Install OS not on C drive

Hello, I am installing a new hard drive on my laptop, I now have Vista and want to get rid of it. I would like to install the OS (Windows XP Pro) into a partition other than the "C" drive in order to keep the operating system virgin.
On my existing hard drive I have several partitions with the OS installed on the "C" partition, I try to keep all other programs and data on seperate partitions, but when I check the "C" drive I find other progams have accessed this drive and installed on the "C" partition. Is it possible to do this and would it create any problems