If you are re-installing using a recovery disk then you have no option but
to use third party software (partition magic) to create partitions. The
problem is, in most cases, the recovery disk restores the system back to
factory conditions which basically means it allocated 'all' of your hard
drive as the C: partition. If this is the case you will ne something like
partition magic to first reduce your C: partition to a more manageable size,
say 15 to20GB. This will then leave the rest of the drive as 'unallocated
space'. You can then create new partitions from within xp or simply carry on
using partition magic to create the necessary other partitions.
If, on the other hand, you have a full retail boxed copy of XP then you
'will' have the option to create partitions during installation. For more
information on partitioning and reformatting the drive using a full retail
copy (not a recovery disk) visit my website http:xphelandsupport.mvps.org
Click the Win XP Faq button and take a look at question 41. For installing
xp using a retail copy also check out question 85. Please note that these
options 'do not' work with manufacturers' recovery disks.