Macbook Pro A1278 won't boot with a new hdd

Hi,
One day my macbook crashed, when I restarted it I received the flashing folder error and the disk utility could not see my drive anymore. I then purchased a 500gb Seagate hdd model ST500LM012 and installed it, but when I turn on the macbook it won't get past the first white screen and boot sound. All boot shortcuts are unavailable except for the ones that reset smc and pram. If I remove the hard drive the notebook boots ok into both the install DVD that caem with it and internet recovery.
What can I do? Is the hard drive incompatible? Or should I try something else?

You have to first partition and format the drive after which you have to install Mountain Lion. You cannot boot from a new, bare drive.
Restart the computer and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION-R keys until a globe appears on the screen. After a period of time (be patient) a Recovery screen will appear. Then do the following:
Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
Prepare the hard drive:
  1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
  2. After DU loads select your hard drive from the left side list. Click on the
      Partition tab in the DU main window. Select one partition from the Partition
      Scheme dropdown menu.
  3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
      the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
      the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
  4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

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