My own harddisk partition N using ThinkPad R&R

[jhui]

My X61 has been running WinXP for many years. I think it is time to clean up. Lately I used a partition tools (GPART) to resize the disk create a new partition. I have left the service partition (the hidden partition under WinXP) intact.

Therefore my system has now three partitions: the main OS partition (or c:), An addition partition for data (d: drive) and the original service partition.

I like to restore the system back to factory state using R&R. I prefer not touching my data partition or D: drive unless there is no better solution. Is it possible to run "R&R - restore factory state" without touching my new D:drive partition?

I believe there were two options to restore to factory state:
a) restore the system based in a set of R&R CD media, which I have purchased
b) based on the service partition in the disk

Is the answer to my question different when using option a, option b?

You helpful answer will allow me to decide how to backup my system safely before running R&R factory restore. Thanks in advance for your reply.

[RealBlackStuff]

R&R from the hidden partition will wipe the rest of the drive.
Install from restore CDs will wipe the whole disk.
You will definitely lose your data partition!
So back it up, do your R&R, use GPARTED or similar to re-create your date partition, and then restore data.