Clean install of Windows XP question...

[seanc06]

Hey everyone.

I have a question regarding a clean install of Windows XP on my t42p-2373Q1U. I want to do a fresh install mainly because I want to partition my computer without using a partition software such as Partition Magic, since I heard that Partition Magic 8 has some serious issues when working with WinXP (anyone else heard this?). If I do a fresh install and constrain it to the C: drive, will it touch the hidden service partition? I want the service partition intact as a backup even though I have made recovery CDs and such.
Also, if I realize that my computer isn't working properly after this fresh install and I need to recover it back to it's original state, will it delete all of the partitions I made and go back to just the C: and the hidden partition like it originally has, or can I constrain it to just one partition as well?

Thanks for any help in advance!

[cchsiao]

Hey everyone.

I have a question regarding a clean install of Windows XP on my t42p-2373Q1U. I want to do a fresh install mainly because I want to partition my computer without using a partition software such as Partition Magic, since I heard that Partition Magic 8 has some serious issues when working with WinXP (anyone else heard this?). If I do a fresh install and constrain it to the C: drive, will it touch the hidden service partition? I want the service partition intact as a backup even though I have made recovery CDs and such.
Also, if I realize that my computer isn't working properly after this fresh install and I need to recover it back to it's original state, will it delete all of the partitions I made and go back to just the C: and the hidden partition like it originally has, or can I constrain it to just one partition as well?

Thanks for any help in advance!

I have a 2373KTU. When I install XP from the installation CD, I am able to partition the HDD without doing anything on that recovery partition. If you are afraid of doing anything wrong, you can set "secure" in the predesk option in the BIOS. I think this will help you prevent from deleting the recovery partition.