Very Frustrated, What Am I doing Wrong?

You could be having seveal issues. You probably have both UEFI and GPT disk involved.
Look at your WD disk in Windows Disk management and look at type, size, and how the partitons are sequenced.
Do the same using the Windows DiskPart command via a command prompt. For your own information, you need to know how the partition type, size and how sequenced. Disk mangement does not show you all so use both methods. After you complete your transfer to the Seagate, you will want to check the Seagate to see if it matches the same sequence of the WD. You might find this link helpful so you can see what to look for in this Win 7 example.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/40903

Hopefully you have created a Windows Recovery CD. If not, do so now. In Win7, this option is found in the Start/All Programs/Maintenance.

Using the Windows Backup is one method of getting a backup onto an external disk. Then, you could
install the Seagate inside the computer. Boot from the Windows Recovery CD.
From a Command prompt, restore the Windows Backup onto the Seagate.

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Acronis 2014:
The user created TI recovery CD is the prime restore vehicle (or to clone) rather than from within Windows.
Also, many of us prefer to perform a disk option backup where the disk is selected to be backed up, rather than a backup of partitions where the inidividual partitions are selected.

Also be aware that you can perform quality backups when booted from the CD. Again, checkmark the disk as the item to be backed up. Choose the disk option backup makes for an easier restore and often times a better restore.

references:
1. To create a disk option backup from within Windows, look at link 2 below--first few illustrations.

2. To create a disk option backup when booted from the CD, this link will also apply to 2014.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/guides/2010-ti…

3. To restore a disk option backup onto a disk of the same size, look at link 3 below, item 2 inside that link.
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Suggested restore procedures

A. Place the seagate inside the computer.

B. Boot from the TI Recovery CD.

C. From the Tools menu, perform the Add new disk option.
This will wipe away the evidence of the prior restore and will leave all space as unallocated.
From your earlier examination, you will need to know whether to initial as GPT or MBR--same as the WD.
If GPT, TrueImage will place the Microsoft reserved as the first partition via the Add new disk option.

D. Perform a disk option restore (from external backup storage disk) as referenced in reference 3 above.
This is where you check mark the disk as to what is to be restored.

E. When selecting the target disk, also select the Recover disk Signature found on the same screen.

F. Shutdown and remove the external disk.
Reboot with only the Seagate attached. Source and target must NOT be attached.

G. You still may have to use the Windows Recovery CD and perform a Startup Repair in order to have a successful boot.

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Disclaimer:
I have performed many restores using TrueImage but have not performed any restores involving Windows 8 or UEFI/GPR.
My suggestions are the recommended procedures for performing such a transfer.

Thanks Grover, I appreciate the help!

I didn't know this would turn out so complicated. My plan was to do what I did 4 years ago with another one of my computers. I have an old lap top with XP and I was afraid that the HD would die on me. I got an old version of True Image and a new HD and plugged it in with an external housing. I hit copy and copied the partition "as is" onto the new HD. I then shut it all down and replaced the old HD with the new freshly copied HD, buttoned it up and turned it on. It sprang to life perfectly and still runs flawlessly to this day. Now with my new computers, it is semi-retired.

SO! That was my plan with my new computer, I've had problems with WD Blue's failing in the past, so I wanted to just replace it now with a new Seagate Constellation.

Is it possible to duplicate my earlier success with this new program? Is it possible to just make a clean partition copy onto the Seagate and swap it out and the computer will pick up where it left off without the layers of new procedures?

Again, thanks for your help.

Only a full disk copy of the existing disk can work. A copy of only C will fail. A single copy of each partition will also work but more difficult with more chances for error.
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Yes, creating a backup or replacement was so much easier when only XP was involved. Along came the early versions of Windows 7 and the complexity of creating disk replacements increased. Then the newer venisons of Windows 7 with UEFI and GPT doubled the complexity again. Now, Windows 8 has increased that complexity even more. For the non-professional or non-technical person (which I consider myself to be), this will push them to a professional when the replacement is needed.

I don't know of anything easier I can offer. Most likely, the very easiest way to create relament disk would be to use the Windows backup program and create a "System Image". Then use the Windows CD to recover that image onto a new blank disk which has been attached inside the computer in place of the old disk.

Or another option would be to recover the manufacturer recovery partition onto the new disk so the new disk is just like the computer was at time of purchase.
The method use to do this would depend upon your brand computer, etc. The computer user manual could assist.

If using Acronis TrueImage Home, I have already outlined the procedures in a prior posting.