I have 2 hard drives, one is the one i put my OS on and the other has all my files on it, I want to do a clean install of Windows 7 and delete my Windows XP partition, Will my files on the back up hard drive still be there after installing Windows 7?
disconnect the data cable to the data drive just to be safe then delete & make new partition on windows drive with win7.
How would it be possible to lose your files, if you physically disconnected the hard drive? Honestly, if you are nervous about unplugging your hard drive, and unsure if unplugging it would save your data (which it obviously would), i would be a little nervous about you installing an OS. Have you done that before?
I have but when I installed windows 7 on a vista partition it didn't recognize my other partition with my back up on it
Just disconnect the hard drive, i mean its gonna ask you where you want to install W7. but to be on the safe side disconnect it physically. Remember to power cycle your pc after you unplug it. Then install W7. Your files will be safe.