My computer is set up right now so that one hard drive is the master (200GB), one is the SLAVE(20GB). My master drive crapped out on me. So, I would like to REINSTALL my other harddrive (20GB) as the master. My issue is that I have folders and INFORMATION on that (20GB)drive. Can I install Windows XP on it and keep the files that are there or will an install of XP wipe out that info. I don't have a way of removing the files from the (20GB)harddrive. Thanks!"Can I install Windows XP on it and keep the files that are there or will an install of XP wipe out that info?"

Unfortunately, a FRESH install WILL wipe your drive of any data you've saved.  

Do you or any of your friends that are computer savvy have an external hard drive enclosure that you could put your 20g in & copy that data to another computer...THEN do an install of XP?

Alan <><  Unfortunately no, but I guess I will try to be creative and figure something out. Thanks for your responce.Buy a DVD burner and burn the contents of the 20G to a blank DVD...then proceed with your install.

patio.    8-)A suggestion, buy yourslef a new HD, install it and take out your secondary HD to preserve the data. Do your install and put the secondary drive BACK in...u better find way to remove those files.
why don't u backup ur files to CD or to somewhere else,say friends HDD
or u can create partitions over there.
and install XP on empty partition.
not sure u'll be able to do that without some software, but anyway.
(by the way i'd recommend u to use as partiotioning software Disk Director
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/diskdirector