Windows 7: clean install -2 drives

Hi , new to forum and my first post. Presently running XP home, want to install Win 7 Home Premium. I have two internal drives , one [c drive has all the programs] the second drive [d has all the documents, pics data]
Can I safely do a clean install on c-drive without backing up the data on d-drive.
thanks for any help.

Hi bman55 and welcome to SevenForums

Yes, you should be able to install onto C: without affecting D: without any problems, however, see this thread

I have the same preoccupation, as I'm ready to install Windows 7, I'd like to be sure I won't lose my 500gig of data on my D:, should I just remove it from the tower before installing Windows 7???

Yes, you can remove the drive if it makes you feel better.
I'm 99.9% sure nothing will happen to your data on D: if you're installing on C:

JP: Simplest thing to do in your situation if you are worried would be to open the case and disconnect the power cable from your D drive so it can't spin. If it can't spin, nothing can install to it. No need to fully remove the drive. I say that only as a precaution. If it were me personally, I would just dive in and make SURE that I chose the current C drive as the destination for the new install.

I just disconnect the sata cable
one weird thing it did not ask me to format, it created a windows.OLD for the windows file and deleted the program files but it did not touch to My Documents at all nor my torrents

You have to boot from the Windows 7 Upgrade installer in order to use Custom>Advanced tools that can delete/create/format. Starting the install from your XP drive only allows you to do a Custom clean install which overwrites your currrent XP (putting files in the windows.old file) or direct the install to another partition or drive.

If you want a cleaner install, you can always boot from the installer and do a Custom clean install with formatting after backing up your files: Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Welcome to Seven Forums bman55.

There is a good tutorial on Clean Installation with Windows 7 that will explain the procedure. In step #7&8 it will show you how to get to the format option.

For other tutorials on Windows 7 installation see the sticky thread Tutorial quick reference list for Installing Windows 7, there are many tutorials that will help with all the installation processes.

Thanks to all that replied to my questions.