Can I install XP on a partition?

[ecapo]

I'm running into a series of problems connecting to the internet and
doing a repair install didn't fix it, so I figured doing a full install
is my only option now. So here's what I'm thinking of doing: I
partition my hard drive in 2, using a NON-DESTRUCTIVE partition
program. Then I either copy (or "ghost") the contents of the first half
of the drive (Windows XP Home OS incl. programs, files etc) on to the
second half of the drive. Then I install XP Home from scratch, then
once installed, I transfer all my programs and files back on to the
first half of the drive.

Question is, will this work and what software do I need to make it
work? I know that Windows likes to control EVERYTHING upon install, and
can probably see "hidden partitions". Thing is, I can't have it messing
with the second partition, because if it formats over it, I've lost
everything!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm running into a series of problems connecting to the internet and
doing a repair install didn't fix it, so I figured doing a full install
is my only option now. So here's what I'm thinking of doing: I
partition my hard drive in 2, using a NON-DESTRUCTIVE partition
program. Then I either copy (or "ghost") the contents of the first half
of the drive (Windows XP Home OS incl. programs, files etc) on to the
second half of the drive. Then I install XP Home from scratch, then
once installed, I transfer all my programs and files back on to the
first half of the drive.

Question is, will this work and what software do I need to make it
work? I know that Windows likes to control EVERYTHING upon install, and
can probably see "hidden partitions". Thing is, I can't have it messing
with the second partition, because if it formats over it, I've lost
everything!

Your installation to the first partition will work, of course.

Transferring your data back to your first partition will work too,
although I think it's a bad idea. IMHO, data files should always
reside on their own partition.

Transferring your programs back to the first partition won't
work. You have to re-install them.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm running into a series of problems connecting to the internet and
doing a repair install didn't fix it, so I figured doing a full install
is my only option now. So here's what I'm thinking of doing: I
partition my hard drive in 2, using a NON-DESTRUCTIVE partition
program. Then I either copy (or "ghost") the contents of the first half
of the drive (Windows XP Home OS incl. programs, files etc) on to the
second half of the drive. Then I install XP Home from scratch, then
once installed, I transfer all my programs and files back on to the
first half of the drive.

Question is, will this work and what software do I need to make it
work? I know that Windows likes to control EVERYTHING upon install, and
can probably see "hidden partitions". Thing is, I can't have it messing
with the second partition, because if it formats over it, I've lost
everything!

As a further thought: The iron rule of computing says that all
important files must be backed up to an ***independent***
medium once every week. Your question suggests that you
are not aware of this rule. Many people observe this rule
only after suffering a major disaster.

 

[ecapo]

I'm aware of the rule.... but also aware of the fact that I only have
one HD installed. So I make do by at least partitioning it in two.
Nothing crucial on my system if it does go south anyway. I use it
mostly for emails and fooling around with snapshots. Anyway, I'm up to
the point of having partitioned the drive in two, and copied the files
from the primary part. to the secondary (used XXCOPY). Finding a
suitable partitioning program that could format NTFS was another series
of hoops I had to jump through... Tried BootIt NG, Partition Star,
Partition Magic, DFSee, AEFDisk, DDT, and I forget what else. (BootIt
was good for the partitioning work, but had to format in FAT32 and use
XP's convert utility to simulate a NTFS format).

NONE of the cloning/imaging programs were of any use to me for this
work, because I did not want an exact copy of my drive. Reason being,
it is a flawed system, which is why I'm copying it in the first place!
Restoring an image would merely restore all the problems the system had
to begin with! So I fully expect to have to reinstall my software.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I'm running into a series of problems connecting to the internet and
doing a repair install didn't fix it, so I figured doing a full
install is my only option now. So here's what I'm thinking of doing: I
partition my hard drive in 2, using a NON-DESTRUCTIVE partition
program. Then I either copy (or "ghost") the contents of the first
half of the drive (Windows XP Home OS incl. programs, files etc) on
to the second half of the drive. Then I install XP Home from scratch,
then once installed, I transfer all my programs and files back on to
the first half of the drive.

Question is, will this work and what software do I need to make it
work? I know that Windows likes to control EVERYTHING upon install,
and can probably see "hidden partitions". Thing is, I can't have it
messing with the second partition, because if it formats over it,
I've lost everything!

What is the problem you are having connecting to the internet. Why do you
think reinstalling will make a difference?
Try asking about your connection problems in the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web newsgroup.

news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web

-- Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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