What packages must I install rather than copy the files of?

I bought new (to me) computer. I used a USB drive to partition and format, then I copied my old hard disk over. I know this doesn't work for /proc or /dev , so I installed those packages, but it halts on boot when it gives me the first boot prompt. I can boot from the drive when I boot first from USB drive. I find no errors in the logs, though I think I see one scroll by. It has an SSD (the listing said HDD; I'm not used to the quiet and speed of an SSD.) so it goes by too fast for me to see. I suspect I need to install some package that I can't just copy over the files of. The CapsLock key doesn't even toggle its LED.