Windows 7 booting issue - UEFI with a cloned SSD (pulling my hair out!)

[chugbug]

OK, here's the deal... I've cloned the HDD onto an SSD, but I can't get it to boot.-- keep getting a notice to install the OS.  I know the clone is (should be) ok, because this is the SEVENTH SSD I've cloned over the past three weeks.  The only difference with this one is that it has the UEFI interface (with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit), and for some reason it won't recognize the OS on the SSD.

The UEFI is set for: "Legacy Boot with Secure Boot disabled" (when booting either drive).

The original drive is MBR.  I tried cloning the drive as MBR and GPT, but neither will boot.

I tried cloning a different SSD to make sure it wasn't the SSD.

I tried disabling the "UEFI Boot order"  (by unchecking it), but that didn't do anything.

What I did notice was... When the original HDD is installed the UEFI BOOT MENU shows the drive in the list TWICE, once as UEFI (#2), and once as Legacy (#4) (with DVDRW as UEFI #1, and Legacy #3, then Boot from file as #5).

HOWEVER, when the SSD is installed, the only option it gives me is UEFI.  If I DISABLE (uncheck the option) for the "UEFI Boot order", all it will show is the Legacy CDRW in the Boot Menu.

I remembered having a similar problem with about a year ago on my own Windows 10 laptop having the same issue when installing a cloned SSD and then I was able to use the Windows Repair to fix it.  So I created a Windows 7 repair disk (CD), but it won't boot from the disk (it just comes to a blank screen--I've found posts where it's apparently a common problem).  So then I tried copying the contents to a bootable USB, but that won't boot either (I used Diskpart to wipe the USB by overwriting then to make it bootable, then copied the CD files onto it).  When I tested it, the system  seems to accesses it on boot, but then just goes into windows (whlile still accessing the the USB). I even slected it manually in the UEFI Boot Menu (it's the first item, and shows the name of the flash drive)  but when I select it, it does the same thing-- it seems to boot from it, but just goes right into Windows.

I read somewhere that something called  CSM (Compatiblility Support Mode) needs set.  but I couldn't find anthing on that.  However I would think since it's listing the HDD and CD-rom as both UEFI and Legacy, it already has that enabled anyway (wouldn't you think).

I've been at it for three days now, so as is usually the case, I'm sure I'm missing something VERY SIMPLE.  But I've scowered through the UEFI for some options I could change, but (THAT) UEFI offers very little that I can find.  It doesn't even appear to have a place to change the boot order manually, other than to select it from the "Boot Menu" and have it boot that way-- but nothing to make a permanent boot order change.

Can anyone offer any suggestions?  I hate to hand over the PC without it having the new SSD in it.  But I don't know what else I can do at this point.  I've exhausted all the options I could think of to consider.  But like I said, I'm probably missing something REALLY simple.

The BIOS is shown as "N78".  It was v01.12 and I updated it to v01.15.  All I can find about the UEFI is that it has HP's logo on the pages.

One last thing I might mention in case... Since it's BRAND NEW, I'd LOVE to just reinstall Windows on it-- that way I could get rid of all the HP stuff I don't need, but as usual, all I got with the thing is Windows 10 disks-- no Windows 7 Pro disks (duh).  However, if it's helps, I DO have is a Windows 7 HOME Upgrade disk.  Can I start a PRO REPAIR with a HOME CD?

Sorry it's a little long, but I wanted to make sure I listed EVERYTHING I've done to avoid suggestions for things I've already tried.

Thanks...JEB