> Just use "cp -a" from outside the system (a live-cd for example). There
> is no need for copying the MBR too. You have to modify /etc/fstab and
> lilo.conf anyway, so you can chroot afterwards into you new system and
> run /sbin/lilo. If chroot doesn't work for you, boot the system with the
> install cd (follow the instructions at the boot prompt) to run lilo.

I think that booting from the liveCD then using "dd" should do it.
FYI, what I did when I changed laptop was backup laptop1, install basic
system on laptop2. Overwrite laptop2 with backup of laptop1 and check
/boot and /etc/lilo.conf. You might want to make a custom kernel if
changing hardware.
E.