Is this on an HP, Dell, Gateway where Vista was preinstalled or a custom case?
A set of recovery disks can be made from the recovery partition itself by reviewing the instructions seen at the manufacturer's support site. Once the new drive is in you would install Windows with the set and download the updates available at the support site to start off fresh.
Did you download a recovery disk from Neosmart? That is intended for seeing the repair tools available not for installing Windows.
Since the factory preinstall was XP what was used to see an upgrade to Vista? an upgrade disk? full install version?
With a brand new drive in you will need either an upgrade disk to upgrade from an older version of Windows or a full install dvd to see a new copy of Windows go on. With a new board and cpu along with a new drive you simply have to start fresh by the one option of buying a new Vista dvd.
With the board lacking any sata ports you would need to add in a separate controller card. Without a dvd burner? That's a must have these days!
Besides Vista coming on a dvd and now the 7 beta seeing dvd iso you have to figure that games along with other softwares will seen on dvds too. That and no sata ports on the board along with no installation disk for Windows is like trying to get around in a life boat without the oars!