Kernel panic after installing new internal HDD

[dscuber9000]

I got a new internal hard drive today and I was able to physically put it into my MacBook Pro fine. I know that's not the problem. However, I'm struggling to get my MacBook Pro to turn on.

Originally my MBP was running Leopard, then I upgraded to Snow Leopard. Now that I replaced the hard-drive, I put in the Leopard install disk and used Time Machine to restore my Mac. When that finished and turned it on, I get the kernel panic screen, and now I'm starting to panic a bit. Does anyone know what I can do? Right now I'm installing Snow Leopard to see if that helps...

Edit: The hard-drive I got is a 2.5" SATA Western Digital Scorpio Black, so I'm pretty sure the brand isn't the problem...

 

[celticpride678]

Can you access the OS or is it an immediate kernel panic?

 

[Eddyisgreat]

A fresh install might fix the problem. I avoid using time machine just cuz full backups are more my flavour.

But then again...it IS a Western Digital....

 

[dscuber9000]

Can you access the OS or is it an immediate kernel panic?

Immediate.

Edit: Alright, installing Snow Leopard worked. 256GB available looks beautiful. Thanks for responding, guys. ^

 

[Jazojas12]

Same thing happened with me. Ended up just cloning the original hard drive with carbon copy cloner. The new drive was pretty slow for about 3-4 days compared to the old drive, but now it's not noticeable. I read somewhere it has something to do with the cache but I don't know for sure.. Went from the 160GB to 1TB WD.

 

[prlax12]

I had the same exact problem. I ended up having to go to the Apple Store and they just reinstalled SL from their network. It took about 15 minutes. The genius said that a lot of people have this problem and it has to do with a very particular file in Leopard being damaged or missing. In short, you will save yourself a lot of time if you just shoot over to the Apple Store and have them upgrade you.