatively, you can restore the Lenovo factory backup onto the new SSD. If you have not created the factory recovery discs, you can order them from Lenovo.

 

Have you tried opening the System Properties dialog (Windows Key + Pause, or from Start Menu, right click on Computer and select Properties), near the bottom it displays Windows Activation information.

Check what it says there. It might require a reactivation, since you switched the hard drive. Just click there to reactive.

If that does not work, it might allow you to input a new product key and activate Windows again that way. Just input the key you have on the COA label.

If it refuses to accept it it might ask you to use phone activation. You should call, and they will give you an activation code (you might have to explain what you did, but as you did nothing illegal it should be fine).

I once had to use phone activation because of some key issues, and because automated activation failed, but when speaking to someone over the phone, they were able to give me an activation key that worked.

 

Can I assume that you tried using Lenovo Recovery Disc?