Can I create a my "own" backup partition, as an IMG backup partition? not recovery

[AntiCasual]

Hello,

My computer is messed, long story, but some registry keys, users accounts, folders and file permissions have been tampered with. My system is very unstable right now, so I am going to attempt some risky but possible fixes. My system is fairly new so I only have around 160GB of space used on my HDD, along with a 14GB recovery partition. This leaves me with roughly 350GB of free space.

My question is as follows: Can I create and format a partition AFTER the C: partition to push all of my important vids, music, docs, programs onto and access it as a backup if my OS fails and data is lost from C:?

I don't have any other external HD's or other storage devices, I have very limited options here.

[EDIT] I'm running Windows 7.

[JPMiller]

Sure, thats a common way to handle things
You don't even need a separate piece of software, simply right click on "my computer" and choose "manage"
You can use "disk management" tools under "storage" to create the new partition

[Richard Cranium]

Thanks JPM, this also applies to Win XP Home.

[AntiCasual]

Sure, thats a common way to handle things
You don't even need a separate piece of software, simply right click on "my computer" and choose "manage"
You can use "disk management" tools under "storage" to create the new partition

Yeah, thanks for the quick reply. I was just worried about C:\ completely crashing due to me re-editing some reg keys, and touching up some file permissions. I have already lost one standard user account, but was able to regain control of it through my edits, but unfortunately the files could not find any of their paths or roots. I still have access through the admin account to some of these files and am organizing them and compressing them while I plan my next course of action.

I think I will try the windows repair disk, although I doubt it will work, I'm feeling as though I'm heading towards a clean install.

I formatted a partition as NTFS, volume H. This is where I'll be pushing important programs and apps. I'm very nervous that a clean install will format the whole disk rather than the C:\ partition. I'm new to Windows 7, and haven't even had the chance to install it myself, because my new computer was a gift I received for Christmas, so the OS came pre-installed =(

Sorry, I'm rambling now. I'm going to post another topic in the OS section, which relates to my current issues. I can't even create a new user account as an Admin with full permission, ahh!

[JPMiller]

When installing it sees the separate partitions and allows you to choose the partition to install to... Only when you delete a partition and format the entire drive, do you "lose" the partition

[Richard Cranium]

Before doing this, I suggest a full Scan Disc both in Windows and Startup

Then a Defrag , this will allow a more continuous space on the HD to make your partition and also make sure there are no bad sectors.