If I split my Windows partition to install a new OS, will my recovery partition still know which partition to install to?

"Some restore partitions, like the one provided by Dell, do not alter partition layout; they just rewrite the partition Windows was originally installed on.

Others, like HP, offer two options - a ""Destructive Recovery"" that reformats everything in sight (including attached external storage devices apparently), and a more normal System Recovery that does not.

Ultimately, you need to check with your netbook manufacturer how the system recovery partition on your machine is configured to behave. Packard Bell seems to provide an option between a complete and partial recovery. Check the options on your system before you reformat since the relevant help pages state this: ""Optional - depends on configuration purchased""

Complete and Partial Recovery

If the Recovery Program proposes the
Complete and Partial options, you may
by able to retain settings and
personal data for later retrieval.

This version of the Recovery Program
allows two types of recovery:


Complete Recovery
o Removes all programs and data on drive 'C' (HDD) and restores
your computer to its original factory
state. If your personal data is stored
in a separate partition, i.e. data
stored on drive 'D' (DATA) this
information will be kept for later
retrieval unless the Delete all user
files option is selected.
o If you select the Delete all user files option, or your
computer has no second partition, all
your data will be lost (personal
documents and settings, driver
updates, etc.)
Partial Recovery
o Restores your original operating system and software to their
original factory state without
deleting your personal data (unless
stored in C:\WINDOWS, see Notes).


Packard Bell links:

Software Recovery - The Data Partition
How to restore my computer to its original state? - Recovery Options
How to delete all files from the Data Partition
Packard Bell Recovery Management"