Installing OS on Multi-Partition HD

[21stHermit]

So I just ordered a new Dell Core Duo Lappy. It has at least two HD partitions, one for XP MCE and another for a small Linux? partition for quick launch of say a DVD movie. I want to remove the Dell bloatware by doing a clean XP install using the CD's for which I paid an extra $10.

If I remember correctly from my DOS days, when you format a HD, you format by letter or Primary/Secondary partitions. If you want to format the entire drive, then you must first delete all secondary partitions. Is my understanding correct?

Therefore the small Linux partition will remain intact if I don't delete its partition, and XP will be installed on the primary partition and become C: .

There was a partial answer in this thread, but just want to be sure.

Any shafts of light would be appreciated. 😕

Hermit

 

[Lyfer]

You gotta format the primary partition which contains your OS. Pop in your WiNXP OEM CD and delete the the current WinXP partition. Devide the free space into the the number drives you want. Select which partition you want to install WiNXP to and it will give you the option to quick format to NTFS/Fat. WinXP setup has pretty easy to use partition/format interface, the only thing you need to do is format the drives you created after you finish installing WinXP.