Stop rescue and recovery from reformatting partitions?

[marlinspike]

If I have a blank drive that I have partitioned how I want it, is there a way to install to it using rescue and recovery, either using my system restore disk or using a backup made of my existing drive, that won't mess up the partitions?

[Neflem]

LOL - I just hate them disks.

I believe that they are made one way and that it does not have the smarts to see other partitions, just the entire drive.

My suggestion would be to get your hands on another drive.
Let the R&R disc create and reformat that one.
Then use a disk imaging program to restore to your drive, with the partitions you have set up.

http://disk-imaging-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

[marlinspike]

One day, I'm going to have to have the good sense to install Windows on a separate partition, though I guess this would mean having to buy my own copy of Windows rather than using the one that comes on the computer.