Ok, so my 250 Gig HDD just now has been partitioned into C: (approx 30Gig) and D: (the rest)... I have very few programs installed on my C: partition and all my games/mp3's etc are on my D: partition...

My question is, if I format the C: partition and reinstall XP Pro... Can I COPY a shortcut to my game exe's to, say, my desktop (or create my own addition to the start menu) and the game will still run? Will the game run this way?if you format the "C" Drive all data for the games will be LOST and they will all have to be reinstalled again.

why not try a REPAIR installation instead.All the data for my games are on the D: partition... formatting C: won't delete that. I don't install any of this type of stuff on my C: partition. Was just WONDERING if it would be possible to still run them after re-installing XP.in simple terms
when any software is installed the instructions/drivers/graphic codes/sound codes in fact the way the PROGRAM works in that particular operating system is added to it, in the Registry of WINDOWS XP/VISTA/98 etc are the connecting links.

if you format the drive you will destroy all the installed operating system and all added instructions registry etc, which would enable the software on drive "D" to work,

therefore to make them work again
they would have to be reinstalled again,
after you reinstall the operating system and motherboard and all other component drivers etc.