I am returning a Dell lease laptop. I would like to be able to move everything from the old laptop to the new one. (yet to be purchased) Is this practical? I have read on this forum about Norton ghost? Is this a good move? also, as I have just lost a HD on another system...I know (why didn't I have it backed up).....what is the best way to keep the entire system backed up in an emergency use...again, is the ghost software (or another utility) the best way? As you can tell, I'm not real 'puter savy, but O'm learning...

Thanks for any and all help!!!From what I have HEARD Norton Ghost is ok, I have read here numerous times and finally purchased this product- WORKS great..........

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832200003

I also like to burn most of my important stuff to disk's *

Apps like Norton Ghost or Acronis TrueImage (my PERSONAL pick) move the OS, drivers etc too.
So as you're moving to different hardware, this won't work.
If you want to keep your files intact and transfer them onto a new PC, you can do that on any OS, just drag and DROP onto an external drive or memory stick, or burn to DVD or CD as you prefer.

A program like Ghost or True Image, along with an external hard drive, and/or several DVDs and/or flash memory means you always have a current backup of your entire system - if you lose a hard drive, it doesn't matter, as you just get a new drive and restore the backup, and you're back with all your settings, programs and files just the same as when you backed up.
I like to back up to an external drive once a week or so, to keep things current.Thank you for the speedy response. So, If I am changing to a completely new laptop/pc, then the ghost software will not work? If I want to copy my Windows XP professional over to the new system, will copying eveything off the C Drive accomplish this?

Thank youImage programs such as Acronis True Image create an exact copy of your OS settings programs and all your data exactly as it is when created...
However because of how XP is you cannot move an imaged drive from one machine to another and have it work. This is part of their anti-piracy measures as their policy is one copy ---one machine.
It would still be advisable to do this anyways you just wont be able to image the new machine and have it work,
You would however have access and be able to copy all your important data to the new machine from the backup image which should be burned to CD/DVD.

I would assume the new machine will come with an OS already installed so it would still serve your needs.

Any more questions feel free to ask...

Does that mean then, that other non-Microsoft programs could be copied over in their entire operational state? Say as an example: AD-Aware? (I realize this is real simople to DOWNLOAD, but as an example.) Or say Adobe programs etc.. The one copy rule is for the operating system only; right?

Thanks againI don't think you could copy a program from one drive to another.
The only way you could do this is to clone the drive as described above, however as stated this copies everything.
Just install your programs again, it's the only way.
patio has a good suggestion however, I suggest you follow that idea rather than my suggestion of backing files up by drag and drop as it's longer.Thank you very much....great assistance!!! I hope I can return the favor someday...One basic thought to keep in mind gator...OS's and programs cannot simply be copied from one hard to another or from one machine to another...they simply will not run.
Programs and operating systems 99% of the time need to be re-installed if you want a machine that runs properly.
Start hunting down all your program installation CD's and keep them together.Got it.....Thanks