Partition HD

[fbg40]

Hi
My PC has a 160Gb HD and no partitions. Is it possible to partition this HD and put the OS (XP) into it's own partition in order that a reinstall of Windows can be done without affecting anything else (apps, docs, photos etc).If it is possible, how easy is it and is it within the scope of an ageing ole' b****r like me ?
Many thanks
FBG40

[rojash]

No. There's software available that will allow you to repartition without losing anything, but it will move all your existing stuff into one partition.
Even if you already had your OS installed to one partition, and installed all your applications to another, because most applications make changes to the registry and often also install other files to the Windows or System folders, a re-install of Windows would still require you to reinstall your applications afterwards.

[Huderon]

ummm ... Yes and no :-)

You could use software which will leave your current setup intact to repartition the drive, then move your documents folders to the other partition, and finally back up the system and programs partition to an external drive with something like Paragon drive copy (I think the SE version is free, and they sometimes give away slightly over versions of their full suite).

There is a guide to doing this at http://www.techsuppor...ing-hard-drives-1.htm (that's part one, but there is a link to part 2 at the end of the article, and a link to part 3 at the end of part 2 - if that makes sense).

[fbg40]

Many thanks for the answers guys. Having read your comments/advice I will leave as is for the time being and wait until I "revamp" the PC. (If it ever needs it that is).
Thanks once again
FBG40