How safe are non OS partitions with a clean install...?
824856
They /should/ be okay, but the safer alternative is to backup that data just in case.
824729
will it boot into safemode (f8 on boot)? if so do a system restore ... if not ur sol i think ...there wont be any other backup unless you made one ... if you know what files then pull ur drive and stick it in the machine ur using now and copy the files you need to the system folders ...
1162947
As long as you dont plan to use it as your sole operating system.  It still has its share of bugs...  enough that they've bumped the release date up to Spring 2007.  You'd definitely want to create a partition to install/run it on.
373274
yes.  You can store all of your personal things on the non primary partition so that when you format or restore those files will still be there.
274536
Yes, if you are doing an upgrade. BUT!!!  Make sure you back up all of your data, just in case.  There are never any guarantees.  Even though the files should make the transition, any small glich can cause them to be corrupted.  Always back your stuff up before making any change!
215634
If OS in on one partition only,you can merge 2 partitions with no problem at all.I don't think Partition Magic offer free trial.If you are going to buy it,you should buy PC BEGINNER from www.download.com.Program contains Partition Magic and some other usefull software,such as Drive Image.It costs the same price as to buy Partition Magic alone from local stores
121823
I would really recommend using NTPassword, it can be found as an ISO.  If you need to remove the drive, then do that if you must.
65911
format c: /s /u\n\nbut you can only do this from a boot cd / floppy and it will wipe the boot drive clean.\n\nof course that assume a DOS format and not a NTFS format.
435540
Take care that undelete programs made for DOS a few years ago won't work with Win XP or NTFS partitions... So if you're thinking of undeleting on a new computer, your chances are slim without a professional tool :-(
892939
You should have no problems whatever with current files, accounts, etc.  It is always a good idea to back-up your system on external media (data DVD, CD, External HD, etc...)  \n\nWhatever you do...do not turn off power (power-cycle) your computer while updating...even at the end of the instalation process...you must let it shut-down (it will prompt you at the appropriate time to do this or do it itself) and boot up or XP will no longer work.  It trashes the System32/config files.  you have to repair from the intall CD...and you then may loose the "my documents" portion of your system.  \n\nI don't mean to scare you with doom and gloom, but if you have a system that came with Xp on the HD on a "Secret Partition" then you will need find a viable copy of XP or Buy one...because Microsoft will laugh at you if you call them with this particular problem.
928444
For an exact, BOOTABLE drive copy, use Nortons GHOST..it works excellent, and is easy to use! If you dont want it bootable, just drag your main files over to the new drive for free...
1046090
Try to get Partition Magic,  It can partition and format your drives without destroying you Win Home.
1171470
Yes you can. Does it have anything illegal on it? You might want to delete those first!\nBut: the data will still work, the applications will still work, and the drive should survive the trip. Just be sure to pack it in something soft - a roll of socks maybe?
747015
well, the easiest and the most reliable way is to download Disk Director partitioning software. It's not safe to operate with windows utilities, because when u create partition within widows  u lose data. Besides, ADDS is rather cheap utility and u won't need to uninstall XP.
788197
no, your files will remain...no need to worry. \n\nim sorry, but your a lil outta date...if you want xp, or even vista, i can hook you up.
791799
make sure "hide protected os files" also get unchecked!
150688
backup what you want to keep and then use this to wipe the disk clean: \nhttp://www.killdisk.com/