Encrypting hard disk on note book that uses XP PRO

I will be traveling from the UK to Australia.I will be carrying my notebook with me and I have to go through several security and customs checks.I am prone to stress and this increases the risk of my notebook being lost or stolen. The notebook is replaceable however I do not want anyone being able to access data that seems to be stored in several places besides Documents and Settings.

I have a very strong encryption program. The question is how do I encrypt the Hard Disk?


Obviously I can't encrypt the entire Hard Disk. XP Pro must be able to boot the notebook so I can decrypt using the encryption program. If I cant do this I won't be able to decrypt what I have encrypted

I could keep a set up file for the encryption program on an SD card but what XP Pro files must I NOT encrypt so notebook will boot when I turn it on?

Suggestions that are straightforward and easy to understand will be especially welcome!

BTW The original XP Pro installation disk is useless because I have downloaded SP1 and SP2 through the net and it won't work!

 

Window XP start up passwords

Thanks.

Problem is I'm not sure where some of the multitudinous files I want to encrypt are located. They seem to be hidden all over the place in temp files, attachments, .... it will take for ever!!!

I am extremely nervous of tampering with BIOS ... I don't really know what I'm doing, especially because the BIOS set up seems to vary from computer to computer.

If I put a very strong 26 0r even 39 digit password on Windows start up would some one be able to crack it? There seems to be a whole host of programs on the net that can crack simple Windows passwords in the blink of an eye!

 

A P.s.

P.S.
My Notebook is a HP System ModPresario x6000 (PK247AV#ABA)

I have tried getting into the BIOS to see if I could work out how to stop the notebook from booting by entering a password, but I can't even open the BIOS to do that!! One can enter the BIOS on desk tops by pressing the Delete button when one powers up, but even that doesn't work on this notebook.

 

Thanks Steve You are absolutely right

Thanks Steve!

You are absolutely right.
I have a back up drive the size of a pocket wallet which I can put in my coat. I will use Seagate Disk Wizard to clone the notebook HDD on to this back up drive. Then I'll wipe the drive clean by hard formatting it and lock the notebook with a BIOS password (BTW F10 is the key for accessing BIOS 0n a Compaq Note book) I'll restore the image when I arrive back down under.
Anybody have any comments or wise words of caution?
Pete