Partitioning and Recovery DIsk

I have always partitioned my C: boot drive so that if I have to reinstall Windows I can format the partition and not lose other information.

When I tried my OEM recovery disk, it would not install because the drive was partitioned. I cannot use my purchased WinXP either because the drivers for some of the OEM equipment is on the OEM disk.

I had to remove everything from partition 2, remove the partition and then use the recovery disk.

Anyone know the reason for this restriction OR if it can be bypassed some way.

 

I would use the WinXP disk and then if windows wants drivers, point it to the oem disk. They usually have the drivers in their own directory. You can browse the disk just to become familiar with it before you have to actually have to use it.

 

I'll try that tho I think I did do that when I needed to. The tech support told me that I had to install from the OEM but it's worth another try (and maybe another techie might know better).

 

There's no way around that Bob and if you don't have the MS full retail installCD, you're up that proverbial creek. It's all hard coded in the OEM install and not editable by mere users.

Sorry.

 

I would use the XP disk, partition like you want it, and let XP's generic drivers handle things until you get online, then go to the manufacturer's site and download and install the drivers you need. (Check in Device Manager for any exclamation points or warning triangles) Your partitioning strategy is sound, so don't compromise the security of your data over some drivers, especially since you have the real XP disk to work with.

Johanna