XP installation onto used HDD

[NBee]

Hi all.

I need to install winXP onto a drive that has already been used. It was previously a back-up in my old system, and has about four main directories created.

It is essential that I do not lose these files. I am hoping that I am able to install XP as normal, and that the existing folders will just appear alongside the new ones. Obviously I won't format the drive first!

Please, is this possible?

[Statica]

Why not just backup the directories to a CD/network location and proceed. I don't think there is an option to install XP to a partition without formatting the partition after selection. The other option is to have these files to another partition than the one XP is going to be installled (This partition should have been present BEFORE you start XP setup)

[NBee]

So when the installation goes ahead it automatically deletes everything first, even if I don't format it?

I don't have the option to back the files up. I have had to replace my Mobo, and now the existing system won't boot, and I need to reinstall. I have two good existing HDDs and don't want to buy another, but also need to keep a few directories on the one that was a backup and largely unused.

[Statica]

XP's installation doesnt delete everything, what happens is that it insists on formatting the partition that is going to hold NTFS (unless doing a repair installation). So if your backup drive was partitioned to have just a single partition, and the backup files reside on it, then they will be lost during the installation. However since you have 2 hard drives, you have a VARIETY of options really.
One option is to install XP to the other drive; and not deal with this drive at all. Heck you could even leave the backup drive disconnected during the XP setup procedure.
If you are caught in a situation that you want to use the current backup drive as your system drive for XP; then I would suggest, using something like a DOS/Windows 95/98 bootdisk from bootdisk.com; partition the other drive using ye olde DOS tools, and format; then move the files from the current BACKUP drive to the other one. Then unplug the new backup drive and install XP.
In essence, the gist of the story is that XP will partition your system partition (the place where XP resides). Once you agree to that situation, planning it out is a cinch with 2 hard drives!

[captainmoe]

It might be possible to partition half your drive or copy all the data u need onto your current drive then install.