What solved my issue...
I removed the old hard drive and turned on my laptop.
got a bunch of text and information, then at the bottom
it says "install boot-able media". I then put in windows
installation disc and I proceeded until I could select
CUSTOM or upgrade windows
I then exited everything and shut down the laptop.
I inserted my new hard drive, started my laptop and
went to CUSTOM (not upgrade windows), formatted my
hard drive because it got a gpt message, then selected
next in the bottom right corner and installed windows.
this process took over an hour figuring it out but worked for me.