Unless the motherboard is nearly identical you find issues.
Goggle this so I don't duplicate the web -> CHANGE MOTHERBOARD AND SAVE XP OPERATING SYSTEM
"I want to re-use all the old data and programs from the original HD. 2) Can I do this by copy/pasting the old 'Documents and Settings' folder and then reinstalling the apps? Or, 3) can I even copy/paste the old 'Program Files' folder?"
Files will get there fine. But needed registry entries for said programs and shared dlls are not copied. Dead end but a fine file copy!
4) What is the best (easiest) way of getting all the data/programs off the old onto the new, and still meet the requirement of having a fresh copy of XP on the new HD?
Look at the google I noted and my answer -> Execute the disaster plan.
Bob
I bought a new mobo (Intel DG865GHVZ - I know it's old, but the customer wanted to use the existing CPU and RAM)and according to the vendors tech support, XP must be reinstalled on the HD - I can't just install the new mobo and use the old HD. 1) Is that true? It seems so, because I've been trying everything in the book to get it up and nothing has worked.
Previously I used Ghost to clone a smaller old HD to the existing HD. I still have the original HD. This has all taken place over the last couple of weeks, so the new HD is still the exact clone; nothing new has been added.
After reinstalling XP and all the updates on the new HD, I want to re-use all the old data and programs from the original HD. 2) Can I do this by copy/pasting the old 'Documents and Settings' folder and then reinstalling the apps? Or, 3) can I even copy/paste the old 'Program Files' folder?
i.e., 4) What is the best (easiest) way of getting all the data/programs off the old onto the new, and still meet the requirement of having a fresh copy of XP on the new HD?
Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic