HD format : Moving data from c: to d: ?

[RampRat]

I have a lot of data on the (only) partition c: on my HD. I want to reformat c: without losing most of my data. Can I make another partition on the same drive (and then have 2 partitions c: and d: ) move data to d: and format c:. Will the OS installed on the freshly formated c: recognize the old data on d:? Thanks. I have critical data that I really can't afford to lose.

 

[sohcrates]

the only way to add a second partition (i.e. a "d" drive)without losing your data would be to use software such as partition magic.... if you did so, then you could simply copy what you wanted to save over to d: , format c:, and re-install.

but if you don't use partition magic, there's not many other options for backing up...besides taking the hard drive out and putting it in someone's box and copying stuff over that way..OR you could just delete the windows directory and re-install windows over itself w/out a format...