If you wipe the system partition and reinstall XP you would also have to
reinstall all the programs. Having the programs on another partition doesn't
really give you any protection in this situation. Before installing Vista
backup both of your partitions. If something goes wrong you can then get
back to exactly where you were before installing Vista. I prefer to use a
disk imaging program with an external hard drive but there are many good
backup solutions. Choose one and use it. Even if you decide not to install
Vista you still need backups.
--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca
"Craig" <Craig@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4A951E5C-E268-48D3-8924-C5B2F86B0940@microsoft.com...
> Hello,
> I just downloaded Vista Business through MSDNAA and currently have WinXP
> Pro. I was reading about the in-place upgrade option they have and it is
> available under my circumstances. Will this essentially be the same as
> just
> changing to Vista and being able to keep all of my programs with their
> same
> functionality? I'm just a little hazy about trying to do this, because I
> dont' want to lose somethings. I have two partitions on my harddrive.
> One
> which houses XP and the other various programs and such. If the install
> goes
> bad, I can always just wipe the XP partition and reinstall correct?