reformatting hard drive w/ Windows XP

[geek hoodlum]

Okay, my friend ask me to reformat his desktop computer. He's currently using Windows XP Home. A 500GB hard disk partitioned in 2 drives. System files are in C Drive, while his data files are in D Drive.

I found the instructions here CH000647 but I have questions...
My friend asked me to reformat only the C Drive and install Windows XP Professional. The D Drive must remain the same and no data files should be deleted. In my experiences, I reformat all the drives and fresh installed the Windows XP. Am I in a safe side if I reformat only the C Drive? Can anyone give me the safe instructions on how to reformat the C drive only and without deleting the D drive?

[Allan]

Boot to the XP CD and start the install process. You will be asked where you want to install it - say c: drive. You will be asked if you want to format the drive first - say yes. That's it.

Do not delete any partitions and do not tell the system to format d: drive. The only way you can do any harm to d: drive is if you specifically command the system to do something to it.

[bav_ivek2003]

it will prompt in which drive you wish to install operating system,in that one just select thats it.

[Allan]

it will prompt in which drive you wish to install operating system,in that one just select thats it.

No, that's not it.
Please just follow the instructions in my post above.

[geek hoodlum]

Thank you!

[Allan]

Sure thing.

[Geek-9pm]

He may still fail. He has to have the correct XP install disk.
And the Drive has to conform to XP MBR  rules.
He can watch the video of a typical RE INSTALL where there are two partitions, C and D. If his install does not look like the video, he needs to give more info.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDLkfyeDIB0