install xp on small HDD?

I have to reinstall XP. To make future re-installs easier, can I put
'\program files' and '\documents and settings' on d:? My thinking is
that this way, I could just do regular registry backups, and then be
able to recover if I have to re-install XP. (I also happen to have a
10Gb HDD.)

- Will this work?
- Do I have to burn a new install CD? (At least one web site
says I do.)
- Will other apps play with this? (assuming I change the install
path.)
- Anything else?

Thanks,
George

"George" <gbeccles@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ln0h04950hmvojlsu9u7ao9kfl0c1rojui@4ax.com...
>I have to reinstall XP. To make future re-installs easier, can I put
> '\program files' and '\documents and settings' on d:? My thinking is
> that this way, I could just do regular registry backups, and then be
> able to recover if I have to re-install XP. (I also happen to have a
> 10Gb HDD.)
>
> - Will this work?
> - Do I have to burn a new install CD? (At least one web site
> says I do.)
> - Will other apps play with this? (assuming I change the install
> path.)
> - Anything else?
>
> Thanks,
> George
program files - no
data files - yes
Jim