install XP on new partition?

[SpecialK]

I have a hard disk that is formatted in NTFS and has files on it but no
OS.

Can I partition it and install XP on the new partition without
disturbing the existing files?

If so, how is this done? Can I do it by selecting a partition size
during setup less than the exisiting free space on the disk?

 

[Ken Blake]

I have a hard disk that is formatted in NTFS and has files on it but
no OS.

Can I partition it and install XP on the new partition without
disturbing the existing files?

Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
partition structure of the drive nondestructively. The only way to do what
you want is with third-party software. Partition Magic is the best-known
such program, but there are freeware/shareware alternatives. One such
program is BootIt Next Generation. It's shareware, but comes with a free
30-day trial, so you should be able to do what you want within that 30 days.
I haven't used it myself, but it comes highly recommended by several other
MVPs here.

 

[Brian Wescombe]

Unfortunately, no version of Windows provides any way of changing the
partition structure of the drive nondestructively.

Windows Vista has support for re-sizing partitions without destroying data

 

[Ken Blake]

Windows Vista has support for re-sizing partitions without destroying
data

OK, thanks for the update. My experience with Windows Vista so far has been
minimal.